First run in Kenya!!

OK so I'm going to do 2 blogs in one actually as I didn't manage to do last Saturday's before I left, so...

Saturday 27th March
Corina and Kylie joined me to meet the Geneva Runners crew down at Bains des Paquis. I was SO not in the mood for a run, having lots to do to prepare my trip to Kenya and we all said afterwards how great it was to be doing this in a group as I'm not sure we'd be making all this progress on our own. We did 10kms but we also did hills (one of which I had to walk up a couple of weeks ago cos I couldn't do it :-D ) and sprinted at the end, which absolutely killed me. But I think Kylie has a gift for sprinting, WOW! And Corina too :-D

Really great run girls: I was really proud!!

Monday 29th March
So it's the wet season here in Kenya = mud, mud, and more mud. And very sticky mud too!
I met the kids of Familia Moja today and when Wambui asked who wanted to go for a run the response was "ME, ME, ME" as they all ran to their rooms to change out of their school clothes.

Their enthusiasm was very motivating. (Earlier in the day I was hoping Wambui had forgotten about it but she started nagging me "So, Sandara (my nickname here), when are you going for your run?" I'm telling you - when Wambui has her mind set on something, she does not let go.

So as the storm clouds built up on the horizon, I prepared myself for the inevitable - a 1 hour run in the pouring African rain.

Wambui chose the 5 of oldest kids - one of whom is performing really well at athletics at school. I asked him after "Don't you ever get sore muscles?" And he just looked at me like he didn't know what I was talking about.

Anyway, these kids went running in flip-flops, skate-shoes, or no shoes at all - so impressed!! Although no shoes turned out to be a good idea as Jane was the only one who didn't have to lift 3cm worth of heavy mud every time she took a step! You guessed it, after 20 minutes of running on this already bumpy, muddy terrain, the heavens opened up and poured forth their fury on our poor group - which resulted in much giggling and "I will never forget this day my whole life" being repeated over and over again by the kids - which was more motivation for me than you can imagine.

I personally will never forget the looks on all the people's faces as we ran through their villages in the middle of rural Kenya "What on earth! What is a "mzungu" girl doing, running through our village" :-D

So my shoes still aren't dry - and my socks are a shade of red and will never be white again. But the run is ON today! Woohoo! (They're trying to convince me to go everyday... what do you think?) ;-)

What a nightmare!!

I think that was the 2nd worst run so far. It felt horrible all the way... All those good chemicals that normally get me through were as much on strike as my BA flight to Nairobi this weekend :-(

Legs felt soooooooo heavy.

Ah well, can't celebrate this one I'm afraid, but it's done ;-) a special thank you to Kylie for helping me get through it in the end!

It's so much better to run with friends!

Today I met Kylie and Vlassis down at the Bains des Paquis - the plan being to go to Genève Plage and back. Vlassis seems to have taken on the role of "Media and Promotions Manager" :-D and regularly sprinted off in front to take photos of Kylie and myself and the GORGEOUS sunset this evening.

Kylie panicked a little about me running out of breath as I have become quite chatty while running lately (it keeps my mind off the distance ;-) And I do admit I got less chatty as time went on.


I haven't quite got to the stage of chatting to myself when running alone, but sometimes I do sing a word or two of the song lyrics while listening to my ipod.... to the great amusement of those I run past!
But you know how much I love to sing!! :-D

It's so motivating that so many of you have decided to do this too! I'm looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday for a shorter run and Saturday for the big challenge that Nanou is going to lead us on! :-D

The new shoes that will carry me those 21kms :-D

And they really make a difference! I feel like I'm bouncing along now :)

Yesterday I managed 10km!!

I've realised that the first 5km burn like crazy and that's why I always hated running. But after that things actually get easier!!
My calves have been pretty sore cos they're getting quite a workout but there comes a point where I stop feeling them too! (I think I'm falling in love with endorphins and adrenalin... maybe there is a chance I could get hooked ;-)

Two weeks in...

So this all started two weeks ago. I was musing about what the next fundraising idea for Familia Moja could be when a friend said,
"Well Sandra, the Geneva marathon's coming up. I'm sure if you went for the half marathon, you'd get lots of sponsorship."
"But I don't run!"
"Exactly!"
And when is the half-marathon..? IN TWO MONTHS!!! I was reassured it was possible, if I trained hard. So the challenge was on.

So the first week I managed 2 x 6km... OK, 5.5km, but 6 helped a lot psychologically ;-)

The goal is to run at least three times a week and my initial objective to go up by 2km every week has been somewhat modified due to the fact that I WAS NEARLY DYING last week trying to run 8km :-/ If only I'd known my route would lead me to a super steep hill!! I admit, I walked up the hill.
I'm still not convinced about this whole running thing. Apparently I'll soon be hooked... hmmmm.

So this week I'm trying a different tactic. Am going to do two shorter runs and then the last one of the week will be the biggy!

Wish me luck!