Unlock Your Running Using 7 Kenyan Secrets

Kenyan runners always appear, to me, to be so joyful. Like running is spiritual as well as physical! And I want that, for me and for you.
This week i'm looking at how the Kenyans (like Eliud Kipchoge) approach their training and how we can use the information to keep our own running joyful and beneficial.
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[@abbyschwendler1107]

Up at 5am on a Sunday to get my hour run in before a busy day. I prefer to run alone, but it's nice to also know there are thousands of people around the world running with me - wherever they may be.

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I get up at 5 too. You are not alone.

[@abbyschwendler1107]

@@chrisvanbuggenum871 that a nice feeling

[@maffbuckley600]

Its lovely and peaceful to run at this time

[@abbyschwendler1107]

@@maffbuckley600 i love early morning and when the sun is setting.

[@Marathon5151]

I usually get up at 4 am and love getting a good run in while most are sleeping.

[@missbutts85]

I ran with a running group for the first time on Monday and it’s true that having others encouraging and pushing you makes a difference. I’m just getting into running and ran my fastest 5k with the group

[@ThePenguin134]

good work! Hope youve gotten even faster now!

[@XX-is7ps]

Brilliant video. I’m not even a runner (I’m a cyclist) but there’s some excellent and transferable takeaways here I think for anyone involved in endurance sport. I think the social aspect of the Kenyan approach is wonderful. It’s not something that we all have easy access to but just sounds incredibly wholesome, nourishing and supportive as an environment

[@timothyheck4324]

I love the variety you put into your videos! After 3 years back running and after discovering your channel, it has transformed my whole attitude and approach to running. At 62, even though my career demanded a certain level fitness, I can now say that I'm at my best fitness overall. And more importantly, I don't dread my runs & training as before, but look forward to them. Thank-you!

[@Amanda.c91]

Last point may be most important point. One of my fave quotes from a Kenyan: "Subjecting yourself to self-imposed discipline is the surest way to increase the quality of your existence” Also: “Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions”

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Yes I love that second one 😊

[@mikew6840]

Ugali, maize-meal, pap, phuthu, sadza - all names for the same thing, basically maize 🌽 or corn if you’re from the Americas, made into a porridge of various consistencies. Often eaten with some kind of meat gravy or tomato-based relish, cooked greens or some derivative of sour milk. Hugely popular all over sub Saharan Africa. Very yummy when properly prepared😋 - which can takes some patience and muscle power for stirring. Oh - and it can be breakfast lunch or supper 😊.

[@yonarsalach5842]

In Kenya , every morning and every day , young men and women are busy training hard, when one athlete gets tired or old, or unfortunately dies like in the case of Kiptum , another one Emerges strongly, it's a land of strong people

[@cavu9lane]

Just found this channel this weekend. I have been binge watching all weekend. i have run 4 marathons, many triathlons, and even an Ironman, but that was in 2007. I have not been a runner since. My goal this year was to become a runner (again). I’m also reading the book Atomic Habits, so you understand my true goals. No races or destinations just changing the process or lifestyle. I will do a marathon again, but not until at least 2025. I need to learn to be a runner first. Thanks again. I look forward to this journey with your help.

[@livewire1957239]

I can say from experience that uGali tastes like absolutely nothing. But when you use it to eat your vegetables or (for the meat-eaters) meat , it's actually very nice. I have fond memories of eating uGali with sukumawiki (collard greens) at local restaurants in Kenya - it costs hardly anything and still tastes amazing.

[@antonkuqani9834]

"The Welsh runner" also has videos (I think 7) explaining his experience in Kenya. I found them very interesting.

[@gracebridgman1914]

LOVE THIS!! Thank you so much for the amazing videos Ben and Mary - I appreciate you guys like crazy!

[@swagonmax]

Proud Kenyan

[@hellomark1]

Currently reading "Running with the Kenyans" by by Adharanand Finn, and all these points come up again and again. Not only do they live in the ideal location to become a runner, but their whole way of life just naturally makes them elite compared to the rest of the world, in terms of running. It's a great book and I'd recommend it

[@alexandernielsen7040]

Thats a great book 🇰🇪🥳

[@megmikerodriguez6011]

This was GREAT! I watch a lot of running and tri videos and this included things we really don't hear often enough. Love watching you guys on your journey...God bless, Megan

[@irawhitlock1084]

Ty Ben! Great as always

[@lucyrhann]

Love the group running ethos, having joined my local running club my miles and quality of running have increased so much, I absolutely love it!

[@hakimmy1]

Lovely video! I started running this year and i been slowly correcting my technique based on hearing my body. This video reminded me the importance of drills. Thank you!

