Running has been Minori Hayakari’s life since she was growing up in Japan. She came to MiraCosta College to learn more about how she can become a better athlete in the sport.

Minori grew up in Kyoto, Japan, and began running in junior high school. She’s now a professional athlete with a sponsor to support her running. “I’ve been running for 30 years. It’s a part of my life,” she explained.

During the the 2008 Olympics in China, Minori competed in steeplechase although she didn’t quality for the final competition. Before coming to MiraCosta College this spring, she had been training in Albuquerque, New Mexico with periodic trips back to Japan.

While visiting a friend in San Diego, she developed an interest in learning to surf. MiraCosta’s location was a natural choice.  “I liked Albuquerque, but I was craving the ocean. If I moved to another state, I’d like to start something new,” Minori noted.

After meeting Sayaka Tachibana, MiraCosta’s interim student services coordinator, and she knew she wanted to attend MiraCosta. “Sayaka took care of me. She is so nice,” she said.

Minori is majoring in kinesiology, learning about the human body and the physiology of movement, knowledge that she says will make her a better runner. She praised her instructors, especially Kinesiology Professor Gail Reinhold, a former professional runner. “All of the teachers are nice and very experienced professors,” Minori observed. “The teachers are very helpful to me.”

She’s not sure of her plans once she completes her degree at MiraCosta, but she knows it will involve running in some way. “I know I will keep running forever until I die,” she expressed. “I’ve never thought I would quit running.”