不整地の道
Naoko Takahashi (Runner)
整地されていないガタガタ道、でこぼこ道、砂利道。歩くのにも走るのにも、身体は揺れて不安定な状態。でもランナーにとっては、一石二鳥、いやそれ以上。窪みや石ころに足を取られ、崩れそうになるバランス。足首、ふくらはぎ、太もも、身体の全部を使ってバランスを保つ。大きい筋肉だけでなく、小さい筋肉も鍛えられる。関節は柔軟になり、神経は研ぎ澄まされ、体幹を鍛えられる。砂利や石ころが足に当たり、足裏のマッサージ効果さえも見込める。もしその道が山の頂へと続くのであれば、登り詰めた時には大きな充足感、達成感、爽快感が得られる。そんな不整地の道が私は大好き。
A rugged road, a bumpy road, and a gravel road that are not rolled or leveled.My body shakes unstably during walking or running. But it kills two birds with one stone or even better for runners.I almost lose a balance with my legs in dips and over rocks.But I maintain my balance using ankles, calves, thighs and the whole body.This trains not only large muscles but small ones too.My joints become flexible, nerves get refined, and trunk is strengthened.I can anticipate a massage effect under my feet from hitting gravels and rocks.If the road is heading toward the top of a mountain, I can feel a great complacence, an accomplishment, and refreshment when I reach the top. I really like such unleveled roads.
高橋尚子（ランナー）
中学から本格的に陸上競技を始め、県立岐阜商業高校、大阪学院大学を経て実業団へ。98年名古屋国際女子マラソンで初優勝、以来マラソン6連勝。2000年シドニー五輪金メダル、01年ベルリンでは世界記録(当時)を樹立。08年 10月現役引退を発表。現在は「高橋尚子のスマイル アフリカプロジェクト」や環境活動、スポーツキャスター、 JICAオフィシャルサポーターなどで活躍中。2000年国民栄誉賞授賞。
Naoko Takahashi (Runner)
She started full-fledged training for track and field in junior high school. After Gifu Commercial High school and Osaka Gakuin University, she joined the corporate team. In 1998, she won her first marathon in Nagoya International Women’s Marathon. Since then, she won 6 marathons consecutively. In 2000, she won the gold medal in Sydney Olympics, and established the world record in Berlin in 2001. She announced to retire in October 2008. She is now active in various projects and roles such as “Naoko Takahashi’s Smile Africa Project”, environmental activities, as a sports broadcaster, and JICA official supporter. She received the People’s Honor Award in 2000.
