“A Kenyan runner’s mentality is to run at the right speed. The Western runner’s mentality is to run the right distance.”
LRC Note. Please try to post sources when you are referencing things. We see the quote at the folllowing link:
https://runningscience.co.za/elite-athletes-training-log/renato-canova/
It means when presented with this workout, for example:
8 x 2000m @Marathon pace with 1000m float rest
Kenyans will stop at 6 sets if they can't keep the right pace.
Americans will slow down and do the entire volume of the workout.
Kenyans focus on extending the SPECIFIC SPEED or QUALITY, while Americans focus too highly on the DISTANCE, learning to run SLOWLY.
Do you think this mentality can be explained by genetics? ?
Han Solo wrote:
It means when presented with this workout, for example:
8 x 2000m @Marathon pace with 1000m float rest
Kenyans will stop at 6 sets if they can't keep the right pace.
Americans will slow down and do the entire volume of the workout.
Kenyans focus on extending the SPECIFIC SPEED or QUALITY, while Americans focus too highly on the DISTANCE, learning to run SLOWLY.
Awesome explanation. Thanks.
Two observations of training and racing behavior of Western and Kenyan runners shed some light on this, I think:
1. Seems that Kenyans are more likely than runners in the west to end a workout because they cannot hit the desired speed at a sufficiently easy effort level. Runners in the west are more likely to stop because they cannot run the desired number of reps at the prescribed pace. For the Kenyan, the workout might be more frequently geared toward feeling comfortable at a given pace rather than forcing adaptation via pushing through to a prescribed number of reps/distance. Similarly,
2. Seems that Kenyan runners are more likely to drop out of a race when they know they will not hit a desired pace for the whole race.
What do you think? I'd rather hear from the man himself. Hope he clarifies.
And I think it builds a mentality to take chances and run faster, rather than playing it safe and just "finishing". Kind of a "Pre" attitude, which we need more of in the USA.
Han Solo wrote:
It means when presented with this workout, for example:
8 x 2000m @Marathon pace with 1000m float rest
Kenyans will stop at 6 sets if they can't keep the right pace.
Americans will slow down and do the entire volume of the workout.
Kenyans focus on extending the SPECIFIC SPEED or QUALITY, while Americans focus too highly on the DISTANCE, learning to run SLOWLY.
Thank you very much.
Han Solo wrote:
It means when presented with this workout, for example:
8 x 2000m @Marathon pace with 1000m float rest
Kenyans will stop at 6 sets if they can't keep the right pace.
Americans will slow down and do the entire volume of the workout.
Kenyans focus on extending the SPECIFIC SPEED or QUALITY, while Americans focus too highly on the DISTANCE, learning to run SLOWLY.
And that is what it all about. IMO, top level Americans need to look at what pace they need to run at to compete with the best, and run it! No worrying about this is too fast for my level, it's outside my HR, or I might get injured.
The more intervals they do there, the faster they will get at this new speed. Finally they will be strong enough to compete. Playing it safe will never make you the best at anything. Just my 2.
Which is why at the 2016 Rio Olympics the Kenyan men only had 1 of 3 runners finish and only 2 of the 3 women finish, one of which ran a 2:46. Kind of an all or none mentality.
Kenyans are known for a lot of things, but tactics and consistency in championship marathons or racing in bad conditions aren't historically one of them compared to some major marathon high points. Either a lot of big performances or a lot of DNF's, not much in between.
Example of a different mentality would be Meb: People always said Meb's PR wasn't flashy, but he ran in 25 marathons during his career from 2002-2017, (9 under 2:10) but never a DNF, even a 2:22 and 2:23 on rough days in NYC. He always competed and hung in there on not-so-great days as well as the great days. That's what he was always a contender in races.
https://marathonview.net/marathon-results-of-Mebrahtom-Keflezighi
Some Kenyan runners are a bit like Ferrari's. When operating at full throttle on the open road they are great, but if something goes wrong then the cost of repair is high. People either put the Ferrari in the garage to keep it out of the elements or get it out on the highway, but you normally don't see them driving around town in the traffic or in bad weather. Racing marathons is more of the later than the former.
Perspective on talent wrote:
Which is why at the 2016 Rio Olympics the Kenyan men only had 1 of 3 runners finish and only 2 of the 3 women finish, one of which ran a 2:46. Kind of an all or none mentality.
