THE ENERGY INNOVATOR | JENNIFER MAXWELL

It's always good to pay hommage to those that created categories that started with a product that we continue to enjoy to this day. We enjoy energy bars and there are so many to choose from; however, back in 1985, this category started with the PowerBar. In the 90's, we threw these bars into our bag. Jennifer Maxwell and her husband, created this brand and after selling the brand in 2000, she came back to this category that she created to add JAMBAR into the conversation! We took some time to talk with this innovator about how she came to the industry, creating PowerBar, introducing JAMBAR and the ethos of this company.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have been a fan of your work in the industry for a number of years! Tell me about your background as I know that you’re a mom, an athlete, a musician and a food science nutrition expert.

JENNIFER MAXWELL: That’s right! So I started as a young girl being very athletic in high school and in college. I’ve always been interested in nutrition and how that plays into overall wellness and performance as an athlete. I was at UC Berkely as an athlete on the track cross country team that my future husband, Brian at that time. We started a project together to create the PowerBar. So this was all the way back to 1985 and this was before energy bars were even a thing. We worked in our duplex apartment to come up with the formulation and launch PowerBar. We started the company in 1985 and we launched it 1987 and created a whole industry. It was really the love of athletics and performance that we were able to do that. We grew the company to be really large and then we sold it to Nestlé in 2000 and that was my initial interest in this industry.

AM: I remember in the 90s then I was in middle school and in high school, I would throw a PowerBar into my bag and it was great to keep my energy going. The fact that this was the first and it opened the door to the energy bar as a category, how does it feel to know that you started this and to see how it has grown?

JM: It’s very satisfying. It gave me the interest to go from what was PowerBar to JAMBAR. Now there are so many energy bars on the market. So I thought, what can I do now that so many years have gone by and I wanted to re-enter the category because I’m very passionate about organic nutrition. JAMBAR is an organic energy bar. I was really interested to see what was out there and what else that I could create.

AM: You launched JAMBAR in 2021. I have to tell you that I am obsessed with Chocolate Cha Cha. I love that flavor. We got the variety box but that one is my favorite. Can you tell us more about JAMBAR and the flavors and the ingredients that you have in them?

JM: Ok. So there’s 4, Cha Cha like you mentioned, Musical Mango, Jammin’ Jazzleberry and Malt Nut Melody. The thing about JAMBAR which is really interesting is the quality of the ingredients. We didn’t sacrifice and make any short cuts in the creation of it. I spent over 4 years looking at what is available in the marketplace for proteins, gluten-free grain, etc and what were the best quality ingredients using real sweeteners which was really important to me – sugars that are inherent in nature. I wanted to provide options for people. So within those flavors, 2 are plant-based proteins (Musical Mango and Jammin’ Jazzleberry) and 2 are whey based (Chocolate Cha Cha and Malt Nut Melody). We have options for people that want to eat plant-based protein which is 10g per bar. So it’s a pretty comprehensive product and it has 4g of fiber and that’s what I wanted to do. The taste is great! When I looked at a portfolio of products, I wanted to have not just a product that was kind of the same. At JAMBAR, the chocolate is a very deep and rich chocolate which is very different from the Malt Nut Melody which has peanut butter and vanilla. The Jazzleberry has a lot of freeze dried berries – raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. The Mango has big pieces of mango in it. So it's a lot of fruit and a lot of quality of ingredients in each one.

AM: I love it and I love the texture too. It’s a very flavorful and satisfying bar to have. It’s really exciting. I love that there is this sentiment of this energy artisan bar. I love that phrase, what do you mean by that?

JM: So artisan means that we take time to produce in order to create these bars. It’s not something where we have mass mass production. We do make a lot of bars, but we have a production facility here and we make our own product. We don’t have a copacker because they make tons of products for other people. We make our own product and we take the time to craft the quality.

AM: Each bar has a musical name which I love. Why is music part of the ethos of the brand?

