HOW THE WORLD’S BEST ATHLETES COMBAT AGE TO PERFORM BETTER FOR LONGER – AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP UP. RW EXPLORES THE NEW SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY.
AROUND 45 MINUTES INTO the 2014 Boston Marathon, Meb Keflezighi broke free of the leading pack. To a man, the favourites let him go. They would not have seen the Eritrean-born US runner as much of a threat: a 38-year-old dropped by his main sponsor, Nike, three years earlier, after they concluded his best days were behind him. His 23rd-place finish in the previous year’s New York City Marathon had seemed to confirm Nike’s judgment.
The TV crew covering the race must have felt the same. Even as Keflezighi extended his lead to over a minute, the director focused on the group behind, which included defending champion Lelisa Desisa. Keflezighi, meanwhile, was way out in front. With less than six kays to go, two Kenyans, 28-year-old Wilson Chebet and 29-year-old Frankline Chepkwony, gave chase. Shaving more than 12 seconds off their kilometre splits, they closed the gap to 30 seconds, then 20, then 10. With a little over 1 600m left, Chebet was a mere 6.2 seconds behind.
But watching on TV – by now they’d cottoned on – Keflezighi’s coach Bob Larsen read the body language of the two runners: Chebet’s ragged and pained, Keflezighi’s compact and linear. “I said, ‘I think Meb’s going to hold them off,’” he recalls. Moments later, Keflezighi glanced over his shoulder and saw what Larsen had seen. He pumped his fist, crossed himself, and – in a new personal best of 2:08:37 – became the oldest man in more than 80 years to breast the tape in Boston.
Denne historien er fra March 2019-utgaven av Runner's World SA.
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Denne historien er fra March 2019-utgaven av Runner's World SA.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LONGOVERDUE PRAISE FOR THE RUNNING SINGLET
In the last decade, the running singlet once reserved for amateur competitors and professional athletes - has gone mainstream, not only on race day but also on everyday runs.
RISE OF THE 'ILLEGAL RUNNING SHOES
Banned shoes emerged at a basketball court long before they found their way onto a marathon course.
CRACKING THE SLEEP CODE
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Perhaps you've assigned yourself another animal after completing an internet quiz. Research is shedding light on the link between well-being and circadian predisposition, but there's no need to rewire yourself. Learn to lean into your biology with our guide.
THE SECRET TO SPEED IS IN YOUP BLOOD
Some of the world's best runners credit this unorthodox Norwegian training method for their success. Is it right for you?
THE MIND OF MASSYN
IN 2024, LOUIS MASSYN WILL ATTEMPT HIS 49TH COMRADES MARATHON AND HE'S LEARNT PLENTY OF LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. HERE'S THE STORY OF HIS AMAZING JOURNEY.
TAKING CHARGE
OUTSPOKEN AND AMBITIOUS, NEW COMRADES RACE MANAGER (AND FORMER WINNER) ANN ASHWORTH IS LOOKING TO TAKE THE RACE INTO THE FUTURE.
A HALF CENTURY OF COMRADES
THIS YEAR, BARRY HOLLAND WILL BE AIMING TO FINISH HIS 50TH CONSECUTIVE COMRADES MARATHON. THIS IS WHAT HAS INSPIRED HIM.
MY RUNNING LIFE
ORDINARY RUNNERS doing EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Ageing In The Age Of Strava
RECENTLY MY BUDDY Sean sent a text message that said, “Been running a lot of 5:30–6:00 kays early. It feels pretty nice at that pace.”
How To Start A Run When You Don't Feel Like It
I'VE ALWAYS FELT validation when reading a story about writers and their love of procrastination.