[@kathleenbolanos]

Thanks for recommending their videos! That will be some great content to watch on my next treadmill session

[@matthewrodriguez7757]

I loved this video, especially your final point. As someone who ran cross country and track in grade school, high school, and a year at university I eventually felt burnt out and fell out of love with the sport in my mid/late 20s. I'm now 34 and absolutely love running again to the point that my evening runs are what I look forward to most each day. As you said, simplicity + discipline = my happiness and rejuvenated passion for endurance training and long term health benefits!

[@elliemconie]

When I was in the younger training groups we used to do diagonals across the football pitch grass in the centre of the track (usually if the track was icy ect) and I wished we did stuff like that in the adult group now 😢

[@seannewell1640]

Nice to hear I'm not the only one not prioritising drills, but plan to change that :-)

[@RunWithDaniel]

@thismessyhappy nice work to have got this right. Alot of KZbinrs don't but you nailed it the right way. Like your approach too . Kudos🇰🇪👏🏿👏🏿

[@martinpenrice]

Love your videos really good stuff

[@genedollaway6466]

Well done thank you

[@neilgrangermagic]

Another great video 🏃‍♂️😊So interesting and there is so much we can learn from other runners. On another note, have you done a video on your shoe rotation? Would love to hear your thoughts on what shoes you use for easy/recovery/tempo/long runs. Thanks 😊

[@SubtleForces]

Fascinating. It seems very much a social approach. I wonder how this could contrast or align with the Norwegians. Everyone on this channel has heard you mention the Ingebrigtsen. There are also the triathletes, Blumenfelt, Iden, and Stornes. Yesterday, Norway hat 5 biathletes in the world championship sprint race, all of them finished in the top 6. For a country that size (5.4 million or about 1/10th of Kenya) this is a significant overperformance and there may be some interesting lessons (besides "science").

[@justthinking2241]

Just FYI I live in Arusha Tanzania and would be more than thrilled to have you and Mary come visit 😊 you would have a place to stay! and could run up mount meru!

[@allannicholasmwangi2908]

Funny how as a Kenyan I am here following your conversation. "Mbali" is swahili for far in terms of distance. The biggest numbers of runners are in running clubs. Recreational running is huge. We don't get to see elite runners. They run in Europe. The group or "vikundi" runs are easier. "Kasi" is pace. Ugali is a staple food of Kenyans and East Africans. Its derived from maize flour. Some of the stuff is exagerrated about Kenyans. I am a big fan of your show. I run to attempt to reverse high blood pressure

[@Freizzn]

Eat, move and use your head just like your ancestors. Add your own and unlock the enormous potential of understanding your genes and organism. The World is yours

[@reality3304]

I served with a couple Kenyans in the Navy, they would chain smoke cigarettes, looked out of shape with potbelly’s but would dust almost everyone in our PT runs 😂 Edit: they told me it was because of the mountains in Kenya.

[@lenhan1125]

Wow that man still using the garmin 920xt just like myself. Man thought id be the only one with it right now lol

[@benny_ben_run361]

We will have to make you some Ugali Ben. Really good and you can buy it here in Thailand.

[@alexandernielsen7040]

As a "muzungu" white person, I can tell most athletes train 11 times a week, monday to friday twice a day, 1 time Saturday and no running sunday

[@defeqel6537]

Personally I cannot handle even a medium amount of carbs, I will end up overeating and slipping up on healthy eating, but I'm not aiming to become a pro anyway, so will stick to eating what makes me feel good long term. edit: the group running is something that I'm not sure I could do often, as introverted as I am, but I can see it being great

[@justthinking2241]

Umbali Vikundi Kasi This has really motivated me.. I’m currently staying in Tanzania and have seen others running but being an Mzungu I’ve been a bit intimidated starting running by myself. Thank you guys for always being such a motivation ☺️🫶

[@cjchands]

Simple + Discipline = Joy

[@justthinking2241]

Also welcome to Tanzania anytime we can make you some Ugali here 😉😂

[@bekindrewind1145]

i feel like that spongebob character that yells out "my leg", today.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

I don’t understand but still find this funny 😂

[@yuvanshankar8577]

Athletics Has an age limits to do ?

[@Kelly_Ben]

Thankfully not! I know several ultrarunners in their late 60s and early 70s!! You just might need to change your goals as you age. I switched from short road races to trail ultras, because I knew my pure speed days were behind me. I'm not sad, I'm loving the challenge of a whole new style of running and setting new PBs every year!

[@yuvanshankar8577]

@@Kelly_Ben good thank you

[@sandyhumissouri5131]

I'm 63 and have only been running about 12 years. Still having fun!

[@yuvanshankar8577]

See you in the Olympics ❤️ 👍😉

[@L1ste_er]

1

[@Peachboobs]

Secrets ? 💉😬