800m Runner, Khadevis Robinson, Great On and Off the Track

The 800 meters is a tough event. It's a pulse-pounding, lung-busting distance, and the level of national and worldwide competition is very high. One of the standouts in the 800m for the past decade is Khadevis Robinson - the subject of a great article in toady's New York Times (story). Coached by legendary 800m runner, Johnny Gray, Robinson is 31 and still making finals and winning meets. His PR of 1:43.68 is 1.08 seconds off of Gray's American record, which he's shooting for, if a bit reluctantly. Perhaps more impressive than his times and his Olympic Team credentials are his feats off the track. Rudderless after a disappointing Olympic Trials in 2000, he decided to get a graduate degree in public administration and then started a youth track club in Santa Monica (Youth Track and Running Club). Clearly, life beyond the track hasn't slowed him on the track; he's realistically gunning this weekend for a spot on the indoor U.S. Worlds team.

Running Runner Huckabee to Run Boston Marathon

It didn't quite have the splash of Lance's announcement that he was running the Boston Marathon this year (post), but it's pretty big news that presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, will toe the line in Hopkinton as well. It will be his fifth marathon (PR 4:26:05), which he'll be running as part of the charity, Team Hoyt (site). Regardless of your politcal leanings, your have to appreciate such an ambitious goal given the time crunch of campaigning. That he's been spending so much energy fending of the smears of fiscal conservatives since Iowa makes it even more impressive. Check out the Boston.com article on Huck in Hopkinton (story).

Poetry from Motion: Magnetic Marathon Poetry

Holidays sapped your energy? Icy roads sapped your motivation? Well, sit back, relax, and get your endurance fix with a set of marathon-inspired magnetic poetry (link). Filled with 220 great words like “chafe,” “pee,” “beer,” and “Boston,” you’ll be workin’ it like ee cummings before you know it. Who knows, you may even find some inspiration to hit the road yourself. What better way to spend that $15 holiday check from Aunt Pearl? Best of all, proceeds go to a good cause - the American Liver Foundation.