Seven Questions with Titus Koeh
10/14/2008 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 14, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Rolltide.com and the Alabama men's cross country team have started a new weekly segment called Seven Questions. Select players and coaches will check in weekly on Rolltide.com and answer questions pertaining to things on and off the field. The seventh edition features senior Titus Koeh.
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start running?
Titus Koeh: I started running a long time ago when I was still young. I was the fastest child in my family, so I was sent to run to the shop most of the time to buy things. It was fun and rewarding and I love it. I ran to and from school in the morning, afternoon and evening (approximately 10 miles total). So it was kind of a practice. I started representing my primary school when I was in fifth grade.
Rolltide.com: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals for the season? Running career goals for college and further?
Koeh: This is my last season competing for the University of Alabama and I am hoping to finish great. I am glad that we have a strong team this year. I had a few sicknesses at the start of the season but I hope things will get better soon. My personal goals for this season are to be All-SEC, All-Regionals and to assist the team to secure the top most spot in the national championships. As a team, we are eying the conference title and to finish great at the national meet. I have not decided what I want to do with my running career in the near future. I hope my health will give me a chance to compete at the highest level that I have always desired.
Rolltide.com: What's your favorite race and why?
Koeh: My favorite race in track is 800m. I have great speed and endurance.
Rolltide.com: Why did you choose to come to The University of Alabama?
Koeh: I knew Alabama was a great school with a good track and cross-country program before joining. Also, most of my training partners back in Kenya advised me to join Alabama. I knew I wanted to be at Alabama do great for the Tide. Go Bama!
Rolltide.com: Other than running, what Olympic sport would you want to compete in and why?
Koeh: I would love to play soccer. I used to play soccer in high school and I consider it as one of my other great sports.
Rolltide.com: What was the biggest transition moving to the United States from Kenya?
Koeh: Being away from home is normally challenging for everybody. The weather, food, communication were my greatest challenges. We don't experience weather changes in Kenya, and I came during the spring when it was freezing. It was tough to run and practice in the cold, but I had to do it. In fact, the weather changes are still affecting me up to date and I don't know if I will get used to it. The end of the summer is normally the worst for me. I had a hard time adjusting to different varieties of food in the U.S. I stayed in the dorm my first semester and they didn't cook Kenyan food (Ugali, chapatti, etc) so I ate in the cafeteria. My body didn't respond quite well to the food and I had stomach problems most of the time. The way people talk in this country is different and I had problems understanding them. The American accent was totally different from my earlier English experience and I had to adjust my talking. I got used to the talking progressively.
Rolltide.com: Being a senior on this team, do you see yourself as a leader? What kind of a leader are you?
Koeh: I see myself as a leader and a follower. Once in a while, I coordinate and motivate team members to reach for goals. At the same time, I listen to the opinions and ideas of my senior members. I am a participative kind of a leader. I encourage members to come together to find solutions or strategies for the success of the team.
