Marathoners like Meb Keflezighi Need a Little “Extra” in order to Succeed

Meb Keflezighi, 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon, has won the New York City Marathon, being the first American winner after 27 years of long waiting. Sometimes training isn’t enough, so how did he succeed?

Ryan Hall, Abdi Abdirahman, and Jorge Torres were in the top ten finishers too, but only Meb is the hero. He has impressed his coaches and admirers since junior high. Sometimes hard training is not enough to be a true champion.

What should marathoners eat?

When you train, your body needs something more than just exercising in order to fill up with energy. A proper diet could have a big influence upon marathon results. Raw vegetables and salads are great because they don’t lose their nutrients due to cooking. Marathoners should eat chicken and fish instead of red meat. Animal proteins can be substituted by soy and whey products. A “vegetarian” day once in a while is great for everyone. Fish oil is also indicated because it helps uptake oxygen, burn fat, and eases digestion.

What marathoners shouldn’t eat

Fast food is necessarily cut from the menu. Frozen foods usually lose their nutritional value so they’re not recommended either. Coffee and alcohol are on the menu, but with moderation (water is essential – don’t try to substitute it with anything; you need to stay properly hydrated, so drink eight glasses of water per day).

To be or not to be? Not Shakespeare, carbs!

In contradiction with the “weight loss rules,” it is recommended that marathoners have a complex carbohydrate intake from pasta and grains. Carbohydrates help the body fill up with the necessary energy on longer runs.

What happens when there is no time to cook?

Sometimes there’s no time to cook full meals, so think about trying these alternatives to fast food:

• Nuts - make great snacks, not to mention they are packed with vitamins and nutrients.

• Chicken Caesar - makes a quick nutritious meal.

• Soups – e.g. lentil soup has lots of nutritional value; it’s also very filling.

Are fruits and vegetables really necessary?

Yes, they are, thanks to their important source of nutrients and vitamins. Vegetables and fruits bring tones of energy and vitality.

Meb Keflezighi knew these tips and showed he can be a wise professional. The CEO of the NHP Foundation, Ghebre Selassie Mehreteab, said: “Meb is an inspiration to all new Americans and his story demonstrates the power of the American Dream.” Can anyone say otherwise?