Blog Action Day 2012: Tumaini for the Future

Blog Action Day was founded in 2007 to bring together bloggers from different countries, interests and languages to blog about one important global topic on the same day.

The Blog Action Theme for 2012 is 'The Power of We' to celebrate people working together to make a positive difference in the world.

Tumaini for the Future

The Green Girl met a Kenyan runner, Moses Waweru, last year at the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon.

Moses is originally from Nakuru, Kenya. He currently resides in the Midwest in Wisconsin.

When Moses visited Nakuru last September, a local school teacher reached out to him.

The teacher explained the parents of the school children in her class could not afford the tuition and consequently, she had fallen behind on rent, and did not have money to purchase ugali (cornmeal) and tea to feed the students.

Moses vowed to do everything in his power to help this teacher keep her school and continue to provide an education for these children.

Moses Waweru with the Tumaini for the Future school children in Nakuru, Kenya

As soon as he returned to the US, he transformed his vision into Tumaini for the Future.

The future home of the Tumaini School

Tumaini means Hope in Swahili.

Moses founded the non-profit organization Tumaini for the Future to provide educational opportunities for underserved youth in his hometown of Nakuru, Kenya.

When Moses spoke to the school teacher, he discovered the ugali and tea served at school is sometimes the only nourishment the children get.

Unloading the Tumaini School building materials

Tumaini for the Future needs your support. $100 US donated to Tumaini for the Future will feed all of the Tumaini school children for an entire month.

Tumaini for the Future is also raising money to build a new school which will be called the Tumaini School. The goal is to raise $10,000. The land and some building materials have already been purchased.

Sole Runners running for Tumaini for the Future

Tumaini for the Future has no administrative overhead so 100% of your donations will go directly to the Tumaini School.

Tumaini for the Future has partnered with Coach Steve Mackel and his running group, the Sole Runners, to help spread awareness.

Sole Runners donating used running shoes and clothing

The Sole Runners also collect used running shoes and clothing for Moses to take back to aspiring runners in Kenya.

Please help celebrate and make the Tumaini for the Future dream come true by spreading awareness to your family and friends.

Sole Runners at the Long Beach Marathon

The Green Girl and Moses Waweru joined the Sole Runners for the Long Beach Marathon.

Coach Steve kicked the race weekend off with the Sole Runners group picture in front of the Long Beach Convention Center.

Moses Waweru with the STARTS runners before the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run

Before heading to the race expo, Moses went over to the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids 1 Mile Fun Run to show his support for a group of school children who were participating in the fun run as part of Long Beach's Grace United Methodist Church's Yes We Serve STARTS youth organization.

Moses Waweru with the STARTS runners after the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run

STARTS stands for 'Soaring To Achieve, Reaching To Succeed'.

The non-profit organization provides afterschool activities such as art classes, dance and sports instruction, theatre training, and tutoring for underprivileged first through third graders.

After cheering the SMART runners on the course, Moses congratulated the finishers on a successful race.

The Green Girl test drove her dream car, the Beetle

After the Fun Run, we headed over to the Long Beach Convention Center for the race expo.

The highlight of the expo for me was the opportunity to finally test drive my dream car - a Beetle. Except it wasn't lime green.

Coach Steve leading the ChiRunning Body Looseners

Pre-race Sunday morning, Coach Steve led all the Sole Runners through the ChiRunning body looseners.

Before the runners headed to their respective corrals, the Sole Runners formed the traditional Sole Runners pre-race team huddle.

Coach Steve leading the Sole Runners pre-race team huddle

Once the race started, we headed over to Mile 6 to cheer the Sole Runners as they ran by on the beach path.

In addition to the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run, Marathon and Half-Marathon, there was also a Run Forrest Run 5k which started shortly after the marathon and half-marathon.

Moses Waweru at the Run Forrest Run 5k Starting Line

Moses finished the Run Forrest Run 5k in 15:20.

After the 5k, I headed out onto the course to cheer on the back of the packers.

