26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career by Meb Keflezighi and Scott Douglas
Print Length: 256 pages
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Rodale Books
Genre: Running and Jogging, Motivational Self-Help
This book is quite intense, so brace yourself for a fairly lengthy review!
I’ve run almost six marathons so far (never a full one, but my first is coming up!) My running coach prescribed this book to help me build my mental and intrinsic motivation while enduring long distances. Yes, prescribed, not recommended. In addition to intense workout plans, lifestyle and nutritional changes, reading books, and watching movies and documentaries about runners have opened my eyes a lot more than watching YouTube vlogs of runners could ever do. Through this book, I was introduced to the world of elite runners. I’m surprised that I never picked up books on running before!
26 Marathons by Meb Keflezighi is an excellent book for anyone interested in running or participating in marathons and looking to improve their PR. I got the book at my local library and initially wasn’t familiar with Meb or the world of elite runners. However, after reading the book, I became a huge fan. Meb’s detailed descriptions of each marathon, his thoughts, experiences, and tips on how to become a better runner are truly inspiring. My coach even warned me not to read this book before bedtime, as it can be quite exciting and result in an adrenaline rush!
Celebrate your accomplishments but don’t rest on your laurels. Use the momentum from one success to work towards others.
Meb’s personal experiences while running twenty-six different marathons throughout his career as an elite runner are exhilarating, to say the least. And yes, I follow him on Instagram @runmeb and Strava too!
Our society tends to celebrate those who take that one bold chance, who risk everything at one do-or-die moment. Sure, that can lead to amazing results. But we usually don’t hear about the people who act that way and fail. In much of life, the better approach is that of a patient investor, steadily building assets over time, as opposed to going for extraordinary returns and risk crashing.
So when Meb talks about running, you better take notes. As he discusses his injuries, struggles to finish some marathons, and mishaps during other marathons, I felt it all. I’m sure every single runner can relate to his feelings. It’s universal what runners all over the world feel, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an elite. I’ve especially noted down many of his quotes from the book, which I intend to keep as reminders to read when the going gets tough in the last few miles. After finishing this book, I can assure you that I will re-read it in a few years.
Marathons bring out the best of the human spirit: pushing yourself to accomplish more than you thought possible; working with others toward mutually meaningful goals; erasing barriers of race, age, gender, nationality, and creed. And they do so in a peaceful, joy-filled atmosphere.
I highly recommend it to all running enthusiasts, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. This book is bound to boost your motivation like never before!
Ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being exceptional):
Quality of writing: 9
Pace: 9
Plot development: 8
Characters: 8
Enjoyability: 10
Insightfulness: 10
Ease of reading: 9
Photo/Illustrations: Yes
About The AuthoRS
Meb Keflezighi is a retired American long-distance runner. He was the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon and finished in fourth place at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He won the 2009 New York City Marathon and the 2014 Boston Marathon, becoming the first American man to win each race since 1982 and 1983. He came in fourth in the 2014 New York City Marathon, eighth in the 2015 Boston Marathon, and second in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Scott Douglas is a contributing writer for Runner’s World and the author or coauthor of several books, including Running Is My Therapy, The Genius of Athletes, Advanced Marathoning, and the New York Times bestsellers 26 Marathons and Meb for Mortals. His latest book, Personal Best Running, written with Olympian and elite coach Mark Coogan, was published in February 2023. Scott lives in North Yarmouth, Maine.
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