Run Chrischona Run

I am very proud to report that I not only finished the Half-Marathon (and without walking!), but did better than I had hoped! According to the official chip time, I finished the over 13-mile run in 2:15:47, averaging 10:22 a mile. However, when I knock off the roughly four minutes I had to stand in line for the port-a-potty (unforunately this isn't Africa and I can't just pee on the side of the road... plus not wearing a skirt would have made modesty an issue), my time comes to 2:12:00 (a wink under 10-minute-miles), bettter than my most idealist goal, which was 2:13:20, an average of 10 minute miles, and far surpassing my realistic goal of finishing in less than 2 1/2 hours. I finished 4911 out of 7411 runners, and 2057 out of 3828 female runners (and that doesn't account for the 4 lost minutes!) Can you tell I'm really proud of myself??

Besides this picture taken after the race with my friend Laura, I don't yet have any pictures from the run. However, since I ran for Team World Vision and I spotted their photographer multiple times along the way (following me and my wonderful run, of course), I'm hoping there might be a few action shots to pass on to you later on. Or, if you are really interested (probably that refers only to my parents... and maybe to Kodjo), you can go to www.runphotos.com and type in my name and you'll see a whole bunch of action photos, particularly my exubberant, victorious sprint to the finish! (Don't be fooled by the clock that reads 2:22:03... with almost 10,000 runners, I started the race six minutes after the official start time).

Ok, enough bragging. (Excluding those of you who have actually run a half-marathon or a marathon, wouldn't you too be bragging if you actually ran for over 2 hours, even if you did have to stop once to pee?? And the moral of that story: it is possible to overhydrate yourself before a run!). It really was a fun experience (looking back, of course) and, if my aging body (I think I'm technically already past the prime of my life. Sad, huh?), partiularly my knees, will allow it, maybe I'll do it again next year.

Two quick thank yous: First, a thank you to my very sweet friend Katharine who came and ran the last mile with me (which kept me from just plain giving up the mile before the finish line when I didn't think I could run any further... a thinking in sharp contrast to the first 10 miles when I thought about going home and signing up for the marathon!) and secondly, a big thank you to those of you who gave money to the people in Ethiopia that this race was not only dedicated to but whose lives will be directly and probably drastically changed because of your donation. (And for those of you who wanted to give but forgot, it's not too late: www.firstgiving.com/runchrischonarun. Or if you were so moved by my inspiring and thrilling story of my run and want to give, you won't be turned down either :)) One more opportunity to throw out there: For those of you who have considered sponsoring a child but just haven't gotten around to it, please let me know and I'll send you info about sponsoring a HopeChild (a child affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis) in the village of Quacha Birra in Ethiopia (or really I would thrilled if you sponsored a child anywhere in the world!).

Blessings.