Marathon before Marathon - the road race of Sunday, September 30, 2012
I was to do this run on Sunday morning. However, I found myself staying in bed past nine and later having a heavy breakfast. At 9.30am, when I was supposed to be 5km deep in the run, I found myself watching a documentary on Sports Injuries on Explorer Channel. The lesson was that injuries can occur and that athletes are prone to these - even on simple exercises. I had finally got the perfect excuse to stay indoors.
A glance at the 8-week marathon schedule, on my earlier blogpost, indicated a 1hr 30min run on this weekend. This was the only opportunity to do this, after which it would be too late. This new realization forced me into rescheduling my long run for later in the day.
Hot
The afternoon sun was hot. I headed to the workplace to pick my running gear, with the hope that the heat would subside as the clock ticked towards four. This was not to happen. By 4.30pm it was still hot. Bearing in mind that the run would take about 1hr 45min, I had to start before five, in order to finish before seven. With a 500ml water bottle at hand, and a phone set to stopwatch on the other hand, I left the dressing room.
With the blazing heat, I started off slowly and exited the employer's main gate.
"Otsia tsimbiro? Otsia khena?," the sentry asked, even as he opened the gate.
I changed the stopwatch timer on the phone to split mode and started my run:
0.00.00 - Start of run, just outside the gate
It is 4.50pm. I start with the mild hilly section towards Uthiru roundabout. The heat is just too much. Am tempted to turn back and cancel the run, but the schedule forces me on. I see two or three couples seated on the grassy lawns just on the outer fence of the compound. In about three minutes I join the tarmac road from AHITI and Kabete Technical. On my left I see a crusade in progress. The preacher beckons, "Come here, all you sinners walking by. Your day of salvation has come." Luckily, am running, so am not in that category. Just behind me, the roundabout is overflowing with weekend revellers. There are all forms of activity in that circular enclosure - face painting, idling, chatter, photography, recording of music video. I divert from the tarmac to the dusty road that joins the highway, just besides Kabete Police, now renamed Dagoretti Divisional Police headquarters, as per the signboard near the highway. I cross the Waiyaki way and run to 'the wall' as I join the route that makes a circuit next to the Department of Veterinary Services. This circuit get me to Ndumboini stage.
0.12.34 - Ndumboini stage
I press split as I hit the stage. The noisy matatu crew beckon passengers, "Tawo thirty, Westy twenty, Ungech kumi, Gari ya masaa"
I passby, then cross the tarmac to run on the left, as I now pass University of Nairobi's Upper Kabete campus inlet road. From here, I head downhill, on Kapenguria road, all the way to the river. I release myself and quicken the pace, in response to the downhill roll. The stretch is dusty, though. Coming from downhill, two vehicles in a span of five minutes create a dust storm on me. I however reduce pace, struggle to regain my breath amidst the chocking dust, then trudge on. As I reach the river, and the downhill ends, I see another couple, on my right, just beside the road. The guy in sitting across a paddle of water, while the lady is standing opposite him. I think they are discussing how the guy has crossed the river just for her, evident from the giggles.
0.20.32 - Tank
Twenty minutes of run gets me to 'the tank'. This is the end of the downhill and the start of the next hilly section that should take me to tarmac. I have to contend with running against another two dust-spewing vehicles following each other. I passby Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre to my left, followed by the Nairobi Childrens Home to my right. Momentarily, I hit the tarmac.
0.25.37 - Tarmac
Tarmac at 25minutes is quite a good pace. I join this Lower Kabete road by turning right. I take my first sip of water, then start the mild uphill towards UON Lower Kabete campus, which is on my left. At the vehicle stage just next to the UON main gate, I see four ladies, just opposite my running steps. I turn back just in time to see them gesture in my direction. I can imagine them cracking a joke, probably in praise of dudes who have such prowess, but that is just my mind playing games. I clear my mind by taking another sip of water. This route has remained the same as I experienced it last year. The only noticeable change is the renaming of Kenya Institute of Administration to Kenya School of Government. I notice this change of name on the institution as I passby, now heading towards the generally flat terrain, with housing estates and homes lined up on both sides of the road. I run past Kabete Telkom exchange without noticing it.
