I've been learning this week all about hydration. And did you know that you're supposed to take salt supplements when running here? Running in Texas is crazy!
I've been listening to the suggestions about what to eat, what to drink, and how to fuel on a run, and I'll tell you, it's making a big difference!
Today I had my 5 mile run. Now, let me tell you, I am not ready for 5 miles! I know I should be getting ready for 10 miles this weekend, but I am just now hitting my stride and finding the joy in running again. I am slower than a herd of turtles tromping through peanut butter, but I'm out there! And, with each run, my time is getting better and better. Today I shaved almost a minute/mile off my run time. With times like these, I'll have no problem crossing the marathon finish line this year!
Now I just have to keep going and build up the endurance.
I've got my joy back, I'm learning how to fuel for these, and I'm enjoying the process once again!
Today I was working on a few projects for our "summer share" event that we had tonight. Because I was trying to get so much done, the only block of time that I had to run was at noon. So I laced up, ran a few errands, and headed to the park.
There was this one curve that every time I passed it I was reminded of the woman at the well. I think it was something about the heat of the day, no shade, and how no one was in that area. I began to think about that woman and how she was shunned from society to where the only time she could get water was in the heat of the day. That must have been miserable. Then I began thinking about how many girls can't go to school because they have to trek to dangerous areas in the heat of the day to get water for their families. I take so much for granted.
I've felt hated before, but I've never been shunned. I've never had to trek in the heat of the day anywhere, I've always had a car, public transportation, or a friend to help out. I've never had to fetch my own water. Even when we went backpacking, I had others to help.
Then, as I was having these thoughts, I passed a dry creek bed. I thought about how people pray for rain just so that they could have water fill up a creek bed and they could have something to drink. I noticed the signs for flash flooding, and realized that I have a safe way out, but people fetching water don't. I also crossed an area of standing water that looked disgusting, but was water. If I were desperate, would I drink it? Probably. Others do it every day. There are so many dangerous situations that they are going through, be it terrain or disease. Hydration? They don't have nuun. They don't have shot blocks. They have a job to do, and they do it. I have no idea of what they go through. I've seen it, but I've never fully experienced it.
When in Uganda, we would take our morning walk and often times see people come out of the brush from a nearby pond with jerry cans of water. Children were carrying the cans, sometimes on bikes, sometimes on their heads. Even then, I watched, but I went back to a well.
I need to do something. I want to help.
All of these thoughts made me push harder and keep going. I'm not running for myself. Yes, it feels good making better time than last year, but it's never been about me. I'm running so that these people don't have to miss school and hike in the heat of the day. I'm running to bring life to individuals, to families, to communities.
I'm running for water and running for life.
I've made a crazy goal this year to raise $3,000 for World vision. My team goal is $26,100. If $50 brings sustainable water resources to one child for life, imagine the impact we are making! I have the chance to raise money to save 60 lives. Our team can save 522 lives! Can you imagine! That's a whole village! That's many villages!!!
Consider sponsoring me! With each donation, I will write your name on my shirt and you will run with me. Your donations are going to change the world and save a life!
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
http://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/carlypowne
Flood warning
Would you drink this?
Standing water
Ironically, this came on when I wanted to quit. Nope! We are far from over!
The Dry creek bed
