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.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/nnotdrplupvo2qc67ert.vtt

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’s the longest distance you’ve ever raced, and how long was your longest training run while preparing for it? Why?

From Marathon Prep to Race Day Strategy: Covering the Distance Efficiently and Getting Faster

Peter, thanks for that question. The longest race I ever done is a marathon 26.2 miles, but the longest I trained for is 28 miles. I want to make sure that I can cover the distance and then on race day, I can concentrate on getting faster but I try to do a race pace for as long as 16, 18 miles and then the long run, 26 or more. And then add a filter that is and then hopefully I'm Each day I can cover the distance, quite efficiently, and also faster than I didn't train. So that's the goal of doing the long run, this wishes and good luck.

My longest run is 28 miles, which I use to train for a marathon (26.2 miles). In training, I try to run at race pace for as long as 16-18 miles, and then add a filter of distance and speed, so that on race day I can cover the distance efficiently and faster than I trained for.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/wzej2rhipmizhjagjju7.vtt

The longest race I have ever completed is a marathon, which is 26.2 miles. However, during my training, I have gone as far as 28 miles. The purpose of these longer training runs is to ensure that I am capable of covering the full distance of the race. By doing so, I can focus on improving my speed and performance on race day. I typically incorporate race pace segments into my training runs, aiming to maintain that pace for around 16 to 18 miles. The longest training run I do is usually 26 miles or more. The goal is to build the endurance and efficiency needed to complete the race distance comfortably and hopefully perform better than I did during training. This approach allows me to prepare both physically and mentally for the demands of the race. Best of luck to anyone undertaking similar training!

How did your race at the 2012 Olympics differ from 2004?

From Fourth to Fourth: An Olympic Marathon Journey

My 2012 Olympic Games and 2004 Olympic Games are different for many reasons. My 2004 Olympic Games was my fourth marathon. I was 29 years old. I was excited, new to the sport. I was looking forward to do great things and I came home with the Olympics of the first American in 28 years. And going to the 2012 Olympic Games was different because I did not get an opportunity. Well, I didn't get a chance to participate in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Olympics, because I did not qualify. I fortunately had a pelvis fracture due to an injury. I was not able to represent the United States. But I wanted 2012 was more like I got to prove to them that I'm still competitive. And I was 37 years old. Carlos Lopez from Portugal wanted as a 37-year-old. I was trying to do similar things. So I pushed as hard as I could and I came in fourth place. Even though it was faster than 2004 Olympics, that fourth place got motivated to go because I didn't know I was 21st place with halfway to go and I struggle. I want to drop out, but at the same time, I just kind of prayed and collected myself and then Coach Larson, he was at the 5K to go. And I was in sixth place. So I wanted to win that, try to win for the bronze medal. I pushed as hard as I could. And guess what, if one of them get busted with drugs, I want to be the one moving in from fourth to bronze. So I pushed it and came fourth place.

In 2004, Mike participated in his fourth marathon and won a silver medal. In 2012, he was unable to participate due to injury but still pushed himself to come in fourth place at the Olympics.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/vh2vjsfy1tux0irymnrh.vtt

There were significant differences between my race at the 2012 Olympics and the 2004 Olympics. In 2004, it was my fourth marathon, and I was 29 years old. I was filled with excitement and new to the sport. I ended up becoming the first American in 28 years to win an Olympic medal. However, in 2008, I had a pelvis fracture due to injury and couldn't qualify for the Beijing Olympics. So, when it came to the 2012 Olympics, I wanted to prove that I was still competitive despite not participating in the previous Games. At 37 years old, I aimed for similar achievements as Carlos Lopez from Portugal, who won as a 37-year-old. Although I came in fourth place, it motivated me because it was faster than my performance in 2004. During the race, I faced struggles and even contemplated dropping out. But with prayer and collecting myself, along with encouragement from Coach Larson at the 5K mark, I regained my focus. I was in sixth place at that point but pushed hard to try and win the bronze medal. The determination paid off as I finished in fourth place and remained hopeful that if any of the medalists were disqualified for drug use, I would move up to claim bronze.

What was it like meeting President Obama?

