It was supposed to be a training trip and an adventure, Myles Edwards recounts, but instead it morphed into a personal mission.
The Aberdonian, a 1500 metres prospect languishing on the fringes of the British top tier, received a call from friend and Irish international Dan Mulhare, floating the idea of three months living and training in the African distance-running hotbed of Iten.
"One minute later, I'd agreed," he says. "When we arrived, we were on single mattresses on the floor. I thought I'd made the worst big mistake of my life. But it quickly became the best decision."
Injured upon arrival in late 2011, the secondary option of time on a gym bike threatened to drive him insane. Simply, in the mountains of Kenya, everybody runs. Seeking worthy diversions, Edwards ventured beyond his bubble and appraised himself of the diverse and often momentous challenges near to hand.
Guided by Gideon Gathimba, the world finalist, he was appalled but also inspired by what he witnessed and the pair went on to set up a charity.
"I'm now working full-time on that," the Scot says. "We look after the Pavilion children's home in a place called Karatina which has 22 kids. When we got there, none of them were at school, there was no electricity. They got one meal a day. A lot of them had lost parents due to HIV. The place was just falling apart.
"That was our first project. But now we've raised so much that we can support 167 kids in different areas, trying to get them into education. Because once they have that, it gives them a chance to do anything."
The first two beneficiaries are now enrolled in university. It is a start, Edwards proudly proclaims. There remains much to do. The additional spin-off for the 26-year-old has been frequent trips to Iten and the opportunity to hone his skills along side the best of the best.
At Glasgow's Emirates Arena this afternoon, he will bid to defend his National Indoor title, fresh from improving his personal best at last weekend's Sainsbury's International despite trailing in a high-class field. "It was quick," he says. "I had to hang on for dear life."
It was, however, a return on investments made amid his detours abroad.
"When I first went out there in 2011, I wasn't that focused. I was having too many nights out with friends. Being in Kenya showed just how dedicated you have to be to even stand a chance. I've had a lot of runs where all I've seen is a Kenyan's back. I've had to learn to dig in. But it's paying off.
"I'd love to win the Scottish title and then do the UK Championships and get to the final like I did last year."
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