My support story: love conquers all for Yoshihiko Ishikawa

Having the right gear supports your running life. But just as important are the people who are there for your real life, through the good times and the bad. From long-time partners and old friends, family in the same town and online groups spread across the world, the right support system can make all the difference.

Yoshihiko Ishikawa is an incredible example of this. in July 2019, he knocked more than 20 minutes off the record for California’s Badwater® 135 ultramarathon. (Yoshi’s time for the 217km: 21:33:01.) Still panting, sweating, and barely able to stand, Yoshi then took his girlfriend’s breath away – and changed both their lives forever – when he pulled out a ring and proposed.

To break that record, Yoshi averaged a jaw-dropping 9:35 per mile. An average that’s even more impressive given the conditions. As well as steep climbs (with a total ascent over the course of nearly 15,000 feet) the heat is relentless: official race temperatures often clock in at over 130°F (50°C).

Which is why the support of Yoshi’s partner was vital to his success. Read the Q&A below to find out why he runs; how the woman he loves plays a crucial role in this life and training; and the one question we just had to ask: Where did he keep that engagement ring hidden during those 217 kilometers?

What kickstarted your running career?

For so long in my life, I felt kind of powerless. And then at one point I thought: what's the one thing I can shine at, the one thing I can find satisfaction in? The answer was simple: running. I knew that if I dedicated myself to running, I could take control of my life. 

What’s the one thing you love most about running?

I love how running provides both enjoyment and also those slightly darker feelings you get from failure or injury. Those disappointments really drive me on. Running inspires me so much, it’s so stimulating in every way.

What does support mean to you?

My wife’s presence is huge. We married last November. Even before getting married she supported me in so many ways. With my training schedule, during races, everything. I honestly wouldn’t be able to do what I do without her. You just can’t compete in a long, gruelling event like an ultramarathon alone. And I hope I support her too!

Do you think about your wife whilst running?

Of course. It can feel very lonely when you’re out running for so long. But when things get tough, when there are times when I’m struggling to get over a mental or physical obstacle, it’s even harder. That’s when I think of my wife.

She’s always there to support me, even if she’s not directly by my side. Thinking of her, I can overcome those feelings of giving up that all runners know. 

We love the story of your proposal – could you tell us about it?

Last July, in California, I ran the Badwater® 135 ultramarathon. It’s a 217km long race, and it was so, so hot. But my wife provided constant support over the whole distance, along every kilometer. She provided me water and sprayed me to keep me cool.

So you were thinking about proposing the whole way? Did it make you nervous?

Not the whole way, but a lot of it, yes. I couldn’t not finish, given what I was planning. I was also nervous about the race itself, but the Americans and others around us were so excited, the atmosphere was great the whole way. It’s a really special event. 

So, the big question: where did you keep the engagement ring?

I didn’t carry it the whole way – I didn’t want to lose it. I asked the support crew to hold on to it. And they were there when I needed them at the finish line to pass it on. As they usually do, they had my back. 

So how did your wife react? We’re guessing she said yes…

Yes she did. It seemed to be a really unexpected development, she just broke down right there after I asked. Then seeing her cry made me cry… We attracted a lot of attention. I’ve never cried at the end of a race before. That’s how much it meant to me – to both of us.        

Okay, back to running – what are your next goals?

The aim now is to win, even more. It’s no fun if you don’t win.  

I love to plan, to strategize how I’m going to succeed. It’s about physical work, of course. But also making the right plan, having the right tactics. 

Every race is different, so it’s never just about being physically ready. You have to prepare yourself mentally, to decide what to do at each moment – and know how to react if something threatens your plans. Some people talk about switching off when they run, but for me it’s really important to think, to always be ready, to always try and be in control. So that’s my goal: to keep battling myself, so I can keep on winning.       

What’s your weekly running schedule?

It’s pretty full-on. I work Monday through Friday, so I run before and after my job. And then over the weekend and on holidays, I run even more. During weekends, I try to run longer distances, like 100 or 150km. 

The new Cloudflyer – how does it support your goals? 

Even over the distances I run, the cushioning of the Cloudflyer is really impressive. I can go such long distances without my feet getting tired or painful. For an ultrarunner like myself, it’s so important that my shoes are there to support me. No matter how far I go. I think running these kinds of distances in the wrong shoes is not just ineffective, it’s wrong.  

The soles are really amazing. They give you that support inside when you are wearing them, it kind of feels like they are wrapping around you, I love that feeling.   

Yoshi’s interview was conducted in Japanese, and then translated into English and edited.