The MEB Archives: Meb Keflezighi & Bob Larsen: The Gamblers, by Larry Eder (reprint of January 2012 article)

Meb Keflezighi, all alone in Boston (2014), photo by PhotoRun.net

Updated October 30, 2017

In appreciated the 26 marathons of Meb Keflezighi, one has to understand how many things he and his coach, would consider as they developed race and training plans. Meb’s success over his career comes into review as he prepares to run his last elite marathon at the TCS NYC Marathon. Meb has had good days and bad days, and amazing days. All in all, he has become a role model for many. Truth is, Meb Kefelzighi and his coach, Bob Larsen, were made for each other. And because of that, we have been fortunate to observe some amazing races. This week of stories on Meb Keflizighi is brought to you by his sponsor, #skechersperformance. www.skechers.com.

Updated February 27, 2017

Meb Keflezighi is scheduled to run his late Boston Marathon as an elite marathoner on April 18, 2017. Meb just ran his first race of 2017, on Sunday, February 26, when he finished third in the Gasparilla Half Marathon in 1:03:30.

As we consider Meb’s long career and success, I figured that it would be a great time to re-read this 2012 story on Meb and his coach, Bob Larsen. It is a unique relationship in terms of its length and support.

One final thought. The amazing movie on Coach Larsen, City Slickers, is now available for rent or purchase at Amazon.com, here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/City-Slickers-Cant-Stay-Me/dp/B06WV8MHJ3. Bob Larsen is one of the finest coaches ever to come out of our athletics programs in North America. This is a great film, and will resonate with all coaches and those who love the sport.

Meb Keflezighi, photo by PhotoRun.net

Meb Keflezighi made history today with his win of the Boston Marathon. HIs coach, Bob Larsen, told me that while he thought that 2:08 was in the cards, winning in 2:08, surprised him. Larsen, the former coach at Grossmont JC, the Jamul Toads and UCLA, has now coached Meb for nearly twenty years.

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As one keen observer noted today: ” Meb and Bob get it. Meb has increased his recovery time and focused on the workouts he needs. Note how many times he has been coming back from injuries.”

Truth is, the recovery is key. But, so is talent and so is the gambling.

Re read this piece, it makes even more sense in light of the victory by Meb Keflezighi, in his personal best at the 118th Boston Marathon:

To read: https://www.runblogrun.com/2012/01/meb-keflezighi-the-gambler-by-larry-eder.html

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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