JM: Well, music is really important to me as a musician. I play in 2 bands now. Music came into my life a couple of years after my husband, Brian passed away in 2004. Music was a savior to me and I have always been interested in music. Something called to me to be a musician in 2007. I’m a drummer, mostly jazz – music is a huge part of my recovery. After the passing of my husband and raising my 6 children, I needed something that I could feel good about, keep working on myself, meet people and to be happy. Music provides all of those things.

When I got the formulation of JAMBAR now and decided to launch this company, I wanted to have more than just a great product. I wanted to have a company that had more of a purpose. Since music was important to me, I thought well, I want to support organizations that support music. That’s what JAMBAR does. We donate 50% of our proceeds to organizations that promote music and active living. Active living would be running races. Music is music performances, schools, kids music programs, live music programs, etc. That’s a huge part of the company. You get your jam on and that’s a music connection! It's a big purpose and JAMBAR exists as an all organic fantastic tasting and healthy energy option for consumers, but to also have that greater purpose and to contribute to the community for music and active living.

AM: I really like that. I love music, here at Athleisure Mag, we cover a lot of artists, my great uncle was a jazz tenor saxophonist, Joe Henderson.

JM: Oh really! Oh my ok!! I know Joe Henderson. In fact, I have played many of his tunes oh wow!

AM: Yeah so music is something that I grew up with and I have styled a number of music artists and just as someone who enjoys listening to it, it fuels the soul and even when I have traveled to other countries where we don’t speak the same language, the notes, the music, the rhythm and the melody really connects people as a language on another level. I think that it’s so amazing that that’s what you do with the brand as well! It’s great messaging on top of the fact that I literally love this product.

JM: Thank you!

AM: Of course! Are you going to have additional flavors or limited edition flavors that you’ll do with this brand?

JM: Yes. That is something that interests me because we’re small enough, nimble and make our own product that we would be able to do that for a limited edition or seasonal offering. I am working on another flavor and when we launch it, that’s definitely going to be something super fun.

AM: We will have to keep an eye out for that one!

JM: Oh yeah and with our consumers, we ask, what flavors do you guys recommend?

AM: You’ll be at the Natural Products Expo West in March. What are you looking forward to at this tradeshow which focuses on natural and organic products?

JM: Yeah, it’s JAMBAR’s debut! It will be our first big tradeshow. We have done other ones, but this is a big debut. To be able to connect with everyone from retailers, distributors, brokers and interested people that want to learn more about JAMBAR, our mission and our product. We’re really excited about it.

AM: I know that the brand is available in the Bay Area, Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. What’s the distribution strategy and will you be available here in NY and where can we get them online?

JM: We sell on Amazon.

AM: Nice.

JM: As well as our own website so that’s pretty easy. Since we’re based in California, most of our distribution is on the West Coast like you mentioned. We’re in larger retailers in the Bay Area because we’re here. We’re opening up our distribution in Southern California and in the PNW. We also have some distribution in North Carolina. We have a little bit coming east.

AM: Are there any partnerships or collaborations that you will do this year that we should keep an eye out for?

JM: Well we do between 20-25 events a month. We just did the San Francisco Half Marathon which was about 1,000 runners. It was fantastic. It rained a little bit but the runners had their JAMBAR after the event. We have the Silicon Wellness Summit, San Diego Half Marathon, the La Jolla Half which will be in May. We also have some Ultra running events, the Jane Fonda Women’s Icon Event that’s really fun. We have the Asheville Marathon in mid-March as well as the Oakland Marathon. So we have events like that that have let’s say 5-10,000 people. Then we also have very small events like a girl's softball opening day event that has 250 people. So we go from 250 people to 5-10,000 people.

IG @eatjambar

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Jennifer Maxwell

Read the FEB ISSUE #86 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ENERGY INNOVATOR | Jennifer Maxwell in mag.