Other support Sole Runners were out there, including Coach Steve, making sure all our runners were okay.

Sole Runners Charlie, Moses Waweru, and Coach Steve

The Sole Runners tents didn't go down until every last Sole Runner runner had crossed that finish line.

It was the end of another successful season and Long Beach Marathon for the Sole Runners.

Inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon Race Report

'Tour the streets of LA like never before... Run down the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame as thousands of spectators cheer your name!'

The Green Girl kicked off her birthday weekend by running the inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon.

Five dollars from every race registration benefited the Los Angeles Youth Network, an organization that reaches out to homeless youth, and Beyond the Bell Branch, a Los Angeles Unified School District after school enrichment program.

The course started at the Universal Studios Hollywood Globe, went downhill on Cahuenga for two miles, looped east and then back west on Hollywood Boulevard, and ended with two reciprocal hilly miles.

The Green Girl, Benson Cheruiyot, and Moses Waweru represented Sole Runners and Tumaini for the Future

This was the first event I was participating in with Moses Waweru since we met at the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon last year.

Moses's best friend, Benson Cheruiyot, was part of the half marathon elite field. Moses competed in the Hollywood 5k race.

Moses Waweru, Sole Runners Mentor Vern, Benson Cheruiyot, Philemon Terer, and Jenny Yew

We had anticipated race traffic and congestion at Universal City Walk but parking was a non-issue and signs clearly marked the path to the starting area.

The morning air was cold so we quickly joined the shivering runners huddled around heat lamps along the Saddle Ranch Chop House patio while we waited for the race to begin.

Hollywood Half Marathon Elite Start

Before the race start, Moses and I managed to squeeze our way up to the front to cheer on the elite wheelchair racers and runners.

After cheering loudly for Benson at the elite start, I quickly headed over to the porta-potties before I attempted to seed myself in the 11 minute per mile pace corral.

Waiting to cross the Starting Line

As soon as we crossed the Starting Line, the course went downhill so the race started off quickly.

The route was clearly marked with orange cones and well-staffed with volunteers along the way.

I focused on engaging my core and taking small, frequent steps on the ascent to minimize the impact on my legs.

Benson Cheruiyot in the lead at Mile 10

Around Mile 3, I spotted the lead car. I was ecstatic when I saw Benson was in the lead with MacDonald Ondara on his heel.

After stopping to snap pictures and scream my support for Benson, I continued running.

By this time, the weather had warmed up significantly but unfortunately, the aid station cup supplies had run out. The volunteers made the best of a difficult situation and cheerfully offered to pour water into runner hands and even gave runners the gallon jugs when they were almost empty.

I was grateful for my hydration belt and I made an effort to increase my electrolyte intake when I noticed my fingers were starting to swell.

Moses Waweru winning the Hollywood Half Marathon Hollywood 5k

Despite the fact that the 5/10k course converged with the half marathon route, I missed seeing Moses run the 5k but I was grateful that my friend, Janey, was there to cheer him on.

Somewhere between Mile 9 and 10, my right hamstring started hurting so I stopped to walk for a bit until the cramping ceased and then I continued running.

Moses Waweru, the Green Girl, and Benson Cheruiyot post-race at Universal City Walk

I powered up the last hilly miles and crossed the Finish Line in 2:40:06.

When I checked my text messages, I discovered Benson had come in second (MacDonald had surged at the last minute) in the half marathon and Moses had won the 5k.

It was the perfect way to start off my birthday weekend.

LA Marathon Race Report

The Green Girl ran in the City of Angels at the LA Marathon along with Angel Runners, Jason and Timothy.

The Angel Runners are a group of runners who are raising money for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

I was also running for Tumaini for the Future to raise money to provide educational opportunities for underserved school children in Moses Waweru's hometown of Nakuru, Kenya.

The LA Marathon 'Stadium to the Sea' course started at Dodger Stadium and ended at the Santa Monica Pier.



