05/23
Out with the NY Flyers last night on the Dog Track at the north of the park; what a great night and location to run; so peaceful, and a runner is able to actually run instead of dodge other runners. The park is becoming too crowded...

I actually have heard a bit of these guys when they were in Kenya and some of the stuff in the article does not add up to what I also heard over there (I still feel over there as I have only been back a few hours).

We were watching the Shanghai meet in Eldoret and great cheers went up as Geb's counterpart, Bekele, went down... albeit another Ethiopian besting him.

And at the Police Champs over in Kenya Geoffrey Mutai was back to his winning ways in the 10,000m - Geoffrey Mutai VIG 28:23.0 to #2 Mathew Kisorio VIG 28:23.1 3 Nicholas Togo VIG 28:27.1 4 Wilson Kipsang NYZ 28:41.3 - wilson making a good post London return.

The marathon men's team are going to be based in Kerio View in Iten. Most of the team actually live in Iten anyway!

The Kenyans are already counting the Gold medals they 'will' win in London and the next up 'big events' are in the month of June with the trials, especially the men over in America for the 10,000m.

However the big focus is on winning the men's & women's marathon; anything less will be failure. The team has been invited to a pre Games training camp in England Bristol but there is no place better one feels than Kenya... unless these heavy rains continue.

After the raffle as a joke I mentioned that I would sign books for a bigger donation, really as a joke... but a funny story - once needing to buy a copy of my first book, Train Hard Win Easy, I found one on ebay for $50, the cheapest I could find after a three month search. The seller messaged me back, "If you make it $100 I will get the author to sign it for you."

By supporting the Achilles at the 5-miler June 24th... and it is a marathon qualifier!

Our hero of the week is Selly Selina here finishing the Vancouver Marathon for us - remember we are recruiting now for our ace marathon team 2012 - run NYC!

Over in Kenya I hear Luke Kipkosgei is being released today; hope he is ok - looking forward to checking in.

Times have changed! Besides I never became a worker... The worker of the day? Lasse Viren.. coming to the Olympics, talk about legends - Olympics 1972 - Gold in the 5000 and the 10,000. He repeated this amazing feat in 1976... And 18-hours after winning gold in the 5000m he ran the Olympic Marathon, and finished 5th in 2:13! 18hrs - imagine, no carbo loading, burning legs, already a 10,000 heat, a 10,000 final, a 5000 heat, a 500 final!

in 1980 he barely managed to qualify for the final in the 10,000 [yes in those days the 10,000 had heats to run not like today making the story even more amazing]. He just crept into the final, but when in that final he ran like a true champion, albeit an old one, he finished fifth yet fought lap after lap, after lap, to keep int he pole position right up to the very last lap... a remarkable hero. He even entered the Olympic marathon shortly after that race... with the leaders till 30km till he dropped. Never been repeated... probably never will. Unless Bekele does the double this summer...

Funny this year Kenya has all four major titles locked up but Ethiopia is getting the smaller results.

Running the marathon, if you have never done it before, is an amazing experience, unforgettable and for many it is a life changing moment. Certainly being in race management and the such I always tell people that the best volunteer job is to be working on the finish line, the energy you get from people's emotions...

Well 2012 is a special year for our marathon team as hopefully we are the launchers, the agents of the movement that will run with the progress of the hospital starting to get built.

My pick was five of these, and Mosop is an excellent choice. I just think to leave off Geoffrey Mutai is insane, but it is all irrelevant now, unless injury strikes - which I really hope it does not. So the best of luck to this fantastic six and kudos to Claudio for bringing Priscah from absolutely nowhere to the Kenyan Olympic team in SUCH a short time. The AW article says Priscah won three low key - do you call Paris Marathon low key?? And why is Martin Lel in there? He was not in the short list.. reporting.... And calling Mary Keitany's debut unspectacular means they just looked totally at the clock - she was beaten by Edna in a tactical race, and Edna happens to be a 2:19 world champion... I would say that is a great debut! C'mon get deeper than that.

Is there anyone in the sport of athletics that wants to see Dwain Chambers go to the London Olympics? He knew when he injected himself with illegal drugs he would lose the privilege of competing for Great Britain. Yet he continued to inject those needles. He continued to take prize money, appearance money, endorsement money from other athletes who trained hard to earn those monies. He continued to inject himself.