PACE YOURSELF WITH MEB KEFLEZIGHI

When it comes to long distance running, Meb Keflezighi is a global ambassador for the sport. His energy and enthusiasm he has is undeniable if you've had the chance to see him run, attend an industry running event or even a media day with him. He believes in putting in the work and preparing your mind, body and soul when you're hitting the course. He is well-known for winning an Olympic Silver medal for Team USA Track and Field for Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the NYC Marathon, a number of NCAA Championships and National Championships. We talk with this Olympian who has attended the Summer Games 4 times and has the MEB Foundation where he gives back to those who are interested in the sport. He also talks about how he has used his platform in a positive way to inspire others!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with running and what is it about long distance running that attracts you to it?

MEB KEFLEZIGHI: I was first introduced to running when I came to the US in 7th grade when I was in my PE class with Coach Dick Lord. He told me that if I ran hard, I would get an A or a B in the class, and if I was just messing around, I would get a D or a F. My parents always wanted me to get an A in the class no matter what I was taking – Math, Science, Art History or Physical Education Class. I didn’t want to disappoint them so I decided to run hard. It was the mile run. I ended up doing a 5:20 mile to my surprise and the coach’s surprise. He told me that I was going to go to the Olympics and bear in mind, that I didn’t speak English. He told me that I was going to get an A and then I started running. I asked my dad what the Olympics meant and I fell in love with it because it gave me confidence and it gave me friendship with people as well as camaraderie with others. Obviously, distance running is great for me because I get to see beautiful scenery and I am able to travel to different areas as opposed to just being around the track.

AM: For those readers that may not be aware of what long distance running means means, what are the foot races that you would find in this category?

MK: Well there’s the mile which is a long one, there’s a 3K which is about 2 miles which is what I did in high school. It’s debatable on the 800m which is a half mile in terms of whether it is mid-distance or long distance. Anywhere from the mile to the 3K to the 5K which is about 3.1 miles, the 10K which is 6.2 miles, a 15K is 9.3 miles, there is a half marathon which is 13.1 miles and of course 26.2 miles which is a full marathon and is very far. There are some other people that also do ultra marathons (editor’s note: this is any race that is longer than a marathon and these races tend to be 30 mile trail races to a 200 mile relay) which I have never done. I ran from 800m to a marathon in high school, college and professional.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to run professionally?

MK: It’s funny that you asked because for me, going to school at UCLA on a full athletic scholarship, I was there from ‘94 –‘ 99. It was in ’97 that I had a big breakthrough you can call it. I was doing cross country, indoor 5K, and 5K as well as 10K outdoors and I contemplated whether to go pro or not, but I understood the value of education and that my degree would mean a lot more in the long run and I didn’t want to get injured and get set back. So that was the first time that it crossed my mind. But according to others like my 7th grade PE teacher, my high school coach, my classmates and others – their standards were high. They wrote in my yearbook that they would see me in the Olympics and that I was going to make it. But I had no idea how far running was going to take me until 1997 when I won 4 NCAA titles in that year (editor’s note: Meb became the first individual NCAA men’s cross country champion in school history winning in a course record 28 minutes 54 seconds, he won the NCAA indoor track 5,000 meter title and he won for outdoor in the 5,000 meter as well as the 10,000 meter championships).

AM: You are the only athlete in history to win the NY Marathon, the Boston Marathon, 4 X Olympian who won the Silver medal along with all of your NCAA Championships and National Championships. How do you prep for your races physically, mentally and spiritually?

MK: My parents always told me that the key to success is preparation. Do your homework and if you do it, you will do a fine job and that’s whether it’s for school, running or even a professional job. My family was like, tie your shoes, go for a run and of course you have to be systematic to see what you need to be able to excel when you run. For me physically, it was about 100 – 135 miles a week and I do that 4 times a week. People will ask me, do you run every day and I’m like, well you do the math ha! I run multiple times a day. In the afternoon, I do my long run for one intense workout. I don’t try to double up on that. Sometimes I run 10-12 miles in the morning, on the hard days, I will run anywhere from 12-16 miles and then in the afternoon, I will go for a fast mile and an early leisure easy one just to have time on your feet. The other ones are pretty rigorous.

Mentally, I guess you have to believe in yourself and the progress and strengths that you make. You can see the progress weekly, monthly and yearly. This is important for you to be able to see those.

