One counselor in particular really captured my heart. Her name is Nancy Eldredge. She was a student at UNC Chapel Hill and I was in the 7th grade when we met. I was an awkward, shy and bookish kid. She was beautiful, and smart and magnetic. She was also a Christian.
Can I make a side note to say that having been raised a Catholic I guess I believed something along the lines that these were two different things. Anyway, she was Catholic and really into Jesus. This was 1971. The age of Jesus Freaks. Although she never forced anything on anyone, she became a hero of mine, and I was in love with her.
She was my counselor for two years. I longed to be her favorite. She had no favorites. She was exceedingly nice to me, and a wonderful leader of young girls.
As is the way with so many people in our lives (and most of the people in this series of people that I've known) I lost complete track of her. For years. Never did I forget her. Or make a note whenever I saw the name "Eldredge" and I applied to go to school at Chapel Hill (couldn't go, couldn't afford it) I never saw her or corresponded with her after that.
Then, last year I googled her. Lo and behold, she is a therapist in AZ and has a website. I wrote and asked if she was the same Nancy Eldredge. And she is!
We have had some lovely emails and caught up, but of course it's not the same. She is not the college student and I"m not the child. But it is nice to make that connection.
And (the point of this post) as things in life come to confluence sometimes I have learned about LLS because of an internet friend and her loss -- her son died of leukemia. So it was with some amazement, but not necessarily surprise, when I got an email from Nancy saying she is going to be running a marathon - on behalf of LLS - and I had the opportunity to donate to her efforts.
Here is her most recent training update. I'm simply amazed at what connections this old Internet can provide. (Thank you Al Gore).
I'm now officially training in the Andes! I have had some great workouts, and if you checked out my web page recently, you will see that I finally broke the 8 mile mark! Or at least I think so, given my lack of GPS contact here. So based on time, I made it somewhere between 8 and 9 miles in San Rafael, Argentina. Check out the webpage for more detail. My biggest problem has been with the concept of "fueling" the body, which I can really see makes a huge difference. I used to run when I first got up in the morning with almost nothing to eat, and only carrying water by hand or in a waist pack. That works fine with a run in cool weather of only 30 or 40 minutes. But now with runs of over an hour, I can really feel that extra food to kick in--at first I feel heavy and ungraceful, but then about the hour mark, there is a burst of "wellness" that feels strong, and I'm sure it's about the food. But I haven't really figured out WHEN to eat in relation to a long run, and WHAT to eat--despite the very good nutrition class LLS sponsored for us. Runnng here in Argentina (and now Chile), I have to figure out when to run in relation to the tour schedule, the time breakfast is available( not until after 8), what they have for breakfast (no sports drinks available) and the temps. So, I've been taking food back to the room for the early morning, trying to beat the heat. The water has been worked out, thanks to a suggestion from Susann for the Nathan hydration vest--much better for me than a waist belt hydration pack. But if any of you serious athletes out there have any suggestions, I'd really welcome them.
Since breaking the 8 mile mark, I've had several 45-60 min. runs, and then another longer run (1 hr, 55 min) in Mendoza around up the street (15min uphill, 13 min. downhill) from the hotel, and then around a beautiful park with a lake in the center. The morning we were leaving Mendoza to cross the Andes--by bus!!!--into Chile, I got up before dawn, and started my run. A beautiful sunrise over the lake, and not many folks running til about 8 am. Several cars filled with young men who had the trunks and doors open, with some type of salsa or cumbia music blaring. A few of them started keeping track of my time in the 3 laps I did and called out either encouragement--or joked about my slowness. At one point, a man blew by me fast, who had a very good running form. So, I decided to see if I could run faster, changing my style a bit, and matching his foot plants; it worked, and I actually kept up with him. Any motivation at that point was welcome. Then I peeled off to head down the hill again. All felt great, until, the Argentine equivalent of Montezuma's Revenge came on me again! I was close to the hotel, but in trouble, in a residential neighborhood, fearing an international incident! Just as I was about to panic, what did I see in the distance but a breakfast restaurant called "Mr. Dog" with open doors, a friendly staff, and most importantly, a bano! International relations spared.
The crossing of the Andes was amazing--with wonderful views of Aconcagua Mtn. at 23K feet, not to mention others around 18 to 20K feet. The ride up not too challenging (thank you wrist bands), but coming down, the road has 30!! switchbacks to get to the bottom, losing altitude fast. No guard rails, and very narrow roads with a great big bus. Thankfully a good driver!
Here now, I'm in a small township outside of Los Andes where we are definitely in the foothills of the Andes at about 2700 feet. I've gone for one good run, about 45 min. and getting in some good hill work-- only moderate huffing and puffing. The scenery is certainly beautiful, and the table grapes peaking thru the fence in the countryside where I was running gave me a bit of a boost too. Eating Chilean grapes off the vine rather than from Albertson's was a mind blowing treat!
Today, we went out early for a visit to a beautiful winery (I tasted, but didn't drink), then to a Chilean rodeo--amazing horsemanship, but again I felt sorry for the cows--check out the internet for what they do in comparison to US rodeos. Then a BBQ with a music and dance demonstration--more wine and a glass of the local favorite beverage --piscos--now back at the hotel.
Tomorrow I am planning a long run again. I figure I made it to 9 miles in Mendoza, so I can make it to 10. Wish me luck. And thanks again, for your support, kind words of encouragement you have given me, and of course your donations you have made to LLS.
Love, Nancy
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