Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Supeet Sambaiyon, a runner whose talent is as immense as his heart. Fresh off his debut half marathon in Selous, we’re beyond excited to dive into his incredible journey. From the mental resilience built through running to his deep commitment to causes beyond the track, Supeet’s story is nothing short of inspiring.
We Run Nairobi (WRN): Supeet, first off, huge congratulations on your first half marathon! You’re an incredible runner, and we’re so excited to hear all about your experience and everything else about you! How did your running journey begin? What do you love most about it, and how has it impacted your life beyond fitness?
Supeet Sambaiyon: Thanks, Emily! I started running for my mental and emotional well-being, actually. Running, for me, is like that one friend who’s always there, offering a shoulder to lean on. It’s also when I feel the most alive. Outside of fitness, running has really shaped my discipline, daily routines, how I interact with people, and even how I set and achieve personal goals. It’s changed pretty much everything for me.
Milestones and Memories
WRN: That’s such a powerful reason to run! What’s been a memorable achievement in your running journey so far?
Supeet: Definitely dropping my half marathon time from 2 hours to 1 hour and 34 minutes within a year—that was huge for me.
WRN: Wow, that’s incredible! Huge congratulations! What’s next on the horizon? Any new goals?
Supeet: Thank you! In the short term, I’m aiming for a sub-35-minute 10k, a sub-1:20 half marathon, and a sub-3-hour full marathon. In the long term, I’m setting my sights on running an ultra-marathon.
WRN: Those are some serious goals—go for it, Supeet! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
WRN: What’s been your biggest challenge in running so far, and how have you tackled it?
Supeet: Muscle and soft tissue injuries have been my toughest challenges. But strength training has been a game-changer for me. I stick to a solid training routine to avoid overtraining, and recovery days are non-negotiable. That’s really helped me stay injury-free and bounce back faster.
WRN: Strength training really is crucial! What does your typical training routine look like?
Supeet: Mondays are for strength training with weights, hill runs on Tuesdays, easy recovery runs on Wednesdays, trail runs on Thursdays, tempo runs on Fridays, and, of course, Saturdays are for the @werunnairobi group runs. Sunday is my rest day.
The Mantra That Keeps Him Moving
WRN: That’s a great mix of workouts! What keeps you motivated, especially on those tough days?
Supeet: My mantra is, “When you pull your weight, you’ll see results.” Whenever I reflect on the progress I’ve made, it lifts my spirits and keeps me pushing forward. Stagnation is my biggest fear, so I have to keep moving.
Balancing Running and Life
WRN: Love that! How do you balance running with other commitments in your life?
Supeet: Running is so integrated into my life that I treat it as part of my daily commitments. I wake up at 5 a.m. for my morning runs, and I’m done just in time to start the rest of my day.
WRN: That’s exactly how it is when running becomes a habit—it’s just something you have to do! Do you follow a specific diet to fuel all that training?
Supeet: I focus on plant-based proteins, and every meal comes with a glass of mala—design ya abuya masta!
Community and Support
WRN: Haha, I love mala too! Let’s talk about community. How did you join WRN, and how has being part of this group impacted your running?
Supeet: On my first Saturday run, I met Sunny right before we started, and we ended up running together. He’s a runner on another level! We exchanged numbers, became friends, and now he’s my training partner. I’ve already seen huge improvements in my running, and I’m so grateful to WRN for that.
There’s also so much support within the group. People like Vic, Kibe, and Kennedy come in early to support those who want to get in extra kms before the main run starts. Tommy encourages every runner he passes, and you’re always there at the junction giving directions on the different routes. It’s incredible how much we lift each other up. I once got a stitch mid-run, and Ousmane stopped to check on me and make sure I was okay. That’s the spirit of WRN.
Lessons and Advice
WRN: That’s such a beautiful sense of community! What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before your first big race?
Supeet: Stick to your plan and run your pace. Don’t get baited into racing someone else’s race.
WRN: Haha, that’s solid advice! We’ve all learned that lesson the hard way at some point. And what advice would you give to someone new to running or considering joining a group like WRN?
Supeet: Definitely join a running community! Group runs will completely transform your running, and you’ll find someone to pace and grow with—just like I did with Sunny.
The Finish Line
WRN: Absolutely! To wrap up the running talk, what’s your finish line? What’s your ultimate goal?
Supeet: To win my mental health journey and to become a mental health advocate through running.
WRN: That’s beautiful, Supeet. You’re already such an incredible source of encouragement and positivity for all of us. Thank you for sharing your story! Now, onto some fun, rapid-fire questions…
Rapid-Fire Questions
WRN: What, for you, is too serious to joke about?
Supeet: God.
WRN: What other sports or fitness activities do you do?
Supeet: Boxing.
WRN: Are you reading anything right now?
Supeet: The Bible. Always.
WRN: Podcast recommendation?
Supeet: The Joe Rogan Experience.
WRN: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Supeet: Loud chewing noises.
WRN: Haha, I get that! What’s something you’ve never truly wrapped your head around?
Supeet: The moon landing. The fact that humans actually walked on the moon!
WRN: Haha, that one’s a mind-bender! And finally, what cause is closest to your heart?
Supeet: Ending FGM and all forms of violence against women.
WRN: Aw, I’m with you on that. Thank you again, Supeet, for your friendship and for being such a vital part of this community. See you on Saturday!