Spiritually, I feel like I have my God given talent and I understand what my purpose is for me. I want to capitalize on my abilities to the fullest and most maximal potential.

AM: I know in terms of your training, you have been quoted in saying that you have a 9 day training cycle as opposed to a training week. Can you tell me more about this and what do you do during that period of time?

MK: We all know that there are 7 days in a week, the 9 day cycle allows me to have that recovery days in between. As you are in high school in college and early professionals, you can get away with a 7 day cycle. You can recover faster. As I got older, I wasn’t recovering and I wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t be injured. So what I did was, you have Monday – Sunday and I cycle on through Monday and Tuesday. For example, if I do a long run on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday it will be easy for me, but maybe not for everybody else. I can run in the morning and train again in the afternoon. Again on Wednesday, it would be the same thing, 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. But then Thursday will be intervals because race days are faster. So Friday and Saturday would be the same thing that I did on Tuesday and Wednesday. It would be 10 miles or 12 miles in the morning and then the same in the afternoon. On Sunday, I would do my tempo run which is race days that can go anywhere from 6 miles to 16 – 18 miles on race day. You’ve got to warm up before hand and cool down. So it will be anywhere from 20-25 miles on that day. So instead of going back to a hard day on Monday for that workout, you need Monday and Tuesday to recover. So Wednesday would be that next hard session. By doing this, you get to know your body really well. You can start alternating whether you’re doing long runs, intervals or tempo. I can switch it up if the speed isn’t there and put two intervals together – like putting Sunday and Tuesday intervals together and Monday becomes the long run.

AM: From a nutrition standpoint, what do you eat to support your efforts when you’re looking at the next race?

MK: Nutrition is a very important part of training. You have to have a balance. The days that I do a hard workout, I have to have carb load like rice and pasta or potatoes. The days that I have an intense workout like a long run, tempo or intervals. I go with a lot more protein especially as I have gotten older as you try to eat protein to stay as lean as possible. Obviously, right after the workout, I have a drink with a product called UCAN, a UCAN shake. It’s the water and powder and you can have a banana, stretch out, do the ice baths, get a massage maybe and then 2 hours later, have a real meal where there’s eggs whether it’s an omelet or scrambled – whatever works for you. Then you have that afternoon run and then after if it’s a hard run, you have chicken or maybe fish or steak if I’m getting ready for a hard work out as you also want those carbohydrates.

AM: We had the pleasure of being able to meet you in 2016 right before the Summer Games in Rio. We were at Chelsea Piers for the KT Tape Media Day which we were able to meet you and the other athletes as well that are ambassadors of the brand. Why is your partnership with KT Tape so important and how is it synergistic with what you do?

MK: It’s been a great partnership with KT Tape because they understand the demands of what an athlete – not only professional athlete but every day runners or those in sports and what it does to their body. KT Tape understands that they need to be there for the aches and pains and to try to make it as easy as possible for those that are dedicated to their activity. Obviously, their motto is “to finish strong,” in not only races but also in training. I feel very proud to work with them.

AM: We’ve been a fan of their products and have a number of them that we have on hand when we’re on our photoshoots, hitting the tradeshows, being at NYFW, musical festivals etc. The fact that they have a number of recovery options from gels, the Wave+ items that are focused on blisters etc. definitely assists our team in what we do! What are your go to products that you enjoy using?

MK: I usually when I’m training have the KT Tape generic for the tendons and muscles to stabilize them. But I also have the KT Tape Flex for my knees and the KT Tape IT Band. Obviously, the KT Tape Chafe Safe is important as runners, we chafe and that’s important. I have also used the recovery patch as sometimes we have our calves or your glutes and lower back so that you can bring attention to that muscle and it can help you recover and to get you through the workout!

AM: I’m sure that just like us, you enjoyed seeing athletes being able to do what they do best on such a global stage especially due to the postponement of the Summer Games due to COVID, what did participating in the Olympics mean to you as you have done it a number of times?

