My First Run At High Altitude was TOUGH! (Kenya Experience DAY 1)

Find out more about the camp: www.traininkenya.com/iten_ken...
Today I headed out to Iten, Kenya for a 2 week training camp at altitude with Running trips. Can't wait to document my training here over the next few weeks. If your new to the channel please leave a like and consider subscribing for more.
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[@hellomark1]

Damn, I just finished reading "Running with the Kenyans" and it takes place in Iten! It's really nice to have video visuals to put with that book. Also it shows exactly why Kenyans absolutely dominate racing, and altitude is only a very small part of the whole picture.

[@stevenhunt3947]

Would love to do this one day, have a great time Ben hope you enjoy it to the fullest 🏃‍♂️

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Stephen! It’s certainly living up to the expectations at the moment 😊

[@uras1]

Ugali is normally made with white maize, very similar to polenta

[@fkoti]

Love it Ben! Please keep sharing

[@techlessman2162]

Wow - what an awesome adventure, to follow in the footprints of such legends 🏃🎽👟

[@BenIsRunning]

Some of are still very much here. Just finished a core workout with the London marathon winner 2021 Jepkosgei

[@techlessman2162]

@@BenIsRunning epic!!!

[@JadeGoesRunning]

Excited to tune in to your videos of this trip, I’ve been contemplating doing it myself for some time but wanted to do a bit of research - watching your videos definitely counts! Hope you have a great trip out there 🎉

[@TheFODRunner]

Have the best time mate, looking forward to the videos!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Andy

[@Jess-Rabbit]

So glad I just found this channel! Was just looking at this running camp and it sounds amazing. It is going on my bucket list for sure

[@ashleysmith6884]

Now you have to enter a marathon. Try Safaricom in Lewa. It's awesome. You'll get to meet and maybe warm up with the Kenyan national team. Great turn out of locals. GRUSOME altitude course with THE most amazing views, elephants walking along the path, giraffes that may raid the oranges at the water stations, maybe even a lion who will come to watch you!!!

[@SendingStache]

dream trip! have loads of fun!

[@RiversideWalks]

Really inspiring Ben. We miss you at Norwich Park run!

[@jonathanwatkins447]

This is going to be awesome to watch. Have a blast. Cool stuff

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Jonathan, hope you enjoy it :)

[@severiner7168]

How amazing Ben! Thanks a lot for sharing some of your experience

[@BenIsRunning]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jayjay7587]

Excellent content ! I’m loving it

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Jay

[@MultiShiv19]

Thanks for sharing this Ben! It feels like we're there with you. Excited to see what's more to come in this journey with you :)

[@BenIsRunning]

Hope you enjoy following along

[@timeonfeet]

Epic Ben, great to see you getting out there at the home of champions! Really interesting to see what a difference the altitude can make. Enjoy the rest of your time there

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Ben! As I’m only here for 2 weeks I’m not sure it’ll make a huge difference but I’ll certainly be back for a slightly longer period of time that’s for sure

[@cook1e737]

Have a great trip Ben, looking forward to more content. 👍🏻

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@timverkoyen8742]

Love being able to follow you in this amazing trip. Cannot wait till the next ones drop! Enjoy yourself over there Ben!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Tim

[@gawieloubser]

Ben, welcome to Africa!!! It is always a humbling experience to see people share knowledge. Not only you but also the people of Kenia. Enjoy every moment. Vasbyt!! ( Hang in there, in Afrikaans).

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Gawie!

[@Iron_DD]

Love it Ben, great to see the doors that your running and KZbin is opening for you. Well deserved - soak it all up!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks! Will do!

[@sharonmcgrane5352]

Thanks for showing us around Ben. Looks to be a cool place. Looking forward to your next one. 🏃

[@BenIsRunning]

Welcome! It is pretty darn cool 🙌🏻

[@maxmedbinow2604]

Thank you for sharing your trip, it’s very interesting, it makes me want to go. Have a good stay at the camp. On your marks-get set-go!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Maxmed

[@jonhannula2022]

That’s awesome!! I watched the sub two marathon and that was insanely awesome on KZbin. I’ve always been inspired by Elliot. Dang bro I’m so excited for you. Keep up the good work! You’re going pro I can see it.

