Why the Kenyans (Kalenjin) are so fast

If you are still wondering why the Kalenjins, a minority tribe in Kenya, have a disproportionately large share of the world running medals [1], this photo which appeared in Feb 23's Star (Lifestyle, page 3) offers a tantalizing clue. The pix which showed Masai warriors aiming arrows at the  Kalenjin was captioned "Masai-Kalenjins tribal war".

[1] T. D. Noakes, "Lores of Running", Ch 6.3 Africa's Running Experts.

The bike shop modified my bike into a rolling biopsy tool!

Last year, I sent my bike to a shop in Carnavon St. to replace the handlebar tape and it came back with a missing bar-end cap. I didn't think it was appropriate to question the owner as our relationship goes back nearly 2 decades (i.e. "kam cheng" usurped consumer rights!). I have no inkling that I have been riding on a bone biopsy tool until I saw this "exciting" pix in the 5 Feb RBR newsletter.

My experiment with minimalist running shoes - part 1

No gel. No air. No dual-density mid-sole to reduce pronation. The absence of extraneous devices is probably why it is light (US size 10 = 8 oz). The price is amazingly light on the pocket too - at RM130, it's a timely answer to the current economic troubles.

What motivated this experiment? A fellow runner posted a provocative article about poor Kenyans training in hand-me-downs with dead mid-sole [1] to the Waterfall Weekend Warriors mail list and a study finding cheap and expensive shoes having equal shock absorption [2]. I bought the first pair (Prospec Marathon 5) in Oct '08 and wore it in SIM 21k (and several shorter races). What running in it is like? Like rock & roll, lah! At least that's what it felt initially. But after several weeks, my feet adapted to the hyper-mobile/unstable platform and they felt fine. Out-sole durability around the area of maximum wear (lateral edge of heel) is so-so.

Satisfied with the first pair, I bought a 2nd pair (Marathon 4) in early '09. They are essentially the same shoes (similar mid/out soles) with cosmetic differences in the uppers to distinguish them.

[1] Guan Choon's post to the Waterfall Weekend Warriors mail list, 15th Oct '08.
[2] "Cheap Trainers Are As Good As Expensive Ones, And Sometimes Better", (online). Available: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/85210.php.

My experiment with minimalist running shoes - part 2

Return to main