A Report on the Running Club’s “First Run” of the Year! A Course Exploring Notable Spots in Dagaya Sandou! | Club Activity Introduction
Hello! This is PR Sunny-chan.
The New Year holiday mood has completely worn off, and everyone’s engines are probably starting to rev up.
As 2020 began, a new year has also started for SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP. We plan to develop many initiatives to deliver even more diverse content this year, so we look forward to your continued support!
Now, in this blog post, we introduce one of the five club activities at SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP: the “Running Club” (commonly known as TOKYO RUNNERS). This friendly club has approximately 21 members of various ages and genders. Since members gather across company boundaries, the club deepens horizontal connections within the group through its activities.
Sunny-chan recently infiltrated the 2020 “first run” of the year, so here is a report on how it went! This time, we ran a course of approximately 3 kilometers that takes you through famous spots in the Dagaya Sandou area, which is set to be the most (!) notable area in Japan in 2020.
At 8:30 AM before work hours, members gathered in their running gear. Perhaps because it was early morning right after the New Year holiday, some still looked a bit dazed. (laughs)
Once everyone had gathered, we moved to the elevator hall for warm-up exercises.
And then we were off!
By this time, everyone seemed to have finally woken up. (^^)
The moment we stepped outside it was very cold, but the crisp air was just right for running.
After running a short distance, the recently completed National Stadium came into view!
Looking up at it from so close, you really appreciate its size.
Just past the stadium, you can see the Japan Olympic Museum (https://japan-olympicmuseum.jp/jp/), which newly opened on September 14, 2019.
We took a commemorative photo around the Olympic Symbol on the premises!
Since the new National Stadium is also visible in the background, there are often lines of tourists and visitors. Please be sure to stop by when you visit the area.
Then, we set off toward our next destination!
After struggling a bit with a gentle but long uphill slope along the way, Hatomori Hachiman Shrine came into view!
Even though we were out of breath, we properly bowed.
We purified our hands and mouths at the temizuya (purification fountain)…
And everyone prayed together.
We heard that the omikuji (fortune slips) at Hatomori Hachiman Shrine are cute, so we all decided to draw one!
We showed each other the results of our fortunes, and there was even a moment when a member was shocked to find something unfavorable written in the work section… (laughs)
Before tying up our fortunes, we took another commemorative photo here.
Now, let’s head back to the office!
We ran along the familiar streets we usually walk.
By this time, everyone had remembered the delicious breakfast waiting for us, and our heads were full (?) of thoughts about food…
We made it back safely!!!
A few members ran different routes and were out buying breakfast. Thank you!
Breakfast that day was NY-style sandwiches from “POTAMELT Sendagaya,” located in the Dagaya Sandou area!
The sandwiches, packed with plenty of cheese and grilled to perfection, were perfect for our hungry stomachs after exercise. Eating together around the table after a run is truly special.
With full stomachs, it was 10:00 AM. Time for everyone to start their respective work. Great job, everyone!
This time, Sunny-chan actually participated and was able to communicate through running with members I don’t usually have much opportunity to talk to, making it a very valuable experience. Also, while waking up early was a bit challenging, running and exercising before work hours made me feel I worked more efficiently that day.
The club plans to actively organize more group running events going forward, so we look forward to the next one.
Going forward, the official SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP blog “SUNNY DAYS” will continue to introduce other club activities! Stay tuned. (^^)
