10 Laws of Diplomatic Running
Today, I did my routine Monday run. The course took me from the main gate towards the Uthiru roundabout, then Kabete Police to cross Waiyaki way on the Vet Lab road. Thereafter, I ran towards Ndumboini down Kapenguria road to ‘tarmac’ and back the same route.
This 10k route is quite a challenge, especially when racing against the mid-day sun that just grills your whole body. The hills do not make the run any better.
This was my experience…
As I crossed Waiyaki way, about 4min 30sec after start of the run, I remembered the meeting that I attended on September 1, 2012. The ‘local investors’ in us were being given some tips on surviving the mucky world of the stock market. The meeting was organized by Mindspeak – a business club for upcoming (and seasoned) investors. Having lost about 80% of my stock value in a five year investment cycle, I was squarely in the latter group.
On this particular Saturday, the guest of honour was the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Christian Turner. He gave a very interesting talk, simply titled, “10 Laws of Diplomacy”. Though he presented and explained the ten using diplomacy as the theme, I have found that the are very applicable to the world of running as well.
The first law that rolled out of the projected presentation at the Intercontinental Hostel was…
1. Don't mistake expertise for experience
Sure, I thought for a moment, these vehicles that are zooming so fast beyond the 50km city speed limit can learn something from this law. They may be experienced but the former is quite a different skill. I finally manage to cross the highway as a matatu blares and flashes at me.
Later on at Ndumbo, on time check 11.40, I see two matatus and their crew competing for passengers – literally shouting each other down. Their boom speakers literally turn the small centre into a disco theatre. One of the matatus is playing reggae. Someone in the matatu learns out of the windo in my approaching direction and shouts, “Jah love!”. At this point I recall the second law…
2. Don't mistake knowledge for understanding
I pass by the diversion, to my right, that heads to UON Upper Kabete campus. I recall that two years ago, we would jog through the campus and make our way through their second gate and somehow maneuver back to Ndumbo through UON Lower Kabete campus. However, in their own wisdom or lack of, the institution stopped our access by posting no-nonsense sentries on both gates and demanding university IDs for all those passing through. This has not stopped our runs though. The third law is quite relevant, so I look in the direction of the Uni and utter the following, “3. Don't mistake access for influence”
I run downhill on Kapenguria road. The vast UON land is now on my right. The road is dusty and in need of serious repairs. In fact it is impassible, judging from the few, if any, vehicles that are passing by. Driving a vehicle on this road is exposing it to untold mechanical torture. Eventually, as I near the end of the downhill, a white saloon car races from behind and overtakes me. I can feel the strain on the suspensions and it wobbles dangerously, forcing me to step out of the wide road. I know the driver was not privy to the fourth law….
4. Don't mistake the urgent for the important
After the river, I face the uphill that shall take me past the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, on my left, to allow me reach the tarmac some two minutes run ahead. There is little or no traffic on this stretch too. Opposite the Centre, Kabete Childrens Home is also quiet. There is virtually no activity, but the fifth law gives me a caution…
5. Don't mistake activity for action
I make a U-turn at the tarmac at about 25.00 split time. I recall the forthcoming Kenyan national elections and how 50-days from today, many things would have changed. A new person shall be in State House for sure. But will the world surely be at a standstill just because of this event? The media and cyberspace is so full of the elections that you would imagine it must be world new – but ...
6. Don't mistake the universal for the local
Am now on the circuit back to the starting point. From tarmac is a downhill stretch to ‘the tank’ before taking the uphill back to Ndumbo. This hill is tough. This is one of the reasons why team members avoid this route. It takes me about ten minutes of pure hill run (and good pain) to conquer this section. Why is this hill so unforgiving? The answer...
7. Don't mistake the answer for the question
I find myself at the top of the hill by some sheer willpower. At a split of 38.20, am likely to finish the run in good time – but not break a record. The fastest run recorded in the last 3-months was a 0.47.36 on January 2, 2013. It takes that long to break one’s own record. Nonetheless, it is not easy to predict if this record is breakable or not. My destination is clear, but the direction is another matter. As I leave Ndumbo stage towards Vet loop, I recall the diplomat’s eighth law…
8. Don't mistake setting direction for knowing the destination
Vet loop back to the Waiyaki way takes about 5 minutes. At the highway, the traffic is so intense that I am forced to stop and wait for the flow to ease before crossing over. A lorry bearing posters of political aspirants passes by – loud music, noisy occupants and all. They drop some fliers by the roadside – oblivious of their contribution to keeping the city ‘unclean’. I mutter the ninth law to them, “9. Don't mistake publicity for diplomacy”
I finish the run in 0.50.44. Back to the workplace, I savor the implications of law no. 10. Don't mistake humility for indifference
While Dr. Turner gave us the diplomatic view of his ten laws, I found them quite applicable on the jogging route today. I believe that these laws should serve me well as I tackle the 2013 season.