MK: Well the Olympics are special and the pinnacle of any sport – it’s a big dream whether you’re a runner or any sport! When you make it there, you’re fortunate to be able to be there and it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to wear that USA jersey on your chest and to represent that red, white and blue. That Jersey – it only becomes real when you put that on. You have dreams and ambitions, but when you’re on that flight to the Olympics or you’re at the Opening Ceremonies and participating with that Jersey on, it’s magnificent! You’re the chosen one and for Track and Field, there are only 3 people in the whole US and you have to earn your spot in order to make it.

Especially for me, I mean, my first experience was the Summer Games in Sydney to go to the Olympics prior to 9/11. It wasn’t my best performance obviously, because I had to stay in the village and I got the flu that was going around. But I was so delighted to be able to represent the US, go to the Opening Ceremony which was on Thursday and I did the 10K and it was done by Mon. But I had a whole 2 weeks to enjoy other sports as long as you have your USA badge and credential. I was able to go on the ferry, the train and the buses and you just flashed your card and could do what you wanted to do and it was great.

I was very fortunate to win an Olympic medal in Athens at the Summer Games in 2004. I was so proud to be able to bring home a medal – I was able to deliver that.

Obviously, for the Summer Games in 2012 in London, it was a challenging situation, I came in 4th but to be in the moment and to keep pushing hard - that's also important to not give up and not to drop out! You have to keep going no matter what! Thinking back, I was 21st half way and I ended up finishing 4th. And also to be able to go to Rio for the Summer Games in 2016 and to be able to understand what I did for my daughters by them seeing me make the team.

AM: Wow that’s definitely quite a history that you have had at the games! Do you have a favorite race or course that you like to run?

MK: Well, I’ve been fortunate enough to do 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and full marathons. In terms of my favorite marathon race, it’s the NYC Marathon and obviously I have raced 9 or 11 times there and the crowd really got into it! My most meaningful history is the Boston Marathon that I won in 2014 (editors note: Meb was the first American to win this race since 1983 and this race was a year after the Boston Marathon bombing) and of course equally challenging! Sometimes some of them are hillier at the end. Some of them it’s like on the Verrazano bridge at the beginning you just know you have to take it easy and then to strategize when to make those moves when it counts.

AM: When you’re running, how do you stay motivated and present just like what you were talking about to get to the finish line? We can imagine that there are a lot of mental things going on beyond just running through the course.

MK: It’s a mind game. I always talk about preparation and in training, it’s 90% physical and 10% mental. But once the gun goes off, it switches to 90% mental and 10% physical. You’re physically healthy and ready to go, you have to make good decisions according to your training and what you can and can’t do. Don’t make sudden moves, but you also have to know where you are at certain points of the course to keep driving strong and to never give up. Are you willing to hurt a little bit because you know it’s going to hurt at one point or another – but you’re going to hold on to that person that’s in front of you until you get to that next mile. You know that they’re not going to be able to keep it up the whole way and they’re just trying to break you – so you can’t get broken down.

AM: When you’re prepping for a race on race day, do you have certain things that you have to do before you go to the starting line?

MK: Weeks before the race are very important. You have to do the extra stretching, you have to prep your diet because this is all very important. You can’t eat the way that you used to eat. You have to hydrate and it’s very important. It’s interesting because you might feel a little shaky and eager to go because you’ve been doing 130 miles a week and now you’re going to 40-50 miles and so the energy is there. You just want to be able to go and you have to control the emotions. You just have to know that you have the confidence and that you will do well.

AM: Thinking back in a previous life, we ran the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge for years and it’s a 3K race that takes place in Central Park. In weeks leading up to this event, our team would do small runs and try to prep to take this event on. We were not runners at all, but we always felt so good after completing the race. What is your advice to new runners that are looking to join a race or to simply get into running for fun?

MK: I mean first time runners have to put the dedication and effort into running. If they can do that on a daily basis or whenever you run, you’re going to be ok! You’ve got to pay attention to small things – a small and steady pace will get it done. Don’t panic and try to do the best that you can. Just go at your pace. You don’t know how many years the other competitor running next to you has so just be within yourself and don't try to do what they're doing what they’re doing. Make sure you have the camaraderie and to understand why you came especially if it’s a 5K or anything longer. Pace yourself.

