You too can Train the Kenyan Way in Kenya
Kenyan runners and many non-Kenyan runners training in Kenya have had good success. These four things stand out for a reason behind their success.
1. Training is a big part of their secrets including sloop training, intervals, fartlet and many exercise drills. Twice a day workouts with the evening run easy.
2. Equally important is their diet, the Kenyan's runner diet is starch based very in carbohydates. Kenyan runners get 76 percent of their daily calories from carbs.
3. Almost all Kenyans train in groups, many at training camps.
4. Kenyans runners are surrounded by inspiration and postive thinking. You have to believe you can run a 2:01 marathon to be able to run it. Visualization is a big part of this.
Many runners outside of Kenya have thought about training in Kenya with Kenyan runners. Many have made the trip and have had great success. But for most runners outside of the Kenya, making the trip and training for a month of more never become more than a dream.
The main reason why it only remains a dream is because it just is not clear how to set it up. Lifetime runner Bob Anderson who also was the founder of Runner's World Magazine in 1966 (publisher/owner from 1966 to 1984) and most recently the publisher of the website My Best Runs with over one milllion unique readers annually wanted to make it easy for runners to train in Kenya and experience the Train The Kenyan Way.
Bob and his wife Catherine first travelled to Kenya in 2013 and staged a race there in Thika located just one hour from Nairobi. It was during this trip he met up with Elam Wangwero, a 29 minute 10k runner who loved athletics as much as Bob. The first thought of doing a training camp was born.
Work started on the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) started some years later in Thika. Bob brought on board Florence Kimiti to be the manager and then hired Coach Joseph Ngure to be the head coach.
Construcion was finished by September, 2021. The next step was to build a strong staff of athletes who mostly would live, eat and train at KATA. "
COVID did slow things down for awhile, says Bob Anderson, "but as of June 14, 2023 we are welcoming our first guests."
KATA has six private rooms for guests each with a double bed and private bath with a shower. KATA has a total of 26 rooms including staff athletes rooms, office, Runners Lounge with large TV screen, Olympic Dining Hall, Laundry room, Kitchen and storage rooms.
KATA is solely set up for athletes who are interested in improving, running new PR's, becoming campions or being a professional runner. "We offer world-class training, quality Kenyan runner's food in a relaxed inspirational atmosphere with the emphasis on distance running, " says Director/Owner Bob Anderson.
"This is your chance to Train the Kenyan Way," says life-time runner Bob Anderson. "With all the sucess Kenyan runners are having and with the success non-Kenyan runners training in Kenya have had, we wanted to make it easy for others to experience this amazing opportunity." All you need is a passport/visa and an airline ticket to Nairobi, Kenya. KATA will take care of everything else including picking you up at the airport. "Of course you have to have the desire to become a better runner," says onsite manager Florence Kimiti, who was also a 1:59 800m runner as a junior.
"We offer training programs for 800m to 1-mile, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and the Marathon" says KATA's onsite senior AK coach Joseph Ngure. "We will work with you and help you achieve your goals. Just let us know your starting point and your goals and we will provide the coaching to help you achieve it."
At any one time 12-20 Kenyan KATA staff runners are training at KATA. Most live and eat at KATA while others live nearby. These Kenyan athletes set the style of KATA as they work hard to become better runners and help and support our guests.
"Our athletes and staff will also work with you to help you achieve your goals," says KATA operations manager Elam who has been working on this project with Bob Anderson since the beginning in 2020. Elam has also ran several 29 minutes 10k's over the years and is currently training for the marathon.
Our first guest to arrive on June 14th and staying for six weeks is Nadim Abdallah. 20-year-old Nadim is a college student at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has clocked a 4:22 mile and recently he ran a 14:31 5000m. He wants to be in top form for the upcoming cross-country season. His goal is to get under 14 minutes for 5k.
"His mom and dad (Joel and Sara) are very supportive of their son's passion," says Bob Anderson.
The second confirmed guest checking in July 2 for 12 weeks is Max Barnett from England. He ran a 3:45 marathon in Paris and wants to break three hours by October in Lisbon. "This is an aggressive goal," says Coach Joseph, "but we are going to help him make it happen."
"I have spoken with Max several times," says Bob Anderson "and I think we can help make this happen because of the deadication Max is making to make this happen. His focus for 90 days will be running where now he just has too many other things getting in the way."
You might be thinking that something like this must be very expensive. It is not, the cost is just $375 weekly with a minimum stay requirement of four weeks. "Any less time would not give us enough time to do our magic," says Elam.
posted Wednesday June 7th
by Lisa Wall