First run in the sun!

Oh what a glorious sensation to know when your feet hit the ground it will be solid and stable. Less risk of sprained ankles and ruined socks (try as I may, I cannot get the red clay out of several pairs of my socks and I've rubbed the skin off my fingers trying to wash them!)
It rained very little yesterday and was sunny all afternoon so by the evening the ground was dry and perfect for running.

We had an unexpected addition to our little running group yesterday - the housekeeper Timothy. He's a little guy with a huge smile and he looks after the laundry, garbage and handyman needs of the centre, as well as being the male presence and role model for the kids.

I was putting on my shoes back at home when he asked me, "You go running now?"

When I replied "Yes" he threw up his hands with a little "Woohoo" and a giggle and ran off in his gumboots, leaving me more than a little puzzled. By the time I got to the Centre he had his "running" shoes on and had gathered the group ready to go. I couldn't stop laughing.

I wanted to try running barefoot like the kids but Wambui said she wouldn't let me go if I didn't have shoes on - and as usual there's no arguing with Wambui. I can tell you Familia Moja has come so far in so little time because of her stubborn determination to get what she wants - and in many cases she has achieved the impossible. Although, I have to admit she didn't have to try very hard to convince me to keep my shoes on ;-)

The villagers in each little settlement we go through are really warming up now. The kids generally spot me first and as they shout "mzungu, mzungu" (white person) I generally get a half a dozen people out on whom I practice my kikuyu greeting "Uhuruaku" and slap their hands.

I've gotten a couple of marriage proposals too so far. The other day I was asked how many cows my father was asking for. The man said he knew Australia has a good beef industry so my father must want some nice cows for me :-)

Anyhow, I felt a lot stronger yesterday - we went a lot faster and I'm even looking forward to my run on Wednesday. I've realised I'm actually going to miss running here a lot.

It's so beautiful running past fields of maize, coffee trees, banana trees - all the brightest shades of green you can imagine contrasting with the red mud!