part-time elite runners

Welcome, Guest

Blog Forums Calculator

Some links below may be affiliate links. BMOW may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.

As an Amazon Associate BMOW earns from qualifying purchases.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

part-time elite runners Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:35 am

Almost all of the runners who compete at the elite international level are full-time athletes. I thought all of them were full-time until recently when I heard about Rod DeHaven, a 2:13 marathoner who also works 30 hours per week at the office as a computer programmer. I think one of the three women on this year's US Olympic marathon team works full-time as a lawyer or public defender or something... I can't remember her name, but she was profiled in Runner's World. Anybody know of any other runners who juggle real-world careers with top-class competitive performances?

OldManRunner
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Rochester, NY
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 262

Re: part-time elite runners Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:11 pm

I wonder which would be harder, balancing a full-time job with elite training, or balancing family life with a non-running spouse with elite training. My guess would have to be the latter. It's almost hard to imagine how difficult it would be for a non-running spouse to understand and accept the dedication to training that would be required, but I guess the spouses of lots of professional athletes do just that.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: part-time elite runners Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:42 pm

I think most elites have spouses who are also athletes, or who act as sort of unofficial coaches. Like you said, to have it otherwise would be nearly impossible. Off the top of my head, Tim DeBoom (past Ironman winner) is married to a pro triathlete woman. Deena Kastor married somebody Drossin who I think is also a runner or trainer or such. And there's also a certain engaged couple I won't mention who read these forums and are both triathletes.

View posts:

		All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1