California Track & Running News Apr-June 2013, VOLUME 39 NUMBER 2 | страница 4

CTRN-APR-JUNE_2013--1_Layout 1 4/24/13 8:16 AM Page 4

Sponsored By
One of the most unexpected running performances in 2012 featured Meb’s victory and
new PR at the Houston Trials on January 15, 2012, and his fourth place and fastest
American finish at the London Games on August 12, 2012. Meb is an elite runner who
always races best under the most difficult conditions. Coached for 18 years by
Bob Larson, he finds strength in his ongoing relationships.

Engineered to promote
a midfoot strike.

Meb forged a new partnership with the Skechers Performance Division as he was training
for the 2011 New York City Marathon. He worked with the footwear company’s design
team on the development of Skechers GOrun and leveraged his experience to fine tune
the design of Skechers GOrun 2. When I interviewed Meb in November 2011, he told me
that after using Skechers GOrun he no longer had to wear orthotic inserts in his shoes —
something that amazed him.
Skechers asked Meb to answer a few of our training questions below. Check out what he
has to say and make sure you follow the Skechers Performance Division’s advice and give
Skechers GOrun 2 a try at your local running store to see how they work for you! Find a
dealer near you at: SkechersPerformance.com or roadrunnersports.com.

Traction control.
Responsive feedback.

Meb earned a silver medal at the 2004 Athens
games and won the 2009 New York City Marathon.
We caught up with him in early February, while he
was training for the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Proprietary lightweight
injection-molded midsole

Q: Meb, you’re a top world-class marathoner,
but while the vast majority of the runners in
most marathons take their running seriously,
they’re not serious competitors for the podium
or anywhere near it. How should they train?

Minimal heel lift
keeps the foot in a nearly
neutral position.

MEB: The first thing I’d say would be,
“What race are you getting ready
for?” That’s what you should
train for. That’s the reason
for every workout. Now, if
you’re running a halfmarathon in a couple of
weeks, as part of your
preparation for a full
marathon, say, two months
from now, then your training
for the half is part of your

marathon training. Use it (the half) to experiment:
for example going out at a hard pace and seeing
how long you can keep it up. Or see if you can run
exactly even splits for the half, or even go for negative splits. Learn what you can or can’t do. The point
is that every workout should have a purpose, even
if it’s just to recover from a hard workout the day
before. Make a plan for each workout and each
race. Then execute your plan.
Q: Any other advice?

6.6 ounces
(Men’s size 9)
5.2 ounces
(Women’s size 7)

MEB: Find somebody you can train with on a regular basis – it can be an individual or a group. Having a training partner or partners makes it easier to
get out the door on those days when you’d really
rather not. And one more thing about the marathon.
In the first half of the race, it’s better to be too slow
than too fast. That’s a luxury I don’t have; I have to
stay with the leaders to have a chance to win the
race. But you can – and should – run your own
race. The race you’ve planned.

skechersperformance.com
Facebook: SkechersPerformance
Twitter: @skechersGO