0.45.09 - Ngecha junction
I divert from Lower Kabete road into Ngecha road as I passby Lake View estate. The condition of the tarmac is good. The last time I was here its condition was deplorable. Anyways, just a mild hill then a downhill, allowing me a sip of water, gets me to the Ngecha-Getathuru road junction. The next part is now the dreaded section.
0.52.32 - Getathuru junction
I confirm that the split shows 52 minutes of run. Am just about to hit the 1hour mark. I have this long hill to battle. It takes about 15-minutes to climb this unrelenting hill. It shall take me through Kitisuru estate, the centre and later Mwimuto. The sun is still blazing, but it has lost a lot of its fury. I pace on without noticing much. A matatu blocks my path at the centre, just to beckon passengers. I am forced to divert from the side of the tarmac to the extremity of the road, just to avoid bumping into the matatu. I am just in time to see the 1hr mark pass through the timer as I pass by the centre.
1.06.18 - Turn off to river
Am relieved to finish the hilly section, as I turn off to my left, towards the river. This is generally downhill, then another uphill. My mind is preoccupied with finishing the run. I do not notice the hill after the river. Am jolted back to reality while passing by the Nairobi Childrens Home, second home, just before I get back to tarmac. I hear a sound like, "Jambo. Endelea hivyo"
"Jambo," am startled, as I look to my right to see this guy just opposite the gate of the home, greeting me.
"Endelea hivyo, ubarikiwe"
"Ahsante sana," I respond, now about ten meters past his position. Am cognizant that we still have a few good people who can wish blessings on a stranger.
1.14.40 - Tarmac
Am at tarmac. It is now a matter of getting myself back home. I know the route and can even close my eyes and run the rest of the track. I roll downhill to 'the tank'
1.19.17 - Tank
I passby the tank, without much ado. I face the hill with determination. I overtake some guy who is just walking at this isolated part of the road near the river. There in nobody else in sight. It is now well past six. The sun is setting. Signs of darkness can be see from afar. My mind wonders... what if this guy just removes, say, a gun and asks me to surrender my phone? How would I react? I have not have time to think over this since I immediately see some three people going downhill towards the river. My dustless run is interrupted by a vehicle that dusts me as I keep my uphill effort.
1.29.15 - End of hill
It is a relief to finish the hill. Now there is no more hill and I just have to move on to the finish line.
1.30.11 - Ndumbo
I reach Ndumbo stage hardly a minute after finishing the hilly stretch. I notice nothing. I turn to my left so as to face the Vet lab circuit, which should get me to the wall. From the wall I have to cross Waiyaki way - very busy - then am back to Kabete Police on the other side of the road. I just wonder why vehicles speed on this 60km limit stretch.
1.37.03 - Kabete Police
Am just about to finish the run. A dirt road, to the tarmac, then to Uthiru roundabout, then down to the gate and that is it.
1.40.53 - Stop
It is now 6.30pm. I hit the stop button. I still have half the contents of the 500ml bottle, which I gulp down in one go, even as I reenter the compound for my warm down, rest and reflections.
Had this been an international triumph, the national anthem would have been played. Am taken aback...
It was just past midnight when four not-so-sober guys started to sing the national anthem. Saluting with their right hand and a drink on their left, they stood up from their highly elevated seats to sing aloud. It was quite a strange occurrence as evidenced by the look on the faces of the bartenders. The singers did not seem to care though. This was team Kenya passing by the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Olympic games. This was Friday, July 27. This was an historic day for all citizens. After singing the stanza, and ensuring the flag was off screen, the revelers sat back and continued their earlier interrupted chatter.
I just smiled at this episode even as I came back to reality.
Doing this run was a major achievement. This route is usually a 21km half marathon mock. I can bet that I shall be able to finish the real marathon, come October 28, in this or a lower time.
