The Kenyan Track: Marie Oheix’s Training Camp Experience

| In this interview, Marie tells us about her experience on this legendary breeding ground for champions.

Training camp in Iten, Kenya 

How did the adventure begin?

“It started with a flight to Nairobi, followed by a domestic flight to Iten the next day. As soon as you arrive, it’s incredible. You can feel that this is a place built around running: there are posters and adverts everywhere, people running all over the place, and that famous red dirt you see in the photos. That’s when I realised I was about to experience something truly special.”

What did a typical day look like?

“The days were very structured, so there was no time to get bored. We usually woke up around 7 a.m. and headed out for training at 8:30, after a good, substantial breakfast. Mornings were always reserved for specific sessions, before the temperature climbed during the day. Road running, trail running through the forest or fartlek sessions… we rotated between them. Lunch was followed by some downtime, whether that meant a nap, a walk or a massage, then a small snack before heading out for the second session of the day: an easy run, cycling, strength work or weights, depending on what we fancied. After dinner came the evening, with games, karaoke and conversations around the fire… It was intense, but every day was different, and it was absolutely brilliant.”

What were the conditions like?

“It gets fairly hot during the day, around 25°C, and the sun is strong, but it cools down considerably at night. Iten sits at 2,400 metres, so the altitude affects both the temperature and your body when you train. It was very tough at first; you need time to acclimatise. Since coming back to France, my legs have felt incredible. I genuinely feel like I’m flying (laughs).”

What surprised you most about the trip?

“I surprised myself by holding certain paces and training hard every day. I was hugely motivated. Strangely enough, I found I preferred running in the morning, even though I never do that at home. Iten pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to devote myself completely to my passion for those two weeks.”

“ When you arrive at the track, there are people everywhere. Two hundred runners are there, warming up in an almost military fashion and sharing the lanes.

Any memorable anecdotes?

“The Kamariny Stadium is iconic in Iten. Quite simply, this track is the runners’ temple. When you arrive at the track, there are people everywhere. Two hundred runners are there, warming up in an almost military fashion and sharing the lanes. Listening to Marie, you realise that this image will stay with her for a long time, as an unforgettable memory from the trip.”

Looking back on the experience

Three words to describe the experience?

| During our interview, Marie repeatedly used certain words to describe the experience: 

INTENSE – A completely crazy experience: two weeks immersed in something huge, intense and utterly unusual. 

HUMAN – The human side was all-encompassing, from shared moments and new encounters to friendships. Strong bonds formed between the different participants.

DISCONNECTION – In a hyperconnected world, switching off is precious. Community life, that supportive bubble and the limited Wi-Fi connection helped Marie let go and make the most of her stay.

A journey that went far beyond running

“You can tell from this runner’s words that the experience went well beyond the shoes. It was a sporting trip, but not only that. Sharing the daily life of Kenyan runners, running along the roads with children from the village, heading out to see the nearby waterfall, talking with local people…,” explains the young woman in her thirties.

Many thanks again for sharing your experience. Last Sunday, Marie put the benefits of Kenya to good use at the Barcelona Half Marathon and smashed her previous 1:27 best with a new PB of 1:21. Congratulations to her!