Keflezighi - Meb For Mortals

Praise for Meb Keflezighi and Meb for Mortals

Meb Keflezighi is one of the most passionate and dedicated runners in the world. He is an icon for American distance runners. Now Meb has chosen to share his training secrets and tips with the world. Every runner, from the beginner to elite, can gain tremendous insight and wisdom in Meb for Mortals. Get ready to take your running to another level with help from Meb.

K ara G oucher , two-time Olympian

Since our days at UCLA, I have seen Meb work hard to get the best out of himself. The longevity of his career is simply amazing. Meb for Mortals gives unique insight into how Meb has been able to get better with age.

B aron D avis , two-time NBA All-Star

Having trained with Meb over the years, I know first-hand his love of running and his commitment to improvement. In Meb for Mortals, runners of all abilities and motivation levels will be inspired and able to develop with his sage advice.

D eena K astor , American record holder in the marathon and half-marathon

My experiences as a competitive runner have had a direct impact on the way I operate in business. To become a success in business, sports or life, you must set challenging, personally meaningful goals and be accountable to those goals. In Meb for Mortals, Meb shows us all how he does this, and how you can, too.

J ohn L egere , President and CEO, T-Mobile US

I have admired Meb Keflezighi as a runner and as a person for many years, and seeing him win in Bostonmy hometownlast year was deeply gratifying for me. If you want to achieve your distance running goals while maintaining a healthy balance of training and family life, Meb for Mortals is the book for you.

S halane F lanagan , Olympic bronze medalist and American record holder in the 10,000 meters

Meb is one of the greatest champions Ive ever known in all of my many different lives. His kindness, gentleness, persistence, perseverance, and steely determination have, combined with his unique athletic prowess, helped him to achieve remarkable things both as a runner and as a human force of nature. Please, I challenge you to take just one step in Mebs shoes by reading his brilliant and inspiring new book, Meb for Mortals. You will never look at life, runningor anything elsethe same way again.

B ill W alton , Basketball Hall of Fame 1993

Meb was a huge help and inspiration to me when I ran the New York City Marathon last year. He is without a doubt one of the worlds leading experts on training and running. I would recommend that anyone who is looking to participate in a running event of any length collect and absorb the insight and tips in this wonderful book prior to their race.

C aroline W ozniacki , winner of more than 20 career WTA singles titles

Running was a big part of my training back when I was competing on the ice and now, in my retirement from skating, Ive turned to running again both for fitness and for the challenge it presents. The wisdom and motivation I have gleaned from reading Meb for Mortals will serve me very well both in my next marathon and in life.

A nton A polo O hno , two-time Olympic gold medalist

To the running community.

You have given me so much

knowledge, great experiences,

and meaningful friendships.

MK

The information in this book is meant to supplement, not replace, proper exercise training. All forms of exercise pose some inherent risks. The editors and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the exercises in this book, be sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and do not take risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training, and fitness. The exercise and dietary programs in this book are not intended as a substitute for any exercise routine or dietary regimen that may have been prescribed by your doctor. As with all exercise and dietary programs, you should get your doctors approval before beginning.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher. Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2015 by Mebrahtom Keflezighi

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Book design by Jeff Batzli

All page numbers refer to the print edition. All photographs by Alex Aristei, except for the following pages: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe/Getty Images, page viii; Jim Rogash/Stringer/Getty Images, page 66; CHIP EAST/Reuters/Corbis, page 81.

Meb for Mortals exercises were shot on location at Snowcreek Athletic Club, Mountain Lakes, California.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781623365479 paperback

eISBN: 9781623365486

We inspire and enable people to improve their lives and the world around them.

rodalebooks.com

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

IN 2004, I was beginning my third season as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. On August 29, I was in my office at the Colts training facility, working on the game plan for our final preseason game. I had the television on, trying to keep an eye on the Summer Olympics, which were going on in Athens, Greece. The Olympic Marathon was being run that day, and as the race unfolded, it became apparent that an American, Meb Keflezighi, was going to have a chance to win a medal. In the final miles of the race, three men broke away from the pack and staged a grueling charge to the finish line in the quest for gold. Meb ran his best time of the season to finish in second place and become the first American to win a medal in the Marathon in 28 years. I didnt know him at the time, but I remember being so proud that an American man had done so well in the signature event of Olympic track and field.

Little did I know that I would one day get to meet Meb Keflezighi. Five years later, in 2009, I was retired from coaching and working for NBCs Football Night in America. Our Sunday evening broadcasts were done from Rockefeller Center in New York City, and my normal routine on Sunday mornings was to take a walk through Central Park before heading into the studio. On this November morning my walk was disrupted because the park was blocked off to accommodate the runners in the New York City Marathon. And who would win that day but Meb. At the age of 34, he would run his personal best time and become the first American man to win the race in 27 years.