Track & Field

Running

Do you think marathon runners can hit their potential without a traditional runners body?

Breaking Barriers: Marathon Potential Beyond 'Traditional' Runner's Body

That's a great question. Ron that I think marathon runners can reach their potential without additional Runners body. Well, that is not traditional body. There's no perfect person or perfect bodies. As just got to maximize your god-given talent. Like, for example, in 2000 Olympics, Haile, gebrselassie from Ethiopia, 55 and Paltrow got roughly about from Kenya that is about 62 or 63. They was great to on the 10,000 meters and Heidegger. Flash. Someone most people think that the longer legs, you have the color that you are, you going to have, you're going to be the wind, most likely, but that's not the case for everything about to maximize that potential can have an effective race and tactics. So just as long as you use your traditional body kit got it given talent and get the most out of it. You will have a great race and special in the marathon so best wishes and good luck.

Marathon runners can reach their potential without having a "traditional" body. The important thing is to maximize your natural talent and use effective tactics to get the most out of it. Good luck!

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/nivhze0ki4jxvy6yeqcl.vtt

That's a great question. I believe marathon runners can reach their potential regardless of having a traditional runner's body. There is no perfect body or ideal physique for running. It's about maximizing your innate talent. 

For example, in the 2000 Olympics, Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia, who is around 5'5, and Paul Tergat from Kenya, who is about 6'2 or 6'3, both excelled in the 10,000 meters. Height or body type does not determine success in running. It's about maximizing your potential through effective race strategies and tactics.

So, as long as you use your unique body and talent to the fullest, you can have a great race, especially in the marathon. Best wishes and good luck!

How would you compare the Boston and NYC marathon?

Comparing the Prestigious Boston and NYC Marathons: Course, Support, and Prestige

The New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are very comparable because they are both challenging courses. I think those are the two most prestigious marathons in the United States, if not in the world, but they are almost identical in terms of the hills and the downhills and the course, how challenging it is. I like New York because you go through the five pros and the culture is different. I like Boston because you go from point to point and you go to the different city towns or cities through that, so it's a great support that you get. And the support you get both marathons is amazing. It's electrifying because people support it. They have the sports of football, basketball, and baseball, both cities, and now the marathon on Sunday and Boston Marathon Monday is as well as epic as it can get for runners. So I feel they're very comparable in terms of the course and to the enthusiasm and also the prestige. So I've been fortunate enough to be in the middle of the pack with them and in the front of the pack and be able to win both, so it's the only time that New York and Boston people get along when I show my medals, whether it was New York or Boston, so I can make both of them happy. So keep on pushing, but if you have to choose one, I have to say New York, but at the same time, Boston Marathon is the most meaningful victory that I ever had.

The New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are both very prestigious marathons with challenging courses. They are comparable in terms of course difficulty and prestige, however the atmosphere and culture in each city is different. New York is unique in that it goes through the five boroughs while Boston's route goes from point to point. Both have great support from the locals and sports fans. Each has its own unique appeal and special meaning for runners, but if one had to choose, New York would be the better choice.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/uplulomcoko2hqr15lvm.vtt

The New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are highly comparable in terms of their challenging courses and prestige. They both feature hills, downhills, and offer a great level of difficulty. The New York City Marathon stands out for its route through the five boroughs, showcasing diverse cultures. On the other hand, the Boston Marathon takes runners through different towns, providing incredible support along the way. The support at both marathons is amazing and electrifying due to the enthusiasm of the people in these sports-loving cities. Participating in these marathons has allowed me to experience the camaraderie of runners and enjoy victories in both races. It's a rare moment when fans from New York and Boston can come together to celebrate my medals. If I had to choose one, I would lean towards New York, but winning the Boston Marathon has been the most meaningful victory in my career.

