Lessons from Eliud Kipchoge's Boston Marathon Journey
Key Takeaways from Kipchoge's Boston Marathon
✓ Set audacious goals across multiple timeframes
✓ Build exceptional fitness through years of high mileage
✓ Balance training stress with adequate rest and recovery
✓ Standardize consistent pre-race routines
✓ Remain flexible on pace targets given conditions
✓ Conserve early, attack decisively later per race plans
✓ Reframe pain as temporary rather than fear it
✓ Use positive self-talk and interim goals
✓ Focus on process over outcome
✓ Trust your preparation with unshakable confidence
✓ Expect and accept discomfort by celebrating small wins
Eliud Kipchoge has etched his name in the Marathon history books. The legendary Kenyan runner finished sixth in the Boston Marathon since 1957, breaking the tape in 2:09:23.
What can amateur runners learn from Kipchoge’s extraordinary preparation efforts, steadfast consistency, race execution, and mental tenacity that enabled his historic result?
Background on Eliud Kipchoge's Running Greatness
Kipchoge is considered one of the greatest marathoners of the modern era. Some key aspects of his background:
• Country: Kenya
• Accomplishments:
• 2021 Tokyo Olympics Marathon Gold Medalist
• 2016 Rio Olympics Marathon Gold Medalist
• Record holder for official marathon world record (2:01:39, Berlin 2018)
• Won 15 of his 17 career marathons
Despite his long list of prior achievements, Kipchoge continues to innovate his training and set audacious new goals. He subscribes to the philosophy of treating each run as a journey of learning about himself. This mentality allows him to continue evolving as an athlete in his late 30s.
Kipchoge's Mindset on Running
In Kipchoge’s view, maintaining beginner’s mind is crucial – even for elite runners. He focuses on enjoying the process and simplicity of putting one foot in front of the other. His self-belief stems from accumulated training wisdom over 20+ years.
This allows him to remain mentally flexible to adapt to unexpected race situations. He runs without rigidity just as he lives with simplicity. At 5′ 6″ and 125 lbs., Kipchoge has an ideal streamlined marathoner’s physique. But his mental approach is the true differentiator that sets him apart as an all-time great
Kipchoge’s Boston Marathon Goals and Training
Coming into Boston, Kipchoge laid out three tiers of marathon goals:
• Win the race
• Run it in under 2:07 time
• Break the course record (2:03:02)
To achieve these targets, he trained with incredible consistency over five months:
• Weekly mileage: 110–140 miles
• Daily training pace: Sub 5-minute miles
• Key sessions:
• Marathon pace long runs
• Lactate threshold repeats
• VO2 max intervals
• Additional cross-training for strength and flexibility
This high mileage allowed Kipchoge to build exceptional cardiovascular endurance. But he balanced it properly with ample recovery to avoid overtraining injuries.
He also got creative with certification simulations. Eliud replicated Boston’s layout for his intense 30+ mile training runs in Kenya. This allowed him to practice its unique downhill stretches and memorize when flat terrain shifts would arrive over various miles. His extraordinary performances are built through extraordinary preparation efforts year after year.
Lessons for Runners on Planning Like Kipchoge
Set Audacious Goals
Be bold and set challenging stretch goals for yourself across multiple timeframes:
• Long-term Goals: One year or more e.g., new marathon PR
• Macro-cycle Goals: Mesocycle or training bloc targets e.g., mileage PB
• Micro-cycle Goals: Weekly or session aims e.g., splits/pace goals
Kipchoge sets his long-term marathon goals by studying the current world record and assessing how much he believes he can incrementally lower the mark over a multi-year journey based on his accumulated experience.
He lets each energizing breakthrough pave the way for the next audacious marathon milestone. But he pursues these marks with humility, flexibility, and beginner’s mind.
Consistency Over Years
Improvements happen through years of consistency. Keep your eyes on long-term progression vs immediate results. Avoid judging yourself solely on one bad workout or race performance.
Consistency over decades results in excellence as evidenced by Kipchoge’s longevity at the top. He also modifies training based on feel and cumulative fatigue to prevent unhealthy overreaching. This allows more injury-free years to chase goals.
Balance Training Stress and Recovery
Train hard enough to continually make gains, but easy enough to prevent unhealthy overreaching. Monitor these signals to enhance adaptation:
External Training Load Factors
• Mileage totals
• Interval pace and duration
• Workout frequency
Internal Load Markers
• Sleep quality
• Soreness levels
• Motivation
Learn your unique limits instead of overextending yourself to match someone else. Optimize the stimuli you can effectively recover from.
Tailor Nutrition to Workload
Fuel properly for sessions and match carbohydrate/protein intake to training load. Stay hydrated daily and eat sufficient vitamins to support immunity.
Kipchoge's Pre-Race Routine and Race Execution
In addition to fitness, Kipchoge’s race week habits also played a key role:
Pre-Race Routine
• Morning: Wake up 4am for breakfast. Porridge, milk, honey. Light shakeout runs
• Night Before: Early dinner at 6:30pm. In bed by 9pm.
• Morning Of: Arrives ~80 minutes before race start time
Kipchoge swears by the consistency of his pre-race habits. He follows the same eating schedules and avoids overthinking. In Boston, he connected with the local culture by dining on American staples like pasta. But he kept his race week routines otherwise unchanged – just as he’s done for gold medal and world record performances globally.