Now he is costing the British Tax Payer a ton of money as the the BOA tries to uphold its wishes, that no drugs cheat wear the colors of the British Team in the Olympics. It is not about second chances, it is about knowing the rules and playing by them.

I don't think I have spoken to a single athlete from this country, that country, or any country, that wants to see Dwain. Let alone see him in the Olympic Stadium. Can we suggest a Greek holiday? Maybe a motorcycle ride with some others?

Helen also has one of the saddest stories I know. I don't know, I sometimes wonder at life... Once upon a time there was an extremely bright girl in a junior school in Molo, Kenya. Helen was always top of her class and her father, who was a Pastor was rightly proud of his daughter and would wait anxiously for any exam results.

One day as Helen sat in the class room she thought a thunder storm was about to happen, the class room was going dark. "Is it about to rain," she asked a classmate. With the passing days it became more and more difficult for Helen to see the blackboard. She sat closer and closer yet the writing on the board became dimmer and dimmer until she could not make out any of the writing.

Being handicapped in rural Kenya is almost a sin. Kids are kept from schooling, locked up, put away. Helen pretended all was normal. Her results went from the top of the class direct to the bottom; she could not read anything on the exam papers. Her father beat her, how could she be such an idle student...

Eventually, after some considerable time of fumbling her way she completely lost her eyesight and the truth was told. Thank goodness she had a learned and understanding father and family. So sad, yet don't expect a gram of sadness from Helen, quite the opposite, one of life's most upbeat souls. So happy for her - may August the 4th be a wonderful day. I hear Catherine Ndereba is going to be the bridesmaid.

This is how I would pick the team and why, Ladies first. Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat, Priscah Jeptoo and Sharon Cherop/Florence Kiplagat as the reserve. The reason to pick Priscah over Sharon is based upon the head to head at the world's last year when Priscah took the Silver over Cherop's bronze. Priscah also has three out of three great results now in the marathon, and improving with every race. Winning Boston this year was not as prestigious as making the podium in London. It is close, but I would take Florence as the reserve.

For the men Wilson Kipsang, Abel Kirui, Geoffrey Mutai, and Moses Mosop as the reserve. The reason I would exclude Patrick Makau is if he is injured now it is highly likely he would injured in his training period leading up to the Olympics. I believe Geoffrey had a bad day in Boston, nothing more, and his superfluous performance at NYC last fall is good enough to ensure him a spot. Abel, as a double world champion, has proven that he is a great racer in a championship event, plus should London get super hot in the summer he can also handle the heat. The fact that he chased Kipsang down from afar showed his courage; he could have played it smart and finished second yet he gambled and in my cards did enough with a 2:07 to prove himself worthy of a spot.

To keep Moses Mosop out of the Olympics does seem unfair. He ran a great Rotterdam, albeit not able to win, and the fact that he was beaten by two Ethiopians does not make his medal chances at London look good; if you had a $100 to place a bet on G. Mutai Vs Mosop I know where my money would go. Also Mosop to me looks like the runner who will need the longest to recover before another hard marathon effort; he is bigger and heavier and typically this type of runner will not be in top marathon shape before, say October. Like Keitany & E.Kiplagat, Kipsang's selection does not need a single word. The Olympics does not usually do nice things to the favorite, look at Paul Tergat in 2004, and Martin Lel in 2008, but for 2012 I think the discussion of Kipsang Vs the rest of the world is one where I would put my money on Wilson.

Papa Kiptanui and Moses Kiptanui, the most dominant steeplechaser of our time. There has never been a runner like Moses before or after. the first man to break the 8-minute barrier, the winner of three world titles, the coach to so many of the today's stars Moses did more, he set world records for non steepling distances too, like the 3000m and the 5000m. Of course you can read his story in the book MORE FIRE.

I guess the proud papa never guessed how far this man would go...

In the Men's race some aggressive moves made for some big road crashes. the weather was not as hot as in 2004 when Timothy Cherigat cruised to a 2:10 under the heat... and was sadly left off the team that went to the Athens Olympics. All in all an entertaining race that stole my morning!

OMG, are they serious? What a dead end explanation, and what a useless one too. Half of the Indian population, three quarters of the Asian population are a similar hgt/wgt.

