My Hero - Our Worlds

Andy and I communicate weekly via Skype and snail mail. Just about every Sunday when I disconnect from our conversation I ask myself “where does he pull his mental and physical strength from to get through each day”? The stories he shares regarding the situations he faces is more than you and I can comprehend. Unlike my son, who is determined to make this world a better place, had I been faced with the situations he has faced since his journey began, I would have thrown my hands in the air and marched off that continent months ago. However, he just takes it in stride and finds a way to move on.

Before he left for Africa, Andy started running regularly and participating in several races. He keeps up his exercise regimen in Africa by continuing to run. Running in Africa has its challenges due to the climate, terrain, and physical ability (loss of muscle, protein, and energy from improper diet). A few months ago, Andy started training with several Peace Corps friends for the Accra Marathon – that’s 26.2 miles - on dirt roads, in worn tennis shoes, in nasty weather.

Accra Marathon - September 27, 2009 - 26.2 Miles

Approximately 120 people representing several different countries participated in the marathon. Visit www.aimghana.com for pictures and details. Unfortunately, the race didn’t start on time. This means instead of starting at 5:30 a.m. before the sun comes up and gets blistering hot, the race started an hour and a half late. Apparently the day just kept getting better (NOT). As described by seasoned marathon runners, this was THE MOST MISEARBLE RACE they have ever participated in. Challenges included strong headwinds, an uphill course routed along major thoroughfares not barricaded from traffic, empty water stations, no mile markers to track time/distance, and an unmarked course (runners were constantly guessing which fork-in-the-road to take). When runners weren’t navigating the bumper-to-bumper traffic and dodging 18 wheelers they were tripping over goats, dogs, and chickens. After facing these extreme conditions for four to five hours they finally crossed the finish line.




Evansville, Indiana ½ Marathon - October 11, 2009 - 13.1 Miles

Since my daughter and I couldn’t train with Andy physically, we trained with him mentally. Our experience started this past July with Team 13. Team 13 is a dedicated group of YMCA volunteers (experienced runners/walkers) who designed a training program for approximately 400 people (many of which had never participated in a ½ marathon or walked more than five miles – I’m in this group) who met three times a week for 13 weeks to train for the half marathon. Now, I am not a runner – I am a walker. I couldn’t run a city block if I had to. Walk, I could do all day (or at least I thought that before I actually walked the 13.1 miles). Prior to Team 13 most of my walking consisted of a couple of miles a week. By the end of Team 13 training, I was walking 20 miles a week! I can remember when I used to say, We’re walking THREE MILES today? Are you serious?” Now I say, “Just three miles left!”

I woke up race morning at 5:00 a.m. with adrenaline pumping and ready to go. Due to unusually cold (40 degrees) weather, I made a major wardrobe change, ate breakfast and headed to the start line at FJ Reitz High School.

Over 2,400 people were gathered EVERYWHERE on “the hill” ready for the race. Participants lined up in their respective time areas (runners, run/walkers, walkers), Gina Moore sang the National Anthem (and I have to mention the flag and wind were perfectly choreographed with “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave”…totally gave me goose bumps), the Mayor spoke, the race gun sounded, and we were off!

The ENTIRE race course was blocked to traffic and every major intersection was manned by police and fire department personnel. At every side street, a volunteer was stationed to hold up traffic. Crowds of people cheering us on gathered everywhere along the 13.1 miles.

We had mile markers, and bib numbers, and electronic timing devices attached to our running shoes. We had water stations galore (with Gatorade, grapes, and orange slices) and best of all, four of us (my amazing walking buddies and I) had Elisabeth who delivered WARM pepperoni pizza about half way through the course (okay so runners like their “Goo” … walkers like their fresh pizza). There were people along the route we “Hi-Fived”, people we hugged and people we waved to. There were notes of encouragement written in chalk on the street and when we crossed the finished line, our names were announced over a loud speaker.

This race story is just one small example of the differences in the life I live in America versus the life Andy lives in a third world country. Andy and I - our worlds are so different right now, yet so the same. We both stepped out of our comfort circle and achieved a goal…. he a full marathon – me a mini, he with his friends - me with mine, he on dirt roads - me on pavement...but the best part is, we crossed the finish line together in each other’s hearts.