Anyone interested in a Kenyan link up?

--amadeus--

Late on Friday is probably a bad time to post this but anyway...

On Tuesday as we were checking out of our hotel myself and MrsA got chatting to one of teh Kenyans. We had a great chat and there was some idle chatter about linking up. We swapped email addresses and on teh way home myself and MrsA idly talked about how cool it would be to go to Kenya for a training camp. But I don't think we ever expected to hear anything or for anything to actually come of it.

But I've just had an email from him, giving teh names of teh athletes he coaches and the marathon he won this year.

So basically this is an exploratory thread to see if there is any interest in some form of a hook up. Maybe a link between BAC and the kenyans? Maybe a kit sponsorship program? Or is it totally wild to think about trying to set up a training camp where a few of us fly over there for a week of training (and maybe a week of sight-seeing?)

Very, very early days yet but whats the general thunks and thinks?

And this isn't at the expense of the A/R/T Young Irish Athlete Bursary - PMs were sent about that last night and we are going to try and get that roling now that the marathon is over.

ecoli

This sounds like a great idea and think it would be amazing if could get it off the ground. I have looked into going myself and hope to after end of college this year but these would be the only difficulties i would have with going for only one week as i feel a more extended period would be needed

1) price of flights and travel time would not make flying out for a week very
expensive for the return given.
2) Getting used to the altitude would take alot longer than a week

think it would definitely be an alley if it could get off the groud would be epic

RJC

It sounds like a great idea.

I heard a radio documentary on BBC radio 4 earlier this year about a guy in his late 30's who went out to train with some Kenyans (or maybe ethiopians). He was a pretty reasonable marathoner (3:15 I think). He was left in no doubt about his abilities when he went up against some local school kids.

I'd love to learn from some experts but two things would hold me back -

1. I am aware of my natural (in)-ability and that would put me off. If I was a good semi-elite (say a sub-2:45 marathoner) I''d like to try it but I'd probably only be indulging myself otherwise.

2. The cost of going for a week would be prohibitive (wife, 3 kids, mortgage, etc). I would be better off spending my money on a years worth of 1-to-1 coaching for a specific goal.


Still, a good idea for those who would benefit from it.

--amadeus--

Yeah thinking about it a week wouldn't be worth it.

The area this guy lives in (I don't want to name names until I have done some digging) is in the Highlands of the Rift Valley so is slap bang in the right athletics area. His town is also next to a huge nature reserve and about 3 - 4 hours from Nairobi and you go past a couple of National Parks to get there so prime tourist area.

The vague thinking I have at the minute is holiday of a lifetime stuff for us all - I've always wanted to go to Kenya on a safari. This seems like a great way to go local, see the "real" Kenya, get some quality coaching and support thier community. It's also an opportunity for my kids to see another side of life.

I *really* want this to happen but but but...!

BeepBeep67

keep me in the loop, it's whetting my appetite, depends how the finances play out, but I'm in the once in a life time boat.

shels4ever

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Yeah thinking about it a week wouldn't be worth it.

The area this guy lives in (I don't want to name names until I have done some digging) is in the Highlands of the Rift Valley so is slap bang in the right athletics area. His town is also next to a huge nature reserve and about 3 - 4 hours from Nairobi and you go past a couple of National Parks to get there so prime tourist area.

The vague thinking I have at the minute is holiday of a lifetime stuff for us all - I've always wanted to go to Kenya on a safari. This seems like a great way to go local, see the "real" Kenya, get some quality coaching and support thier community. It's also an opportunity for my kids to see another side of life.

I *really* want this to happen but but but...!

Sounds like a good idea but not someting I'd be able to make at the moment , Would be nice to see that part of the world, had a nice chat with John Mutai the night before the Belfast marathon which was cool

misty floyd

That would be an amazing experience. BAC only ?:(

RacoonQueen

Money and getting the time off work being the main issues for me but I would LOVE to do it myself. Have played around with the thoughts of looking into a training camp there for warm weather training/altitude training etc would be amazing.

--amadeus--

misty floyd wrote: »

That would be an amazing experience. BAC only ?:(

Nope, open to all

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Money and getting the time off work being the main issues for me but I would LOVE to do it myself. Have played around with the thoughts of looking into a training camp there for warm weather training/altitude training etc would be amazing.

