To run where no white lady has run before…

As they say in GYD, you can do practically anything. Take me for instance: I used to like to run alone; eventually, after relentless “WHITE PERSON!” cat-calls, I decided to let the kids run with me. After 4 miles and several villages, I was surprised to find that no waterhole spectators thought twice about a few 7 year olds tagging along. Not only did I have a group of runners who inspired me to run faster; I had a group of kids that saw exercising as fun.  Because training is so important (many Ghanaians suffer from diabetes), we often run for a couple of miles or do sprints on the soccer field. I bought some of the die-hard, everyday-runners new shoes, but most kids run barefoot – I make it a priority for them to run with me every day for at least two weeks before I consider handing out free shoes. I want them to have to work for it; the activity seems to keep younger boys out of trouble and, though the girls were shy at first, their numbers have been slowly increasing. I’ve found that I really enjoy it; we always share giant smiles at the end of our runs … plus, I feel like a celebrity with body guards – not a single person calls me “WHITE LADY!” without being scolded by the children: “White people have names.”