Why is running seen differently in Kenya than in America(and other countries in general)? Like here, it's just something that people do to get fit and they try to slog through it without really enjoying it for what it really is, while in Kenya it seems that from an early age many people are brought up to enjoy running genuinely. Is this just a stereotype or is this the truth?
You realize very few Kenyans run for fun, right?
Ever heard of a thing called culture ? Genuine culture.
I'd probably be about 50 pounds lighter and run a lot more if running was my only chance to make something special happen with my life. Now I sit on my fat ass at work, making bank, because I can and I'm lazy.
Because eating McDonalds and having kids at the age of 17 is the American culture.
Kenyan's don't have a stupid culture of being cool and not, if you are good at something people will respect you, running is a good sport and they enjoy it.
Kenyans play soccer for fun. Running is all about financial gain. Their runners do it as a career choice. The lines are more blurred now that it is so popular, but up until 10 years ago virtually all Kenyans and Ethiopians who decided to run were ostracized by their families.
MONEY.
No one runs for recreation. As kids they ran to get errands done and go to school. Then people give pro running a shot for the money.
Most people are less regimented about time/distance/pace training plans. Mary Keitany runs by feel and can't tell you her exact mileage, and I think most Kenyans are like this. Kipchoge writes and records everything though.
They are also way more positive and optimistic and don't berate themselves for a bad run or workout.
Corn
Dare To Be Different wrote:
Corn
That must be why Jim Ryun got so great! Corn fields. Corn huskers
Running is seen as a cash cow, as a way out of poverty. US has many, many, many more opportunities to get out of poverty so why pursue something with low return when you can get a job and make a decent enough living.