C Mantz Run

Last day at the Pelican Place in Accra. Conner, Garrett, and I ran to the beach, then ran up and down. Our pace was pretty slow, so I made an effort to speed it up to an 8:30. While we were on the beach, a man called for us, but we all thought he was crazy and kept running. Then, Conner ran back to see if he was legit. Then, Conner chased after us to tell us to turn around and see, so we ran back. A sea turtle had just laid her eggs and was going back to the ocean. It was moving pretty slow, but we watched it get all the way to the water. Then, we ran up and down the beach a few more times. Somebody wrote “God is great” underneath the turtle tracks with a stick. It was pretty cool. Then, we ran back to our place getting to just under 7 miles. Then, Conner and I ran one last mile on the streets.

We were at a place called the Stumble Inn, just for one night, in Cape Coast. Conner and I attempted to run on the beach, but it was really steep and the water was unpredictable... my feet got a bit wet, haha. Then, we ran back to where Conner chose for us to run. It was a bumpy road to drive on, but more of a trail to run on. We ran 2 miles to a spot where we did 4 strides. Took me a minute to figure those out again. Then, 3 miles tempo. Not my best. 7:00, 7:14, 7:40. It was so hot, and humid. My body is not used to sweating that much. It was fun running through the village, and since Conner knows twi, the people are quite surprised when he speaks to them. Cooled down for just a mile to the place, got some water, finished 2 more miles along a street where people were cutting coconuts from trees. After that, all I wanted was a coconut, which I got a couple hours later, so it was a great day!

From our new hotel, Conner and I ran up a village road. Easy day, my whole body was pretty exhausted, so I made us go pretty slow, but it was good. After 2 miles, we did 5-6 strides. We then continued around the villains with little or few people, just like a trail run. After 4 miles, we turned around. The busier the village, the more people would yell at us, but it was a good run. So many blisters, my middle toe has a blood blister under the toenails, still yet to lose a toenail from running.

Really tired from yesterday, we woke up at 5, and the gate was open. I love how early the sun rises here. So refreshing. So, we did a mile warm up, 2 strides, and 6 miles at 7:50 before a mile cool down. We went on a street that was busier, through one of Conner’s areas where he served. It was fun dodging taxis and chasing chickens. I felt really good during the workout, and pacing a 7:50 was not hard at all. We turned onto a long street with lots of hills. It started to rain, then pouring, but oh so fun. I really enjoyed the rain because it cooled down so much. Then, by the last mile, it was already sunny again. While on the last mile, a taxi pulled over and opened it’s car door between me and Conner and drove alongside me, not letting me pass. Scared I’d get pulled in, I hopped across the gutter and sprinted ahead. Conner wasn’t too happy with them. Probably my scariest moment in Africa, but honestly, nothing bad happened. Grateful for the gutter and the adrenaline already present from the workoit. The cool down was so slow, but good. Then, a full day of painting and playing with children... I love it here.

Good run. Super easy 8 miler. Through the village streets. Talked about missions. We got lost towards the end. I really enjoyed it, but my body is so exhausted. Great day, got super sunburned while painting some tires.

Long run with Conner, and my second time running 10 miles straight since being home from the mission. Super slow, my watch wasn’t locking on, so we just ran to where we did 8 miles with an extra 9 minutes from the turn around (then we turned around). Good time chatting with Conner. I love it here, but am so ready to get home. Love these people in Ghana.