Unforgettable: A Personal Encounter with President Obama

Meeting Pres. Barack Obama was a huge honor. He was incredible, genuine, and was funny and at the same time just incredible to be able to have that phone call with him and then have a dinner with him. And I took my wife and I for the African Leaders and US Leaders Summit. It was an awesome experience to be able to just interact with the President of the United States. So thank you, President Barack Obama. You made a huge impact on my life. Thank you.

Meeting Barack Obama was an incredible honor and experience. He was genuine, funny, and made a huge impact on my life. Thank you, President Obama.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/y6daa72p35h6s9p6o9ye.vtt

Meeting President Barack Obama was an incredible honor. He was genuine, funny, and it was amazing to have a phone call and dinner with him. I had the opportunity to attend the African Leaders and US Leaders Summit with my wife, and it was an awesome experience to interact with the President of the United States. I am grateful to President Obama for making a significant impact on my life. Thank you.

Boston Marathon: A Victory That Inspired 36,000 People

The most meaningful victory in my career is the Boston Marathon. Even the New York and the Olympics were huge. But because what happened in 2013, for me to be able to lead the 36,000 people and lead them to victory in their own journey was great.

The most meaningful victory in my career was winning the Boston Marathon in 2013, leading 36,000 people to victory in their own journey.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/utq7nabquzqknau0aq7l.vtt

The Boston Marathon victory holds the most significance in my career. While victories in New York and the Olympics were also significant, the Boston Marathon stands out due to the events of 2013. Leading and inspiring the 36,000 participants to achieve victory in their own personal journeys was an incredible experience.

What does your 2004 Olympic silver medal mean to you?

A Dream Come True: Olympian Shares Journey to Silver Medal Glory

The 2004 Olympic silver medal mean a lot to me. It was a dream come true for me to begin with, but it did not start that way. When I was in seventh grade, Coach Duke Lord told me that after running 520 miles to get an A and a title in the class, you're going to be an Olympian. But since I grew up without electricity in a third world country, I didn't know what the Olympics were. So to be able to participate in Sydney, Australia as an Olympian, representing the United States, and then before I left the stadium in Sydney, Australia in 2000, I said I've made a personal goal that I want to win a medal for our country. When I made that goal, it was more than a 10K than the marathon, but to be able to run the original course of the marathon in Athens where the Olympics were founded and in Greece, wow, what a dream come true. And how I cherished it, every bit of it, and coming in the last two miles or so, I knew I was going to win a medal for our country and be the first American or since Frank Shorty in 28 years. So it means a lot to me and dreams do come true and you want to be able to work hard, anything is possible. I feel blessed to be able to win a silver medal. I just want to win a medal and to be able to win a silver in Athens where the origin of the Olympics were and then also in the All-Stadium 1896 is a great lesson of history of sports and Olympics and I feel honored to be able to win that medal in Athens, Greece after 2004. So it means a lot to me.

Winning the 2004 Olympic silver medal was a dream come true for me, representing the United States and being the first American to win a medal in 28 years was an honor. It was a reminder that with hard work, anything is possible, and I feel blessed to have been able to experience it.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/ntqlwhtyjum0q3jsqwcm.vtt

My 2004 Olympic silver medal holds immense significance for me. It was a dream come true, although the journey didn't start that way. In seventh grade, Coach Duke Lord told me that if I ran 520 miles and earned an A in his class, I would become an Olympian. Growing up without electricity in a third world country, I had no idea what the Olympics were. However, the opportunity to participate in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia as a representative of the United States was a surreal experience. Before leaving the stadium in Sydney, I set a personal goal to win a medal for our country.

To have the chance to run the original course of the marathon in Athens, where the Olympics were founded and held in Greece, was truly a dream come true. Every moment of it was cherished. As I approached the last two miles of the race, I knew that I would win a medal for our country and be the first American to do so in 28 years, since Frank Shorty. This achievement holds great meaning for me, showing that dreams can indeed become a reality through hard work and determination.

Winning a silver medal in Athens, where the Olympics originated and taking place at All-Stadium 1896, is not only a personal accomplishment but also connects me to the rich history of sports and the Olympics. I feel honored to have won this medal in Athens, Greece in 2004. It holds deep significance and serves as a reminder that with dedication and effort, anything is possible.

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.