I know! I know! It's been a minute since I last updated my blog...but trust me...it was for a good reason. For the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to visit my beautiful Ethiopian and his family...and run the Coca Cola Race Series 7km on September 18th! Since this is a running blog, I'll skip over the amazingly fun details of my trip and let you in on the race action!
Prior to arriving in Ethio, I had lots of fun (easily) convincing my Ethio's sisters and their friend to run with me. Of course, they signed up, and in a complete surprise move, my dear Habesha man agreed to join in on the fun too. Mind you...this is the same guy who, when visiting me in Lesotho, thought he ran 10 km when we only ran 3 km. Waking up and heading to the center of town for the race, we were met my several hundred people (if not more) all wearing their red Coca Cola race shirts. The energy on that day was awesome. People from all walks of life, shapes, sizes, and running abilities were warming up, blowing horns, dancing along with the music blasting, and standing in line to collect their race timing strips.
Even my Ethio man and his sisters got in on the warm-up action!
Just before the race began, my running crush/race idol/record holding long distance runner/chairman of the Ethiopian 'Great Run'/Haile Gerbresalassie opened up the event with what I can only assume were really inspiring words. I actually have no clue because everything he said was in Amharic. Rather than ruin the moment with a direct translation, I imagined that he was saying, "One foot in front of the other...keep it movin'...especially you, Dani! You look so Habesha, and if it weren't for the fact that you don't speak Amharic, I'd ask you to teach me a few things about running. You know...to help me improve my pavement pounding game." Err ummm...yeah.
Back to reality...the race whistle sounded and the masses began to move. When signing up for the race, my sisters asked if I would be running for a medal or running for fun (with them). Since this was family time...I ran for fun...and oh boy was it fun! We agreed to dance our way through every music station and periodically run like Phoebe Buffay on 'Friends'. I've never seen the episode my lovely Ethios kept mentioning, but they demonstrated the proper Phoebe Buffay technique. I think I've got it down pat! Along the way...between the period of walking and running...I came across the most amazing sign (and now can't seem to locate the picture I stopped to take) that read, "Magic Carpet School". On my next trip, I'll be signing up for classes! Towards the midway point, some of the race onlookers opened up a water spout and we all ran through as evidenced in these pictures of my soaking wet race companions.
...and because it was only a 7 km race...just as it started...we were nearing the finish line. My race/life partner took running across the finish line seriously. When I wanted to walk to wait up for the sisters to catch up...he became official and said, "I'll meet you across the finish line..." and he was off. He was so fast, my picture of him running ahead was nothing but a blurr (smirk).
...and was soon followed by his sisters, who were obviously having a crazy good time!
We all posed for a post race picture.
...and holding up to his end of the bargain (whoever wins the race...and gets the 1st place prize money (yeah...that didn't happen) buys everyone lunch)...my lovely Ethiopian man took us all out for lunch (picture not included).
So until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!
Yours in (trying to get back into a Lesotho frame of mind) training,
Dani
P.S. I <3 you Haile!
P.S. I <3 you Haile!
0 comments:
Post a Comment