Love and Bonds Strengthened Through RunningA Story of a 12-Year Connection with My Wife

Interview Relay 2nd Run: Stories of “Connections Between People” Born Through the Tokyo Marathon.

This time, we introduce a story of Raynism, whose love and bond with his wife were forged through running. Now, they are working together toward their shared dream: finishing the Tokyo Marathon. This is the story of the “connection” he has built with his wife over 12 years together.

“Want to Run Together?” An Invitation from a Colleague Became a Turning Point

My “connection” story is a story of love. It’s about how running became the ultimate bond between my wife and me throughout our 12 years together.

Running was never a priority for me. I was an introvert, usually spending my spare time playing video games, building Gundam kits, or watching movies. However, at one point in my 20s, I hit the lowest point of my life. I was struggling with a breakup, stress at work, and family problems. I was in a very dark place.

Then one day, my colleague, Patricia, asked me, “Why don’t you join me for a run after work?” I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t used to running, and the last thing I wanted to do after a long day was tire myself out further. But I took the leap and joined her one night—and it became a 360-degree turning point in my life.

Who would have imagined that I would actually enjoy running? For the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe, release my stress, and find a sense of calm. I am so thankful to her. She took me out of that “dark box” and showed me a new perspective on life.

Cherishing a Lifelong Connection Born Through Running

From that day on, I joined her for a run every day after work. I was always two steps behind her, looking at her back and realizing how determined and disciplined she was. Even after working from 8 am to 2 am, she would still run because it was her “safe place.” I admired her so much that I wanted to support her forever.

I realized that running had created a deep connection between us that I wanted to keep for the rest of my life. I pursued her, and we started joining fun runs together. We didn’t have proper training back then; we just wanted each other’s company and enjoyed every moment together. We even managed to finish two 21km races without formal training, simply because we were enjoying ourselves so much.

Later, we went to study at the University of Sydney and joined races there as well. Running in a different culture with crowds cheering us on was a magnificent experience. It made us fall in love with running even more.

Sharing the “Connection” with Family and the Community

After we got married and had a baby, our time and energy were focused entirely on our small family. But last year, when our relatives invited us to go for a run, we decided to lace up our shoes again. We were skeptical at first, but to our surprise, every bit of memory and happiness came rushing back. It was the moment that reignited our deep connection.

Now, we feel overjoyed to share this experience not just as a couple, but with our whole family and relatives. Running hasn’t just deepened the bond with my wife; it has brought connections with friends, family, and the new running community we’ve joined. It is the best feeling ever.

Our Dream: Finishing the Tokyo Marathon Together

Now, we are more determined than ever. We have started proper training programs as we prepare for our first-ever full marathon. Our ultimate dream is the Tokyo Marathon.

Japan is our favorite country—we’ve visited almost every year. I introduced my wife to the beauty of Japan, and after experiencing the culture, the amazing food, anime, technology, fashion, and architecture, she has become just as fascinated with the country as I am.

For us, running the Tokyo Marathon is like stepping into a dream from an anime or video—the scenery, the people, and the architecture. We want to feel the culture of Tokyo with our own bodies, create new connections, and cherish every moment of life. We have run every race together and finished every race together. That is why we want to cross the finish line of our first full marathon together in our favorite place: Tokyo.