Daydreamer v.3 {.......visions.......}

If there is one thing that can be said throughout the whole Escaflowne series, it’s this: Hitomi likes track. ^_^ In this section, I’ll provide some information on the different aspects of track (mostly the running aspect) and what this sport reveals about Hitomi’s character.

Running makes you feel good and it helps clear your head. That’s why in episode 23 after Hitomi is confronted by Van in the church, she goes running to help clear her mind about the confused emotions she has about Allen and Van.
Running takes a lot of practice and hard work. Through Hitomi’s diligence in track, she shows that not only is she interested in being fit, but also that she can stick to things and not give up. In the first episode, Amano remarks that she’s ‘been practicing her heart out’ since junior high to improve in her event. This comment shows that Hitomi is very dedicated to her sport and improving herself. She has a goal in mind and she is going to complete it.
Being fit can come in handy. I doubt Hitomi could have saved Van all those times if she wasn’t fit from running all the time. ^_^

And for those who are curious, here’s some information on the track equipment we see in the series.

The Shoe

Track shoes are very different from regular running shoes. For one thing, they have spikes on the bottom of the soles. Why are the spikes there? They’re to help the runner get a firm grip on the ground and help the athlete run faster. The length of the spikes can vary depending on the type of track where the event will take place. If the track being used is made up of dirt, longer spikes are used to get a good grip in the ground; if it’s an all-weather (plastic) track, shorter spikes are used so as not to damage the track.

The Track

There are two types of track: a dirt track and an all-weather track. Hitomi’s school has a nice all-weather track. All-weather tracks are very durable and help you go a bit faster in races. Dirt tracks are exactly what they sound like: tracks made of dirt. The length of most tracks is 400 meters, or ¼ of a mile, but there are some variations out there.

The Blocks

Blocks are what Hitomi and all other short distance athletes use at the start of a race. The blocks help the athlete at the start of the race by making the athlete leap onto the track; the better an athlete can come off the blocks, the faster their time will be.