Would I do such a run again before the marathon event? The schedule says so but....
I was to do this run on Sunday morning. However, I found myself staying in bed past nine and later having a heavy breakfast. At 9.30am, when I was supposed to be 5km deep in the run, I found myself watching a documentary on Sports Injuries on Explorer Channel. The lesson was that injuries can occur and that athletes are prone to these - even on simple exercises. I had finally got the perfect excuse to stay indoors.
A glance at the 8-week marathon schedule, on my earlier blogpost, indicated a 1hr 30min run on this weekend. This was the only opportunity to do this, after which it would be too late. This new realization forced me into rescheduling my long run for later in the day.
Hot
The afternoon sun was hot. I headed to the workplace to pick my running gear, with the hope that the heat would subside as the clock ticked towards four. This was not to happen. By 4.30pm it was still hot. Bearing in mind that the run would take about 1hr 45min, I had to start before five, in order to finish before seven. With a 500ml water bottle at hand, and a phone set to stopwatch on the other hand, I left the dressing room.
With the blazing heat, I started off slowly and exited the employer's main gate.
"Otsia tsimbiro? Otsia khena?," the sentry asked, even as he opened the gate.
I changed the stopwatch timer on the phone to split mode and started my run:
0.00.00 - Start of run, just outside the gate
It is 4.50pm. I start with the mild hilly section towards Uthiru roundabout. The heat is just too much. Am tempted to turn back and cancel the run, but the schedule forces me on. I see two or three couples seated on the grassy lawns just on the outer fence of the compound. In about three minutes I join the tarmac road from AHITI and Kabete Technical. On my left I see a crusade in progress. The preacher beckons, "Come here, all you sinners walking by. Your day of salvation has come." Luckily, am running, so am not in that category. Just behind me, the roundabout is overflowing with weekend revellers. There are all forms of activity in that circular enclosure - face painting, idling, chatter, photography, recording of music video. I divert from the tarmac to the dusty road that joins the highway, just besides Kabete Police, now renamed Dagoretti Divisional Police headquarters, as per the signboard near the highway. I cross the Waiyaki way and run to 'the wall' as I join the route that makes a circuit next to the Department of Veterinary Services. This circuit get me to Ndumboini stage.
0.12.34 - Ndumboini stage
I press split as I hit the stage. The noisy matatu crew beckon passengers, "Tawo thirty, Westy twenty, Ungech kumi, Gari ya masaa"
I passby, then cross the tarmac to run on the left, as I now pass University of Nairobi's Upper Kabete campus inlet road. From here, I head downhill, on Kapenguria road, all the way to the river. I release myself and quicken the pace, in response to the downhill roll. The stretch is dusty, though. Coming from downhill, two vehicles in a span of five minutes create a dust storm on me. I however reduce pace, struggle to regain my breath amidst the chocking dust, then trudge on. As I reach the river, and the downhill ends, I see another couple, on my right, just beside the road. The guy in sitting across a paddle of water, while the lady is standing opposite him. I think they are discussing how the guy has crossed the river just for her, evident from the giggles.
0.20.32 - Tank
Twenty minutes of run gets me to 'the tank'. This is the end of the downhill and the start of the next hilly section that should take me to tarmac. I have to contend with running against another two dust-spewing vehicles following each other. I passby Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre to my left, followed by the Nairobi Childrens Home to my right. Momentarily, I hit the tarmac.
0.25.37 - Tarmac
Tarmac at 25minutes is quite a good pace. I join this Lower Kabete road by turning right. I take my first sip of water, then start the mild uphill towards UON Lower Kabete campus, which is on my left. At the vehicle stage just next to the UON main gate, I see four ladies, just opposite my running steps. I turn back just in time to see them gesture in my direction. I can imagine them cracking a joke, probably in praise of dudes who have such prowess, but that is just my mind playing games. I clear my mind by taking another sip of water. This route has remained the same as I experienced it last year. The only noticeable change is the renaming of Kenya Institute of Administration to Kenya School of Government. I notice this change of name on the institution as I passby, now heading towards the generally flat terrain, with housing estates and homes lined up on both sides of the road. I run past Kabete Telkom exchange without noticing it.