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Jon

[@thomaskoller8990]

Thanks a lot for your first impressions! Very much looking forward to attending the running camp there in August 🙂

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Thomas! I’m sure you’ll have a great time

[@teetertotter5787]

Very cool experience. I've just added it to my bucket list.

[@BenIsRunning]

Good stuff! Hope you get to tick it off soon!!

[@sv1296]

Welcome to Kenya! Looking forward to seeing your experience over the next 2 weeks. Karibu!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thank you!

[@iberiksoderblom]

So exiting to see this. I actually envy you that trip 😆 Cant wait to see the rest and learn about what you get from it, in training and adventure.

[@BenIsRunning]

More to come!

[@victorisrunning]

Amazing Ben! Enjoy the experience. Would love to do a trip like this myself... one day!

[@ronrunsworld]

Great vlog! waiting for the next ones. And see you soon in Boston!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Ron, see you there

[@runningwithaj]

So keen to watch these. A Kenyan experience is the dream!!!

[@BenIsRunning]

It certainly is. Loving it so far

[@iq_by_0303]

That so cool, a runners dream!

[@annestrock4917]

Really enjoy the way you document your travels. If this running thing doesn't work out you should definitely do a travel vlog!!

[@BenIsRunning]

Aha thanks Anne :)

[@oliverschofield9258]

I've been a follower for a while. I hope you had an amazing time. I been a runner for the last 5 years. I went to iten back in December. I had 2 amazing weeks there.

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks for following and hope you enjoy the series

[@Jonathan-teamslgr]

Ben, you are a busy boy. Looking forward seeing how you get on 👍🏻

[@BenIsRunning]

I certainly am, hope you enjoy it

[@petewilcock]

I went here 5 years ago for two weeks. Nice place. Bit of a faff buying the 5l water bottles but necessary. Also pretty cheap to get a local SIM. Great running areas for miles around. Food was awesome, so many carbs but no chance of being hungry.

[@Klian159]

That's what I was waiting for, TRAINING IN KENYA BABY!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ricsalemic5481]

Nice trip. Have a good time in kenya ben

[@BenIsRunning]

Thank you, I will

[@LyseS2000]

Have a good time. Enjoy.

[@BenIsRunning]

Thank you, I will

[@philjames9733]

Awesome, Ben, have a great time! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your adventure. It will also be an interesting contrast with my own current trip to Flagstaff, Arizona on a DIY run camp with my son. It's been head snow here last week, so a bit different!

[@philjames9733]

*heavy

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Phil! Hope the weather clears up for you guys

[@chuck4863]

Ben is a modern day Judith chalmers who hosted a travel show called ‘wish you were here’ many years ago. Loving the travel content within your videos at the moment.

[@pedrogalache4309]

Amazing experience!

[@OdokonyeroKennedy]

You have reminded me of my visit to Kapchorwa in Uganda where the likes of Cheptegei trains. I did a duathlon and the 10K of the run felt so so so hard. My HR was over the roof. The altitude hits me pretty hard. I even felt sick after returning to Kampala. The trip was just over the weekend and of course I didn’t get to adapt to the altitude and get the benefits. Enjoy Kenya, Ben.

[@BenIsRunning]

Maybe I’ll have to add Uganda to the list too :)

[@VagabondShoes]

Thanks for the vid!

[@BenIsRunning]

No problem!

[@maloxi1472]

"Room 25" in reference to the 25 laps in a 10,000m track race 😊

[@BenIsRunning]

Ah I see!

[@eddiegaul1903]

I am excited for you Ben! I live in fairly high altitude -- about 4500 feet. It is an adjustment. Yes you will have to work harder but you will get used to it. I can be up at 7000+ feet in no time at all here. Definitely have to put your ego in check for a bit. You'll get a boost when you return back to the UK and I think you'll be stronger as a result. Excited to see where this takes you Ben.

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks Eddie! Looking forward to acclimatising some what so I can do some speed :)

[@jacksonmbuthia1201]

I hope we will cross paths during your stay in iten.

