BBC
Kenya is really famous for one thing, running. Not just running, but specifically the insane amount of long distance prodigies it spits out each year. However, the kids there are not really motivated to win a Gold Medal but really it is just a way of life. They have to run to school each day, because they can't afford cars. Each way is a hefty 40 minute run, and at the altitude Kenya is at, would have most American runners weezing in just a couple of minutes. Most kids even end up running back for lunch each day putting a nice 2 and a half hours of RUNNING not jogging on their tiny, almost fragile legs. They know they must become great at running because that is what will secure a good future for them and their whole village. They know the best way to get anywhere is to get accepted into a European college with a track scholarship and that means they have to fly pretty damn fast. Whats so touching is how motivated these kids are and how selfless their intentions really are. The amount of good runners in Kenya is phenominal, and to say its because of good genetics (although this is very true) does not give them must credit for the insane amount of work they put into their sport, about 2.5x that of most professional athletes. I find it very unfair that I will more likely than not, be more succeusful than most of them despite the fact that I am pretty lazy and don't put any effort into what I want to do with my life yet.
They know their goal. They know however that America doesn't want them for what they want to do, but instead for their natural/aquired ability to run long distance. The good thing is that unlike most places we have been focusing on in Africa, these kids have the ability to make something of themsel
Kenya is really famous for one thing, running. Not just running, but specifically the insane amount of long distance prodigies it spits out each year. However, the kids there are not really motivated to win a Gold Medal but really it is just a way of life. They have to run to school each day, because they can't afford cars. Each way is a hefty 40 minute run, and at the altitude Kenya is at, would have most American runners weezing in just a couple of minutes. Most kids even end up running back for lunch each day putting a nice 2 and a half hours of RUNNING not jogging on their tiny, almost fragile legs. They know they must become great at running because that is what will secure a good future for them and their whole village. They know the best way to get anywhere is to get accepted into a European college with a track scholarship and that means they have to fly pretty damn fast. Whats so touching is how motivated these kids are and how selfless their intentions really are. The amount of good runners in Kenya is phenominal, and to say its because of good genetics (although this is very true) does not give them must credit for the insane amount of work they put into their sport, about 2.5x that of most professional athletes. I find it very unfair that I will more likely than not, be more succeusful than most of them despite the fact that I am pretty lazy and don't put any effort into what I want to do with my life yet.
They know their goal. They know however that America doesn't want them for what they want to do, but instead for their natural/aquired ability to run long distance. The good thing is that unlike most places we have been focusing on in Africa, these kids have the ability to make something of themsel
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