NYC Marathon Prep For Olympian Meb Keflezighi and Runner’s World Half and Festival

Garmin: Have you approached your training differently for this year’s NYC Marathon since your fitness was at such a high level this summer?

Meb: I did not approach my training for this year’s NYC Marathon any differently than in previous years. I took two and half week off because of severe blisters I got from the cobblestones and the irritation from the turns in London. Nonetheless, I worked very hard to cover the three major areas of marathon preparation:  tempos, long runs and intervals. Thanks to God and my support team in Mammoth and San Diego, I have been able to stay healthy during this preparation and got up to 130 miles a week. I am still dealing with and managing the sensitive blister spot with less than two weeks before the big race. Thanks to Garmin and my Forerunner for making it easy to keep track of my mileage and pace, especially when I am traveling. Staying healthy has allowed me to build on the strength which I built over the summer. I was getting stronger for the Olympic Marathon this summer, but I was about 2-3 weeks from being at my peak fitness.

Now, with the hard work before London and continued momentum from training over the fall, I feel I should be competitive in New York on Nov. 4th.

Garmin: What advice would you give a first time NYC Marathon runner?

Meb: It is a magical place and spot to do a marathon. This will my my 8th time racing the NYC marathon in the last 10 years. People dream to visit New York City….just like I used to dream. Now, you have the opportunity to do sight seeing with your feet on the 26.2 mile tour of the Big Apple. Enjoy the moment, the crowd and the sights. Please take the tangents of the streets if you see it because it is very safe when the road is closed. New York is the capital of the world and running the New York City
Marathon is a unique opportunity to see the City at its very best. My only advice is to be patient and be strong when you get to Central Park.

Garmin: Why do you love this race so much?

Meb: Like I said, this is my 8th time running the ING New York City Marathon. I ran my debut marathon in NYC in 2002 and when I crossed the finish line, I
never wanted to do another marathon.  However, after I came to my full senses I wanted to win the biggest marathon in the world. Mary Wittenberg (race director) and the rest of NYRR team have been fun and fair to me over the years. The NYRR gave me a great stage to compete and I hope I have delivered over the years. New York City is my home away from home. I have so many friends and fans that I cannot imagine being anywhere else on the first Sunday
of November. New York City has been the city where I have competed the most during my professional career, including the 8k USA Championships, the Healthy Kidney 10k, the NYC Half Marathon and the Full marathon. I have great memories in the big apple.

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