[Novel] "Running Heart" Chapter 2: Intersecting Footprints, Episode 29: Over the Pass

The Saikazaki Pass—it was like my life.

It wasn't that I had underestimated it.

That's why I even did a trial run.
Along the way, Yosuke retired.
I can run with him again.
I should have been able to draw strength from that.

However—

What is this pass? The first slope was within expectations.
I thought if I ran with the mindset that it was okay to walk, I could get through it, and I managed to climb it. After finishing that steep descent, another climb?
Huh? Were there this many slopes?
I had already checked videos of the Saika Pass on YouTube beforehand. At that time, there shouldn't have been slopes like this.

Unexpected slopes continued one after another. Finally, I started walking. Memories of the previous Miyake Marathon crossed my mind. That marathon where my legs went numb. Other runners also started walking here and there. Seeing that, for some reason, I felt relieved.

What added insult to injury was an intense urge to use the restroom. I had already been running for over an hour. I've always had a sensitive stomach. I had been nervous since the morning, and it was affecting my gut.
There should be a restroom at the aid station. If I can just make it there...

—With that thought, I walked to the next aid station in a strange posture.

It's hot! Despite it being November, it was close to a summer day. On top of that, this intense urge to use the restroom felt like my stomach was being punched with a fist.
For a moment, the four letters for "retire" crossed my mind.

In the first place, a lot of time had passed while I was taking care of Yosuke earlier. On top of that, considering the time I spent walking, it was taking quite a while. If I exceed the time limit, I'll be picked up by a car. It was becoming a question of whether I would make it in time.

While I was thinking about all this, there was an aid station.
I eagerly asked a volunteer if there was a restroom. A kind-looking young woman
"It's over there," she said, guiding me to the restroom.
I'm so grateful—.
The last time I felt this grateful for a restroom was that day on the way home from elementary school when I was really about to have an accident and ran home crying.

Unfortunately, there were two people waiting in front of the portable toilet. The waiting time felt so slow it seemed like an eternity. My consciousness was so focused on my lower body that I couldn't even hear the music playing from my AirPods.
It's finally my turn!
Ah, I'm saved.

I left the restroom with an unbearable sense of relief. I fumbled a bit because I didn't know how to flush the portable toilet. It was fortunate that Akemi had put toilet paper in my waist pouch yesterday just in case. In any case, I had escaped the crisis. A young male runner entered the portable toilet as I was leaving, but he had a more tragic look on his face than I did.

Now, what to do?

I thanked the person at the aid station and was about to leave, but since I was worried, I asked, "Will I make it in time for the time limit?"

With a beaming smile, they replied, "Please do your best."

The answer, which could be taken either way, actually helped me let go of my worries.

Why did I come to Wakayama?

I came to run.

Let's run!

Suddenly, the scenery opened up. On the descent of the pass, the marine blue sea spread out to my front right. Perhaps because of the clear weather, the beautiful blue sea and the sky-blue horizon were as vivid as could be. The contrast with the white clouds was irresistible. Was I in such a beautiful place—

I understand why Saikazaki is called the "Amalfi of Japan"; it is a beautiful landscape. I will probably never forget this view for the rest of my life.

Some runners had stopped and were filming for a long time, as if they had come just for this view.
It was that beautiful.

—It's okay, let's go!

I encouraged myself. I started running slowly and leisurely. My legs were still moving forward. I finished descending the slope.

I came out to Wakanoura. And then, I picked up the pace a little. There were few people walking or running. I didn't feel like I would make it within the time limit, but there were somewhat more people running than before. Could it be that I might make it in time? I want to avoid being picked up by a car.

This time, it's the seaside road. It's my first time running it. A road along the sea. The sea is right beside me. The wind gently pushes my back. —It feels good.
While running along this coastal road, I knew for sure.
I'll make it! I can make it in time.
My pace increased while I was running comfortably.
A 6-minute per kilometer pace! I'm back to my usual pace.

Now, let's go to the finish line where everyone is waiting.

—

Finally, I reached the 18-kilometer mark. There's no more pickup. I heard beforehand that once you enter the Marina City grounds, there are no more pickups. Responding to the cheers along the road, I move forward, forward. Even outside the water stations, citizens offer refreshments. Fruits and sweets, everything is offered with kindness. I find someone running at the same pace and run with them. Of course, there's no room to talk. I don't even greet them. But, they are a reassuring pacer.

Thinking that all that was left was to climb the slope to enter Marina City, I looked at my feet and thought my shoelaces were loose, so I stopped for a moment, moved to the side, and the moment I tried to fix my shoelaces,

Ah! The front thighs of both legs started to cramp. I instinctively felt that if I continued like this, it would be no good,
and I walked a little with my shoelaces still undone.
While I was massaging my front thighs with my hands...

Ah! This time, my hamstrings cramped.
It was the first time both the front and back of my legs had cramped.
I crossed the Marina Bridge, dragging my feet, and waited for recovery while walking slowly. After a while, girls who seemed to be high school students lined up to welcome the runners.

I want to look cool... at least at the end.

I think that was the feeling.
I started running. Slowly again.

The runner in front of me called out to me.
"If you stop, it'll be harder, so even if it's slow, keep running, keep running."

With the words of that person, who seemed like a veteran runner, I was able to run to the last aid station. Runners are all kind. I sprayed cold spray on both thighs at the aid station,
the last 2 kilometers.

These 2 kilometers were long!

The finish line is getting closer!
1 kilometer before the finish line, Yosuke, Matsuda, Mizushima, and Kiritani have rushed over to cheer me on. Even though I know it's a bad thing to do, I run through Marina City together.
Of course, they are on the sidelines.

Moriyama-saaan!

Matsuda shouts with a hoarse voice.
Yosuke, who was picked up by a car and recovered, shouts.
I can see Kiritani and Mizushima cheering while shedding tears. It must be a miracle that I made it this far.
I think so too. I have overcome numerous trials.
It's embarrassing, but I muster my last bit of strength while responding with a guts pose, thrusting my right fist into the sky.

Beyond the finish line, Akemi, Moeka, and Aya are waiting. I saw it, the finish line!

Thank you everyone!

Finiiiish!

It was by no means a marathon I ran all alone... There is family... There is Yosuke... There are friends...

I started running for myself,
and I realized it when I started running with everyone.

People live for others.
People do things for others.
People live with people.

Wrapped in a sense of happiness and satisfaction, perhaps I have become like a poet.

*The "Wakayama Jazz Marathon" that appears in this work is based on an actual event. We have received permission from the organizers to use the name.