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Ben Maiyo and Stephen "Baba" Kiogora will toe the line at Boston as teammates. Both have finished second at major marathons – Maiyo at Chicago (2005) and Boston (2006); Kiogora last fall in New York City. Could this be the race that finally puts one of them at the top of the podium?
They have been training together in Iten, Kenya, and more recently in Boulder, Colorado, as part of the KIMbia team being documented at www.chasingkimbia.com. We asked Matt Taylor to sit with Maiyo and Kiogora one week from race day. They share their feelings about their current training and also convey the ways in which Kenyan culture influences their approach to running. Two Kenyan runners who are very different in personality; Two Kenyan runners who help each other excel.
Editor's Update: In the terrible rain that influenced the 2007 Boston Marathon to be one of the slowest in history, Stephen Kiogora finished in third place with a time of 2:14:47, and Ben Maiyo finished in sixth place with a time of 2:16:00.
MensRacing.com: So, you guys are one week away from race day. How's training?
Stephen Kiogora:
Training is very good. We just finished the hardest training - 30K. It was good.
Ben Maiyo:
I don't want to make predictions, but I feel very fit.
MR: I watched the 30K and was very impressed that the two of you, together with James Koskei, finished together. Last year it seemed like the workouts turned into races - you pushed too hard. Do you feel like you've been more conservative in your approach this year?
BM:
First, James is very fit. It will be good to have him in Boston with us. Last year we pushed too hard. We pushed, pushed, pushed with not enough recovery. I have been more patient in my training and feel more rested.
SK:
Last year, I trained with Tom Nyariki. My training was more gradual and I did not push too hard. I was in good shape in New York.
MR:
If you could go back to the ING New York City Marathon last November, would you have run the race differently? Would you have made a move sooner?
SK:
No, me I was only looking at [Paul] Tergat, [Hendrick] Ramaala, [Stefano] Baldini...the others. When that guy [Marilson Gomes dos Santos] went away, I thought we would catch him. I waited and waited for Tergat or Ramaala. But no one went. With 2K to go, I knew that guy could win. I tried to push, but it was too late for me.
MR: And Ben, last year in Boston you were in great shape leading into the race. There's nothing wrong with second place, but I know your coach [Dieter Hogen] was not happy with how you ran. Will you change your tactics this year?
BM:
We will see [laughs]. I don't want to give it away.
MR: Fair enough. So what did happen last year? You just took off early in the race and didn't look back until 35K. I think you were on course record pace the entire way from 5K to 35K. Was that the plan?
BM:
When the race started, I felt very strong. I wanted to push. I said to the others 'we go' - but nobody pushed. So I pushed myself.
MR: But did Dieter want you to stay in the pack for a longer period of time?
BM:
Yes, but I felt very strong so I pushed.
MR: I think a lot of that has to do with the Kenyan mentality that you live in the present. If you feel good, you push. There's no thought about the future. We seem to overanalyze every step of the race. Did you even think about Heartbreak Hill or coming down Beacon Street when you decided to push?
BM:
[Laughs] No. I was very strong. My training was very good. I thought I could win the race.
MR: Let's change the subject. I've been following you guys around for the last eight months - in Boulder, Iten, and now back in Boulder. What do you think about chasing kimbia and being on the website?
SK:
Matt, we love chasing kimbia. It is promoting Kenya and Kenyan athletes much more than in the past. Me, I like to be private. When I am at home in Meru, I keep to myself. I wear farmer clothes and mostly walk on my property. I don't go into town much because people know me too much. But I think the website is very good. Mzungus [Swahili word meaning white people] know very little about Kenya and for you to come to Iten was a big honor.
MR: In the U.S., most people just look at Kenyans as running machines. Like you can just start running and the next year you're among the best in the world. I don't think most people realize how hard you train and what big sacrifices you make to be the best.
BM: Training is very hard, yes, but [it is even] harder leaving home and leaving family. When we go to Iten, our families stay at home. When we come to Boulder it's harder. No going home on weekends or during an easy week of training. But Kenyans are not machines. We are like you.
MR: But obviously there are some differences both socially and genetically. Do you look at that as an advantage?
BM:
Running is very important to Kenyans. That is the main advantage.
MR: Now both of you have other jobs outside of running. Ben, you are a member of the Kenyan Police and Baba, you are part of the Armed Forces. Why do you keep those jobs? You've both been successful with your running.
BM: I am still in Police, but I focus on my running. After the season, I say hello, but no more [than that].
MR: Baba, I know you recently went back to Meru for work. How much does the Armed Forces pay?
SK: Armed Forces is about $100 dollars per month in beginning.
MR: Surely you make more than that in running. Why do you stay in the Armed Forces?
SK: Me, I joined the Armed Forces when I was very young. My family had little money. The Armed Forces provided money. Steady payments. Every month. So I joined. I left school and joined the Air Force. Then they saw that I could run and I started to train more seriously. I ran the 1500 meters in the beginning. But one day they said, 'Stephen, go run this race.' I went and got number one. It was a half-marathon. Then I started training for longer distances.
MR: So do you feel like you owe them something for giving you a start?
SK: Yeah. Me, I had no choice but to join. They helped me.
MR: Baba, you have this huge smile and a very easygoing personality.
And Ben, you are always so serious and focused. Do you enjoy training and living together?
SK: Yes. I like training with Ben very much. He is a good trainer. We can push each other very well, but we don't push too hard.
BM: Me, I like training with Kiogora. He is a good guy to have in the camp because he smiles and laughs a lot. We train very well together and I think we will race very well together.
MR: Well, I know I'm taking you away from nap time so I'll let you get some rest. Are you nervous about Boston?
BM: No. I don't think Kenyans get nervous. When the race comes we will be ready.
BM: [Smiling] I like Boston. It will be a fun race.
MR: Okay, thanks guys. And good luck.
SK: Thanks Matt.
BM: Thanks.
Interview conducted April 9, 2007, and posted April 12, 2007.
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