AM: You’re appearing at the Philadelphia Marathon later this year. Why are you coming back to this race and what are you excited about to see all of these great runners there?

MK: It’s great to go back to the Philadelphia Marathon! I think the city is great and obviously, one of my favorite movies is Rocky with the Philly steps and Rocky which I think is pretty cool ha! They’re not a big time marathon, but they are doing a great job with what that week they will have an 8K, a half marathon and then a full marathon.

AM: In many ways, you’re seen as an ambassador or a role model for long distance running and you’re so encouraging to other athletes whether it’s those who race or elsewhere whether they’re professional or enthusiasts. Why is it so important for you to be so positive in supporting athletes?

MK: For me, I came here as an immigrant and I struggled with the language. My dad would sit with myself and my siblings at 4:30am in the morning and we would learn English through the dictionary, one word at a time. I understand that runners work hard and for me to be an ambassador, I know how hard it is. For people to wake up at 5am in the morning to do their run because they have full time jobs and other commitments, I do understand what others are going through as I did when I was a younger kid. To be part of this sport and if we encourage each other, we will support all of us!

AM: You’re also known as a motivational speaker and a NY Best Selling Author, when did you realize that you wanted to add this into your platform as well?

MK: My life has been an interesting one and God gave me the opportunity to discover running in the 7th grade as I said before. But when I was taking English as a second language in 7th, 8th and 9th grade, I saw that I could help others by writing a book and that’s when the seed was planted. Gail and Steven Van Camp, they were my mentors and they helped me when I was in high school and that’s when Run to Win became a philosophy of mine it’s not about winning 1st place but it’s about not giving up on yourself. I felt honored to be able to share my story and to inspire others so that they could be encouraged. Not only for those who are running, but something that’s broader across their lifestyle.

AM: Can you tell us about the MEB Foundation?

MK: The MEB Foundation helps in education and fitness and the sport has given me so much that I want to give back. It’s an honor to give back whether it’s me being able to give shoes to schools or through scholarships for their efforts. I think sports is great for your self-confidence, time management, dedication and commitment to be strong in everything that you do. I love being able to give back in that way!

AM: The MEB Foundation is going to be running at this year’s Boston Marathon and NY Marathon. How can someone participate in these races and are they able to still be involved in this year’s marathon or will they have to wait for next year?

MK: For the MEB Foundation, you can go to my website MarathonMeb.com to find out more details. This year, the Boston Marathon is full and for the NY Marathon, we’re still looking for runners. It’s one way to do fundraising and it’s always great to have people who represent the MEB Foundation and are able to fundraise. That has been the only way to fundraise and we have done amazing work. So head to our site and you can get in touch with me or others who work with me and you can get in touch with us for next year’s Boston Marathon, this year’s NY Marathon and future races.

AM: Are there other projects that you’re working on that you would like to share with us?

MK: I’m spending a lot of time with my daughters as much as I can as they’re into soccer. I continue to do speaking engagements on interests of mine. In 2000 when I came back from Sydney, I coached at a community college which was great to give back and I also knew I wanted to focus on my athletic ability, but I was also proud to be part of that. Down the road, I will probably give back as much as I can. Not only to the elite but regular runners as well.

AM: When you’re not training and inspiring others, what are you doing to take time for yourself?

MK: For me, being dedicated to my athletics as much as I can, but also spending time with my family and friends. Sometimes, I just go biking, riding, kayaking in the water. But I also like to read biographies in the park, so I go there. It’s a great way to get out of the house and have some solitude.

AM: You have had such an impact on so many people inside and outside of the sport. What do you want your legacy to be?

MK: Thank you for asking me that question! I just hope that people have a positive experience when they interact with me. I love that people want to meet me and have waited in lines and even though the conversations may only be 20 secs or a minute, they have waited for half an hour or an hour and I want them to feel positive when they meet or see me. I’m fortunate to be able to connect with them!

