It was exactly a year and a half ago that I first learned about the TDT100 (Tour de Tomo 100 miles) running event. The event was a collaboration between the ambassador, Doi, and shops all over the country called "ROAD TRIP."

The flagship headlamp "Trail Master" was fitted out and the night run project ended in Takao, Tokyo.

On the way to my next destination, Yamanashi, I received a message from Ambassador Yoichiro Sakurai. The message asked me to be a pacer for the 100-mile race. What's more, it was being held the following month!

When I mentioned this to Doi-san, who was in the passenger seat during the trip, he suggested that I start by listening to the podcast "100miles 100times" by RD (race director) Tomo to get a grasp of "What is TDT?" and "TDTism."

Listening to back issues of the podcast, I realized that the TDT is not a "race" but a "group run," so it sounds fun, but the distance (160km) and time (within 24 hours) seem tough. To begin with, I don't even have the running ability to be a pacer (90km)... *The longest distance at the time was the 60km Kurondo Rondo held in Osaka. And there was only one month until the event. If I had trained a little more, I would have accepted without hesitation, but... There are many uncertainties, so I'm agonizing.

As many of you may know, Sakurai (Saku) has run many 100-mile races in the past, and is such an accomplished runner that he has earned the nickname "the master of finishing races" because he always finishes every race he enters. So why did he choose me?

The phrase he used was, "TDT is filled with love" and "it's worth experiencing that love," so he asked for a pacer.

At the after-party for "ROAD TRIP in Yamanashi w/ Michigama," I spoke to Doi, RYU-G, and Matsui from Three Peaks RD about whether I should take on the role, and they all encouraged me, saying, "It's definitely a great opportunity, so you should take on the role of pacer!" I clearly remember accepting the offer the next day.

From there, there wasn't much time. "For now, you have to run at least 200 kilometers a month!" I was told, and even though I had never run that far before, I agreed, so I had no choice but to work towards my goal. And so, I successfully completed my pacer mission. We ran side by side for just under 90 kilometers, chatting, and dozing off at times, but we still ran together. I was so happy to have achieved the longest distance of my life.

The next day, the banquet was held, with the main focus being on the lottery to determine who would be eligible to race the following year. To my surprise, I drew the first prize and won the right to race. This meant that I would be running 100 miles (160 km) the following year. That was it. This is where it all began. No, I'm not exaggerating; everything changed: my mindset, my physique, and my lifestyle.

To maintain my motivation and improve my running ability, I participated in a training session in Osaka. While I was running, someone called out to me, "You're Nishioka from milestone, right?" This person was none other than Naofumi Yoshida, the man who had guided me to the next stage. "Every Wednesday, I run up Budouzaka in Kashiwara. There are many TDT completers there (hardcore runners), so if you'd like, please come along!" For the next year, we ran and laughed together almost every Wednesday, rain or snow, and on weekends we climbed mountains, rode bikes, had training camps, drank, grilled, and generally just trained with like-minded friends. Everyone was a better runner than me, so I ran to keep up. It was all for the sake of completing the TDT.

To be continued.