I'm coming to you with gifts of fruit, honey and nuts requesting forgiveness for my absence from my little running blog! Over the past couple of weeks, things at work have been ubber hectic...but in a good way...a great way actually! After many bumps in the road, I managed to successfully (and finally) push a really exciting research study through the ministry of health! The week following the Crocodilian 32km was all about preparing the study for launch! Furthermore, I've been charged with the launch of a huge 5-year nurse capacity building program. This program requires a lot of work on the front end, which has been time-consuming, but very fun! I say fun...or rather should I say "FANTASTIC"...because preparations took me to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a whole week to attend an organization-wide nursing leadership summit! Can I say that again? I WENT TO ETHIOPIA!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!
Dear Reader, ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to go to Ethiopia...Ethiopia and Morocco! Something about the place (I still can't adequately put words to it) has captured my imagination! The people are beautiful...I now understand why King Solomon wanted to marry the Queen of Sheba (aka Makeda)! People are so welcoming and friendly! The food is amazing (tried raw meat when I was there...yummy!)! Addis has an incredible energy! This was the first place I've ever been where people talk to me and not at my distractingly curly hair, because everyone had their own spirals and curls!
Ethiopia...the home of this man:
Adebe Bikila: Two time Olympic marathon winner!
and this man:
Haile Gebrselassie: Two time Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 m, 4 time world champion in the event, won the Berlin marathon 4 times consecutively, 3 consecutive wins in the Dubai marathon, and was 2001 Half Marathon World Champion...amongst other things! (His image was everywhere, but mostly for promoting "Johnny Walker" of all things, so running was constantly on my brain).
Just to be in the land of these supreme atheletes was inspiring! So inspiring that I managed to run every day, albeit on the treadmill (which sucked by the way)! Now that I've gotten so used to pavement pounding, my former rat wheel does not even compare in the slightest! Either way, it's better than nothing...and I made sure to use the "hills" setting! In addition to running, we were lucky enough to have a conference participant who is also a master yoga teacher. After my 30 minute to hour-long run, I'd join a small group of amazing women for 30 minutes of yoga! My master teacher and friend focused group sessions on stretches for runners. She noted that she knew I was a "runner" before I opened my mouth based on how I walked, how my body is shaped (or shaping up), and by the way I stretched (meaning I was stiff in all the right places). She recommended that I get a dvd on yoga for runners when I get home...which is in exactly 10 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last Wednesday, all of the workshop participants (from all over Africa: Rwanda, Zambia, Cote d'Ivoire, Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Malawi; and the USA) went out for dinner at a "cultural restaurant" called Yod Abysinia. If you're ever in Addis, it's worth a visit! The evening was filled with laughter; traditional food, music and dancing; new and old friends; and great times! The dancing and singing was amazing. I tell you right now, my body does not move that way! Here's a little sample of what I'm talking about:
Thursday evening, one of my friends from the Zambia program and my master yoga teacher (and producer of documentaries for PBS) walked around the city, which is always the best way to see things (in my opinion). We even walked passed one of Emperor Haile Salassie I's former palaces! That same evening, my friend took me out to a local hangout spot for traditional food. Nom nom nom! A great way to cap the trip! I look forward to going back...have I said that already? (Iwillsayitagainbeforethispostisover!!!)
Suffice it to say, I loooooooooooove Ethiopia...for the wonderful people that I met while there...for the super productive conference and all of the lessons learned and a way forward...for the country's rich past and present...and for the tons of running inspiration it provided me! I look forward to going back within the year (fingers crossed) for a proper visit.
Too bad most of my pictures are of health facilities and nurses (which were awesome by the way), but I do have two running-related pics I'll post (as soon as I locate my camera...oops!)!
So, I arrived back to Lesotho on Friday night and had planned to drive to Soweto in South Africa for the Township 15km...but that was a complete fail. I was just way too tired of all the traveling I've been doing lately. Fear not, however, because Doc and I will be running a half marathon this weekend...and that will be the last race before the big race...in 18 days...and exactly 10 days before my birthday (I actually land in the US on the BIG (BIRTH)DAY)!
Gosh, I can't believe that I have only 18 more days until the race! All of the work I've put into this and support I've received from you, Dear Reader, has not been forgotten. Over the next few posts, in addition to providing running (and other) updates as they come, it seems appropriate to do a bit more reflecting. Haha...funny side story. I learned the word and the act of "reflecting" at a very early age. On any type of car trip (long or short), my brother and I would yack it up in the back seat with my parents in the front. When all of the hoopla got too much, to make us shut up...instead of being told to "shut up", my dad would always say, "It's time to reflect" (i.e. shut up!). Hahaha...that must only be funny to me...so there you go!
Well, until next time (and while I search for my camera)...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!
Yours in (it ain't over 'til it's over) training,
Dani
1 comments:
It cracks me up that you went to Ethiopia and thought about running all the time, but I get it! I did a yoga for runners class recently and am dying to go back.
So awesome about your work projects! Does that mean you'll be in Lesotho for the next 5 years minimum? (just wondering since all the Ethiopia talk...!)
Ahhhh you're almost there! I can't wait to hear how it goes - you're going to be amazing!
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