Part of my job at school in Ganta was to begin a running club for the girls from grades 8-12. I was so excited for this part because it has been a couple of years since my college coaching career and it felt awesome to get back into it. And JUST like any coach in the U.S., I endured my fair share of whining from the girls (”It’s too hot!” was my favorite — Really?? I laughed as they complained about this to me, the white woman). It didn’t take too long to win them over. I set them up in relays and pulled some girls to demonstrate that I meant really running, not jogging. One girl yelled, “Sis Liz can RUN!” as I tested their speed by racing them continuously. We talked about the Olympics, sprinting versus distance running, and did a little geography unit on which African countries are represented the strongest in running events. It was incredible getting to know these girls and build their athletic confidence in a place where girls do not have the opportunity to participate in sports.
Coach Ly, the P.E. teacher at the school, was very challenged by having a woman come into his territory. He tested me continuously and made me prove myself. One day, he pulled me and had set up a 3k race (almost 2 miles) through a village between me and five of his 10th grade boys (who ranged in age from 17-24). He blew his whistle and we were off. 12 minutes later, as the top boy and I came around the bend to the finish head to head, Coach Ly had a little bit of trouble hiding his surprise. I don’t know that he expected me to keep up with his men.
Bruce took a picture of me warming up with the girls one day.
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