ACTIVE: What does it mean to you to have such great sponsors and partnerships?
Meb: It means a lot to me to have the sponsors that I have, because it means they have my back. Plus, it allows me to be the person I want to be and try to maximize my potential. I've been through other sponsors that didn't end up very well, but EPSON is great, and PowerBar has been a long-time partner. I like companies like Skechers—that were more start-up—and now they are doing really well. I feel proud to be associated with my sponsors. You always want to leave the sport better than you left it in terms of bringing other opportunities. I feel blessed that all my sponsors are here with me. I try to represent my sponsors the best that I can because they've really helped me achieve my goals.
ACTIVE: What's the farthest you've ever run?
Meb: The farthest I have ever run is 28 miles—at altitude.
ACTIVE: What's your longest training run when you're preparing for a marathon?
Meb: Most marathoners only run up to 19 or 20 miles when training for a race, but if I'm healthy, I like to go up to that marathon distance. Then you know your body can last, and then on race day, you try to finish and do it faster than how you trained. I believe in full preparation.
ACTIVE: How far is your pre-race warm-up?
Meb: I run three miles before a marathon. Depends on the condition, but usually three miles straight. In Athens, for example, I only did a seven-minute warm-up because it was 92 degrees already. At Boston, I usually do a three-mile warm up. But if it's really chilly, I'll do a mile and a half, stretch and do my drills, then do another mile and a half. I do all of this an hour before the gun goes off.
ACTIVE: How's training going for the 2016 Olympic Trials?
Meb: I'm always training year-round. I make a lot of appearances, so I'm traveling a lot, but I'm always putting in the work. I'm in marathon mode, always grinding. The Olympic trials are in February, but I can't be too excited because I'm going to do a full marathon before that.
ACTIVE: What advice would you give to someone training for his or her first marathon?
Meb: First thing: Why? We all go through those thoughts at the finish line: "Why did I do that? There was so much pain! I never want to do this again."
But the second thing I would say is this: Now that you're already committed, make sure you stay healthy. I would rather you be undertrained than over-trained, especially with your first marathon.
People think they must do a large amount of training because there's a fear they won't finish. But don't overdo it. They should focus on being healthy at the starting line. And be patient on race day. You don't want to be at mile 18 or 19, thinking you can't make it to the finish.