Like Brother Colm always says, "When people look for the East African secret they always like to forget this [watching a Kenyan hill training session] part." It is the training, it is the altitude, it is the soft dirt, it is the attitude, it is the food, it is good genes, it is many things... but when you announce height and weight is then the little future Paula Radcliffe saying "I can't" because she is too tall? Is the future Paul Tergat saying "Ok, I should not start out running..."

After 70-mins an American leads who happens to be 40-lbs heavier than the norm - Good for Jason Hartman! Also great to see Michel Butter of the Netherlands up there too going for it.

"This is the only race in the world where people have to qualify..." More expertise [sic] commentary - Urm, have these guys heard of a marathon called Fukuoka Marathon in japan? One of the most famous marathons in the world?

Tirfi Beyene (ETH) 2:21:39 took the women's race. The big race in Rotterdam... 1. Yemane Adhane ETH 2:04:48 PB 2. Getu Feleke ETH 2:04:50 PB 3. Moses Mosop KEN 2:05:03 dominated by Ethiopians! I was pretty sure that Mosop was not going to win, for a couple of reasons, but to be honest I did not have any idea who was going to instead... And to rub it in, for the women, 1. Tiki Gelana ETH 2:18:58 NR PB 2. Valeria Straneo ITA 2:23:44 NR PB 3. Merima Hasen ETH 2:25:48.... And in Vienna it was 50-50: Vienna, Austria - Henry Sugut 2:06:58 and Fate Tola (Ethiopia) 2:26:39... the bigger race was Haile racing Paula. However clearly Paula had some serious issues, have to save that one for another day....

Another legend on the roads was Kennenisa Bekele competing in a road 10k - he ran the fastest time of the year in 27:49, beat the field by almost a minute and showed... watch out he is dragging his body into shape... if he does get he Olympic 10,000m gold he'll make history big time as the first 3x winner. Yesterday was a step in the right direction. Milan: Daniel Too Kiprugut (Kenya) 2:08:39 & Irene Kosgei Jerotich 2:31:07

Good luck to ALL runners running Boston on Monday

Plodded round Central Park yesterday, gosh running feels like a chore after Kenya. Or maybe it is me, getting worn out.

Chubbs raced a 10km and says he is on the road to fitness, which should culminate in a C-town performance... and remember to register for the NYC marathon asap as the lottery is boiling up soon... IF you don't get in and want to run for the great team please do let me know as this is our 'power' year - we must make the hospital happen...

Also ** Tar-ran_ta-raaa ** the Hope & Possibility has been upgraded to a Marathon Qualifier, so please enter and support the amazing Achilles Track Club! They are actually no longer called that anymore, but if you ask Bill Clinton he will tell you that yes he knows the Achilles Track Club... but does not know the new name [Achilles International] so let's keep it at that... and as they say over the pond, which I never understood, Bob's Your Uncle.

I am anxious to see what goes on in Boston this weekend - hoping for a top five finish from a little known 2:28 Kenyan called Jemimma J. S. Watch out for her...

Speaking of which back to NYC was back at Girasole, the unofficial S4A clubhouse...

Another person building a new training center in Iten, and a huge building, is the world's second fastest man - Wilson Kipsang.

Going back to building we hear that Gilbert, the husband of Edna Kiplagat, is building a restaurant in town...

Today I met Michael Kapkiai, a man I used to run with 17-yrs ago! I was shocked to meet him again and neither of us recognized each other. He was coming with the local member of parliament whom I know Hon. Chepkitony. the window on the car also broke, the motor to lift it up and down, so I went with Luke Kipkosgei to find a mechanic in Eldoret.

Here is a history page about the village of Iten, including a little history on what Iten means, and who named the town. Link - Iten Page.

Drove past Pamela Jelimo's house, she was not at home.

Then it is meeting with another architect, going over what work he has done, what projects he has completed or started, the process, the breakdown of where his payments go etc, the new environmental laws, what is fixed and what is negotiable...

Then a walk into town for a meeting with the lady featured in the first grader film, Jane Obinchu. With Jane we plot an idea about a polytechnic, our peace program in the summer, the events, and also she brings to my attention one more student in dire need of help - when we did the Kimani Maruge Peace event last year we had talked of sponsoring a child... so today I settled on Lillian Mwaura.

There are some other issues too, they bubble over and my friend Simon comes to discuss an issue we have with a school. What procedures need to be addressed, which offices we must go to, in what areas. Naming rights, and registration.

