Day One

I have no odometer to measure so I must rely on time to gauge my distance. Normally, I run two miles in 12 minutes each, but the heat here is prohibitive so I figure I will do it at 13 minutes/per mile. I am to be accompanied because a Muzungo running attracts attention. We don’t want attention. We also must vary our route each day so people in town don’t try to mug the Muzungo. That would be bad.

Evidently people don’t run as slowly as I do. I am mocked as we run through town. They yell “run faster, faster,” then cackle out a laugh as I pass. I also have a crew of students running with me as we run the 13 minutes out before we turn around. They giggle as they run close enough to my heels to trip me or to get kicked by my large Muzungo size 11 running shoes. I don’t like them behind and beside me but I don’t have the heart to deprive them of the fun of mocking me. I say it’s time to turn and they continue on their way home.

I turn to return to the school. I am hot, sticky and sweaty. Thank God I have my water with Propel in it. My saving grace. And who knew I liked grape? Once again I am mocked through town and Godfrey, the school’s headmaster assigned to ensure my safety, says something in Lugandan. It can’t be complementary. The white sign welcoming folks to BPS is my start and finish and today it is like a beacon signaling that I may stop, catch my breath and stretch. And perhaps curl in a ball and die. Day one, finished.

Corning Wineglass Marathon - October 3, 2010

I am now training for the Wine Glass Marathon in Corning, New York on October 3. Training begins on Memorial Day. I am in Uganda, Africa for the first two weeks so I must train in Africa. I work with several students with a group we founded three years ago - Embrace It Africa. We started as a way to help a small rural community in southern Uganda by offering a government-registered microloan program called the Mikwano Financial Agency, and offering support to the Bethlehem Parents School (BPS) and Orphanage. We continue to grow. For more information, visit our Web site at www.embraceitafrica.org.

Corning, NY Wine Glass Marathon

Hello! Pauline is back and running.
Pauline is still as slow as she ever was, but she doesn't care.
Pauline is not sure why she is writing in the third person and will stop now.

I am back and excited to be running again. You cannot imagine how frustrating it was not to be able to run the marathon I had worked hard for. Granted, I still had quite a distance to go to be ready for that marathon, but I was pretty proud of myself. I now no longer feel as though I might not be able to do it.

The Finger Lakes chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is not training for the Marine Corp Marathon this year so I will be training for the Corning, NY Wine Glass Marathon.

[As an aside, sometimes when I type marathon - I type marathong. Not sure why nor am I sure what that means. Draw your own conclusions.]

In keeping with the chaos that is often my life, training begins while I am in Africa. Visitors in Africa don't run recreationally, as a rule. People like me don't run unless we are being chased. Of course, I should be thankful that I run more slowly than most. My hosts might mistake it for a brisk walk and not bother worrying about me.

I will have my first two longs runs (4 and 5 miles) on Saturdays that I am in Africa. We shall see if I can do that! I plan to write for this blog while I am there, but won't be able to post until I am home. Internet is sporadic and frustrating and I don't bother with it because it causes me stress.

Check back. I have successfully recovered from my surgery and am back on the run!