0.45.09 - Ngecha junction
I divert from Lower Kabete road into Ngecha road as I passby Lake View estate. The condition of the tarmac is good. The last time I was here its condition was deplorable. Anyways, just a mild hill then a downhill, allowing me a sip of water, gets me to the Ngecha-Getathuru road junction. The next part is now the dreaded section.
0.52.32 - Getathuru junction
I confirm that the split shows 52 minutes of run. Am just about to hit the 1hour mark. I have this long hill to battle. It takes about 15-minutes to climb this unrelenting hill. It shall take me through Kitisuru estate, the centre and later Mwimuto. The sun is still blazing, but it has lost a lot of its fury. I pace on without noticing much. A matatu blocks my path at the centre, just to beckon passengers. I am forced to divert from the side of the tarmac to the extremity of the road, just to avoid bumping into the matatu. I am just in time to see the 1hr mark pass through the timer as I pass by the centre.
1.06.18 - Turn off to river
Am relieved to finish the hilly section, as I turn off to my left, towards the river. This is generally downhill, then another uphill. My mind is preoccupied with finishing the run. I do not notice the hill after the river. Am jolted back to reality while passing by the Nairobi Childrens Home, second home, just before I get back to tarmac. I hear a sound like, "Jambo. Endelea hivyo"
"Jambo," am startled, as I look to my right to see this guy just opposite the gate of the home, greeting me.
"Endelea hivyo, ubarikiwe"
"Ahsante sana," I respond, now about ten meters past his position. Am cognizant that we still have a few good people who can wish blessings on a stranger.
1.14.40 - Tarmac
Am at tarmac. It is now a matter of getting myself back home. I know the route and can even close my eyes and run the rest of the track. I roll downhill to 'the tank'
1.19.17 - Tank
I passby the tank, without much ado. I face the hill with determination. I overtake some guy who is just walking at this isolated part of the road near the river. There in nobody else in sight. It is now well past six. The sun is setting. Signs of darkness can be see from afar. My mind wonders... what if this guy just removes, say, a gun and asks me to surrender my phone? How would I react? I have not have time to think over this since I immediately see some three people going downhill towards the river. My dustless run is interrupted by a vehicle that dusts me as I keep my uphill effort.
1.29.15 - End of hill
It is a relief to finish the hill. Now there is no more hill and I just have to move on to the finish line.
1.30.11 - Ndumbo
I reach Ndumbo stage hardly a minute after finishing the hilly stretch. I notice nothing. I turn to my left so as to face the Vet lab circuit, which should get me to the wall. From the wall I have to cross Waiyaki way - very busy - then am back to Kabete Police on the other side of the road. I just wonder why vehicles speed on this 60km limit stretch.
1.37.03 - Kabete Police
Am just about to finish the run. A dirt road, to the tarmac, then to Uthiru roundabout, then down to the gate and that is it.
1.40.53 - Stop
It is now 6.30pm. I hit the stop button. I still have half the contents of the 500ml bottle, which I gulp down in one go, even as I reenter the compound for my warm down, rest and reflections.
Had this been an international triumph, the national anthem would have been played. Am taken aback...
It was just past midnight when four not-so-sober guys started to sing the national anthem. Saluting with their right hand and a drink on their left, they stood up from their highly elevated seats to sing aloud. It was quite a strange occurrence as evidenced by the look on the faces of the bartenders. The singers did not seem to care though. This was team Kenya passing by the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Olympic games. This was Friday, July 27. This was an historic day for all citizens. After singing the stanza, and ensuring the flag was off screen, the revelers sat back and continued their earlier interrupted chatter.
I just smiled at this episode even as I came back to reality.
Doing this run was a major achievement. This route is usually a 21km half marathon mock. I can bet that I shall be able to finish the real marathon, come October 28, in this or a lower time.
Would I do such a run again before the marathon event? The schedule says so but....
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