BUILT IN THE HOME OF CHAMPIONS

Kenya's North Rift Valley have produced generations of the world's greatest distance runners. Runners from around the world flock to these dirt roads to train with the great Kenyan masters. They come to breathe the thin air, eat the simple meals, and train together so that they might reach their full potential.

We want to bring this experience of community and exceptional training to runners around the world.

The first step, is making sure you’re varying your training. To reach new personal bests, you’ll need to run a mix of easy runs, speed work, and long runs. We’ve built our shoes specifically to match different types of workouts, so you have exactly the right shoe on your foot to make the most of each run.

Start by chosing the right shoe

Fast Runs

If you want to get faster, then you’ll certainly need at least one speed workout each week. There a different types: speed-play (fartlek), tempo runs, hill repeats, and track work are the most popular.

No matter which you choose, the Iten is a shoe purpose built to help you get the most out of this type of training.

Easy Runs

Most of your running should feel easy. 2-3 times per-week, run at a pace and intensity that you feel like you could maintain forever. It’s a great run to do with friends as you should be running at a “conversational pace” that allows you to speak in complete sentences.

For lighter runners and runners with a very efficient gait, the Iten can be a great choice for easy runs. Our next shoe - code name HMT - will be a cushioned trainer, purpose built for most runners easy days.

Long runs

As much as 50% of your weekly distance might be in this one big long run. This is the capstone of the running week, and can be a great reason to get together with a group of friends on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Our next shoe - code name HMT - will have the cushioning you need for your long slow distance runs.

Train for a marathon like a kenyan

Some runners can rearrange their workouts, like moving the long runs from Saturdays to Thursdays and doing their speed workouts on Saturdays. It’s also important to allow some flexibility to allow for a mock race, fun run, or respond to how your body is feeling. However you choose to put together you week, just make sure you’re wearing the right shoe to make the most of each run.

To start off, there are three phases of training for a marathon.

1. Loading
Go out on easy and moderate runs without caring much about speed. There are no hard speed or hill work sessions yet. This phase can vary in length, but should be at least 3 months.
2. Workouts
Athletes are now getting quite fit and can get into intensive tempo runs and speed workouts. This phase lasts about 2 months.
3. Tapering
When you start to reduce their training a bit in order to preserve enough energy for the race. Typically the last 2 weeks before the race.