Track & Field

Running

Was there a race where you suffered more than any other?

Greg's Marathon Suffering Turns into Olympic Triumph

Hi, Greg. I suffered in 2011 New York City marathon. I left-- unfortunately, my BreatheRight not on my nose, but on my foot, and I have to deal with it through the race. I suffer every step of the way, and got infected. But despite, I ran a PR and still made the Olympic team. Thanks.

Despite suffering from an infection, I ran a personal best and qualified for the Olympic team in the 2011 New York City Marathon.

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In the 2011 New York City Marathon, I experienced a significant amount of suffering. Unfortunately, I had placed my BreatheRight strip on my foot instead of my nose, which caused discomfort throughout the entire race. I had to endure every step with this issue and it even became infected. However, despite the challenges, I managed to run a personal record (PR) and still qualified for the Olympic team.

What tips do you have for racing a half marathon?

Master the Half Marathon: Tips for Racing Success!

Aloha, great question. What does he have a half marathon? Half marathon is a perfect distance to accomplish your goal and the key to racing is preparation. I love personally for me. I love them by the water, wherever I travel, if I can and imagine yourself racing at the half marathon. Even tho you are at the mouse 60 find some pills or downhill for whatever might be that you train for the course, you prepare them training. The key to success is preparation, the key to life is education or profession for If so I'm going to go out there and have fun and put the miles and just like today's Sunday, I'm not ready. Getting ready for a half marathon. A full Marathon by just for health and and visualize yourself being there on that day, to accomplish your goals, with the running, a half marathon, a full Marathon bus practically for half marathon. If you can make it to 10 miles, the enderlin and camaraderie of people get you to that finish line. So have fun and enjoy

For half marathon success, the key is preparation. Train for the course and visualize yourself on the day of the race. Have fun, put in the miles, and embrace the camaraderie of other runners to get you to the finish line.

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When it comes to racing a half marathon, preparation is key. Find a course that suits you, whether it's by the water or with hills, and train accordingly. Visualize yourself running the race and accomplishing your goals. Remember to have fun and enjoy the experience.

While the answer contains some fragmented and unclear sentences, the main tips for racing a half marathon are emphasized: preparation, choosing a suitable course, visualizing success, and enjoying the process.

Is it a bad idea to train at altitude for a hot, humid race?

Altitude vs Heat & Humidity: An Olympian's Surprising Revelation

Is it a bad idea to train at altitude for hot and humid race? Athens 2004 was hot humid and Haley. I trained at altitude and and it worked out for me. But at the same time it depends on the individual and radio gets 12 years later. Did not pay for me. Be paid off for me because I trained in Mammoth Lakes just like I did in 2004 so I've sought both. Races 2004 and 2016 for the Olympics and the sauna for about 30 minutes. So I'm running the middle of the day to try to accumulate the Heat and also the sweat with sweats on and not just right in the middle of the day, but wear sweater and long, long pants to help you sweat and get used to. So, it would all individualize. Obviously, I don't want to. I think there is no reward for altitude versus and humid. But in hindsight now, Now for probably as I got older, I would have trained at a hot and humid Place versus to altitude. I think, because the heat Hive that I faced in Rio, the Olympics 2016 Could Happen up voided but at the same time so you won't know that because it hit work for me the first time and I was probably younger but as I got older it did not so good luck.

Training at altitude for a hot and humid race may not always be the best idea as it is individualized and what worked for one person may not work for another. As you get older, training in a hot and humid place might prove to be more beneficial.

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Is it a bad idea to train at altitude for a hot and humid race? Well, in my experience, training at altitude worked out for me during the hot and humid Athens 2004 race. However, it really depends on the individual and circumstances can change over time. In 2016, training at altitude did not pay off for me during a hot and humid race.

To prepare for the heat and humidity, I trained in Mammoth Lakes, similar to what I did in 2004. I also spent time in a sauna for about 30 minutes, running in the middle of the day to accumulate heat and sweat while wearing sweats and layers to simulate the conditions. However, the effectiveness of altitude training versus training in a hot and humid environment can vary for each person.

