Kenyans of Valley Forge

I decided to do my run early at Valley Forge on Friday. It was a beautiful morning - mid 70s Fahrenheit, and after I was warmed up, I couldn't control myself and ran faster than I should have at this stage in my training - about 6:30 pace. At about 3 miles into the run, I saw 5 young Kenyan runners coming down the hill toward me, in flawless form. Elite Kenyan runners often run in this park, and I feel fortunate to be working so close to the park for my training runs, with all of it's diverse trail options, I never get tired of it.

Anyway, they were running next to the paved trail, on the grass, wearing dark, long-sleeved, full length training clothes. I was in shorts and sleeveless tank, that were sweat soaked at this point. I was gulping air, they were breathing through their mouth, making the whole thing seem effortless. Granted, I had just finished running up a hill, and they had just finished running down a hill, but they were still pretty awesome to see coming toward me. I waved and they waved back with a smile.

At the end of the run, I started to climb a somewhat steep hill to the parking lot and a ~13 year old kid on a mountain bike flys by me, and then slows as he fights gravity up the hill. I run by him, making a comment that he shouldn't let an old guy like me beat him up the hill. Apparently his father was close behind and let out a laugh. I figured the kid would work hard and beat me to the top, but he never passed me and I didn't see him at the top. Oh well.