Running the Kenyan Way - Toby 1 of 2

During one of our days in Kenya, we visited Iten, the home of many of the fastest distance runners in history. In fact, running is the primary industry in Iten. Runners from the surrounding area in Kenya, and even international runners, are lured to this city in pursuit of grand dreams. While in Iten, we met some unbelievably fast runners, and we witnessed a culture that embraces running as a way of life and as a doorway to open opportunities. We also met an American/Icelander/Dutch/English ex-pat that shared a lot of wisdom with us. His name was Toby Tanser.

Toby is a tall, lanky muzungu with flowing silver hair. Toby is forty-something years old, and posses a wealth of experiences. He carries himself in a humble, down-to-earth manner, yet comes across as slightly mysterious. It is not too common to meet a Westerner that has taken to living in the heart of Africa. Additionally, Toby's background came across as a mystery as he had been born in Iceland, but had spent a significant portion of his life living in Holland, England and New York City. In many ways, Toby reminded me of Caballo Blanco from the popular running novel Born to Run. In any case,  Toby saw us in Iten and invited us to tour the High Altitude Training Center, at which he works. While we were there Toby also shared with us some knowledge he had gained about Kenyan running. Toby's etic perspective was highly valuable since he was able to relate Kenyan training to western methods, and provide us with wisdom that we would be able to understand.

Some really fast Kenyans we watched at the track in Eldoret
These guys ran 10 x mile at 4:40 at 7000ft elev.
Photo Cred: Joshua Coon

Toby taught us that Kenyans that running as a business. Running affords Kenyans opportunities that they wouldn't otherwise have. Running can provide one with astronomically more money than they could earn in any other career in Kenya. (Winning a major marathon or a Diamond League track race can earn one a cash purse in excess of $100,000.) Running also provides many Kenyans the opportunity to gain a college education in the United States while on scholarship. Moreover, running is often pursue for these opportunities alone. Once a Kenyan runner's career is over, he/she is unlikely to continue running. Running is not a hobby sport in Kenya like it is in the U.S.

We also learned that Kenyans approach training differently than do Americans. In many ways, they approach training with a more relaxed approach than do Kenyans. When an American begins a workout, he/she is set on finishing the workout regardless of any obstacles that come his/her way. An American will run much slower than planned if that is what it takes to finish a workout. Meanwhile, a Kenyan runner is not set on "finishing" the workout, but rather on running as fast as he/she can for as long as possible. Thus, a Kenyan runner will aim to hit a goal pace for as long as possible and once he/she calls off the pace, the workout will be called. Over time, Kenyan runners will try to complete more and more of the workout. Furthermore, when a Kenyan runner has a bad day, he/she does not read into their difficulty, but rather accepts that bad days happen and training. He/she resolves to return later in the work and try again. Meanwhile, an American distance runner tends to stress over a bad day and look for an explanation to his/her troubles. The stress usually only hurts an American runner when there may not have even been any problem to analyze to begin with.

Bilboard in Eldoret, which is the regional hub near Iten
Photo Cred: Joshua Coon

Kenyans also try to make training difficult. A Kenyan will run in sweats or tights and a jacket even when it is hot out in order to make training harder. Toby also noted that he has met Kenyans that train in shoes that are three sizes too big to make running uncomfortable. That way when a Kenyan shows up to the start line on race day with shoes that fit and lightweight, breathable clothing, the race feels much easier. 

Kenyans also eat well. The Kenyan diet is very simple: ugali (a pure carbohydrate made from corn), chapati (a delicious tortilla-like bread), kale, rice, beans, some meat, and other fresh fruit and veggies.  While the Kenyan diet is not nearly as diverse as the typical American diet, the Kenyan way of eating seems to be very beneficial for runners.  All of this food comes straight off the farm without being refrigerated, frozen, preserved or shipped long distances, and thus it contains the maximum amount of nutrients.

Arch upon entrance to Iten
Photo Cred: Joshua Coon

Furthermore, Toby shared that Kenyans have a tremendous confidence in themselves and their ability.  All of these factors plus the high altitude, soft dirt roads, and stifling competition allow Kenyans to excel in distance running. While each of these factors many not be enormous, it seems that when combined, these factors create a formula for success. 

If interested in learning more about running the Kenyan way, check out Toby's books Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way and  More Fire: How to Run the Kenyan Way.