Wanjawa, W. B. – Nairobi, January 14, 2013
Today, I did my routine Monday run. The course took me from the main gate towards the Uthiru roundabout, then Kabete Police to cross Waiyaki way on the Vet Lab road. Thereafter, I ran towards Ndumboini down Kapenguria road to ‘tarmac’ and back the same route.
This 10k route is quite a challenge, especially when racing against the mid-day sun that just grills your whole body. The hills do not make the run any better.
This was my experience…
As I crossed Waiyaki way, about 4min 30sec after start of the run, I remembered the meeting that I attended on September 1, 2012. The ‘local investors’ in us were being given some tips on surviving the mucky world of the stock market. The meeting was organized by Mindspeak – a business club for upcoming (and seasoned) investors. Having lost about 80% of my stock value in a five year investment cycle, I was squarely in the latter group.
On this particular Saturday, the guest of honour was the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Christian Turner. He gave a very interesting talk, simply titled, “10 Laws of Diplomacy”. Though he presented and explained the ten using diplomacy as the theme, I have found that the are very applicable to the world of running as well.
The first law that rolled out of the projected presentation at the Intercontinental Hostel was…
1. Don't mistake expertise for experience
Sure, I thought for a moment, these vehicles that are zooming so fast beyond the 50km city speed limit can learn something from this law. They may be experienced but the former is quite a different skill. I finally manage to cross the highway as a matatu blares and flashes at me.
Later on at Ndumbo, on time check 11.40, I see two matatus and their crew competing for passengers – literally shouting each other down. Their boom speakers literally turn the small centre into a disco theatre. One of the matatus is playing reggae. Someone in the matatu learns out of the windo in my approaching direction and shouts, “Jah love!”. At this point I recall the second law…
2. Don't mistake knowledge for understanding
I pass by the diversion, to my right, that heads to UON Upper Kabete campus. I recall that two years ago, we would jog through the campus and make our way through their second gate and somehow maneuver back to Ndumbo through UON Lower Kabete campus. However, in their own wisdom or lack of, the institution stopped our access by posting no-nonsense sentries on both gates and demanding university IDs for all those passing through. This has not stopped our runs though. The third law is quite relevant, so I look in the direction of the Uni and utter the following, “3. Don't mistake access for influence”
I run downhill on Kapenguria road. The vast UON land is now on my right. The road is dusty and in need of serious repairs. In fact it is impassible, judging from the few, if any, vehicles that are passing by. Driving a vehicle on this road is exposing it to untold mechanical torture. Eventually, as I near the end of the downhill, a white saloon car races from behind and overtakes me. I can feel the strain on the suspensions and it wobbles dangerously, forcing me to step out of the wide road. I know the driver was not privy to the fourth law….
4. Don't mistake the urgent for the important
After the river, I face the uphill that shall take me past the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, on my left, to allow me reach the tarmac some two minutes run ahead. There is little or no traffic on this stretch too. Opposite the Centre, Kabete Childrens Home is also quiet. There is virtually no activity, but the fifth law gives me a caution…
5. Don't mistake activity for action
I make a U-turn at the tarmac at about 25.00 split time. I recall the forthcoming Kenyan national elections and how 50-days from today, many things would have changed. A new person shall be in State House for sure. But will the world surely be at a standstill just because of this event? The media and cyberspace is so full of the elections that you would imagine it must be world new – but ...
6. Don't mistake the universal for the local
Am now on the circuit back to the starting point. From tarmac is a downhill stretch to ‘the tank’ before taking the uphill back to Ndumbo. This hill is tough. This is one of the reasons why team members avoid this route. It takes me about ten minutes of pure hill run (and good pain) to conquer this section. Why is this hill so unforgiving? The answer...
7. Don't mistake the answer for the question
I find myself at the top of the hill by some sheer willpower. At a split of 38.20, am likely to finish the run in good time – but not break a record. The fastest run recorded in the last 3-months was a 0.47.36 on January 2, 2013. It takes that long to break one’s own record. Nonetheless, it is not easy to predict if this record is breakable or not. My destination is clear, but the direction is another matter. As I leave Ndumbo stage towards Vet loop, I recall the diplomat’s eighth law…
8. Don't mistake setting direction for knowing the destination
Vet loop back to the Waiyaki way takes about 5 minutes. At the highway, the traffic is so intense that I am forced to stop and wait for the flow to ease before crossing over. A lorry bearing posters of political aspirants passes by – loud music, noisy occupants and all. They drop some fliers by the roadside – oblivious of their contribution to keeping the city ‘unclean’. I mutter the ninth law to them, “9. Don't mistake publicity for diplomacy”
I finish the run in 0.50.44. Back to the workplace, I savor the implications of law no. 10. Don't mistake humility for indifference
While Dr. Turner gave us the diplomatic view of his ten laws, I found them quite applicable on the jogging route today. I believe that these laws should serve me well as I tackle the 2013 season.
Wanjawa, W. B. – Nairobi, January 14, 2013
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