«I am here since four years. I came for work. My mom and dad, I needed to help them. So, I came to Lebanon. I like sports, yes. But I never ran a lot there. I didn’t know I would run here.»
Aregu came to work in a household in Ras Beirut, off Caracas. She came from Wollo, Ethiopia.
«When did you start running?» I asked.
«Three years ago. I did the 10K at first. I ran in 41minutes.»
«And did you run the 42K?»
«Yes, this year. I did it in 3:30. I like running shorter distances. But it’s ok. It’s my first time, too! 42K is long!» she said giggling.
«You train every day?» I asked, rhetorically.
«Yes, at the Cite Sportive, or on the AUB track. I’m very happy here. Inter Lebanon [a Lebanese Running Club] is great. My coach is great. I was back home for 5 months, this past year. They were asking me if I had a coach. I said ‘Yes!’ I have a great coach back in Lebanon!» she was giggling again.
«Next time I will shoot you, while you run, OK?»
«Yes!» she said replied giggling still.
I did some shots of her, that day.
All runners are beautiful in motion.
Aregu was also beautiful standing still.