A boy is introduced who was the top scorer in the whole of his county [Kenya's version of a state] and he is asking as one of the top students whether he can get to an Ivy league school or not. The has just been on a training scholarship sponsored by the Equity Bank.

There is a brief break, I try and transcribe nine pages of notes into a couple of paragraphs to keep up with all that is going on. I then meet my friend Luke and we drive 40-minutes to somewhere else, to talk about renovations to a little school and to look at some land. Of course we meet a couple of friends along the way.... Finishing a couple of cups of tea I see it is five o'clock, I am an hour behind where I should be for the day... This is my life in Kenya... And more, [a special moment] Walking through the hospital grounds a young man had stopped me, "I want to thank Shoe4Africa for its help in sending me to medical school (we paid for three years), now I am interning here at the Referral Hospital." What a great feeling...

Went to look at a piece of land for building a house and who lives next door? Felix Limo, Eliud Kipchoge, and Ezekiel Kemboi...

Today we had lunch at Abel Kirui's house, he is doing his final set of speedwork before London. He did a tough 31km run the other day sans the coaches orders, just to boost his confidence. Abel has a beautiful house in the town of Kapsabet, so on the way home I dropped by the Shoe4Africa Martin Lel school; nice to meet the community members there.

Talking running we went to see Brother Colm - always good to catch up with him. He might be coming to America soon...

When we met Manu it was first at his office then at his house, and what a house! There is a famous Indian Painter called Hussein who died recently at the age of 95. He did a portrait, a large one, of Mother Teresa. Then Mother Teresa signed this portrait, and it hangs on Manu's wall; Mother Teresa was a friend of Manu's and visited this house upon four occasions. That is a slither of the amazing things about this man and his wife.

Check out the amazing website of the Teddies --[link]

Talking of great things I had a super dooper meeting with Manu Chandaria yesterday. Manu is Kenya's most philanthropic man, period, and a partnership with his organization is something absolutely to be taken. I move another step closer...

Just about to order a cup of Kenyan Coffee, probably the best coffee in the world... Well Ethiopian is pretty nice too. The flight(s) were good and peaceful. i still do not like Terminal 5 at Heathrow, but then again I can't think of an airport in a major city that I do like.

Brother Colm O'Connell looking after his runners.

So when I read someone like J K Rowlings are doing this, or Warren B., I take my hat off to them, because they are inspiring people. If I ever made Billions would I give as much? You just can not say... but what you can say is they are, they are 'Just Doing it.'

Today I zip off again to Kenya, inspired as always by wonderful people... Colm & J K Rowlings have a lot in common, if only they would meet.

We had a team of I think 22-runners in the Half Marathon. All of them superstars! Hopefully I will get more pics!

Meanwhile over in the Rome Marathon Luka Kanda won in 2:08 and the evergreen Hellen Kimutai won for the women in 2:31!

At the NYC half it was fun to see many runners I had not seen in a while, and also Hawi (Meb's brother) who is now living in Indianapolis. Thanks also to all the Shoe4Africa runners who came out and ran for us....

Women's race-- Tadese Feyse, ETH 2:23:26 2. Askale Tafa Magarsa, ETH 2:25:29 3. Serena Burla, USA 2:28:27 -- coached by Isaya! Great to see, well done Serena!

Then a meeting with two folks who have started this sports facebook type landing page called Qfive...

Then it was uptown to pick up 100 running T shirts for the Running Antelopes... of course the bag split half way home...

I am hoping the web site becomes a bit more defined first of all and one of those things I want to highlight better is transparency - for instance we use the guidestar, and let me tell you to fill out all the bits and bobs is a hassle, but of course worth it. More than that I want to make it very clear, I mean it says we spent $81,000 in the previous year, the majority of that was on school building of course, hosting a race with a 1000 women.. the long and short is what we actually spend is peanuts and we need a page to better explain our process... so anyway, a reach out to web talent...? OMGosh, I just went into Guidestar to do some updates, I was there an hour! 44-questions, lists to fill out...

Today I will going down to the Expo for the NYC half Marathon before we have our Shoe4Africa pasta party catered by a West African cook no less! Am currently looking for music to play at the event.

THE STORY ABOUT TRAIN HARD, WIN EASY. THE BOOK OF KENYAN RUNNING.