Kenyans are known for a lot of things, but tactics and consistency in championship marathons or racing in bad conditions aren't historically one of them compared to some major marathon high points. Either a lot of big performances or a lot of DNF's, not much in between.
Example of a different mentality would be Meb: People always said Meb's PR wasn't flashy, but he ran in 25 marathons during his career from 2002-2017, (9 under 2:10) but never a DNF, even a 2:22 and 2:23 on rough days in NYC. He always competed and hung in there on not-so-great days as well as the great days. That's what he was always a contender in races.
https://marathonview.net/marathon-results-of-Mebrahtom-KeflezighiSome Kenyan runners are a bit like Ferrari's. When operating at full throttle on the open road they are great, but if something goes wrong then the cost of repair is high. People either put the Ferrari in the garage to keep it out of the elements or get it out on the highway, but you normally don't see them driving around town in the traffic or in bad weather. Racing marathons is more of the later than the former.
You make some valid points but remember that Kenya never sends their very best possible teams to Oly/WC.
This comes back to the kilometers vs. miles argument. Kenyans seem not be content unless they’re running 3 flat Ks in workouts. In contrast, Americans are happy with 5 flat miles. The thing is that’s the difference between 2:06 and 2:10.
Wow Bro wrote:
This comes back to the kilometers vs. miles argument. Kenyans seem not be content unless they’re running 3 flat Ks in workouts. In contrast, Americans are happy with 5 flat miles. The thing is that’s the difference between 2:06 and 2:10.
I don't believe this has anything to do with it.
Everybody knows Americans specifically run too much mileage and don’t do enough quality workouts...
Also don’t believe the k vs miles arguments. But does the quote also work this way: Kenyans will aim to run on a given day say @ 3 mins/k until they start to exceed their desired effort for the day. Americans will aim to run 10 miles steady state and slow down to complete the distance if they’re working too hard.
Han Solo wrote:
Wow Bro wrote:
This comes back to the kilometers vs. miles argument. Kenyans seem not be content unless they’re running 3 flat Ks in workouts. In contrast, Americans are happy with 5 flat miles. The thing is that’s the difference between 2:06 and 2:10.
I don't believe this has anything to do with it.
When I did a variant of this for my sub-20 5k training (increasingly long intervals at 20:00 pace), I was roundly abused by many, and supported by a few.
I ended up sub-19–no not fast, but something like 8 mins faster than my no-5k-training baseline, so it worked at this amateur recreational level.
I have always believed in pace-specific distance training, because all speeds are achievable for shorter durations (except for kids and old masters, of course).
Do it, find out and then know how it feels. Then increase your endurance at that speed.
Practically it means that hundreds of thousands of Kenyan runners hanging on for their lives to be able to support themselves and their family and create a good financial future.In this hunt only the most talented and gifted survives and the large outwardly invisible dropout rate due to incorrectly dimensioned training for many is enormous.
Head coach wrote:
Practically it means that hundreds of thousands of Kenyan runners hanging on for their lives to be able to support themselves and their family and create a good financial future.In this hunt only the most talented and gifted survives and the large outwardly invisible dropout rate due to incorrectly dimensioned training for many is enormous.
I do think the only the strong survive mentality applies. In this instance the strong is a sub 2:10 thon. If a Kenyan can’t do that then they probably just don’t do the sport. In contrast a 2:11 is seen as a good time for an American so they keep plugging away at their 2:11. An American even gets a “pro” contract for that time. Are Kenyans getting pro contracts for 2:11? They’re more likely told to go back to their former life to make room for other young Kenyans to try?
Good pts on Meb, but wanted to pt out that he ran 26 marathons and DNFed once at London
The only American to ever win the 5k gold did just that. Specific speed all the time. as he tells me all time....."You still doing those silly long runs?"
Han Solo wrote:
It means when presented with this workout, for example:
8 x 2000m @Marathon pace with 1000m float rest
Kenyans will stop at 6 sets if they can't keep the right pace.
Americans will slow down and do the entire volume of the workout.
Kenyans focus on extending the SPECIFIC SPEED or QUALITY, while Americans focus too highly on the DISTANCE, learning to run SLOWLY.
Are you so sure that the Kenyan athlete just stops and pulls the plug or do they just dig down a lot, unlike the snowflake western athlete; they get the workout, 8x2000 done at the proper pace ..while the westerners just caves in and finishes up letting the pace slip ...?!