After volunteering at last year's race, I was prepared for the possibility of inclement weather. My strategy was to retain as much body heat as possible until the start of the race. I had on a couple of throwaway layers and my North Face Venture Raincoat.

Dodger Stadium

I parked in Santa Monica and boarded a 5:00 am shuttle to Dodger Stadium.

Runners huddled around the perimeter of the structure to keep warm.

When Jason and Timothy arrived, I learned porta-potties are called 'Porta-Johns' in Michigan. Crazy.

After, the Porta-John visit, we migrated towards the crowd assembled around the Starting corrals.

The Green Girl was also running for Tumaini for the Future

Once the race started, we easily merged and crossed the Starting Line.

The three of us had never run together and we had very different ability levels (I am of course the happy back of the pack Green Girl), but we managed to quickly fall into a comfortable, easy pace.

Sole Runners Coach Steve interviewing Angel Runners Jason and Timothy Video: LA Marathon 2012

A few miles in, Sole Runners Coach Steve ran by and interviewed Jason and Timothy about their LA Marathon training and fundraising for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

At Mile 9, my friend, Janey, surprised us with three bottles of ice cold Dr. Peppers.

It was a beautiful day and the temperature was absolutely perfect. The course was clearly marked, well supported, and the quintessential Los Angeles experience.

Angel Runners Jason and Timothy

The conversation came easily as the miles flew by and more often than not, a remark evoked laughter.

My favorite sign said 'Your training lasted longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage.' That made me giggle.

The Dr. Peppers started wearing off around Mile 17 and the World Famous Sole Runners Mile 18 Holistic Aide Station could not come soon enough.

The World Famous Sole Runners Mile 18 Holistic Aide Station

Much to my satisfaction and relief, Jason and Timothy agreed that the Mile 18 station was everything I'd hyped it up to be.

After chugging my second glorious Dr. Pepper of the day and stuffing my face with The Green Girl's Famous Salted Potatoes courtesy of my fellow Sole Runners, I headed back out with Jason and Timothy.

Around Mile 21, I admitted I was feeling jittery from consuming two Dr. Peppers in a single day and Timothy commented that my speech had sped up considerably.

The runner who sweated Mickey Mouse

Somewhere around Mile 23, I saw the funniest thing I'd ever seen in my entire running life.

A runner a few yards ahead of us had somehow managed to sweat in the shape of Mickey Mouse head on his back. I started laughing hysterically and struggled to piece together the words to share my discovery with Jason and Timothy. I never knew I was capable of running while doubled over in laughter.

I sprinted up to him to snap a picture and other runners around us started laughing, too.

Angel Runners Timothy, the Green Girl, and Jason at the Finish Line

When we reached the Finish, we each put our hands together to create angel wings with our fingers to show our support to the angels as we crossed the mats.

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. Luciano de Crescenzo

The Green Girl's 13.1 Chicago Adventure

Welcome to Chicago

The Green Girl's 13.1 Chicago adventure began when she won a race entry from Tim from 26.2 Quest.

After work on Friday, I flew out of LAX and landed at MDW just before midnight.

I checked into a motel and slept for an hour before I headed over to the Museum of Science and Technology.

On the shuttle to the starting line, I met a runner named Moses from Wisconsin.

13.1 Chicago

As I mentioned in my race report, I was at 7.47 miles when the course was Black Flagged due to the hot and humid weather conditions. We also received the somber news that a runner had lost their life.

We were transported back to the Finish Line where we ran down the chute and collected the medals we didn't actually earn.

The Green Girl and Moses Waweru

In the finisher's area, I saw Moses and he told me he had won and Jill had placed fourth.

Moses and I grabbed slices of Lou Malnati's pizza and found a shady spot to relax.

The conversation came easily as it always seems to when you are among other runners. Our first topic was, of course, running.

We discussed the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) in Eldoret, Kenya.

I got excited when Daniel Kirwa walked by and gave Moses a nod. I had to remind myself that these guys were friends.

