Travels in the Territory

Time: 23:40
Distance: 2.90 miles
Pace: 8:10
Map

So after the early morning workout with Spada and Chrisman, I packed up and headed off to South Carolina. I first stopped in Columbia to visit a few bike stores and the Fleet Feet in town. Things were shaping up to be a really productive day in terms of account visits. The purpose of the trip was to be at Fleet Feet North Augusta for a Balega sponsored Lesedi Pub Run. The Lesedi Project is a really cool community based initiative to help the underprivileged in South Africa. While Balega is based out of Hickory, NC the product is assembled in South Africa and being a part of both areas is important to the company.

Balega supports the Ethembeni school in South Africa which caters to the physically and visually disabled. A few years ago, Balega purchased a bus for the school and the funds tonight will be used to build a playground. In addition to the school, the event tonight raised money for Girls on the Run by selling pint glasses for $10. Half of the money went to the school and the other to the new chapter of GOTR in North Augusta.

I got to run a few shakeout miles with Fleet Feet's training group and speak a little about the socks, the company and The Lesedi Project. It was a fun way to end the evening at Nacho Mama's who had agreed to fill the pint glasses for $1. Who could pass up helping two great charities, getting a pint glass and $1 beer? Not me. I had a few pints of Sierra Nevada and some nachos while enjoying conversation with other runners. The owner Michael and his fiance Jen did a great job organizing the entire event.

Around 8:00 pm the group dispersed and I regained a bit of focus as I had to get close to Charleston, SC. I drove and drove through the night eventually finding some sketchy lodging about 20 minutes outside of Chucktown. I quickly passed out after having a really successful start to the trip.