Looking back, as I've gotten older, I might have chosen to train in a hot and humid place instead of at altitude. The intense heat I faced during the 2016 Olympics in Rio could have been better prepared for in a different training environment. Ultimately, it's an individualized decision and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Good luck with your training!

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.

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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!

When do you know your body is not in the right condition to compete?

Listen to Your Body: When to Compete or Pass

When do you know when your body is not in the right condition to compete? You know the best part about running is the fitness that you gain. At the beginning you feel like you're out of shape and then you work through it and you get fitter and fitter and stronger and that's when you know you're ready to compete and by doing some intervals or tempos you know obviously have a goal for competition but it should also have a goal when you are training on your intensity to see if you hit those benchmarks and when you hit those benchmarks you know you're ready to go otherwise if not then you might have to pass on competition to get ready further for a bigger competition or another race so therefore you have to see how you are progressing and don't go to the starting line if you're not healthy because sometimes you can do more damage and not be able to accomplish your goal so be careful and once you get to the starting line and you're healthy and conditioned go there and have fun.

You can know when your buddy is not in the right condition to compete by paying attention to their training intensity and seeing if they hit certain benchmarks. If they don't seem to be progressing, it's best to pass on competing until they are healthier and in better condition.

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You know your body is not in the right condition to compete when you haven't reached the necessary fitness level. Running is a journey towards improving your fitness. As you progress, you become fitter and stronger, indicating readiness for competition. By incorporating intervals or tempos into your training and setting goals, you can assess if you've reached the required benchmarks for competition. If you haven't hit those benchmarks, it may be necessary to skip a competition and focus on further preparation for a bigger event or another race. It's important to monitor your progress and avoid participating if you're not in good health. Pushing through when you're not ready can lead to more harm and hinder your goal achievement. So, be cautious and ensure that you're both healthy and conditioned before stepping onto the starting line. Once you're prepared, go out there and have fun!

How do you find your place in the pack each race? How does it differ each time? 

Finding Your Place in the Pack: The Art of Race Strategy

This is a very interesting question. How do you find your place in the pack of each race? How does it differ each time? It is completely different and the coach can get you ready for the race, but the 9 inch above the shoulder is going to make those decisions and how do you find that place and what moves you need to make? That's interesting and that's also what you have the brain for. At the same time, it's uncomfortable to have some people around you or the wind, so you have to draft behind some people when you run if it's windy and if you want to take the lead, when do you take the lead? So those things are interchangeable at the same time, but you have to find where it's comfortable for you. Sometimes you have to find groups, the front group, the middle of the pack, the back of the pack, and within the group of the elites you have to find yourself to be comfortable. Don't hesitate to take a risk and push, but at the same time, that race is not an easy one, so you have to make a very calculated decision to improve on your spots. Every place counts, so sometimes you want to win, sometimes you get top 3, top 10, so things like that keeps you going in the moment and you find yourself in the pack or away from the pack. So good luck, but don't be intimidated by others, so study their forms.

Finding your place in a race can be difficult, but it is important to find a spot that is comfortable for you and make calculated decisions to improve your times. Don't hesitate to take risks and don't let other runners intimidate you. Study their forms to get an idea of what works best.

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Finding your place in the pack during each race is a dynamic and unique process. While the coach can prepare you, ultimately, it's your decision-making that determines your position. Your brain plays a crucial role in identifying the right moves and positioning yourself effectively.

Factors like the presence of other runners or wind can make it uncomfortable, so drafting behind others can help in windy conditions. Deciding when to take the lead requires careful consideration. It's about finding a balance between comfort and taking calculated risks.

Different races may require different strategies. You might need to find a group to run with, whether it's the front, middle, or back of the pack. Even within the elite group, you must find your own comfort zone. Taking risks and pushing yourself is important, but it's crucial to make calculated decisions to improve your position.

Every place counts in a race, whether it's aiming for a win, a top 3, or a top 10 finish. These goals keep you motivated and determine whether you find yourself within or away from the pack. Don't be intimidated by others, but instead study their forms and learn from them.

Wishing you good luck in finding your place in the pack and achieving your race goals!

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

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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.