In life, there are many things that are simply beyond our control.
Your position at work, relationships with others, interactions with family, the environment around you—these rarely go the way you want. No matter how hard you try, sometimes your efforts aren’t rewarded. That’s just how the world is.
But even in such a world, triathlon offers a rare space where you can control everything with your own power.
You’re not competing against anyone else—only facing yourself.
There’s no need to set your goals based on other people.
“Grow a little more than you did yesterday.”
Taking one step at a time—that’s what matters most.
Of course, you won’t improve your time every single race.
Weather, physical condition, aging—these all play a role.
But the essence of triathlon is “doing your best with the version of yourself that exists in that moment.”
Records aren’t everything.
When you’re able to express your “best self right now” in a race,
that moment becomes a chance to discover potential you didn’t even know you had.
Even if your bike breaks, or you can’t perform as you hoped due to injury or illness,
no one is going to blame you.
That’s why you can keep growing at your own pace, without fear.
Without being swayed by others or by your surroundings,
you walk straight down the path you’ve chosen.
And along the way, you discover your “true strength.”
I believe that is the most important lesson triathlon teaches us.
And that mindset isn’t just useful in triathlon—
it becomes a strength in every aspect of life.
Even when the voices around you confuse you or you feel like you’re losing your sense of direction,
the “ability to focus on yourself” that you gain from triathlon will support you.
That’s why, through triathlon,
I want to keep honing the ability to “live true to myself.”