Following the trend in 2010 I should have upped my distance
again, but as things would have it this didn’t happen. As part of my physio
course I had the opportunity to do an elective placement. i.e. a 4 week
placement in a physio practice of my choice. I toilied with lots of different
ideas but couldn’t resist a wee google search with the key words
“physiotherapy, Kenya and Running”
Six months later I was on a plane to Nairobi to spend 6
weeks in Eldoret a town at 2500m altitude just down the road from the well know
running mecca of Iten.
Unfortunately I was just coming back from injury when I
arrived so while the training and altitude was great I really just got me back
to fitness rather than giving me the boost I had hoped. The trip was certainly
enlightening. Definitely not all sunshine and smiles. Working in a Kenyan
hospital was a real eye opener and quite harrowing at times. Running with other
Kenyans watching the sun come up over the mud tracks was a great experience I
will never forget. Reading “Running with the Kenyans” last year was a good read
and I think gives a good perspective as to what life as a runner in Kenya
means.
My other running highlight of my time back at uni was to be called up an asked
could they use a picture of me to promote the 2012 Belfast marathon. Sadly no
royalties but I did get offered a free place and seeing a life size picture of
me immortalised against Belfast City Hall at the Dublin marathon Expo brought a
smile to my face.
No comments:
Post a Comment