Mixing it up a bit...family fun and hiking

Hello Dear Reader,

Over the past couple of days, I've been coming down from the high of my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's nearly two week visit and the relocation of my main squeeze down to the Mountain Kingdom. To "keep it real" with you, time spent at the gym and early morning runs were not as strong as I would have hoped. Hiking up mountains and lots of weekend family fun time, however, were at an all time high!

The weekend that my two Ethiopians arrived, we headed straight to the Malealea Lodge for pony trekking and hiking! As soon as we parked the car, we were off for a 3.5 hour hike up and down mountains, climbing up steep rocks, and sliding (me...by accident) in mud and streams. My urban-bound Ethiopians managed to stay dry the entire time (don't know how that happened). Because it was just that much fun (read: all of the other lodges were fully booked and I didn't want to spend the weekend playing "Angry Bird" on the iPad (him) or on Facebook (her)), we went back to Malealea the following weekend. Initially, I was unsure we would have a good time at the same lodge, two weekends in a row, and my companions were hella reluctant to go again. In the end, so much fun was had by all, we were all able to work up a sweat, and spent some of the best, quality family time!

Stunning!

After scaling a crazy steep hill! Pooped!

Embracing the inner child!

After seeing the fun, she joined in!

Not to be left out, he got his jump on!

Trip 2: Hike down to see the bushman paintings!

...soon enough all of my Ethiopian's residence and visitor's visas will be worked out so that we can go into South Africa for weekend races. Oh, on one of our hikes, my guy said he was really interested in going to some of the races with me. He even said that, if there were 10k's, he'd run those while I get my fill of the 1/2's!

Until next time...put on foot in front of the other....and keep it movin'!

Yours in (still getting there) training,

Dani



New Year's Day 5km...He nearly beat me edition

Hello Dear Reader,

Just as I said I would, my lovely Ethiopian and I (actually) woke up on New Year's Day, to run the New Year's Day 5km race in Chicago. We woke up super late, and almost bailed on the event because of it. Luckily, we were staying two blocks from Lincoln Park, so there would have been no real excuse to offer you (and ourselves).

Chicago: ridiculously cold and windy for no good reason! Me...with my snazzy new running clothes on. My Ethiopian: a t-shirt, track pants, and a pair of Sketchers on. Both of us getting in a pre-race run (read: mad dash to the park because we were late) to the park, arriving just in time to register and line up.

My lovely guy and I started off in the middle of the pack. Running across the way from him, I yelled, "Go Haile! Go!" (As in Haile Gerbersalassie...the best long distance runner...and Ethiopian extraordinaire). Perhaps I said that a little too much, because before I knew it, my boy took off running. I had to duck and dive other runners just to catch up.

Finally, after a little over a mile, the runner that could started to slow down to a walk. Even though I hadn't run much at all since I'd been home, was cold, and tired, I couldn't go down like that. I had to leave my guy behind. Kicking it up into high gear to recover lost time, I passed people left, right, front and center. No cold, out of shape body, or flat Chicago street was going to make me cross the finish line over 30 minutes! Not.a.chance.

I could drag this story out, but it would be unnecessarily longer than a 5km deserves...so long story short, I crossed the finish line at 27 minutes...and by golly, my lovely, out of shape, no running since September, Ethiopian crossed at 30 minutes. What? What just happened here? Lawd, take the wheel! I'm comin' home to Jesus!

The only thing that distracted me from the fact that, I'm in much better shape and for all intents and purposes, he beat me, was the guy who came up to us and told my guy how he'd been trying to catch up to me the whole time. He said, "Man, you're competitive!" Yes, yes I am!

Being the humble guy he is, my Ethiopian didn't say a word about the 3 minute time difference. He pleasantly ate his brunch at the neighborhood cafe, and we enjoyed the rest of our day. It was only until he returned home and reenacted his 3 weeks of fun in the US over coffee with his friends like he was at a LARP festival, did the bragging start. He admitted that he told his friends, "If I can run that fast and not train at all, and she's been running for a long time, I wonder how good I'll be if I actually worked at it. Being Ethiopian has its benefits!" (I took artistic liberties in reconstructing his statement. Sue me.)

