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24th June 2011 Kenyan Experience 3, Births, Niggles and Core Work!

Third report from Greg 21/6/2011

The weekend now past and last week has started, sat we hit the track at 1925m altitude for 5x300m (x2). after the recent downpours the markers on the track were washed off so i was running a bit blind and was told afterwards by some kenyan that i was running too long for 300m - i was still hitting 49s - and at this altitude you would take two secs off for your sea level equivalent. i was sucking air through my teeth by the end of the session with the lungs aching. but thankfully no cows to dodge this time around.

sunday seen the usual long run - 15 miles over some tough hills but alas a niggle picked up on my right ankle probably from the uneven ground, however it did not help much that later in the day we were invited to a local kenyans (kegan) home for lunch, and an event full trip to a view point over the rift valley, as kegans home was already situated on the side of the mountain down to the valley his views were already spectacular, however after lunch we made our trip in any case, he showed us the land he grew up on and told us that his family own about 10 acres off the local area - all fertile farming land. we met his wife, there new born baby girl, mother, father, most of his nephew and nieces and i'd say all of his neighbours who came from as far as a mile away to come see the muzhungos (white men). we descended the mountain for about half a mile and were informed that as kegan is a vet he wished to call into a neighbour who called him for assistance on a pregnant cow - we thought nothing of it at the time but as we arrived and the mandatory checks were done on the cow and the calf, we were then told that the calf is ready to be born!
i have never seen a calf being born and dont think i would want to again haha, i have recorded a video on my camera of it - and have not looked back on it since either haha. i shall post them up once home.

after the calfs birth quite a crowd had gathered - mostly now of children - we countinued our trip downwards, as it got steeper and steeper the paths we took were getting very dangerous we were single file and holding onto any trees and plants for dear life as we watched our steps, however the childern had no such fear at all - they bounded across rocks and ran through the narrow paths laughing at us and climbing the steep rocks on their bare feet. once we got to the view point we were greeted with some breathtaking scenery however it was not a point for anyone who suffers a fear of heights!

on our way back i could certainly feel that my ankle was getting no better, and would require some treatment - this cam on monday were i contacted the physio (jerone) to the kenyans who also offered outsiders to the kenyan camp assistance on treatments also for a small fee. jerone is a man full of energy and enthusiasim - he came to kenya in 2006 with lornah kipligat but now has his clinic based in the renato canova athletes camp, once you walk through the camps large steel blue gate you have now entered the home of several world and olympic champions, his treatment room is decorated with photos of all the athletes from the camp which he works with who have won world titles, major marathons and olympic titles - dozens of pictures! some athletes have several pictures of themselves up in recognition of their different titles. jerone explained that there are currently around 150 athletes in the camp - they all strive to have there picture, one day on his wall!

the treatment was tough as usual on any injury, however jerone invited me to a core class that evening also with some of the kenyans, an invitation in which i jumped at but afterwards thought, i am going to get crucified in there! however i accepted the invite so i dragged my sorry ass up to the camp again - my knock on the gate wasnt as loud and enthuastic as before partly hoping that no one would hear me but they did and this time greeted by first name by the door man, oh dear i thought cant turn back now!
i entered the small room fro the core class would be held, two athletes i recognised - mary kietany and the world half marathon champ wilson kiprop, there was 12 of us in there and all the athletes were decked out in their sponsored adidas and nike gear, jerone started the class with some light exercises - grand i thought easy buns- gradually the class got harder and harder, i looked around and found that some of the other athletes also had some trouble with the work - ha i thought thank god - im not a total novice as this and the nerves wore off . earlier jerone advised that the class took just over an hour - in total it actually finished after 2hrs and 20mins! we all congratulated each other and made our ways out, it was now 7.30pm and the place was in darkness, and i had to run back to my hotel - not good! iten has no street lights so i more or less shuffled, trying to follow any path i could back to hotel.

today i am in BITS! my run this morning was slow and sore so some serious stretching is required today. im back for treatment on thursday but have not decided on completing workouts yet this week due to ankle taking it time to clear up, but im sure it will.

all the best
greg