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Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way
Book
195 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 2, 2021
This book was the unofficial bible of my abusive high school cross country and track coach. I can remember staring passively at his weatherbeaten and heavily dog-eared copy sitting on the picnic blanket where we gathered after practice as he held court over us, sermonizing on topics as diverse as amenorrhea (and how this meant the body was 'working efficiently' and maximized for running performance) to the tactics of ancient phalanx warfare. Then he would shift gear to rhapsodize on Paul Tergat and the other Kenyan greats, flipping through the book appreciatively as he spoke. He didn't always rely on books, often preferring the provenance of his own mind for the claims—some reliable, some specious—he made to us on a daily basis, so it always seemed that there was something special about this text. That it was different.
And... it's fine? In the 21 years since its publication, many of the physiological theories described have either been debunked or become so commonplace as to merit little attention. The author's view of Kenya's success in middle distance running flirts heavily into voyeuristic and tokenistic territory, and some of his conclusions are bizarre and implausible. There are some interesting sample training plans, but it's hardly enough to make it a gripping read.
And... it's fine? In the 21 years since its publication, many of the physiological theories described have either been debunked or become so commonplace as to merit little attention. The author's view of Kenya's success in middle distance running flirts heavily into voyeuristic and tokenistic territory, and some of his conclusions are bizarre and implausible. There are some interesting sample training plans, but it's hardly enough to make it a gripping read.
July 15, 2021
Great resource for coaches and serious runners. Although the specific workouts shared in the book are not practical for anyone than the most elite runners in the world, insights into fundamental training principles can be obtained by reading this book. Most of all, there are glimpses of what life in Kenya is like and what running means to many people there.
December 19, 2013
Interesting stuff. It certainly lines up with what athletes i know have said about their experiences in Kenya. Hard work is what you need.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews