Koborsi Eyes Worlds on Shoestring Budget

"How does that feel?"

For most shoe salesmen, the question is the equivalent of, "Would you like fries with that?"

But for Rod Koborsi, a salesman at the Georgetown Running Company on M Street -- and one of the country's top 5,000-meter specialists -- it's an opportunity to connect his experiences with someone who runs for fun, exercise or just to lose weight.

"It reminds me of all the reasons people run," Koborsi said. "I'm a professional athlete, but there are many aspects to the sport. It's more fun than work, and it's always good to be around normal people."

Koborsi, 24, graduated from Georgetown in 2005 after a career that included school records at 10,000 meters (28 minutes 32.49 seconds) and 5,000 meters (13:35.49), as well as all-American status eight times. Koborsi is currently pursuing a master's degree at Georgetown in international affairs, but his primary focus -- not his goal -- is making the U.S. World Championships track team this year and the Olympic team in 2008.

"For every athlete, it's a step-by-step process," Koborsi said. "You set a goal, but sometimes that's too much."

To make the squad that will compete in Osaka, Japan, at the end of August, Koborsi must finish in the top three at 5,000 meters at the U.S. Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis on June 22. In 2006, he was 11th.

Nationals last year "was very disappointing," Koborsi said. "I had a goal going in, to be in the top six or seven, and when that didn't happen, everything fell apart. It was a lesson learned. My plan since then is to implement my strategy, and whatever happens, happens."

That protean philosophy resulted in a fine summer of European racing, with personal bests of 13:26.65 for 5,000 meters and 7:48.40 at 3,000. It is apparent, too, at nearly every track workout on the substandard, five-laps-to-a-mile track that is home to the Georgetown track program and post-collegians such as Koborsi.

"It's not a big deal, really," he insisted. "You just go to Lane 3, and the turns are similar to a regular track. You get used to it."

That may be true, but it's difficult to picture Ryan Zimmerman working out regularly on a high school diamond. Or selling bats and balls part-time at Modell's. For Koborsi, it keeps his feet on the ground.

· HOLIDAY SAVINGS: Registration for the third running of the National Marathon on March 29 is available at the discounted rate of $60 between July 3 and July 7; registration for the half marathon is $50. After Jan. 1, the rates are $95 and $80.

-- Jim Hage

hagej@washpost.com