Maximize Marathon Recovery: Proven Tips for Success

The key to life and to get to the marathon is all about preparation. I think getting to a marathon, the key is to prepare to the best you can. And how you recover from that becomes the result of all your hard work. If you worked hard and done the work as much as you can, you're going to get to the finish line as strong. But how do you recover from that is also important because if you hit the wall on mile 17, you struggle for the 9 miles, the recovery is going to be difficult. But if you hit the wall on mile 20 or 24, it will be easier because you toughened it out for 3 miles or 4 miles. Now the recovery will be a lot easier. So I do a lot of ice baths. I've done the past. Soft tissue massage and stretching. I always use U-can. Also sports drinks right away, immediately. And I think just being able to put Epsom salt and Normatec. A few other things that you can do to help you recover faster. A marathon is a challenge. Your body just went to the maximum demand of it. And how you recover is doing the small things that make a big difference even though you might not feel like it. So you have to recover. And protein is very important as well.

The key to running a marathon is preparation. You should work hard and do all you can to prepare, but also remember to recover by taking ice baths, stretching, using Epsom salt and protein to help your body recover faster after the race.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/eawkwna2wql1jly1i93r.vtt

Recovering after a marathon is crucial and can be influenced by your preparation and performance during the race. Proper recovery is the result of your hard work leading up to the marathon. If you've trained diligently, you're more likely to finish strong and experience a smoother recovery. Hitting the wall at different points in the race also affects the recovery process. If you hit it earlier, around mile 17, and struggle for the remaining 9 miles, recovery will be more challenging. However, if you tough it out until mile 20 or 24, recovery becomes easier as you've already pushed through several difficult miles.

To aid in recovery, I recommend taking ice baths, receiving soft tissue massages, and engaging in stretching exercises. Consuming sports drinks immediately after the race is also beneficial. Additionally, utilizing tools like U-can energy products, Epsom salt baths, and Normatec compression systems can help expedite your recovery process. It's important to prioritize these recovery methods even if you don't feel like doing them since they make a significant difference in your overall recovery.

Remember that running a marathon puts your body under extreme demands. Taking proper care of yourself post-race is essential for optimal recovery. Don't forget to consume enough protein as well to support muscle repair and replenishment.

What will your role be at the 2022 NYC Marathon?

2022 NYC Marathon: Inspiring Youth, Honoring Legends

My role for the 2022 NYC Marathon was awesome and I'm sorry for the delayed response here. I was an ambassador for the Team 4 Kids which does fundraising for youth so they can have kids free running programs. The New York Road Runners have been doing an amazing work through their charity program so I've been an ambassador and bring awareness and to be at the start line to cheer on the green jerseys for the Team 4 Kids was awesome but also I was at the Night of Champions which was an honor and privilege to be able to hand an award to the Rudin family who have been the icon for the New York City Marathon because they were the first sponsors and to be able to have that legacy go on for many years is awesome and you know it was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to the next one.

I was an ambassador for the Team for Kids charity program, bringing awareness and cheering on the green jerseys at the start line of the NYC Marathon. I also had the honor of awarding the first sponsors with a legacy award at the Night of Champions event. Looking forward to the next one!

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/wrwjfjslpzpf2qbzqern.vtt

At the 2022 NYC Marathon, my role was as an ambassador for Team 4 Kids, a fundraising program that supports youth in accessing free running programs. The New York Road Runners have been doing incredible work through their charity program, and it was an honor to bring awareness to their cause as an ambassador. I had the privilege of cheering on the green jerseys of Team 4 Kids at the start line, which was truly awesome. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend the Night of Champions and present an award to the Rudin family, who have been iconic sponsors of the New York City Marathon since its inception. It was a privilege to contribute to their lasting legacy. Overall, it was a lot of fun, and I am eagerly looking forward to future events.

What specific qualities of your parents have you visualized to help you finish long marathons?

Lessons in Resilience: How My Parents Helped Me Conquer Marathons

I'm really grateful for my parents for all the lessons that they have taught me, but specifically about resilience. It's important to run a marathon. In fact, in 2013, New York City Marathon, I was being challenged due to the Hurricane Sandy cancellation and the Boston bombing. My dad walking over 225 miles to save his life kind of came to mind, and I was able to finish the race, even though I struggled. Sometimes that mile 19 to 20 took me twice as long, but those lessons came vividly, and I just persisted and pushed through the pain. Even if I can't run, I just walk. So no matter how challenging it is, I learn from my parents that do the best that you can, and God does the rest, and I'm a believer. So my mom also says, person thinks it, and God finishes it. So I always believe that those quality of lessons are important to me, and during races, also through life. So those are the important lessons that my parents have taught me, but at the same time, a marathon is a long way. Patience is important. Don't rush it, and just do your homework and do your diligence. Do the best that you can, and the rest will take care of itself. So those are some of the specific qualities that my parents have taught me.

