Ken and Sherri joined our team today. They are PT’s from AIC Kijabe Hospital here in Kenya. They were so helpful with communicating to patients in Swahili and unloading some of the rehab and home exercise programs from Tyler. Tyler has been a workhorse for us but deserved a breather today. Ken and Sherri’s expertise and knowledge of Kenya may really help us to grow sports medicine and establish continuity here in Iten. It will be great to hear their perspective and ideas at the end of the week. They have given us new life when we were growing a little weary.
Before our reinforcements arrived we visited the track at Tambach at the invitation of our old friend Cheromei. He is the newly installed coach for the Kenyan marathon team that will compete at the World Championships in Doha this fall.
We were treated to a stunning track workout 12×1000 meters at 68 sec lap pace. Each 1000 meter interval was run at 2:50 or less with 2 min rest between intervals. This is a pace that induces vomiting after a few intervals for even the fittest runners. These guys kept pace the whole workout and ran the last 1000 at 2:45.
I attempted to confirm with Cheromei these were all 2:09 marathoners. He firmly replied that he only has 2:05, not 2:09 marathoners. You have to know Cheromei to appreciate him.
Some other classic Cheromei quotes…
“He is not genetically Kenyan,” was his explanation for a runner who was lagging behind.
“You are not a tourist, you have to run!,” was his encouragement for this runner to keep the pace.
“We have to put him on the table,” explaining the discussion that would take place later in the day for not keeping pace during the workout.
We had a steady clinic this afternoon but we were able to keep pace with great teamwork from Amy, Tyler, Ken, and Sherri. Hearing the personal stories and hardships of a few of our patients has been humbling. Praying with them and for them has been very special to me. We desire to be a vessel of God’s grace and hope to all of our patients. He molds us through these experiences when we allow it. I am encouraged to see how God is working in us and through us.
Eph. 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