AM: We love talking with trailblazers that have inspired others and we want to know who are 3 people that have inspired you to be where you are today?

MK: First and foremost, my parents. They gave up everything that they had and their opportunities not only for me, but for all their kids. They came here, we had to learn the language and we have been positive contributors to society. I feel very blessed that they did that and that they put their life on hold to give us opportunities to step up to the plate and be better ourselves.

In the sport world, I am always inspired by Jackie Robinson breaking barriers in baseball. The Van Camps introduced me to his story and I feel blessed that I read his book and when I was in high school, obviously Jessie Owens (editor’s note: In 2014 at the end of the season USA Track & Field selected Meb’s Boston Marathon victory as the Inspirational Performance of the Year. Later at the same ceremony, he was selected as the winner of the 2014 Jesse Owens Award, the highest accolade given out by the US National governing body for track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking) was the same thing. What he did was amazing!

But also Jim Ryun (editor’s note: Olympic track and field athlete who at his peak was noted as the world’s top middle-distance runner. He won a Silver Medal in the 1500m at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City and was the first high school athlete to run a mile in under 4 minutes. He is the last American to hold the world record in the middle run) the high school phenom and making the Olympics when he was in high school as I have read up on him and watched the documentary. It was awesome.

On an international level Haile Gebrselassie (editor’s note: Haile is a retired long-distance track and road running athlete. He won 2 Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon. In addition, he won four world titles indoors and was the 2001 World Half Marathon Champion. He is known for 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 8 World Championship victories and he set 27 world records and remains the world record holder of the 10-mile run) from Ethiopia has inspired me a lot to do great things in terms of being a competitor. Size doesn’t matter, just keep working hard. Even in challenging situations in UCLA, I always thought if Haile could do it, you just need to put in the work wherever you are. It’s not where you go but what you do there in the time that you have!

IG @RunMeb

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | KT TAPE

Read the AUG ISSUE #68 of Athleisure Mag and see Pace Yourself with Meb Keflezighi in mag

47TH HONOLULU MARATHON

On Dec 8th, 26,000 runners and walkers lined up on Ala Moana Boulevard for the 47th Honolulu Marathon, sponsored by Japan Airlines. Nearly 20,000 of those were there for the full 26.2mile event, and the rest for a shorter 10km race, both finishing in Kapiolani Park. This is the 5th largest marathon in the US and provides $150M in revenue for the local economy. Yesterday’s temperatures were warm and humid and this course is known to be difficult due to several challenging hills.

This race has unique elements that include: not having a time limit, allowing participants to run or walk at their own pace. Everyone is greeted at the finish line with a finishers medal and finishers shirt.

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

Titus Ekiru (winnings included $50,000 in prize money and time bonuses) and Margaret Muriuki, both of Kenya, were crowned champions of the 47th Honolulu Marathon in Waikiki today.  Ekiru, who won the race last year, was timed in 2:07:59.02, the fastest-ever time in the state of Hawaii.  Muriuki ran 2:31:10, a personal best.

The top American was Renee Metivier of Bend, Ore., who qualified for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials by running under 2:45:00 (she was timed in 2:43:18).

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

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BEING #ADRIANNESTRONG

On April 15, 2013, terrorist attacks hit the Boston Marathon, which killed 3 people and injured an estimated 264. The stories were heartbreaking, but as is the case with adversity, it's how one survives Since 2013, the Boston Marathon continues to run every year on April 18th (which is known as Patriots Day, commemorating the anniversaries of the Battle of Lexington and Concord). Although there are many stories that emerged from this tragedy, we are rooting for Adrianne Haslet-Davis who is not only a survivor but is returning to the 120th running of this race after sustaining injuries from the tragic race day.

Athleisure Mag applauds her courage and determination that Adrianne has shown, as she continues to live her life to the fullest without limitations is such a universal story. We took a moment with Adrianne to talk about all things #AdrianneStrong from her training, how she prepares, her playlist and Limbs for Life! 