Tell work it's your honeymoon...

Flights would be in the region of €600 - 800 return. I can't see accom being expensive over there

thirstywork

sounds like a great idea but would the purpose of your trip be to see how the Kenyans train or to train over there.
If it is to train then you would need minimum 3 weeks as you need to get used to the altitude.
Also you will have to get some injections before you go and the last guys i knew who went(Raheny runners)they had to come home early due to the fights.
Also it would be very expensive(flights only) just to go for a week.think some of the lads told me it would cost around 4-5euro a day to live there.
A guy called Shane Mcdermot was the first guy i knew who went there(10 years ago)he wrote a piece in the Irishrunner about hhis experience.
Im sure an idea of putting some kenyans up during there race period in Europe would be a great idea,that way you could train with them and see how they train ect.

metamorphosis

That sounds like a very good idea. love to do something like that but liking and doing are two different things. Something to think about though i suppose

gerard65

Sounds great. I've be very interested, but would have to look into the politically situation, they seem to have regular civil wars in certain parts of Kenya.

downthemiddle

Kenya is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. There was political difficulty there last year but in general is very safe.

We were there on our honeymoon nearly (20 yrs ago:eek:) and found it an amazing experience. It's a beautiful country with fabulous people. The safari is an experience never to be forgotten.

All I can say is go for it!

Blueskye

downthemiddle wrote: »

Kenya is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. There was political difficulty there last year but in general is very safe.

We were there on our honeymoon nearly (20 yrs ago:eek:) and found it an amazing experience. It's a beautiful country with fabulous people. The safari is an experience never to be forgotten.

All I can say is go for it!

+1 Despite problems last year with civil unrest, it is a very safe country. I spent a summer out there in 2006 living with the locals doing voluntary work and would highly recommend it. The people are genuinely friendly and great fun. Plus it's a fantastic country for a safari trip. Sounds like an amazing idea, clearly way out of my league athletically but would be interested to hear how it goes if it works out.

RoyMcC

thirstywork wrote: »

the last guys i knew who went(Raheny runners)they had to come home early due to the fights.
.

I'd be all for it only that I don't do fighting very well...:o

--amadeus--

Blueskye wrote: »

+1 Despite problems last year with civil unrest, it is a very safe country. I spent a summer out there in 2006 living with the locals doing voluntary work and would highly recommend it. The people are genuinely friendly and great fun. Plus it's a fantastic country for a safari trip. Sounds like an amazing idea, clearly way out of my league athletically but would be interested to hear how it goes if it works out.

I wouldn't see it as being restricted to "good" runners if it happened - lets be honest there are only a couple of people on here close to the level these lads are at.

There are wider possibilities as well - putting the kenyans up during European road race season in return for coaching for example. Any and all creative ideas welcome!

limericklion

According to one of the coaches I know in Limerick AC he said a couple of years ago a group of athletes from the University of Limerick went out there in January around the time of the disputed elections. They had to return home for safety reasons but I think there were a number of injections they had to take ie against malaria as mosquitos are extremely bad out there. I think they were a couple of Raheny lads out there who have since left the university so if anyone knows who they are you probably should get in contact with them as they will have all the required advise and information on flights, accomadation, etc. Best of luck

mrak

at the recent loughrea ac seminar Seamus Power went into some detail about the time he went out with Peter Matthews and Noel Berkley to train in Kenya. Power went from years of 60 miles a week straight to 100-140 miles/week - big shock to system but returned in super shape. I'd say if it's training you're after 4-6 weeks would be the minimum stay. Seamus was there to work - it wasn't a holiday and he mainly just trained with the irish lads - using the country for the focus, altitude and terrain. I'd love to do something like that, but money and time wouldn't permit - maybe another life!

ss43

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I *really* want this to happen but but but...!

If you really want it to happen:

Book your flights to Nairobi - should be between 600-900 depending on time of year. Book a €60 flight to Eldoret.

Get the few injections you need. If you want, get anti-malaria tablets but there isn't really much malaria at altitudes that high.

Stay in one of the small towns outside of Eldoret with lots of runners in it. Iten is most famous. Kaptagat and Kapsabet are others.

Meet the runners, train with them, learn from them, socialise with them, have fun, come home.

It's quite simple. Do it.