Sunday, September 29, 2013

Government shutdown not going to slow me down...

Renewed Passport before the federal government shutdown - check
Travel arrangements made to NYC to connect with flight to Ethiopia - check
Fundraising completed - almost.  At 96%
Training - getting there

Ran a great 5-miler this morning in the fog.  It was hauntingly beautiful. My wonky hip cooperated.  It seems to do better when I run more frequently, and I had just run a 3+ miler on Friday evening so it was good today.

In response to those who comment that maybe I am a bit old to be taking on such an adventure, what can I say.  I'm a late bloomer?  Slow and steady wins the race?  I didn't have my first child until late into my 30's.  I adopted my second at 50.  And now I'm running a race at the over-ripe age of 54, in the land that gave me my daughter .  It all makes perfect sense to me.

I may need to curb my desire to spend on gear.  I find myself looking online at all the great running shoes, capris, tanks, jackets, etc.  Then I stop before I pull out my credit card. And I put on all my old ratty stuff and head out.  And while I'm out running I pass the Marathon Sports on Mass Ave. and if I had my credit card on me I would interrupt my run, go in and shop, shop, shop.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

55, 41, 92, 3

55 Days to go before I leave for Ethiopia, 41 donations totaling $4,610, 92% of my $5,000 goal, averaging 3 runs per week, 12 miles per week.  Obviously I need to keep increasing my distance if I am to meet my goal of finishing the 10K Great Ethiopian Run without passing out or vomiting.  It would help if my wonky hip would get with the program.

Then there's the passport.  I knew as of last spring that my passport expires at the end of November.  Why, you might ask, did I wait until last Friday to submit an expedited renewal? Details, details.  Keep fingers crossed that the government does not shut down before I get my renewed passport back!  

Let's also hope that the very scary, very sad insanity in Kenya this past week does not spread nor impact our ability to do this fundraising run for Self Help Africa.  Nothing posted on Self Help Africa's site.  No word from them.  Just worries on my part.