Marian keeps in shape chasing Malia and Sasha.
Five years ago, I made a valiant effort to contact W70 sprinter
Marian Shields Robinson for an interview. Normally, masters athletes are honored to be featured in this crazy-ass blog. But Marian was slow to respond. In fact, she (or her minders) never did. Not surprise. She’s
Michelle Obama’s mom and takes care of her granddaughters. I’ve long wondered whether she was champing at the bit to blast out of blocks. Now I learn, via a
Washington Post profile, that she quit before moving from Chicago to the White House. “Robinson is as much of a perfectionist as her daughter,” we learn. “She started running in her 50s and became a gold medalist in both the 50-meter and 100-meter races in the 1997 Illinois Senior Olympics. But she abandoned the sport after an injury that made her less competitive.” She’s quoted as telling a magazine in 2007: “If I can’t do it fast, I’m not doing it. You don’t run just to be running — you run to win.” Still, I hope Marian pulls an
Irene Obera and gets back in the game. Would love to see her run!
One Response
Interesting comment “You don’t run just to be running-you run to win” If most master athletes had that attitude there would be very few people competing.
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