On Saturday, September 30, 2006, nearly three thousand runners will run the classic mile distance down Fifth Avenue as part of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City. ATF Newswire was able to interview Grant Robison and Kim Smith on the eve of their mile runs, Friday September 29. We found them both introspective and relaxed as they prepared to run the classic middle distance race.

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GRANT ROBISON
Grant Robison graduated from Stanford in 2003 with flying colors. He had won the NCAA Outdoor 1,500 meters, took the bronze medal at the Pan Am Games 1,500 meters after having taken the bronze at the USA outdoor championships 1,500 meters. He was later rewarded with a fine 1,500 meter time of 3:35.75 at Huesden, Belgium during the summer of 2003. In 2004, Grant went all the way to the semi finals of the Olympic 1,500 meters in Athens. Grant had also done quite well in cross country, winning the Pac 10 in 2001 and 2002, and as the runner up in 2003.

His 2004 season ended with huge changes, and it is only now, in the fall of 2006, that Grant feels he's back on track. The move from college student to professional athlete, newly married and moving halfway across the country was a challenge. But now, having realized that he could not work with Vin Lananna (his coach) long distance, he is working with a new group of training partners and a new coach, Michigan's Ron Warhurst.

ATF: Grant, you are running the Continental Mile tomorrow, any thoughts or comments on your race plans?
Robison: Anything under five, no, joking. I want to be there in the final sprint for the win. We will see how the race plays out. I want be part of the race.

ATF: How has your summer been?
Robison: The summer has been anti-climactic. I was injured through early spring, so I tried to throw some training together to have a season, did not have time to do strength and real conditioning, so I did what I could. I ran 3.40-3.41 over in Europe, in my short window of conditioning, then I came back. Over the past six weeks I'm doing some mileage, doing some build up. I even felt well enough to run a couple of road races . . .

ATF: Where do you live now?
Robison: I am up in East Lansing and training with Ron Warhurst and his crew. I am starting to work with Nate Brannen and Nick Willis (Nate was the Commonwealth Silver medalist at 1,500 meters and Nick was the Commonwealth Gold Medalist at 1,500 meters), and handling some of their sessions. I ran a 5k up there in 14:35 or so, and then an 8k in 24 minutes.

ATF: How did you feel in the 8k?
Robison: I felt good, it went out pretty slow, and then it just got faster. It is nice to be healthy for once.

ATF: What is the key for distance runners to be successful?
Robison: I think for distance runners, just staying healthy is 80 percent of the battle, keep doing the workouts, do what I know I should, then goals I have set are not out or range.

ATF: What is it like going from Stanford to being a professional athlete?
Robison: I had a hard transition. In retrospect, one of most important things for a distance runner is continuity and stability. A lot of guys ease their transition by staying around college. I got married, moved to Michigan, tried to do long distance coaching with Vin Lananna, we figured out it was not working. Once we got through transitioning, it was the little things, like finding a training room, an ice bath, and so on. Once we got that sorted out, it was okay. But, it was lot harder than it appeared to be.

ATF: What are you goals for 2007?
Robison: In 2007, my goal is to make the world team, and run some personal bests. At Stanford we were told about being a player. If you are in the race and run smart, times will come---still works best for me, I do not run well when shooting for time.

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KIM SMITH
Kim Smith burst on the scene in 2002, after returning from her native New Zealand, with a victory at the Olympic Development 5,000 meters at the Penn Relays, with her fine 15:47.92. Kim finished second in the NCAA Cross country to Shalane Flanagan. Providences' Ray Treacy was coaching Kim. In the fall of 2005, Smith won the NCAA Cross Country and last weekend won the Boston Mayor's cup by 21 seconds over the tough 5k course. Kim was asked about her recovery from some tough injuries and her fabulous run under 15 minutes for 5k this past summer!

ATF: Tell us about your sub-15 minute 5k this summer?
Smith: The rest of the field [in Brussels], went out really, really fast. Jen Rhines and I stayed together and then, midway, we caught a group of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners. We really moved over the last kilometer, Jen outkicked me, running 14:55 and I ran 14: 56!

ATF: How do you feel after a really good effort or a personal best?
Smith: I felt great as I had done none of the strength work I would normally due, because of my achilles injury.

ATF: You also had a fine 3k at the Norwich Union London GP this past July?
Smith: Yes, in the 3k, we just followed Jo Pavey. The race went out in 8:24 pace---it was very fast! Carrie Tollefson and I just ran out there, by ourselves, as hard was we could and we both ran personal bests.

ATF: Do you like the three kilometer distance?
Smith: I prefer the five kilometers, it is the hardest to race, the three kilometer is a little easier.

ATF: What do you think about the mile distance?
Smith: This is the first time in a couple of years that I have run the 1,500 meters or mile. Hopefully, it will go well tomorrow.

ATF: Will you take some time off this year? Will you run cross country?
Smith: I am not sure if I will do cross country, and I had a big break in February and March. I am not sure I need a break now. I am just getting into good shape.

ATF: Ray Treacy of Providence is still your coach, does the relationship change after college, as you develop into a professional athlete?
Smith: It changes a bit. I work out now with Amy Rudolph and Amy Mortimer will be joining us. We do much of the workouts on our own, as many of the college athletes are not running at this level yet.

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The Continental Fifth Avenue Mile will be held in New York on September 30, 2006. The race is sponsored by Continental Airlines and Reebok.

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INDUSTRY NOTES: CAREER CHANGES
Paul Astorino has left Nike running and will take a few months break before he decides where he goes next.

Kevin Tordoff left Saucony and Hind after 15 years to pursue a new endeavor, we wish him well.

Carrie Bartlett is the new athlete manager at Saucony. Saucony sponsors Ryan Shay and Gabe Jennings now.

Mike Hughes is new to Saucony on the technical running side.

Sue Dooley is new Marketing and Brand Director at Saucony.

Ben Cesar is new athlete manager at ASICS America.

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