Kimino Miyazaki has made the lengthy journey from Japan to run the 2023 Hardrock 100. On this interview, our first with Kimino, she talks about her historical past with operating, why she’s drawn to racing the longer and harder ultramarathons, what she thinks of the Hardrock course after just a few days of scouting, and the way she plans to strategize her race day.
For extra on who’s racing, try our in-depth preview. Comply with together with our Hardrock 100 stay race protection from Friday.
Kimino Miyazaki Pre-2023 Hardrock 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Kimino Miyazaki. It’s a few days earlier than the 2023 Hardrock 100 Endurance Run. Hello, Kimino. Good morning. How are you?
Kimino Miyazaki: I’m fairly good. [laughs]
iRunFar: Wonderful. That is your first time in America, however you’ve run extremely path races for fairly a while. How did you change into an ultra-trail runner?
Miyazaki: I used to be operating from 4 years outdated. I used to be a observe and area runner by 22 years outdated.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: Once I was a college scholar finding out train physiology, then I began to climb mountains. I began to run within the mountains in 2014.
iRunFar: In 2014.
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: Considered one of my buddies hooked me as much as path operating.
iRunFar: Very cool. We’re utilizing telephones for some translation to make this interview a bit bit simpler. You might be from Japan. The place within the nation are you from? What’s your path operating tradition and terrain like the place you reside?
Miyazaki: Yeah. I stay close to sea and mountains.
iRunFar: You reside by sea and by mountains?
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Oh, wow.
Miyazaki: And there’s a small group of kid path runners. They’re from six to fifteen years outdated. I run with them as soon as every week within the morning. I study from them how you can get pleasure from nature. Generally they train me flowers and bugs and the key path course.
iRunFar: Oh, cool. You find out about nature from the youngsters?
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Ah, I like that.
Miyazaki: Sure. I find it irresistible.
iRunFar: I used to be to study that this isn’t your first journey to the USA to race. You have been right here in 2015, very early in your path operating profession to run in California. Inform me what brings you to the U.S. to race — what do you want about coming right here?
Miyazaki: I used to be in hassle with heavy jetlag, and scared exterior within the US. That race was my first abroad race for me.
iRunFar: The North Face Endurance Problem in California.
Miyazaki: Sure, sure.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: I used to be sick ofrom nerves and couldn’t run in any respect. So, I couldn’t get pleasure from U.S. path operating tradition. Path race was like a pageant. It’s not the identical as in Japan.
iRunFar: Okay. So that you discovered some issues about racing within the U.S. in your first difficult expertise right here.
Miyazaki: Yeah. First time.
iRunFar: Superb. You may have elevated the issue and technicality of the races that you simply’ve been doing the final couple of years. Longer, tougher 100 milers. What attracts you to the harder occasions of our sport?
Miyazaki: Sure. I used to be at a 50 miles race, which was the largest race in Japan.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: There was a 100 mile additionally. I noticed 100 miles finishers. I used to be actually moved by them. Then I wished to run 100 miles. Arduous races present me stunning [people] and delightful nature.
iRunFar: Okay. So it made you are feeling good to be out in nature for longer? Being out in nature for lengthy durations of time is what you about doing the longer races?
Miyazaki: Nature, dramatic.
iRunFar: I perceive.
Miyazaki: And one other runner is pleasant.
iRunFar: I perceive. Yeah, I get it. So Hardrock, now you’re right here in Colorado. You’re right here in Silverton. You’re right here at Hardrock. You’ve been right here for just a few days to see the course. What do you concentrate on this race?
Miyazaki: Yeah. I completely was stunned about scorching climate.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: Sure. It’s like scorching and dry. I didn’t learn a lot about excessive altitude. I do know there’s a lot snow on the course. However I didn’t count on that snow on steep slopes. For me, it’s sort of scary. I used to be operating many races a yr, so I’ve many experiences. I discovered by no means quit, from previous races.
iRunFar: Very cool. So, it’s the steep snow that would be the problem for you.
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Now that you simply’ve been right here, that you’ve got run 100 milers earlier than, and also you’ve seen a little bit of the course, what might be your technique on race day? How will you carry your self across the race?
Miyazaki: I hear [to] my physique and comply with my physique.
iRunFar: You’ll comply with the indicators that your physique offers you.
Miyazaki: Sure. Sure. My respiratory and coronary heart fee. Sure.
iRunFar: Superb. What are some issues that you simply’re actually trying ahead to that you would be able to’t wait to do on Friday and Saturday on the race?
Miyazaki: I watched Kilian [Jornet]’s film from Hardrock.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: He defined Hardrock is an genuine race and tradition of path operating. I actually wished to know what it’s like. And I wish to really feel it.
iRunFar: You wish to really feel that for your self.
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Yeah, superb. Quick Japanese runners have run Hardrock earlier than, Kaori Niwa, Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, they’ve performed effectively. Have you ever discovered from different Japanese runners what to anticipate right here?
Miyazaki: Kaori suggested me, get used to excessive altitude. So I got here right here 10 days earlier than the race begin.
iRunFar: To get used to altitude.
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Superb. Final query for you. I at all times like to listen to what worldwide folks consider the U.S. Consider Colorado. What are your impressions of being right here?
Miyazaki: U.S. or path operating? U.S. path operating?
iRunFar: No matter impression you’d prefer to share.
Miyazaki: Individuals, very regal.
iRunFar: Regal?
Miyazaki: American runners, American folks, so very optimistic.
iRunFar: Ah, okay. Constructive runners.
Miyazaki: Sure.
iRunFar: Okay.
Miyazaki: And they’re smiling and have a humorousness.
iRunFar: Humor. We snicker. [laughs] I’m sorry that took me some time. So, you’re trying ahead to laughing with runners.
Miyazaki: Sure, sure.
iRunFar: I really like that. Kimino Miyazaki, I want you the perfect of luck as you make your loop by way of the San Juan Mountains. Good luck at Hardrock.
Miyazaki: Thanks a lot.
iRunFar: Thanks. Arigatou.
Miyazaki: Sure. Arigatou.