[@gerardswinley4736]

Do they have a parkrun there? I imagine the times would be nuts 😂

[@BenIsRunning]

I don’t think so 😂

[@QronoZ713]

Looks beautiful!

[@QronoZ713]

Now I'm off to run in the snow storm... 😂🤪

[@Snytkine]

This is so cool.

[@JelleRunning]

Interesting to see what impact Kenya will have on your running! Could not stop laughing when you were struggling to lock your door but left your windows wide open 😂

[@BenIsRunning]

Great logic there

[@bh4560]

I know matt and Kelly did this same trip. I am sure you will come back even stronger ben. 💪 looking forward to watching it all man.

[@BenIsRunning]

They did indeed! I hope so :)

[@Team.L]

Welcome to Kenya 👍😎 mayby see u on Moiben road for hard workout💪

[@BenIsRunning]

Catch you around

[@duhusker4383]

Brilliant video Ben. Also a chance to get away from the depressing winter in Europe :)

[@BenIsRunning]

Yes, weather here is perfect

[@theagapepages]

Karibu, Kenya! If free, come and visit us in Kisumu, about 3 hours south.

[@kathrynball4378]

Loved this, can’t wait for the next instalment. So your heart rate indicates tempo/threshold effort, but did it actually feel like a tempo (ie. your perceived effort) or did it feel easy?

[@BenIsRunning]

The pace feels easy but the heart rate is in a much higher zone so in tempo/threshold range

[@ThatRunnerAaron]

Really looking forward to this Kenya mini series mate. Are you going to try & do the RITW podcast while you’re out there?

[@BenIsRunning]

Of course! Can’t skip a podcast :)

[@ThatRunnerAaron]

@@BenIsRunning I did catch this weeks episode on the drive home from work, must say I Enjoyed the cupboardcast. That’s dedication! Have a wicked time in Kenya buddy!

[@Nestorre93]

Awesome Ben, thanks for sharing! right now where you are, Yeman Crippa is training, he's an Italian Pro Athlete.. if you see him say hi to him for me 😂

[@BenIsRunning]

I know Crippa! Hopefully catch a glimpse of him around :)

[@AbramoSalvestrin]

Great experience! But about Kipchoeghe I think he's in Kaplagat, not in Iten (but maybe I'm wrong)

[@BenIsRunning]

We’re visiting the track be trains at so fingers crossed :)

[@Inyasipriscusi]

You should Visit and climb mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania. Its near by Nairobi city

[@BenIsRunning]

One day for sure ✔️

[@halmo68]

Félicitations 👏

[@sheva_sd]

Great video, thank you!

[@Pixelmotiontv-ti2kc]

Hi Ben. It would be great if you reversed the order of the playlist as it plays the wrong way around at the moment!

[@thegyrunner1209]

Have always thought of going to Iten but this sounds a great way, can I ask you about your flights there and home, seems like I can only find ones with big layovers in Nairobi, how were yours?? Looking forward to the vlogs

[@BenIsRunning]

I landed at Nairobi at 5am and flew from Nairobi to Eldoret at 12pm :)

[@joshuaroque6514]

Apologies if I missed it. But is your trip sponsored or part as an invite or did you plan this on your own? I’ve asked my wife to attend a camp for my 40th bday and looking for as much info as possible

[@BenIsRunning]

Good question. I’ve been invited to Iten with a company called running trips official. It’s a gifted experience in exchange for myself to document the camp. Hope these videos help convince the wife

[@laurenmillyx]

Is there a way to go there alone or not?

[@kitmonti8611]

@@laurenmillyx yes, the website shows it can be booked by anyone

[@CorvusVal]

​@@BenIsRunning be careful of product placement rules - I think you have to disclose that in the video or risk being fined? Worth double checking the rules as you're now getting lots of sponsored stuff! Be great to hear a bit more about the camp - where it is in Kenya, the geography, altitude, and history of running there

[@MrPhibib]

I’ve done a trip to Kenya self supported for training. Was pretty easy to do and easily one of my best experiences of my life

[@lucasvallejogonzalez3776]

I was in Iten in 2011 😊. I slept in Too Guest House, still exists???

