Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 04:31
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2008 was a complex year for Khadevis Robinson. After running to a third place finish in the 800m dash at the Prefontaine Classic in early June, where he ran 1:44.55, he seemed poised to make his second Olympic team. However, in one of the most thrilling finishes the track and field world has ever seen, Robinson finished fourth in the 800m final, missing a return trip to the Olympic Games by a mere .06.
Despite such a near miss, Robinson continues to keep an upbeat attitude about his 2008 season. Not only did he run some good performances, but he became a father for the first time and enjoys coaching with The Youth Track and Running Club in southern California. Catching up with Robinson, he discusses his '08 season, his thoughts on 2009 and what keeps him busy when he isn't training and racing.
An Interview with Khadevis Robinson
Robinson finished fourth in the 800m at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials (Kirby Lee)
Trackshark (TS): What have you been up to since you concluded your '08 track season?
Khadevis Robinson (KR): I took a good amount of time off as my body was down. I have just been adapting to being a father. Besides from that, I have been coaching some athletes, still working with my non-profit organization- The Youth Track and Running Club in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, and I have started back preparations for the upcoming season.
TS: What are you going to do differently in 2009 to take another step in your performance?
KR: The only thing I can do differently would be to rest a little more. Last year I was in great shape but I got too excited and over did it. I pushed a little too hard after Prefontaine because I knew I was in 1:43 or 1:42 shape after that race. That proved to be a bit more than I needed at that part of the season. This year I will rest and recover more and I will take a more strategic planning process as opposed to trying to push it all the time.
TS: We've heard that you will be racing in Australia this winter. What led to the decision of doing a few Australian races? What's the draw?
KR: I am not sure if I will be running in Australia. I thought it would be a good break from what I usually do during indoors. I usually try not to travel overseas before June unless there is a championship race. Since, I will not be focusing on indoors or any early season races until Nationals, I thought running there would be great. I have some friends that live and race there, and it would be good to race those guys at their home. They usually come here to race us, so this gives them a chance to get me on their turf. Yet, it appears that I may not be going. We will see. I look forward to it.
TS: Are you still based in southern California? Who's in your training group?
KR: I am still based in Santa Monica. My training group consists of Myself, Duane Soloman, Ali Mann, Bobby, Drew, and Sonny. This is a very diverse group. In the past I have always pretty much trained by myself. This is very difficult especially considering the volume and intensity of my training program. This year I have a group of really good training partners and we all Help each other out. The training has been going great and we all ran farely well in our 5k. I know that this group working together will allow each and everyone of us to obtain new Personal Bests!
TS: Your finish at the Olympic Trials was heartbreaking. I think everyone in Eugene was wishing the U.S. could take four 800m runners to the Olympics. What did you learn from that race? How have you been able to bounce back?
KR: Yes, it was a great race. The guys that made the team ran well. I only wished I could of ran better. I really felt that everything that could of gone wrong for me, went wrong. I learned that I can still be competitive even when things are going badly. It was actually amazing that I made it out of the first round considering everything that was going on. Yet, that is why this is a great sport and the 800 is a great event, you never know what is going to happen. I was in the best shape of my life, but, as the saying goes.. (And the title of my book) The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways. You have to take the losses with the Wins. I have learned a lot, some of wich will help me, not only for track but for life, and a lot of which will help the other athletes I am coaching and will coach. Have I bounced back? Bounced back from what? I was never down. This is how I look at it. As 2008 comes to an end, if getting 4th at the Olympic Trials is the worst thing that happens to me for that year, then I am truly blessed. As the greatest thing, the birth of my son, also happened during that year!
TS: You mentioned that you are coaching. Can you talk about that a little bit?
KR: Yes, I have been working with youths for a while. When I was younger, my football coaches played a very important role in my life. I only hope I can have similar influences on others. I still work with YTRC, youth track and running club in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, I also work with the Ready, Set, Gold program in L.A. which partner Olympians with schools throughout Los Angeles. The Olympians visit the schools throughout the year to promote exercise, fitness, nutrition, and other positive attributes that go along with the Olympic spirit. I tell you, I do not make much money running track, but having the opportunity to work with these kids is worth more than I can tell you. I TRULY LOVE IT!
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5k?
08:45, Monday, December 29, 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
What 5k is he talking about? Did he run a time trial or a race? What was his time. I'm interested to see what an 800 meter runner of his caliber runs a 5k in.
Also, what book is he talking about? If he wrote an autobiography, when does it come out, if it hasn't already?
5k
06:57, Tuesday, December 30, 2008
.. Posted by AG
He ran like 15:26 in a 5k road race a few weeks ago. Solomon ran like 15:30
KD's positive outlook
11:40, Friday, January 2, 2009
.. Posted by Cornell
This young man has grown in so many ways since he began working with the SMTC. Early on he was very uptight and almost rude but as the years went by he opened up and realized what life has to offer and how blessed he truly is. I hope that he finally gets on the podium at an international championship. good luck, KD
Winner
05:56, Thursday, January 15, 2009
.. Posted by Anonymous
Classy! What more can you say about KD, and how he represents himself.
Athlete, Mentor, Coach
11:34, Saturday, January 24, 2009
.. Posted by Anonymous
When you think of these three words and who best describe them. The name that comes to me is Khadevis Robinson. Over the past four years he has been one of the best 800meter runners in the U.S. His times have been faster and faster each year and he maintains them. As a Mentor for all his kids in his Youth Club in Santa Monica CA and the people he trains with they look up to him. As a coach myself and watching him practice at times and the people he trains, it impresses me to see him push his athletes to a whole new type of level and believe in them selfs. Khadevis Robinson will always be a great Athlete, Mentor, Coach in my eyes
Robinson finished fourth in the 800m at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials (Kirby Lee) 