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"H・O・P・E・Go！" We started to run at 7AM in the very early morning.
It was our second “First Tri for Charity”. In 2005, we had 27 participants and in 2006 we had 38. Each participant paid a registration fee plus made a donation to the work of HOPE in Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, where many suffer from lack of accessible clean water.
The participants included people of all ages (the youngest was 3 years old, who was carried by her father) and were from both the Japanese and International communities. The event was sponsored by Shooters Sports Bar & Grill and Altia Central
It was not to be a race, yet everyone started to run quite fast. There were three different courses, and I participated in the sprint course; 5 km run, 20 km bike ride and 750 meters swim. It was the longest course for “First Tri for Charity” but was equal to the shortest distance in professional triathlons. My mother and my two daughters made a group, and participated in the challenge course which was the shortest: 1.5 km run, 3 km bike ride, 150 meters swim.
I always loved triathlons and have dreamed of participating in one. Though I look quiet, my personality is shrew, so that I love sports which challenge the margin of survive. Even I like these kinds of tough sports; I have two kids to take care, so I never had time to train myself before the event. I thought I have enough energy to survive, however, it was not so hard and by contraries it was so invigorating that the sleepiness vanished away. In the sprint course, I saw many men who have trained the body; I have never complained the view.
We had no rule for the bike, therefore, many people were cycling in different ways. One of my friends was running when everybody was riding the bike, or some of them brought their “Mama Chari”. I brought my mountain bike, because my special bike for tri had a flat tire. The mountain bike was so heavy; even though I could felt no wind and no slope, I and my older daughter reached the finish line as the last persons.
I had never worried about my swimming skill, but after I started swimming, I suddenly recognized that I can not catch my breathes as I did when I was young. Because I was breathing with difficulty, it must be looked like a drowning person. But after 100m passed, finally I could find my pace, and then I felt relieved. And I haven’t been swam long distance for a long time, I felt tired and a sense of fulfillment. Anyway I could swim 750m and I could participate every events. After I finished my race, I still had enough power, so I got confidence from this event. And also friends cheered me, “You so slow!!” or “Ganbatte!!”, and the participants encouraged “Fight!” or “Mou sukoshi!” each other. Friends who only did the volunteer this year, have decided to participate next year. And HOPE will have “First Tri for Charity” next year, and expand the place, participants, and the event itself.
Well, my younger daughter couldn’t run at all, she was too nervous to participate. My elder daughter stacked it out for her bike part. Even though her bike was the smallest and she sometimes had to get off and push her bike at slopes, she could goal by her self. I was moved from her perseverance. She said that she was so glad to hear cheering voice from everybody. And very the end, my mother could swim 150m and enjoyed her first tri, even her goggles were stolen by me.
From the beginning, the weather had been cloudy, but after we moved to the pool, the weather had been became clear and sunny. The First Tri for Charity was ended after we were awarded a testimonial which was written “As a HOPE Global Challenger Who Successfully Completed Triathlon to Help the Neglected Poor” from Lowell Sheppard. The faces showed satisfaction to complete their tri and a sense of fulfillment for donations.
I deeply appreciate all who related to the event, especially all participants, volunteers, sponsors who sported Hope’s “First Tri for Charity.
Thank you for coming our event!! |
