Liz Mokamba

29^th October 2023 was my 2^nd Stanchart Marathon. In compete honesty, I was in worse shape than I was in October 2022 during my first Stanchart Marathon. By this time, I had been running for almost 2.5 years, I had been on Strava for most of this time, I had a Garmin watch for a little over a year. I had proper running shoes, you know, Hoka of course. If you judged me from afar, you’d think I’m a serious seasoned runner. LOL

I met these people after the Stanchart 2023 race. A group of people who came together and united by their love for running. They looked jovial with most of them donning red bibs, a clear indication of participating in the 42km race. I looked at these ladies and gentlemen with admiration and at the same moment I felt really small, almost ashamed. I felt like an intruder, like I didn’t belong.

I listened to their conversations in awe and curiosity. Trying to be invisible and avoid unnecessary questions coming my way. I listened to their experiences and their plans. These people called themselves Ubuntu Fitness Club. And for some reason I questioned their sanity.

2^nd December, 2023 I joined Ubuntu for a Saturday run. Before this I would only do 5km runs and occasional 10km as I await the annual 21km at Stanchart. I had zero experience in long recreational runs.

A beautiful trail in the heart of Ruiru. Beautiful coffee farms, calm dams and scattered residences. A pounding heart, tired lungs and heavy feet trying to catch up with the group. In what seemed like the middle of nowhere, my feet began to hurt, my throat thirsted for water and my mouth was super dry. I ran, walked, ran, walked, walked, walked. Along the dams, across the roads, within the coffee trees.

The Lord showed up in the hour of need and I spotted a kiosk. My legs trembled when I stood still, as I quenched my thirst with water and chugged down a soda. My watch said 20kms are done. (Aren’t we supposed to be done now?) The estimated 20km run turned out to be 24kms long.

I struggled through every bit of this run. Being behind, the guilt of having someone else remain behind with me, physical unpreparedness and mental unpreparedness. Despite this, I finished the run in one (slightly traumatized) piece.

9^th November, 2024. I went back to the same trail after healing of its baptism by fire trauma. It was still beautiful but with a little more residences. This time it was easier, better, my heart handled it better and I had grown enough to remember carrying my own water (lol). Thanks to this special group of people who came together for the love of fitness. That’s the spirt of Ubuntu.

I am Because We Are

With Love, Liz.