In-Race Execution
Kipchoge lets his world-class fitness speak for the first half of the marathon. He reached halfway in 1:04:35, slightly ahead of course record schedule. At mile 16, he surged swiftly to open a gap on the pack. They could not match his 4:29 and 4:28 per mile pace at miles 19 and 20. He ultimately won by over a minute in a final time of 2:07:24.
He has mastered the art of the explosive mile 18-20 attack – often critical in major marathons. After the measured pace early, his push breaks the will of world-class challengers. They simply can’t cling with his lethal closing speed after matching his conservative 65-minute half marathon tempo.
Lessons for Runners on Pre-Race Prep & Pacing
You can apply Kipchoge’s pre-race routine and in-competition execution insights in your own marathons.
Establish Routine: Standardize routines for travel, nutrition, and sleep consistency no matter the race location. Prioritize adequate rest instead of overexerting with destination sightseeing.
Remain Flexible: Be prepared to adapt pace goals based on weather and how your body feels. Avoid being overly attached to time targets.
Conserve Then Attack: Don’t overextend early. The marathon begins at mile 20. Be patient and save strength for decisive moves later per your race plan.
Trust Your Training: You’ll race best when fully confident in your preparation fitness. Avoid comparisons and unnecessary worries about competition.
Kipchoge's Mindset and Mental Toughness
Pain and Fatigue Mindset: He reframes pain sensations during the marathon as temporary signals to be observed, not feared. This reduces perceived effort and race discomfort.
Mental Cues and Self-Talk: He focuses thoughts on positive mantras like “I am ready” and “Keep going.” This instills confidence and overrides fatigue.
Process Orientation: Kipchoge concentrates on executing each kilometer effectively vs growing anxious about finish time. This presence keeps him in flow state.
Growth Mindset: He finds motivation in viewing every race as a learning experience to become better. He feels no pressure, only opportunity. This mindset allows Kipchoge to maintain composure despite unexpected race events. He rolls with the punches and assesses with flexibility because he fully trusts his preparation.
Lessons for Runners on Developing a Winning Mindset
You can apply mental tenacity tips from Kipchoge in your own marathon journey:
• Reframe Pain: Expect discomfort during marathons and understand it will pass. Take stock without judgement.
• Set Interim Goals: Focus on reaching the next 5K or aid station. Stay present.
• Use Affirmations: Repeat positive cues like “relax” and “you’ve got this distance.” Instill belief.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Find joy during the process vs just final outcome. Reward little achievements.
• Cultivate Self-Trust: Confidence in your training helps you maintain composure amid stress.
• Practice Flexibility: Be open to adapting pace goals based on feel vs rigidity.
• Conserve Mental Energy: Avoid comparisons with others. Save concentration for execution.
Kipchoge's Explosive Speed Development
While exceptional endurance forms the foundation, Kipchoge separates himself from other marathon elites with raw foot speed. His closing charges often drop 4:30-4:20 miles on competitors after hours of racing.
He builds this weapon through track repetitions. Kipchoge supplements marathon training with intense 2000m and 3000m interval sessions on the track focusing on efficiency and turnover.
These workouts ingrain blazing leg speed to enable sub 4:40 miles after 20+ miles. Most elites fade to 5-minute paces. But Kipchoge repeatedly rips off 4:20’s late in marathons, demoralizing world-class runners unable to match.
You can emulate his speed development philosophy in your training:
• Use track sessions for raw speed
• Keep volume high early in workout
• Finish with killer one-mile repeats
• Emphasize turnover and efficiency
• Build ability to drop pace late in races
An injection of track training provides a speed reserve absent for those focusing marathon training solely on long runs. Kipchoge strikes the perfect recipe to couple endurance with late race explosiveness.
Kipchoge's Clutch In-Race Adjustments
The marathon throws unexpected events even at elites. Kipchoge remains adaptable:
2022 Berlin: His shoes and socks were soaked early in humid conditions. He instantly modified strategy to account for soggier equipment. The adjustment resulted in world record pace again.
2022 Boston: Gusty winds impacted miles 5-12. Kipchoge subtly moved offensive surge to mile 16 instead of 18 to capitalize on tailwind later. He seized the opportunity when course conditions swift.
Every marathon test fitness and flexibility. Be ready to tweak race plans based on weather changes. Mastering mid-competition adjustments separates the best.
You can also prepare by training in adverse weather weeks out. Acclimate to potential race day variability like extreme heat or sudden wind shifts:
• Windy long runs
• Intense sun sessions
• Rain tempo repeats
A Final Recap:
At 39 years old, Kipchoge continues to innovate his training while setting new generational standards over 26.2 miles. He exemplifies how cultivating self-belief, resilience, and love for the journey enables runners to reach heights once thought impossible.
Kipchoge’s passion for the process fuels his continuous evolution. He balances supreme self-belief with humility that the marathon always has more to teach him. Every race presents opportunity for new lessons about himself.
What wisdom will you take from his Boston achievements to bring more joy and new accomplishments to your own marathon quests? How can you apply Kipchoge’s lessons on goal setting, meticulous preparation, and mental tenacity to achieve your next personal best?