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26 Marathons

What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career

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26 Marathons

By: Meb Keflezighi, Scott Douglas
Narrated by: Holter Graham
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About this listen

New York Times Best Seller

A world-class runner and four-time Olympian shares the life lessons he’s learned from each of the 26 marathons he’s run in his storied career.

“An athlete whose wisdom and lessons aren’t just for runners.” (The Washington Post)

When Meb Keflezighi - the first person in history to win both the Boston and New York City marathons as well as an Olympic marathon medal - ran his final marathon in New York City on November 5, 2017, it marked the end of an extraordinary distance-running career.

Meb's last marathon was also his 26th, and each of those marathons has come with its own unique challenges, rewards, and outcomes. In 26 Marathons, Meb takes listeners on those legendary races, along every hill, bend, and unexpected turn of events that made each marathon an exceptional learning experience, and a fascinating story.

26 Marathons offers the wisdom Meb has gleaned about life, family, identity, and faith in addition to tips about running, training, and nutrition. He shows runners of all levels how to apply the lessons he's learned to their own running and lives. Equal parts inspiration and practical advice, 26 Marathons provides an inside look at the life and success of one of the greatest runners living today.

Praise for 26 Marathons

26 Marathons is a swift read, guaranteed to be popular with student athletes plus hard-core and recreational runners, who will undoubtedly agree that Meb is an American treasure and running ambassador who never fails to inspire.” (Booklist, starred review)

26 Marathons gives great insight about the ups and downs in marathon running and how to cope with them. As Meb shows, dealing with these marathon experiences help us become better in our lives.” (Eliud Kipchoge, Marathon World Record Holder and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist)

“Meb’s 26 Marathons is like opening a treasure chest full of inspiring stories that give behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mental and physical joys and obstacles that elite-level racing can bring. His advice on training, overcoming injuries, and adversity is for everyone. It’s pure gold!” (Shalane Flanagan, 2017 TCS NYC Marathon Champion)

©2019 Meb Keflezighi and Scott Douglas (P)2019 Random House Audio
Olympics & Paralympics Personal Success Running & Jogging Sports Sports Writing Inspiring Running Motivation

Critic Reviews

26 Marathons is a fantastic book. It tells the story of Meb Keflezighi’s career by documenting his marathons, but it’s not really about running. It’s about life! About setting goals and pursuing them, and how to continue to strive to excel in the midst of satisfaction and disappointments. Meb drives home the fact that winning in life isn’t defined by coming in first place. This book is not just for runners. It will help you no matter what your passion in life might be.” (Tony Dungy, Super Bowl Winning Coach, NFL Hall of Famer, and New York Times best-selling author)

"Keflezighi is a four-time Olympian who has won the Boston and New York marathons - so it’s fitting that his 2017 New York Marathon was not just his last, but his 26th. That’s one marathon race per marathon mile for an athlete whose wisdom and lessons aren’t just for runners.” (The Washington Post )

"26 Marathons is a fantastic book. It tells the story of Meb Keflezighi’s career by documenting his marathons, but it’s not really about running. It’s about life! About setting goals and pursuing them, and how to continue to strive to excel in the midst of satisfaction and disappointments. Meb drives home the fact that winning in life isn’t defined by coming in first place. This book is not just for runners. It will help you no matter what your passion in life might be.” (Tony Dungy, Super Bowl-winning coach, NFL Hall of Famer, and New York Times best-selling author)

What listeners say about 26 Marathons

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a beautiful memoir

a solid inspirational book, beautiful depiction of a world class athletes mindset. This is a book to pick you up and let you run.

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Inspiring Story

I found Meb’s story inspiring, and found many good insights for my running and life.

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Every runner's must-read

Absolutely amazing stories. Each marathon's story gave so many emotions, learnings and even give a feeling that rtn those marathons. Real, legit and inspiring book!

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MEB is a legend

If you like endurance topics, true storys of challenging times and hearing about success against the odds in sport and life this is the book for you. It is a highly motivationg classic from one of the worlds top ever Marathoners. He describes his win in Boston superbly after the bombings there. What a legend he really is! Go MEB !!

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Great motivator and captivating

Loved the stories and insights into Meb's marathon running. Never heard of him before this book but now is my favourite marathon runner (I only really knew one other distance runner before, just because I have never really followed much of the sport before). It has helped with my training for my first marathon.

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Perfect read to prepare for your marathon

I love this book! So much so that I had to read (listen) it all again right after I finished the story.
What was surprising is that there were a lot in common between Meb, who is an elite runner, and myself, who is just a slow recreational runner. Over his 26 marathons. Meb tries to share with us what he learned from each marathon chapter of his, and those learnings are definitely something we can incorporate into our own marathon training. The strongest message I received was the importance of the mental tenacity. Narration is also superb, vibrant and energetic. I could almost feel it each time when Meb "pushed so hard" to achieve his goal.
Overall, great read if you want to get pumped to prepare your own next marathon event.

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