Interview with Khadevis Robinson

By Cecil Harris

A dominant 800-meter force in the USA, Khadevis Robinson has made sure that his unique first name is one to remember. Khadevis (pronounced kuh-DAY-vis) won this year’s USA Outdoor Championships and the 2006 USA Indoor and Outdoor crowns. He ran a personal best of 1:43.68 in Rieti, Italy, in 2006. He posted 11 of the 12 fastest outdoor times by an American last year, and he has been equally impressive on U.S. soil this year. The 31-year-old Dallas native is coached by Johnny Gray, a three-time Olympian and the 1992 Olympic bronze medalist in the 800.

Robinson’s dreams of playing pro football ended when he broke his wrist as a junior in high school. Needing another sport to list on his college application, he chose track. The rest is athletics history. He’s a four-time USA outdoor champion (1999, 2005, 2006, 2007) and a two-time USA indoor champion (1999, 2006). He has competed in the last four World Championships, including this year’s event in Osaka, Japan, and he ran in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. But Robinson has yet to perform at his best in those events. He has yet to earn a medal at the Worlds or the Olympics.

Robinson, 31, married his college sweetheart, Stephanie, whom he met as a freshman at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth; At this writing, Stephanie was seven months pregnant. The Robinsons live in Santa Monica, California. MensRacing.com caught up with father-to-be Khadevis in cyberspace while he competed in races in Europe.

MensRacing.com: You went into the World Championships with momentum because of your strong performances in the U.S. What happened in Japan?

Khadevis Robinson: I guess Forrest Gump was right: Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. My body simply did not respond. I got a hamstring injury after Monaco and I had to change my training a bit. I didn’t feel my hamstring at all during the races, so I don’t want to use that as an excuse. Yet my splits were off every 200, and I felt I was putting more of an effort than the time indicated. So in the semis, I felt I was on a 1:44.7 or 1:44.8 rhythm and I felt that would be enough. Yet, I was not on that rhythm. All of my training and races were like that. I felt like I was on 1:45-low tempo in the first round but I was not. I never seem to get it right at the major championships. The shape is there, the effort is there, the preparation is there, the focus is there, but maybe I press too much or stress too much and I do not get the best out of myself. I felt terrible during and after both races. So all in all, I ran two 1:45s back to back, but I needed to run 1:44 the second race. I’m very disappointed because I feel like I did everything I possibly could. I just don’t know why I didn’t get it done. It wasn't enough.

MR: How do you explain your dominance in the 800 in the U.S?

KR: Over the years I have put in a lot of hard work. That has been one of the main reasons I have been running well. I have also learned something new and gained better experience so that I am familiar with different situations. I am at a specific level now, but I still have a long way to go. I think that me being around for such a long time has made it possible for me to continue to run fast times more often. My body is at a high level when it comes to strength.

MR: Getting back to the World Championships, when did you travel to Japan? Did you give your body enough time to overcome the jet lag? How much running did you do in Japan to prepare for the race?

KR: I arrived in Japan on August 20. I did a couple of good workouts while I was there to test my fitness and shape.

MR: Do you believe that as long as you prepare to the fullest and are mentally ready to compete that nobody can beat you?

KR: I truly believe that and I have always believed that no matter the race.

MR: You are America's indoor and outdoor champion. Do you prefer running outdoors? What's different about running indoors?

KR: It is harder for me indoors because it takes me a while to get fit. Some guys get fit very quickly but it takes a while for me. I am also a 400-type 800-meter runner so I like the space and I am able to open my legs up more on the outdoor track.

MR: You ran third in an opening-round heat in the Olympics 800 meters (1:46.14). What have you learned about yourself as a runner since Athens?

KR: I have learned that I should take nothing for granted. I have also learned that even though you may be prepared and ready, things do not always go as planned. I learned that I am able to push myself very hard and sometimes that may be my weakness.

MR: What are doing to ensure that you will succeed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing?

KR: I am always continuously learning. I have a lot to learn and a lot to do to get to where I want to get. The thing about track and particularly the 800 is that it is so competitive. Nothing is certain. So you must just prepare the best you can and give your best. I am fast enough, I am strong enough, and I am experienced enough. Now I must be smart enough, confident enough, and maybe lucky enough.