My parents have taught me many lessons, but one that stands out is the importance of resilience and persistence when it comes to running marathons. They showed me that no matter how challenging something may be, I should do my best and trust that God will take care of the rest. Patience is also important, as a marathon is a long journey, and it requires diligence and preparation to do it well.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/tr8gomrqwnouivz73eyf.vtt

I am grateful to my parents for teaching me many valuable lessons, particularly about resilience. When facing the challenges of completing long marathons, their qualities come to mind. In the 2013 New York City Marathon, which was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and the Boston bombing, I thought of my dad's incredible feat of walking over 225 miles to save his life. Despite struggling during the race, I was able to finish by drawing on their lessons. Even if I couldn't run, I would walk. The vivid memories of my parents' resilience motivated me to persevere through the pain, even when a single mile took twice as long. Their teachings instilled in me the belief that I should do my best and have faith that God will take care of the rest. My mom's saying, person thinks it, and God finishes it, resonates with me deeply. These qualities are not only important during races but also throughout life. Completing a marathon requires patience and diligence. It's essential not to rush but instead focus on doing thorough preparation and giving one's best effort. With these qualities instilled by my parents, I believe that success will follow naturally.

How would you describe your post-marathon build-up to your next race?

Post-Marathon Recovery: The Key to Building Up for Your Next Race

The question is, how would you describe your post Marathon build up for your next race? The end of One, race is the beginning of another. So make sure you soon as you get across the Finish Line. You know, you getting your fluids first me, personally, I use you can't recover for that the hard work that I just did. But he also, you might need a thinking. How a went a full went really. Well, you like, okay. I think I could do another one like that. If it didn't go too. Well, he's like, okay. How can I do better? So, The build-up of after the race is important, you know, therapy ice bath and especially when I was competitor and then also to be able to do, you know, massage as important as like to stretch because you want to be able to just get back into the groove of things as soon as you can. But I always believed, you should take at least a week off after your next marathon. I don't believe Ryan the next day or and then after next week after week off, you can do every other day. For like another week and then on the third week you can get back into your roll girl routine of building up slowly you're not in this Fitness very much you just competing 26.2 miles so don't worry about that. Enjoy your time off and get rid of get excited for the next marathon, you want to miss it a little bit say hey I'm anxious to get ready for the next marathon. So by the time you do that, I think it's get ready. Time to get training again and don't rush it because you can always retrieve that Fitness back to where you were before this Marathon best wishes, good luck.

After a marathon, it is important to take some time off to recover. This can include a massage, an ice bath and stretching. Take at least a week off after the race and then gradually build up your training again over the following two weeks. Don't rush it - you can always get your fitness back to where it was before the marathon.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/nxefrxcggexxjimfhgm5.vtt

Describing my post-marathon build-up to my next race, I believe that the end of one race marks the beginning of another. As soon as I cross the finish line, I prioritize replenishing fluids and focusing on recovery. Personally, I find therapy, ice baths, massages, and stretching to be important in getting back into the groove of things.

However, I also believe in taking at least a week off after a marathon. It's not advisable to start running the next day or even the next week. After that initial week off, I gradually ease back into training, starting with every other day for another week. By the third week, I can resume my regular training routine, building up slowly.

It's important to remember that after completing a marathon, you're not in peak fitness anymore. Enjoy the time off and use it to get excited for the next marathon. Missing running a bit can be a good sign that you're ready to start training again. Take your time and don't rush the process, as you can always regain your fitness level.

Best wishes and good luck in your next race!

Meb Keflezighi answers your Running questions. See all the advice Meb Keflezighi has and get answers to your own Running questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Meb Keflezighi is an Olympic Marathoner, best-selling author and co-founder of 26. He is the only runner to win the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and an Olympic medal. Meb's "Run To Win" philosophy encourages runners to prioritize their own wellness. He is a highly regarded keynote speaker and global ambassador for running.