Marathon You Can Do It

Meb Keflezighi won the 2009 New York Marathon. Meb Keflezighi became the first US man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982. Meb has come a long way from being just a good runner to a great runner.

In 2000 summer Olympic games in Sydney he finished a disappointing 12th at 10,000 metres, a race that was won by Haile Gebrselassie.

After Sydney his coach, Bob Larsen realised if Meb is to compete with the East African runners he had to change his training tactics.

The Training Regimen That Boosted Running Speed and Power

According to an old New York times article of Meb Keflezighi, In 2001, Larsen persuaded Keflezighi to begin training at the 7,550-foot altitude of Mammoth Lakes to increase his oxygen-carrying capacity. Shortly after his first training regimen here, he set the American record of 27:13.98 at 10,000 meters.

Training at altitude took Meb from a good athlete to a great athlete

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Altitude Training, Athlete, Bob Larsen, Coach Bob, East Africans, Foot Altitude, Haile Gebrselassie, Mammoth Lakes, Marathon Training, Meb Keflezighi, New York City Marathon, New york marathon, New York Times, Olympic Games, Oxygen Carrying Capacity, Realised, Runners, Summer Olympic Games, Training Regimen, York City Marathon, York Times Article

Protein is one of the three essential components of the human diet, along with carbohydrates and fats. Protein, which is composed of various types of amino acids, provides the raw material for both muscle construction and repair.

Road running is an impact sport, all that running causes small tears inside although the tears are not visible they are buried under the skin, a runner feels them in form of slight pain. A diet rich in protein can help in repair of damaged tissue.

Although an athlete may get protein from eating regular protein rich foods, sometimes this is not enough and an athlete may need to boost the protein intake with a protein supplement

Experts recommend supplements because a high quality, concentrated protein product will repair the muscles stressed from a demanding workout more quickly than proteins consumed through food.

Popular Protein Supplements

1. Whey protein (a byproduct of cheese)
2. Soy protein, extracted from the soya bean.
3. Glutamine, a specific type of amino acid, is another well-regarded component in many protein supplements.

Just remember before you decide to use any supplement consult with your doctor, nutritionist or advisor.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Amino Acid, Athlete, Byproduct, Food Protein, High Protein, Human Diet, Impact Sport, Nutritionist, Protein Extracted From, Protein Foods, Protein Intake, Protein Product, Protein Rich Foods, Protein Supplement, Protein Supplements, Raw Material, Soy Protein, Soya Bean, Types Of Amino Acids, Whey Protein

Because carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for active muscles, athletes need to consume them on a daily basis.

Carbohydrate-rich foods include: –

1. Fruits
2. vegetables (potatoes and beans),
3. Grains,
4. Breads,
5. cereals and some dairy products (milk and yogurt).

In general, the best diet for an athlete is one that contains a variety of foods from each of the major food groups—this will help ensure that your diet is made up of nutrient-rich foods.

Approximately 55-60% of total calories should come from carbohydrates. Athletes need to consume carbohydrates before, during and after exercise to provide fuel for the body and support overall health.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Athlete, Calories, Carbohydrate, Carbohydrates, Cereals, Daily Basis, Dairy Products Milk, diet, Exercise, Food Groups, Fruits Vegetables, Fuel Source, Grains, Health, muscles, Nutrient Rich Foods, Potatoes, Runners, Yogurt

Haile Gebreselassie Vs Samuel Wanjiru. I had hoped this two will race together this year so that we can know who is the king of the full marathon.

Samuel Wanjiru had hoped to take on Haile at 2009 Berlin Marathon but he failed to get invitation to the Berlin Marathon from the organisers. I feel the organisers bowed to the demands of Haile who has previously been quoted saying he prefers to race against the clock rather than go head to head and worry about the athlete behind his neck.

After failing to challenge Haile in Berlin, Wanjiru has entered 2009 Chicago marathon. What is interesting is that Chicago is a flat course just like Berlin. If the weather cooperates, expect Wanjiru to attack Haile record time. Berlin Marathon is on September 20th While Chicago marathon will be on October 11th. After the Berlin marathon Wanjiru will have ample time to reflect and prepare to better Haile’s effort.

A local paper here in Kenya caught up with Samuel Wanjiru on a 35K run along Nyahururu – Gilgil road last monday and the 22 year old athlete played down the Berlin politics and insisted he is 100% focused on 2009 Chicago Marathon.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Ample Time, Athlete, berlin marathon, chicago marathon, Clock, Haile Gebreselassie, Haile Gebrselassie, Invitation, Last Monday, Organisers, Record Time, Samuel Wanjiru, Weather