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From Runners World for New Balance?
I run three to four times a week. I go down to Orange County in California and I run all the time ... all the time. You see the oceans, the trees. I like running in hot weather. I like to sweat and get all those toxins out of my system. I thoroughly enjoy it.
What's your routine like?
To this day I always wake up at 5 am—my clock has not changed. I get up to run at 5:30-6. I love running in the mountains, I just love scenery. I love the water; my wife and I are going to Hawaii soon and I love running along the beach.
These days is running more therapeutic or a way to keep in shape?
There is a balance. I'm 52; it's for health reasons but for me it's more therapeutic. When my head is congested with stuff, running relieves that tension.
Whats the best running advice you ever received?
Without question. I ran four to five miles a day, seven days a week. I had five fights leading up to the final. And it was because of the running ... I always said I had this hidden reservoir of strength and power and it came from running.
Were you unusual among boxers?
I was driven. I wanted to win a little more than my competitors. I was so competitive. I knew that if I ran further than the other guys, then in the long run I would prevail. I figured it out when I was 16 or 17. I figured the more I ran, the better my chances to win down the stretch.
Best Running Shoes 2025?
Floyd Paterson ran marathons. I always thought about doing a marathon. My wife did a 26. She walked, she ran, she walked, she ran. I think it took her 12 hours (laughs). But she made it. She made it home. It is always something I wanted to do. The longest I've ever run is probably 7-8 miles.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media?
I did a 5-K once. It was a few hundred people and I came in 13 place. It was in Portland, Maine. I was in no shape and I ran in Chuck Taylor high tops. I was there to promote a fight and they said, "By the way there is a 5-K if you want to run." And I said, "Yeah." I did it for promotional reasons.
How fast are you these days?
How Des Linden Keeps Showing Up.
What do you like after a run?
I have to. I run with music all the time. I cannot run without my iPod. I have everything. Teddy Pendergrass. Luther Van Dross. Michael Jackson. Outkast. If an Usher song comes on and it's fast, I go fast.
NYC Marathoner Ran Home After Chemo?
No. A lot of my friends say they listen to Rocky; it gets them motivated. That song does get you pumped.
Health & Injuries?
I learned to run backwards from Muhammad Ali. He told me about running backwards because you try to imitate everything you do in the ring, so sometimes you back up. So you have to train your legs to go backwards.
Nutrition - Weight Loss?
Oh, yeah, I run backwards, I run sideway. I still do. Not far—maybe 50 yards. I don't run any differently than when I ran when I was 20 years old. I don't run in combat boots as I did back in the day. I'm concerned with my pedicure (laughs).
Were you unusual among boxers?
Did you run any competitive races.
Ever run to the "Rocky" theme?
Oh, yeah, especially in the '70s and '80s you saw boxers running in combat shoes.
What's the best running advice you ever received?
Stretch. Before and after. I think when you are young you can get by, but stretching is terrific.
Is there a smell you associate with running?
I smell jasmine. Especially when I run in a park somewhere and smell the jasmine. If I'm running and I smell jasmine, I'm in heaven. It's comforting.
What do you like after a run?
Just give me a cold glass of water and I'm done.
From Runners World for New Balance?
Normally I would run with a group of guys in my camps. A couple of day before the fight I would run by myself. That was my time to choreograph the fight in my head so I needed to be myself. The biggest fight was against [Marvin] Hagler because I was such a huge underdog. I visualized the fight and how it was going to happen. I choreographed the fight in my head on a run. It came to fruition.