[@pro-bb7dd]

Great video, nice insight into the life of the champions!:D enjoy your time there;) Have a question tho, how much did you pay for this camp or is it sponsored?😅

[@BenIsRunning]

This camp is a gifted, I was invited by the running trips

[@pro-bb7dd]

@@BenIsRunning allright, got it, thanks for clarifying!;)

[@fr46]

Just to let you know that Konstanze Klosterhalfen was in the same room as you few weeks ago 😁 I was in the room next door 🙌

[@guangyuxu3678]

The meal looks like chinese food，mantou（馒头），fried rice（炒饭），stewed pork ribs（炖猪排）and stir fried shredded potatoes（炒土豆丝）.

[@GuoGuangChiou]

⛰️ high altitude training . This is cool and looking forward to videos sharing about your training there 👏

[@BenIsRunning]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Klian159]

OH YESSIRRRR!!!!!!

[@pedrogalache4309]

How many vaccines have you nedded for travel to Kenia?

[@briankerr2989]

Say hi to one of our club runners Martin Grey from Carlisle who is a DHRunner who is in your group. 🇰🇪

[@BenIsRunning]

I will do! He mentioned you were watching at breakfast

[@gary1703]

So bcos you are running at altitude and your heart and lungs have to work harder will you be adjusting your speed accordingly to make sure you are running in the correct zones for each workout you do?

[@BenIsRunning]

Yes, especially for the first week when your body is acclimatising

[@mitchb1919]

What is the running watch you are wearing in the video?

[@BenIsRunning]

Coros pace 2

[@franeksolowski4318]

Ben could you recommend some shoes for 5/10 k Racing and Faster trainings for Runner who aim for 3:35-4.05( 3-5km ->treshhold) pace? It will be lovely to have a any recommendation. Have a great time during camp!

[@BenIsRunning]

Saucony endorphin speed :)

[@franeksolowski4318]

@@BenIsRunning I found adidas adizero pro 3 for the same prize at sale, are they going to be okay? You also said that they're quite durable and it might be huge advantage for me.

[@jeremyringma]

What sort of weekly volume are you planning to run fresh out of Osaka?

[@BenIsRunning]

Playing it by ear but probably around 100-120km :)

[@laurenmillyx]

What is the internet connection like? And do you get meals included? Is there a grocery store on site or just the main kitchen?

[@BenIsRunning]

It’s decent enough for me to upload videos :)

[@BenIsRunning]

No grocery store but all meals are provided by the kitchen

[@i.p2088]

I was in Nepal and tried to run.. Easy run and my HR was like Threshold.

[@petewilcock]

Songok is a great guy btw, will sort you with anything you need. He helped me with a yellow fever vaccine I needed to fly on to Thailand. 😊

[@BenIsRunning]

He certainly is a lovely guy. Very wise 🙌🏻

[@jon_tran135]

Would be amazing! £1350 plus airfare doesn't seem too expensive for 2 weeks really!

[@vicius23]

Nope if you are going for free, like him, lol. Should be stated…

[@jon_tran135]

@Carlos Sanchez he has stated it at the start of the video like

[@gReed16384]

Is it safe to run outside? I have no idea :D ... I envy you this trip! Really cool, did not know it existed!

[@duhusker4383]

Why wouldn't it be safe to run outside???

[@BenIsRunning]

It’s very safe yes. Think a lot of people have this misconception but everyone here is very friendly and haven’t felt threatened at all.

[@jonathanweatherill1029]

Awsome until you check the cost of flights.

[@hkim9151]

Mo farah room 25 lucky room, later on your room might be a lucky room too 😊

[@djmintofficial8302]

W

[@adssdassdaasd1947]

Is it hot in Iten?

[@BenIsRunning]

14 at 6am, 29 by midday and then high teens in the late afternoon

[@laszlokovacs9596]

🥸

[@fabsterun]

First

[@BenIsRunning]

🎉

[@fabsterun]

@@BenIsRunning 😜