37km in Iten
Kenya update #3
Still posting pics at reidcoolsaet.tumblr.com (for some reason with the slow internet it’s the only place I can post pics)
On Thursday I did a fartlek session of 25 X 1′ with over 200 Kenyans. It was just plain crazy and I could write a ton about it but Paul was there filming (the footage is amazing) so I’ll just save those details for the documentary. For those of you not aware of the documentary it’s about my training for the Olympics and should come out sometime in July. Paul has also been on the other side of the camera http://youtu.be/3Khd7sAYrh4
I’ve been eating my meals with Paul, three Slovenians and Toby Tanser. Every night at dinner I’m absolutely fascinated by the stories Toby has of Kenya. He’s been coming here for a long time and knows so many runners here.
This morning I showed up at 6:10 for a 35km run with 200 shillings in my pocket for some drinks along the way.
RK “We’re going for 38km”
Me “I may need to stop and buy some drinks at 30km”
RK “You cannot stop, you will be left behind. But don’t worry, we are running slow”
With that news I felt confident I could handle the run just fine. There were about 15 runners who started off, by 25km there were only 8 of us left. Around 28km I started to hurt but I never looked at my watch because I feared we were running faster than I planned and at that point I had to stick with the group to make sure I found my home. At 30km a car who had picked up a couple of stragglers pulled up beside me and gave me a water bottle, I was hoping for some sort of energy drink but was fortunate enough to get a couple swigs of water. At 33km I was 300m off the pack of 6 and slowing down, I decided to look at my watch, I had averaged 3:54/km for those 33km. By then I knew where I was again and I ran it in at my own pace. I took a little short-cut because I got back in 37km having averaged 3:56/km. The front guys must of run about 3:50/km, which I wouldn’t consider a “slow” run, haha.
I have two recovery days before I hit the track on Tuesday morning. Once again it should be a good session and Paul will film it before he flies out that evening.
I’ll spend the rest of the day recovering and then getting some updates from the US trials. I’m also looking forward to following Bairu’s race in Houston, coverage by Canadian Running Magazine.
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FLOAT ON 
I look forward to seeing the documentary in the summer. This stuff fascinates me a bit. Keep up the hard work and will see you at Around the Bay!
Just discovered your blog from a French-Canadien website (courir.org). Simply fascinating, I’m sure we will all be proud when you run in London.
Hey Reid. Just wondering how you expect the altitude training to affect your fitness this early in your Olympics preparation? When will you formally start training together with Eric for London?
I expect altitude training to help my fitness!
I’ll begin training with Eric when I get back to Canada in mid-Feb. We’re going to do an altitude training camp in Flagstaff and we’ll begin our specific marathon prep 14-16 weeks out from Aug 12.
Hi Reid, You know we love to have you here. But I have to take issue with you for choosing to post a crappy photo of Nairobi. The “Photo January 06, 2012” is not representative of Nairobi. Or are you trying to scare other Canadians from setting foot in Kenya? I mean, why take a photograph of the ass of a horse then post it and name it “Horse” Please put another photo.
Otherwise, I love your blog!
I actually thought the scaffolding in Nairobi looked pretty cool. I hope you like the latest photo I put up of Nairobi.