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27 Aug 2008 10:01 PM

John Edwards: Fitness Machine

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

At least that's what he considers himself to be.

In a previous blog I detailed the fitness routines of politicians, who hoped to one day live in the White House. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama lifts weights daily while potential John McCain running mate Mitt Romney is said to be an avid runner.

Another politician with a passion for running is former North Carolina senator John Edwards. The 55-year-old father of four has been running for almost 30 years and has finished five marathons--one of them, in 1983, in just over three-and-a-half hours (impressive by all accounts).

However, rather than let his running accomplishments dominate conversations, Edwards' aides say the politician is uncharacteristically shy about discussing his fitness routine.

In an interview with Runner's World a few years ago one of Edwards' aides said, "Asking to run with John is like asking to take a shower with him."

Interestingly, though, when put on the spot by the popular running magazine Edwards claimed he was "obsessed" with running, even though during his race for the White House (which ended earlier this year) he would not allow anyone to snap pictures or film him while he was running. Despite the image of a "healthy-man-of-the-people" the photo op would present.

Personally, I find the move a bit bizarre considering most runners would give their right foot to be able to brag that they completed a marathon in 3:30:18. Still, I'm sure there is a reason why Edwards dodges cameras once he laces up his running shoes. Conversely, Edwards is not shy about speaking about the importance of fitness for all Americans, especially children.

The politician encourages kids fitness programs and says some of his most memorable moments he has have come while he was coach of his children's soccer and basketball teams. Edwards also says despite getting slower in his old age he doesn't intend to stop running anytime soon. He says tries to get in four to six miles per day, but prefers to run alone. Edwards says his daily runs help recharge his batteries, clear his mind, and allows him to sort out weighty personal issues, including the loss of his teenage son Wade, who was killed in a car accident in 1996.

As far as training for another marathon, the former presidential hopeful says he hasn't ruled it out, but don't look for him to join former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee at the New York Marathon this fall.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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