So we have started again . . . the sweating, the sore muscles, braving the heat to head out a few times a week to run :)
When we first started dating, I think Marcel grew tired of hearing me say that I was going to go out and run and finding out later that it never happened, so he started running with me. Nothing crazy, I don't think we really even run more than 2-3 miles, but at about 10 minute mile in West African heat, it can be a good workout. We got Marcel running shoes at Christmas in 2007 and have been trying to be good about getting out since then. Ran in our first race together this past New Year's Eve in Ohio. We had registered the week before and the weather seemed good the days before - even went out the 30th and had a good run around the neighborhood. Woke up on the 31st to a foot of snow and freezing temperatures. We decided to go for it and although we were a little numb and sore at the end, it was nice to do - 5km in about 35 minutes.
Liberia was great for running because, although a little boring, we could run on the dock and then out to the gate (and back) which was about a mile. Running on the dock meant that we had to worry less about cars and people and attracting attention. Here in Benin, we have a dock, but it is more busy with cars and motorcycles coming back and forth, so it is not a good for running. We try to wait until after dark because there seems to be less traffic and less heat :)
A couple weeks ago there was a 'Benin Half Marathon' but we decided to skip it. I don't know, maybe if it was in a couple months from now we might have had a chance, but we just started running again here in Benin, the heat is horribe from 7.00-11.00 in the morning and who knows what the conditions (water, toilets, registering) would be like. We heard later that people did have to buy their own water because the race organizers ran out - luckily there are always people selling things along the side of the road. We'll have to see what our next race will be :)
When we first started dating, I think Marcel grew tired of hearing me say that I was going to go out and run and finding out later that it never happened, so he started running with me. Nothing crazy, I don't think we really even run more than 2-3 miles, but at about 10 minute mile in West African heat, it can be a good workout. We got Marcel running shoes at Christmas in 2007 and have been trying to be good about getting out since then. Ran in our first race together this past New Year's Eve in Ohio. We had registered the week before and the weather seemed good the days before - even went out the 30th and had a good run around the neighborhood. Woke up on the 31st to a foot of snow and freezing temperatures. We decided to go for it and although we were a little numb and sore at the end, it was nice to do - 5km in about 35 minutes.
Liberia was great for running because, although a little boring, we could run on the dock and then out to the gate (and back) which was about a mile. Running on the dock meant that we had to worry less about cars and people and attracting attention. Here in Benin, we have a dock, but it is more busy with cars and motorcycles coming back and forth, so it is not a good for running. We try to wait until after dark because there seems to be less traffic and less heat :)
A couple weeks ago there was a 'Benin Half Marathon' but we decided to skip it. I don't know, maybe if it was in a couple months from now we might have had a chance, but we just started running again here in Benin, the heat is horribe from 7.00-11.00 in the morning and who knows what the conditions (water, toilets, registering) would be like. We heard later that people did have to buy their own water because the race organizers ran out - luckily there are always people selling things along the side of the road. We'll have to see what our next race will be :)
2 comments:
I am so glad you are still running! That is awesome. I have started Tae Kwon Do lessons. A few villages have instructors from Korea. We have one and it is a lot of fun! I hope all is well and I miss you!
You guys are champs, running in that kind of heat. I will remember your conditions next time I moan about running when it is a little chilly. :)
dorothy
Post a Comment