Moses Waweru claiming his First Place award and prize money

After we ate, I followed Moses as he went to claim his first place award and prize money.

We walked around and then headed down to the Lake Michigan beach. We sat on the cement wall and people watched as we chatted.

We talked about other elite runners. We discussed the tragic loss of Sammy Wanjiru. It was almost surreal to me that I was talking to someone who knew Sammy personally.

I showed him the pictures I had taken out on the course and he was shocked that I was able to snap shots while running.

He asked me where I carry the camera and I explained how I store it in my hydration belt. He asked me if I just pull it out and click and when I nodded my head, he stared at me in amazement.

I couldn't help but laugh when I realized in many ways, he was in as much awe of me as I was of him.

On my flight back home, I kept replaying the events of the day in my head.

It was truly the perfect ending to a less than perfect race day.

An Incomplete 13.1 Chicago Race Report

13.1 Chicago course map

After only an hour's sleep, the Green Girl woke up at 3 am to get ready for 13.1 Chicago.

I arrived at the Museum of Science and Technology shortly before 4:30 and parked my car outside the closed parking structure.

They opened up the garage and I parked and walked up to the entrance of the museum where yellow school buses were lined up.

Buses at the Museum of Science and Technology

A runner named Moses from Wisconsin sat next to me on the shuttle and we chatted about the race and the warm weather. I mentioned it was still 78 degrees when I landed at MDW at midnight.

When we got to the South Shore Cultural Center, we waited for Jill, a friend of one of the runners from Miles For Smiles, a team dedicated to raising money for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST), to get my bib and race packet.

Sun rise over Lake Michigan

The sun painted the sky with deep hues of red and orange as it rose over Lake Michigan.

Jill and Moses went off for warm-up runs while I walked around the cultural center.

As I was heading for the last corral of the alphabet, O, I ran into Moses. I wished him luck and told him I hoped the Finish Line would still be there when I got back. He said he hoped to win.

13.1 Chicago Start/Finish Area at the South Shore Cultural Center

The officials let us know there was a Yellow Flag alert for the race due to the hot weather conditions and mentioned there was a possibility the race could be closed if it got hotter.

My strategy to deal with the heat and humidity was to go with 5:1 run/walk intervals, listen to my body, hydrate as much as possible, and take Succeed! S Caps electrolyte capsules.

Mile 1 marker with Yellow Flag

Despite the heat and lack of sleep, my body felt good and I was ready to run.

I stopped each mile at the well stocked aid stations. I gulped blue sports drink and poured water over my head.

The stretches without shade were almost unbearable but every now and then a welcome breeze would blow through.

By the time I reached Mile 6, the flag had been elevated to Red and the clock had been disabled.

Mile 6 marker with Red Flag

At the halfway point, the timing mat had been removed.

Including walk breaks, I was averaging a 14:30 minute mile so I knew I was well under the 16 minute cut-off.

The Mile 7 marker had a Black Flag. I continued running.

When I was at 7.47 miles, we were stopped in our tracks by race volunteers. They let us know due to the heat, the race was Black Flagged and officially closed.

Mile 7 marker with Black Flag

Disappointed, we all lined up for a shuttle to take us to the Finish Line.

It wasn't until we were on the bus that we heard news of a runner dying. Humbled, we stopped complaining about not being able to finish the race ourselves.

Boarding the bus back to the Finish Line

At the Finish Line, we all received our not completely earned medals.

I saw Moses and I asked him how he did. He told me he won and I high fived him. I asked him how Jill did and he said she placed fourth.

I explained how I only went 7.47 miles before the race was closed and told him how a runner had died.

Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza

Moses and I grabbed a finisher's slice of Lou Malnati’s pizza and found a shady spot to relax and cool off.

I asked him if he got to break the ribbon since he came in first and he said yes. I told him I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

First Place Overall Male - Moses Waweru

After we finished eating, I followed Moses as he went to claim his first place award and prize money.

Even though I didn't get to finish my race, I was so proud of Jill and Moses for their outstanding performances!