Long distance runner Sharon Lokedi says she is training differently by running more miles as she prepares for her debut at one of the New York City Marathon slated for November 6.

Starting on Staten Island, the challenging course undulates through New York’s five boroughs before finishing down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. However, Lokedi is not bothered even as she undertakes the tailored training for the big occasion in under two months.

“This is a new territory for me so I can’t tell you if this is like any races I have done in the years before,” Lokedi told People Sport in an exclusive interview.

For some time now she has been training at Kaptagat in Uasin Gishu County, a region used by the majority of long-distance runners to train for a professional competition.

“The volume increased in this cycle and I’m enjoying it so far. I’m doing like three workouts a week if you include a long run. I have a very supportive crew here so I’m sure this is going to be a good one,” she added.

Evocatively, she looks back to seven years ago when she moved to Midwestern Kansas,  the US as her turning point moment in athletics.

“It was such a great time. They welcomed me so warmly and helped me grow both athletically and academically. So much to be grateful for,” Lokedi said nostalgically.

She had to endure a lot before travelling to the United States. For instance, after the Kenyan presidential election results were released late in the night on Dec. 27, 2007, Lokedi and her family fled to the Burnt Forest, running ran for their life because of the post election violence.

“I was only 14-year-old but I know what that meant The value of peace, is why all Kenyan tribes must live in harmony. You leave everything. When you start running, you can’t bring anything,” she recalls.