Want to get better at cross country? How about crossing the globe?
Two Monta Vista High School cross country and track runners are back from Iten, Kenya, after doing three weeks of volunteer work with Kenyan students, while also training at an elite center for athletes.
Madeline Yip, a 15-year-old incoming junior, and Julia Chang, a 17-year-old incoming senior, spent time working with students while also working out at the same High Altitude Training Center that elite Kenyan athletes use. Their estimated training elevation was approximately 8,000 feet above sea level, the kind of elevation that gives Kenyan runners the edge in their global race dominance.
The duo’s trip was done through STRIVE, an international service program designed just for student athletes. Julia and Madeline trained and traveled alongside a handful of other students from all across the United States. Similar programs were also held in Peru this year.
Julia and Madeline taught children at Kamirany Primary School. Dozens of hours were put working with students in math, English and P.E. Fundraising was also done before the trip to help build a library at the school.
“They seem so appreciative of everything they have,” Madeline said.
Training often began early in the morning, with runs beginning at 6:15 a.m. in cold conditions. The California girls donned shorts while many others prepared for the elements.
Julia took note of how technology did not get in the way of the athletes’ focus.
“We got a tour of the place we stayed, and they only provided Internet on one computer in one room. We heard them say, ‘If we provide Internet to the whole place, nobody will get any sleep and coaches will get mad,'” she said.
Julia noted also that the 10 hours a day of sleep she was able to get helped with her running and concentration.
The trip concluded with a safari trip to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve to view wild animals. Students also stayed in a local rural village.
Monta Vista cross country coach Kirk Flatow was impressed by Madeline and Julia’s willingness to travel across the globe to an unknown country.
“I’m guessing that this trip will be life-changing–not just athletically. I think more importantly, this is an example of how athletics can be a motivator or a door opener for a greater growth opportunity,” Flatow said before the trip. “From an athletic standpoint, the girls had the opportunity to train with some of the best runners in the world at altitude for almost a month. However, much more importantly than athletics, I can’t imagine how this trip will affect Julia and Maddie’s view of the world.
“These are two intelligent, motivated and thoughtful yet very humble young women who had a lot of empathy for others even before this trip. How will these three weeks in Kenya effect the way they see the world in the future? Who knows? Whatever happens, it will be great to see.”
For more information about STRIVE trips, visit strivetrips.org.