Soon, my lovely guy will be relocating close enough to me that we can schedule a rematch. Until then, I need to hustle to get back on my running game. The outcome of the New Year's Day 5km can never happen again!

The End!

So until next time...you know how it goes...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (What? I still can't believe it) training,

Dani

Ohh Snap!!: 2011 Coca Cola Road Race Series

Hello Dear Reader,

Ohhhh Snap! Ohhhh Snap!!!! This morning, as I was laying in bed, contemplating how I'm going to take over the world via my running (umm...), I was checking out the Nedbank race calendar for upcoming races. As I was doing that, my other favorite topic popped into my head: Ethiopia. My next thought was, "Hmm...how can I combine my love of running, my fascination with winning medals, and Ethiopia (read: MY handsome Ethiopian)." All of a sudden, my fingers were typing faster than butter on a hot skillet! Google search: Race in Ethiopia. Google search results: Great Ethiopian Run 2011, Coca Cola Road Race Series in Addis Ababa (September 18th, October 16th, and December 18th)! <---this is where the " Ohhh Snap" comes in! I actually have a planned sojourn to that very place on September 20th! Yes, yes...you're saying 'Oh Snap' too!

Yes! If I can manage to get one more day off of work, I can change my ticket and get to Addis one day before the race! When I found out that there would be an opportunity to run a race (albeit not a marathon) in another country by making a few slight changes to my itinerary, I called my dearly beloved (waking him up in the process) to see what he thought! Being the best running partner that he is, my Ethiopian connection will be signing me up for the race on Monday! Ohhhhhhh Snap!

Now, all I need to do is score one more day off of work...

Wish me luck!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (running all over the world) training,

Dani

Good news to beat the winter running blues

Hello Dear Reader,

I've been gone from my little blog for so long, it seems as if we need to get reacquainted with one another. So here goes nothin': Hello, my name is Dani and I'm sorry to say that I'm a Couch Potato. ***Dani hangs head low*** Rather...Hello, my name is Dani and I'm addict. I fell off the wagon (again) and I need to get back up and get moving.

The scariest thing is that my mind no longer incessantly thinks about running...#notcoolatall (like they do on Twitter...)

I signed up for the gym. Thought that might be cool. Running on a treadmill. Sucks. Even though it's not how I'd like my ideal running picture to look...running on a rat wheel...sitting on the couch doing nothing is definitely not the business either.

Not.the.business!

There is a marathon I need to prepare for in August...and a half marathon coming up in mid-July...and the Comrades (still undecided) next year... Sitting on the couch in my uninsulated, freezing-cold house is not the way I want my running career to go down. not.at.all.

As my very first boyfriend taught me a long time ago, "Don't talk about it. Be about it." I've been talking about it (and sometimes not at all), but that needs to change. I want to be about it..I really do. I will be about it. No excuses. No "ifs", "ands" or "buts".

And aside from all of the very obvious reasons for getting and keeping my mind and body right...I have a wedding to prepare for...

MY WEDDING!!!

Yep, my Ethiopian Running Buddy not only wants to meet me with a congratulatory hug at the finish line, but wants to run with me throughout and for life!

And as short sighted as this comment may be...you ready? Wait for it. Ok: pictures last forever...and when you post them on the internet...even longer... So you see, I don't want my half alien/half Ethiopian-American great, great, great grandchildren to remember me as a couch potato (forgive me. I've been reading Octavia Butler's 'Lillith's Brood', which has me concerned for the future of the human race...j/k). I can't disappoint my future like that!

Anyway...keep me in your thoughts and good body prayers as I manage to get myself together and fight off these winter running, 'mood indigo' running blues!

And in the I'm-training-for-the-Publix-Georgia-Marathon way, until next time (Dani)...Keep it movin' (Dani)!

Yours in (all of it) training,

Dani

I (heart) Ethiopia!

Teanaste'lle'n (Hello) Dear Reader,

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