For decades Kenyans have been dominant in long distance running. I remember some of the first I saw who competed in the Olympics. They ran in bare feet.
What makes them such good runners?
Perhaps they possess some superior genes that allow them to run better. But wouldn’t this same genetic material make them good at short distances?
There are certainly countries that fund their athletes better than Kenya.
The answer lies in two factors.
The first is that they run at high altitudes, which trains their bodies to use oxygen in an efficient manner. When they compete at lower altitudes, the atmosphere with a higher concentration of oxygen supplies them with a more plentiful supply of this gas needed for running. It is as if they are moving from regular gasoline to one with a higher octane.
The other factor is the terrain they train on. Often they are running up and down steep hills and mountains. Again, when they run the course on city streets, while there may be hills, few compare to the steepness they encounter in training.
In other words, their training circumstances are often much more difficult than their competition’s.
Are you going through a rough patch right now? Just like the Kenyan runners, maybe you are training for the marathon ahead. It’s just that you have to get through the tough training so that the actual race for the prize will be relatively easy.
What makes them such good runners?
Perhaps they possess some superior genes that allow them to run better. But wouldn’t this same genetic material make them good at short distances?
There are certainly countries that fund their athletes better than Kenya.
The answer lies in two factors.
The first is that they run at high altitudes, which trains their bodies to use oxygen in an efficient manner. When they compete at lower altitudes, the atmosphere with a higher concentration of oxygen supplies them with a more plentiful supply of this gas needed for running. It is as if they are moving from regular gasoline to one with a higher octane.
The other factor is the terrain they train on. Often they are running up and down steep hills and mountains. Again, when they run the course on city streets, while there may be hills, few compare to the steepness they encounter in training.
In other words, their training circumstances are often much more difficult than their competition’s.
Are you going through a rough patch right now? Just like the Kenyan runners, maybe you are training for the marathon ahead. It’s just that you have to get through the tough training so that the actual race for the prize will be relatively easy.
2 comments:
Hi John:
There's a third factor, I've heard. I can't remember which is which, but it has to do with short or long-twitch muscles.
Enjoying your blog.
I wonder if anyone outside of Canada actually knows what "the Pope's nose" is? None of the people I know from other countries have ever been familiar with the phrase.
Thanks for your comment. Another Canadian word is touque for a woolly hat.
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