BOSTON — American Kara Goucher felt so good after finishing third in the Boston Marathon that she wanted to run another 26.2 miles — this Sunday in the London Marathon.
The plans were nixed after discussions with her coach Alberto Salazar, the former Boston and New York Marathon winner.
“She’s not doing London,” her manager, Peter Stubbs, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The races on back-to-back weekends would have been unprecedented for a top runner after a top finish, but the slow pace in Boston plus the expectation of a long layoff — she’s going to try to start a family — left Goucher begging for a quick turnaround. Goucher was serious enough that Salazar called in other top coaches to see if it was possible to run a second marathon six days after the first and still have a chance to win.
“I think that she doesn’t feel tired,” Salazar said. “You want her to gain the experience, but you don’t want to tire her out.”
Goucher and her husband, Adam, a two-time U.S. champion in the 5,000 meters, would like to have children. Goucher is not planning to run a fall marathon or next spring, with the goal of getting back into shape for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Howard wins defensive honor
ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard became the youngest player to win the NBA’s defensive player of the year award.
Howard, 23, who was only the fifth player to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season, led the Magic to a second straight Southeast Division title and 59 wins in the regular season, one shy of tying the best record in franchise history set in the 1995-96 season.
Howard received 542 points, including 105 first-place votes from a panel of 119 writers and broadcasters. Cleveland’s LeBron James was second with 148 points, and Miami’s Dwyane Wade finished third with 90 points.
• Spanish teenager Ricky Rubio has decided to enter the NBA draft.
The 18-year-old Rubio, who was under contract with Spanish club DKV Joventut through 2011, has been rated as one of the top picks for the June 25 draft.
The 6-foot-2 point guard turns 19 in October, meeting the NBA’s minimum age requirement.
• Scottie Reynolds, Villanova’s dynamo point guard, declared for the NBA draft but said he will not hire an agent and could decide to return to the Wildcats for his senior season.
• Boston Celtics forward Leon Powe will miss the rest of the playoffs with a torn ligament in his left knee.
Footnotes.
Southern California coach Pete Carroll says sophomore Aaron Corp will be the Trojans’ starting quarterback through the summer and into fall camp.
• Lions general manager Martin Mayhew says the chances are very good Detroit will have a deal done with the No. 1 pick before the NFL draft begins Saturday.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears were put on probation for the next six races for intentionally bumping cars after the race at Phoenix International Raceway.