MR: Why do you think so many American sports fans pay attention to track and field only during the Olympics?

KR:It has to do with marketing. Track and field is marketed more when the Olympics come around.

MR: Does it frustrate you that track and field seems to be more popular in Europe and Asia than it is in America?

KR: It does not frustrate me that it is popular in Europe, but it is a bit disappointing that it is not bigger in the USA, particularly because we have the Number 1 track and field team in the world. Yet I feel a change is going to come.

MR: Why the 800 for you instead of the 400 or the sprints?

KR: I have always been told I am a 400-meter runner. Yet I started with the 800 and I always want to finish what I start. I honestly believe I can run faster and better in the 800. This is the only reason I am still running track. If I had already achieved my goals in the 800 then I would probably have retired or maybe then I would have tried the 400. Yet the 400 is so tough in the USA that I would probably barely make the finals in that.

MR: You earned your degree in social work at TCU. What made you major in social work?

KR: I am a very social person. I feel we are all put here for a reason on a particular path. My path is to help people in some capacity. This being the case, I felt social work was the best outlet or option for me. Since undergraduate school, I have gone back and obtained my masters degree in public administration. I feel this will allow me to combine my leadership skills with my civil service aspirations.

MR: You have a unique first name. Were you named after someone? If not, have you ever met anyone else named Khadevis?

KR: I am the only Khadevis. My mom came up with it. My wife is seven months pregnant, so Khadevis Jr. is on the way.

MR: The San Diego Chargers’ star running back LaDainian Tomlinson also went to TCU, but he was a few years after you. Was it once your goal to be a football star at TCU and in the National Football League, as he is? ?

KR: Football was always my favorite sport. I am from Texas and I love football. I wanted to play football and would have done it for free. I played in high school, yet after my stepfather passed away I did not want to live far away from my mom, so I chose TCU because it was in my hometown. Yet I did not have the opportunity to play at TCU. I actually went to TCU while LaDainian was there. I am older than he is. Yet while he was there, I won the TCU Male Athlete of the Year Award. I like that story. I find it funny.

MR: Are you a Dallas Cowboys fan?

KR: Of course. I must be a Cowboys fan. I was born in Dallas..

MR: What position did you play in football?

KR: Wide receiver and cornerback.

MR: You love to play chess. Are there similarities between the strategies needed to succeed in chess and the strategy you use to win on the track?

KR: Yes, but I have been too stubborn to use them. That is one thing that I am still learning – to use all of your options and resources. This is something I will incorporate next year. Chess is like track and track is like life. In all of them, you have many choices, and depending on your choice, there will be consequences. So one must choose wisely.

MR: You were coached by Frank Little. Now you’re coached by Johnny Gray, a former Olympian. How much of a difference has Johnny made?

KR: Frank and I worked together when Johnny was not able to facilitate my workouts. Frank Little was great working with me and facilitating my workouts. He is a great motivator. Yet Johnny Gray is my coach and he brings so much experience and knowledge. I only wished I would have started working with him earlier.

MR: When did you leave Texas for Santa Monica? What factors went into that decision?

KR: I left at the beginning of 1999. I thought running with and for the Santa Monica Track Club would be great for my running career. It was a tough decision because my mom is still in Fort Worth, but I guess a man has to grow up sometime and pave his own way.

MR: Who are the members of your support system? Who are your biggest fans?

KR: My wife Stephanie, Coach Johnny Gray, my family, Anna Merrem, Ash Huzenlaub, Matt Byington, Charles Mills, Bernard Simms, everyone back in Fort Worth, Texas. My biggest fan is probably my wife because she has to put up with me when I get so upset when I do not train well or run well.

MR: When you travel abroad, it’s usually a business trip, but what is your favorite international city and why?

KR: My favorite city is probably Brussels, Malmo, or Stockholm. They all are very diverse cities. The people are friendly there. A lot of people there speak English. I like walking around the cities and taking in some of the culture there. All three of these cities are very warm and friendly.

MR: What was your impression of Japan?

KR: It is great and it is a totally different culture. The differences make it so unique and interesting.

MR: Is there anything I did not ask you about that you want readers to know? .

KR: I would just love for all the readers to know that THERE ARE NO ORDINARY MOMENTS.

Interview conducted September 4 and 5 2007, and posted September 20, 2007.