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Abdi AbdirahmanAbdi Abdirahman<div class="ExternalClass12B5EA0AC7CB41D4A1DE207208452189"><h2> <a href="https://phoenix.overdrive.com/phoenix-phoenixpl/content/media/6462324" target="_blank"><em>Abdi's World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun</em></a> by Abdi Abdirahman</h2><p> <br>Abdi Abdirahman is the only American distance runner to qualify for five Olympic Games. Born in Somalia, he came to Tucson, Arizona, at age 16 after his family escaped civil war in their home country. Abdirahman became an American citizen in 2000 and has represented the United States as a 10,000m runner at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics, and in the marathon in 2012 and 2020. "The Black Cactus," as the 45-year-old is affectionately known, is also the oldest American runner to qualify for the Olympics, the oldest male to podium at the New York City Marathon, and the USA Track & Field master's record holder in the marathon. Abdirahman is a four-time USATF champion at 10,000m and a four-time US road champion at distances ranging from 10 miles to a half marathon. He has represented the United States five times at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and three times at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships. He still lives in Tucson, when he isn't training in Flagstaff, Arizona, or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</p><h3> Q + A</h3><p> What inspired you to write this book</p><p> I wanted to share why I love running so much to encourage others, especially kids, to give it a shot. I got interested in running completely by chance and it changed my life. I am so grateful for that.</p><p> I have had a lot of ups and downs over a 20-plus-year professional running career. After I qualified for my fifth Olympics, I decided that I wanted to tell my story. I had not done that before in much detail so it was a challenge I got excited about.</p>​<br></div>

 

 

 

 

Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun by Abdi AbdirahmanAbdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun by Abdi Abdirahmanhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Local Authors/JRLAC-Abdirahman_web.jpg447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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