ATHLEISURE MAG: How has the training and preparation been for the upcoming Marathon?

ADRIANNE HASLET-DAVIS: Training has been both challenging and rewarding. Since I wasn't a runner before, I was going into it with an open mind and eager to learn. This allows for the small celebrations along the way, and more happy dances! Yet the challenge was using the blade itself. It took a lot of patience, and learning to lift my left knee high, getting back up after many falls, and finally able to run over cobblestones and curbs! 

AM: Everyone has a reason for running a marathon, whether it's participating, placing and/or finishing - what is your focus/reason for running this race?

AHD: My focus since putting on the blade and hitting the pavement on day one is the same as it is now, Just try it. Try to be brave enough to hit that first curb, try to increase my stride, try to kick asphalt every time. Sometimes just showing up for a run and completing it is enough. My reason for running is simple; I run for those who cannot. There are 200,000 amputees and growing int his country and so many of them do not have prosthetics. I run to raise money for Limbs for Life to give limbs to those who cannot afford them. So they, too, can dream big, walk their child to school, stand upright to kiss someone, and return to life again.

AM: At Ted X St Louis Women, you focused on Tales of a Recovering Perfectionist - how has that process shaped how you see and do things now?

AHD: Oh goodness, I still am a recovering perfectionist! I am reminded of this daily when I try something new, or even re-visit something I have done before. I remind myself that while pushing myself to do my best is important, my best, whatever that may be, is enough. I let the space between where I am and where I need to be to inspire me. 

AM: In preparation for the Boston Marathon, how do you mentally prepare to be there?

AHD: I have pictured the day every time I run. What will it be like to wake up that morning, take the ride into Hopkington, hit that start line, and go. I have tried countless times while running, for every reason possible. I mentally prepare by knowing that it is the journey, not the destination. That every step is another accomplishment. 

AM: What has running taught you beyond the health benefits that it provides?

AHD: Running has taught me to let go of daily habits that keep us indoors or behind a screen. I thought at first, “I don’t have time to train!” Yet I looked at my habits and thought, I can spend less time on my
phone, computer, and I can even run while I am traveling. No excuses. 

AM: After a run, what do you enjoy doing?

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AHD: After my run, I sit and meditate. Before turning on gadgets and checking emails, social media, I just sit in silence. I think about the run, what I accomplished, those that cannot run, and how it is all for them.

AM: How do you achieve balance as you have your hands in a lot of projects and being able to take time for yourself is important?

AHD: Time to myself is key. I find the days that are most stressful to me are when I do not take an hour or two in the middle of the day to myself. If that happens, I get very stressed and overwhelmed. I love being busy and feel very fortunate to have the opportunities that I do to get my hands in so many projects. Yet sleep and a moment in the day to myself are number one priorities for me. If I have those, I can conquer anything! 

AM: What is on your playlist right now (top 3 songs) and will you be listening to a playlist for the Boston Marathon, if so what is on that list?

AHD: I have had the opportunity to speak with some radio stations that will be along the route. They have asked the same thing and will play a few of my favorites while I pass! My top songs are Matangi by M.I.A., Brave by Sara Bareilles, and Fight Song by Rachel Platten. I’m also a fan of my go to Shipping up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys! 

AM: Tell us about #AdrianneStrong as well as Limbs for Life.

AHD: #AdrianneStrong is my team name, filled with friends who will be running this year with me raising money for Limbs for Life. I have worked with them for years. It is an organization that provides limbs for those that cannot afford them. They give back hope, life, and dreams to so many. Imagine not being able to stand upright to kiss your love or walk your child to school. They give that back. Amputees are not broken. We are simply missing pieces, and Limbs for Life gives that back. 

AM: What's next after the Boston Marathon and what projects will you tackle that we can keep an eye out for?

AHD: After the Marathon, I will continue my work with Limbs for Life, until every amputee has a limb. I will also dance at an event for the Felix Organization, called Dance this Way and I will again enter competitive dancing as well. 

Follow Adrianne @AdrianneHaslet on race day!

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