Nature can be unkind!

It was a great morning.  Cab and Nana picked me up around 4am, and we were on our way.  Met up with Nana's daughter Crystal as well, who was my "stuff keeper" while I ran.  The marathon started an hour late, while we waited for buses of people from several hotels.  Met some great people from here in Ghana, as well as 3 Australians, a guy and his wife from Germany, and a really amazing American who ran his 337th marathon today, in his 105th country!!!  So, we were off, and just as I started running, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.  Wow, what a testament to the fact that I was in the right place at the right time!  The weather was great, cool breeze and certainly pleasant compared to some of the mornings I've run in Richmond.  So, I was last as I predicted, but I was okay with that, really! 

Started off with a good supply of water, and I was feeling great.  Talking to myself a lot to push my way through the negative messages that come, like "you know you're too tired to go on", or "you have no business out here, just stop now and preserve your pride."  Got through some of that, when low and behold, stomach problems at mile 8, the kind that are impossible to run through, unless you want to leave a real mess behind you (sorry to be so graphic).  Well, I kept on as long as I could; the police were very worried about how far behind the rest of the racers I was;  they even went and bought me a bottle of water when the support from the marathon had moved on to the fresher runners who probably needed the relief badly.  So, at mile 12.5 or so, I gave in and hopped into the marathon van, figuring things would get much worse on the road than I was capable of handling. 

By the time the van arrived back at the marathon finish, some of the runners were beginning to come in for their finish.  It was great to see them fulfilling their goal, and lots of the 1/2 marathon runners were arriving in also.  I, needless to say, was very disappointed!!!  Made me remember all the people who warned me that an international marathon would probably not be like ones in the states--- how right they were.  I'm really glad I ran, though, and I'm proud of the money I raised, and the consciousness that I spread about the health and life expectancy of those living in Ghana. 

I'm in my room now recovering from the 12 miles, and the stomach issues (can't go too far); then hope to get in the pool a little later.  Total rest day today, I feel like I've earned it!!!  Tomorrow, we'll run around looking for souvenirs and gifts to bring home, and then flying out early on Tues.  I get back in Richmond late Tues., so will hope to be in touch with lots of you later on in the week to show pictures, tell stories, and give the best accounts that I can of this amazing journey and adventure that I had here in Ghana.  So much more than I ever bargained for, and now that it's almost come to a close, I'm feeling sad that it has to come to an end.  Joyfully, my work with Nana has been renewed and he and I hope to move forward with some projects that will make life here in Ghana so much better for all. 

Thank you all for your support, words of encouragement, prayers, energy, cards, time, hospitality--- I could go on and on.  It has meant so much to me as I moved through all that has happened since I started this adventure.  I am enriched, renewed and invigorated and I look forward to seeing you all soon.  Much, much love, Cheryl