Does anyone know if they just bag the sport after they hit mid-century?
Does anyone know if they just bag the sport after they hit mid-century?
most of them probably bag it long before then....
Well, with a life expectancy of 48 years, probably not a whole bunch of them are lacing up the flats after 50.
In Kenya the vast majority of people who run are young and competitive. The idea of running for 'fitness' is not ingrained in the Kenyan culture. That is why you will hardly see any 'joggers' in Kenya.
Kenya is presently going through tough economic times, and a severe drought has hit many of the regions. Running at age 50 and beyond would be considered a waste of time and resources by most Kenyans.
In Kenya, someone aged 50 is like someone aged 7--80 in the West - considered 'old' real 'old'! shortened lifespans over there.
Correction: That was a typo about the age:
Should read: someone aged 50 in Kenya is more similar to someone aged 70-80 in the First World.
Someone in Kenya who is 50 or over is considered 'old' Here in the First World many 50 year olds are still in very good shape and productive.
A 50 year old running races in Kenya would be considered foolish. The concept of 'fun running' is somewhat alien to the Kenyan philosophy of sports. You run to race, and racing means running fast. If you cannot run fast you do not waste your time and everyone else's time by 'participating' in races, like in the First World countries.
Kenyan runners cannot fathom why 'finishers' of marathons in the U.S.A and beyond are rewarded just for 'finishing.' You either run fast or slow, and if you cannot run fast, putting on a race number is silly, in the Kenyan mind.
ghost wrote:
Correction: That was a typo about the age:
Should read: someone aged 50 in Kenya is more similar to someone aged 70-80 in the First World.
Someone in Kenya who is 50 or over is considered 'old' Here in the First World many 50 year olds are still in very good shape and productive.
A 50 year old running races in Kenya would be considered foolish. The concept of 'fun running' is somewhat alien to the Kenyan philosophy of sports. You run to race, and racing means running fast. If you cannot run fast you do not waste your time and everyone else's time by 'participating' in races, like in the First World countries.
Kenyan runners cannot fathom why 'finishers' of marathons in the U.S.A and beyond are rewarded just for 'finishing.' You either run fast or slow, and if you cannot run fast, putting on a race number is silly, in the Kenyan mind.
christophe_moulton@yahoo.com
This is not entirely true. Running is getting more popular with Kenyans, if only with the professional, urbane class. You won't see many, if any, recreational runners in rural areas where the vast majority of people are just trying to eke out a living. There are at least two marathons in Kenya that I know of, and a couple other popular races. I also work with several Kenyan military officers that run for fitness.
The drought is mainly affecting ethnic Somalis in the north and east of Kenya (people most Kenyans don't consider Kenyan anyway).
Jambo Rono, and thanks for your input. well, i cannot understand what concept you used to come up with that. My Grandma died 2yrs ago aged 104yrs old in central kenya, i dont know how that would translate with your concept but i this she would be close to 150yrs old.
ATTN RunDaddy, the above thread was in response to yours
From what I have seen most of these kenyans have very short racing careers... well lets say where they are at the top...its hard to keep going when you continue to lose to your fellow kenyans..their training is so high volume that most of them cant continue for very long..
You're wrong. The training is not career-limiting. The reason you won't see that many Kenyan masters has already been discussed:
*For the most part*, Kenyans don't run for fun and fitness and a finisher's medal. They run to get money, scholarships, opportunity. The sport does not have many hobbyists there.
Yes, people in Kenya are obviously well aware of the fitness benefits, but the fact is that a 40 year-old in Kenya has more to gain by working at a professional life outside of running, whether it's by climbing a corporate ladder or selling corn.
Who deleted the Henry Rono post and subsequent replies?