Liz Mokamba

I have struggled to remember the exact moment I got fascinated by Ultra-running. The only memory I have is feeling so good after NCM 2024 half marathon, craving a more challenging fete but afraid AF to try a full marathon at StanChart 2024. At that moment I decided that a 50k would be easier than a 42k and that led me to Mountain to Mountain Ultra 2024.

During this ultra-curious phase, I have learnt that I am a pretty decisive person. I barely do half in half out. I am an ALL or NOTHING kind of girl. After my 57km last year during the All bypasses ultra-run, someone asked me why I DNFed. I was shocked and boldly told them that I didn’t DNF as my target was to do 50km and I did 57km. I mean, I surpassed by own expectations. Right?

One downside of such a mindset is the panic and fear of potential self-disappointment that comes with the possibility of not achieving a set goal. And when I went to Kilimambogo, this was a major driving factor behind my 56km, 1100m elevation gain Ultra-run.

I knew about the Circum-Kilimambogo + Summit Challenge about 2 months in advance. I was familiar with the mountain itself and had hiked it a couple of times before. I wasn’t familiar with the circum route yet. Luckily, Ubuntu Fitness Club organized a recce for this challenge as we were the hosts to Ultra Runners Kenya come May, 2025.

It was a rainy season at the time. My goal was to do the circum only and familiarize myself with the overall terrain and other aspects of the route. It was 35km consisting of gentle hills, flats and drops, meandering through villages and containing a mixture of muddy trails, rocky paths, stretches of tarmac and murram roads. A relaxed run for familiarization that served its purpose. I looked forward to the full challenge.

On the D-day, I woke up at 4.00am, more relaxed than I expected. An hour or so later we were enroute Kilimambogo in a relaxed car ride filled with a few banters.

We started the run at 7.00 am. I reminded myself that the goal is to finish and that includes taking it easy during the first few hours while preparing for the ascent and descent of Mt. Kilimambogo. I however, knew that I couldn’t take it too easy as I could end up DNFing. (lol)

This time, it wasn’t rainy. The trail was no longer muddy and harsh, instead it was a little dusty but gentle. I pushed myself just hard enough, just fast enough. I made sure to be in the moment, listen to the body, enjoy the environment. I took advantage of flatter terrains and drops. I prioritized rest at rocky sections and hilly sections whilst still moving. I made sure to start hydrating early enough as I had a giant mountain to be faced later.

The mountain view was superb, constantly changing its shape from where you look at it. The heat from the sun engulfed me but the winds occasionally calmed her intensity. I took a quick break at the trading center along the tarmac as I devoured water, soda and some bananas. I was about halfway in and feeling great with no major exhaustion. I was motivated and honestly, abit scared.

I kept pushing. Surprisingly feeling lighter as I move. At this point a majority of fellow runners were ahead of me and the locals’ eyebrows were raised. They asked questions, cheered and encouraged. Soon I joined a dusty murram road that would feed me to Oldonyo Sabuk National Park gate. It was a hilly stretch but I was familiar with it. For the sake of my body, I took another soda to make sure I finish off this stretch in one piece. I also started seeing other runners in front of me and got encouraged.  

Within no time, I was at our base camp. I made a mental note to not sit down for any food or drink. I took a quick bathroom break, packed one liter of water, two bananas and an energy bar and immediately dashed towards the mountain.

I devoured one banana as I headed to the park gate whilst fighting with ecitizen on how to pay the park fees. I parked the other banana and an energy bar to be taken at summit. I had planned to show that mountain who is boss.

I spent an annoying amount of time paying park fees at the gate (it was probably 2 minutes) but luckily I met Ubuntu Babes (aka, baddies on the move) and had a little chit chat, selfies and encouragement.

I started well on the ascent. Encouraged, energized and in good time as per my predictions. I had at most 10 kms to the summit and I decided to go all out. The first 5 kms were alright. An interchange of running and walking with a water break did the trick. I met people hiking uphill, many hiking downhill and many Ubuntuz running downhill on the way to finish the run. However, with each step I made and each meter gained, I started becoming weak.

I lost it all when I saw that KWS sign that says 4.6km to summit. I tried to remain calm and move without stopping. With each step I got angrier and desperate. I thought to sit down severally along this stretch but I stopped myself. I would do a few steps, stand still, put my water bottle on the ground and put my hands on my head. It didn’t matter who was watching, I didn’t see them. Lots of people going downhill kept encouraging me and I wanted to punch them in their face. At some point I caught a view of the boosters at the summit but in my heart I knew I had a few more corners before I reach them.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I found a rock and sat down. Took the summit banana. Took water but left just enough in case I faint on the rest of the way up. (lol) The energy bar? I had no energy to take it. I stood up and continued with the journey.

Soon enough I saw the 1.6km signage. The elevation had become gentle and I appeared at the summit. I went straight to the shop and sat on a crate of soda as I gave the guy my bottle to refill. I gobbled up half of the bottle of very cold refreshing water. I then went to the summit board, took some pictures and stated my descent.

The descent was easy, relaxed. My body was lighter and my heart struggled less. I ran more, walked less and when I saw the gate I was overwhelmed. I made it back to base camp in one big beautiful piece. Very proud and high on dopamine.

I stated running for my health, then evolved into running for adventure. In this phase that I am, I run to feed my soul. And in a world that constantly feeds off of me, I found something worth feeding off of. I push extra hard and go beyond because of my body, mind and soul.

#ForUbuntu #ByUbuntu #ToUbuntu

With Love, Liz