More Fire: How To Run The Kenyan Way

Photo: IAAF 

An Aesop Fable: The Hare And The Hound
A Hound gave pursuit of a Hare, but after a long run, gave up the chase.
A Goat-herder seeing him stop, mocked him, saying: "The little one is the best runner of the two."
The hound replied; "You do not see the difference between us; I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life."

The sequel to Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way which I discussed here is Toby Tanser's More Fire. It is good, but not as potent as its predecessor. Much of it is a repackaging of the raw insights found in Train Hard, Win Easy. If you can't find a copy of Train Hard, Win Easy, then More Fire is an adequate substitute. 

A compelling theme present in both texts is the Kenyan's attitude towards competitive distance running. It is a game played for keeps — life or death. And there is a lot to be said about that degree of visceral motivation, as Aesop's The Hare And The Hound demonstrates. 

Often, in sport this Edge is called the "Killer Instinct." It is a real thing. I've seen it first hand. Few competitors have it, while many do not. It is what I was talking about in a previous post; Champions Bring Extra To Race Day. I think it is a skill and can be trained, this Edge is not a static trait.

The posture of the Hare is the best option. It the space from where the great champions compete. And worth taking note, adopting, and making our own. When you are running for survival, the stakes are at their highest, and you automatically become more focused, and more tuned into The Zone. Otherwise, it is all over.

This sentiment is expressed vividly by Emil Zatopek, triple Gold Medalist at the 1952 Olympic Games, "An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head." 

Each time an athlete competes, the very survival of their dream is at stake. Racing is not a casual affair to be taken lightly, but an important task that demands your best effort.

Try it out. In your next race, run for the sustained life of your dream. Give everything you've got. Make it a matter of life or death. If you can do this, I bet the outcome will allow your dream not only to live on, but thrive.
 

Thanks for reading. I'm glad you're here. // jm