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Running with the Kenyans: Discovering the secrets of the fastest people on earth by Adharanand Finn
alisarae's review against another edition
This book was fine but not exceptionally compelling. One major takeaway for me was how simply even succesful Kenyan runners live. They train in very basic camps, they eat the same simple foods day in and day out, they don’t complain.
Today I was grumbling about not having a track to train on (the closest one available to me is an hour travel time just to arrive there). But then I thought about Kenyans. They don’t train on tracks. They run and they run fast. Their workouts are pretty straightforward— easy runs seem to build to negative splits or perhaps ladders, fartleks are 1’ on 1’ off and repeat for an hour, routes routinely include hills, and most don’t use a watch. The book mentions one runner who ran on an indoor track for the first time in his life at a European championship and he won. Another complains about using spikes. So the lesson here is that doing speedwork on a track won’t make you faster.... doing work will.
May their monastic dedication be a lesson to us all.
Today I was grumbling about not having a track to train on (the closest one available to me is an hour travel time just to arrive there). But then I thought about Kenyans. They don’t train on tracks. They run and they run fast. Their workouts are pretty straightforward— easy runs seem to build to negative splits or perhaps ladders, fartleks are 1’ on 1’ off and repeat for an hour, routes routinely include hills, and most don’t use a watch. The book mentions one runner who ran on an indoor track for the first time in his life at a European championship and he won. Another complains about using spikes. So the lesson here is that doing speedwork on a track won’t make you faster.... doing work will.
May their monastic dedication be a lesson to us all.
abhireadingnotes's review against another edition
3.0
I read this in preparation for a half marathon. Shows you how the best long distance athletes become the best long distance athletes.
shaysreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Really inspiring and interesting book :)
laurenlethbridge's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
ziagouel's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 30%
Zatímco McDougall mě štval s jeho bulvárním přístupem, Finn píše absolutně nezajímavě, nekonzistentně a ploše. Hodnota informací téměř nula, text působí jako soubor poznámek z cest, spíchnutých dohromady, spíš než jako celek. Žádná snaha o nějaké hlubší pochopení poměrů v Keni, z nichž vycházejí nejlepší běžci světa. Nechce se mi s tím už ztrácet čas.
Zatímco McDougall mě štval s jeho bulvárním přístupem, Finn píše absolutně nezajímavě, nekonzistentně a ploše. Hodnota informací téměř nula, text působí jako soubor poznámek z cest, spíchnutých dohromady, spíš než jako celek. Žádná snaha o nějaké hlubší pochopení poměrů v Keni, z nichž vycházejí nejlepší běžci světa. Nechce se mi s tím už ztrácet čas.
protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
I've read a lot of different running books in the last few years, and although I did enjoy reading this one and learned quite a bit about the Kenyans and their emergence as a dominant force in the running community, there was something a little bit lacking in the presentation of this particular story. Perhaps I am over-saturated on running books, but I just didn't get especially inspired by this one. I enjoyed the actual racing parts the best and was always happy to hear about Finn's successes and failures. It was heartening to hear his doubts and to realize that I'm not the only one who struggles to push myself through those especially difficult moments on a tough run, and that sometimes, even someone who devotes their full attention to running will give in to the inner demons telling you to stop. I also like how Finn brought a human face to the swell of Kenyans who dominate the sport. I think I would have preferred that some of the bigger names in the sport had been featured more prominently. Overall, a solid effort worth 3 1/2 stars.
george_potter99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
Inspiring, informative, fantastic pacing. Complete immersion into not only Kenyan culture but also way of life. Answered questions but leaves you wanting a little more….like you should go to Iten yourself. Will be recommending to everyone. Dropped it .25 stars because I’m injured and the book annoyed me because I couldn’t run.