By Tim Sullivan
Midtown resident and Georgia State University astronomy professor Todd Henry has raced all over the globe and is enjoying the view every step of the way. Here he discusses colonizing Mars, running with zebras and under which circumstances it is okay to see the sunrise.
So you say you are an astronomer? Is that a real job?
Indeed, being an astronomer is a real job. I am the director of the Research Consortium On Nearby Stars (RECONS, recons.org) since 1994. We not only bring you the universe, we try to keep Hollywood honest. We’re the ones who really know how hard it would be to colonize Mars, let alone travel to the nearest stars. I have the greatest job not on this world.
I’d imagine stargazing could lead to injury if done while running, no?
Running and astronomy are an excellent mix. I’ve seen many superb sunsets, and done many moonlit runs during the 50,000 or so miles I’ve run. A night full of stars after a good run is doubly good for the soul.
Is it true that you have run marathons on every continent? Is this something that many humans do? Because I know lots of humans and you’re the first I think.
Yup, between 1995 (King George Island, Antarctica) and 2008 (Taroko Gorge, Taiwan). There’s a list of folks who have done all seven continents somewhere, but I’m not sure how many are on it. Perhaps 100? I can’t say I’ve been terribly worried about being formally added to it. Once the goal is accomplished, it’s done (but it is a great line to drop at a party).
What is your PR? And given your masterful age of 48, what is your Masters PR?
Both PRs were in the Chicago Marathon – 2:35 in the open division and 2:53 in the masters.
What has been your most challenging event?
The Antarctica Marathon (the first one ever run on the continent, in fact) was a blast, even if it was the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done. Running across beach rocks, climbing over a glacier, dodging dive-bombing skuas (nasty, nasty, birds – they gut penguins for fun), and a lot of slogging through four inches deep of mud makes for a long race. Only about 80 folks finished.
Were you able to release your inner Kenyan in Africa?
I did prove that I’m a middle of the pack Kenyan. I was tired of them sending their A-team over here and kicking my butt all over the place, so I went to Kenya to run against them and managed to finish ahead of half of them. But only half.
In a few weeks you will be running your 22nd Boston Marathon, which is widely considered the Big Kahuna of marathons because it requires qualifying. I went to school in Boston and loved watching the marathon each year. How good does it feel coming over Heartbreak Hill and know that you are in such better shape than the doughy college kids?
If the wee hammer gnomes don’t pounce all over your quads on the downhill by Boston College, it’s going to be a good day. If the gnomes find you, it can get ugly fast, and all you want to do is turn the doughy BC college kids into pizzas. Pass the hot peppers.
Do you have a goal for this streak or are you just going to keep at it until you are threatening Johnny Kelley’s record of 61?
Run until it’s no longer fun. I have some friends I look forward to seeing in Boston, including some college friends who have joined me at my 1st, 10th, and 20th Bostons. I met my partner, Mike, at Boston. Also, if you complete 25 Bostons, you get an entry for life, and you don’t have to qualify any more.
Let me guess your routine – arrive at Logan Saturday night, go to Cleveland Circle, bar hop from Maryanns to Cityside and get late night pizza at Presto’s. Sunday you take the T out to the burbs for some candlepin bowling and come back and catch a show at TT the Bears or Paradise. Race on Patriot’s Day Monday. Am I right or am I right?
You forgot the clubbing. There is always the clubbing. There are only two times you should ever see a sunrise – walking out of a telescope dome after observing the heavens all night, and walking out of a club.
So after exploring the Universe and running the world, what is the best thing about calling Atlanta home?
An excellent airport that gets me wherever I want to go. Come on along. Bring your passport. Let’s go!
