The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 09, 2002, Image 3

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THE BATTALION
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
ife in the fast lane
tudent runners enjoy camaraderie, challenges from daily runs
By Lyndsey Sage
THE BATTALION
Josh May, a senior exercise physiology major, prepares himself
rthe long run. Literally.
May, a member of Aggie Roadrunners, has been active in long
stance running, what he deems “the only true lifetime sport,’’ for
k past 14 years.
"When I was in middle school, I joined the 100 Mile Club,
egoal was to run 100 miles by the end of the year. I’ve been
nning ever since,” May said. “Now 1 usually run five or six
ysaweek. My long runs are about seven to eight miles, and
my short runs are about three to five.”
In addition to his almost daily runs. May usually participates in
two to three half-marathons each semester and several other road
races throughout the year.
May has discovered camaraderie with other runners through
Aggie Roadrunners, an organization designed to promote the run
ning community among A&M students and faculty.
The Roadrunners hold daily runs, which usually range
between three to five miles, as well as take road trips to various
sponsored races. Also, the Roadrunners host an annual 5k run
and 10k run. Run Thru the Vines. It is scheduled for April 13
and with more than 700 runners from across Texas, it is the pre-
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mier run in the Brazos Valley. .
Anna Rockman, a senior exercise physiology major and co-pres
ident of Aggie Roadrunners, said Roadrunners is a connection for
runners in the community.
Although running develops a common bond among individuals
and organizations, Rockman said running is an independent sport.
“Because it is an independent sport, much of it is definitely men
tal,” Rockman said. “If you are trained well though, then your body
should feel fine and you should feel well mentally.”
Rockman, who has been running for 11 years, runs two to three
half-marathons in the fall and trains in the spring and summer for a
triathlon, which occurs in late summer.
When training for an upcoming race, Rockman said the main
thing to concentrate on is progressing steadily and not overwork
ing the body.
“You should gradually build up, then back off a little,” Rockman
said. “Slowly increase to what your goal is. Also, back off every
couple of weeks to let your body recover. Typically [beginners]
work out too hard at first. It’s OK to take walk breaks because your
body needs to adapt. Listen to your body, regardless of what you
think you can do.”
May also advises aspiring runners to wear the proper kind of run
ning shoe to prevent injury. Since running .is a straight-line activity,
running shoes are specifically designed as a training shoe with a sole
and mid-sole that absorbs energy and impact.
According to May, another rule to follow is the 10 percent
rule, which is not to increase your mileage by more than 10 per
cent at a time.
Although running can seem more of a chore than an enjoyment,
as most runners admit, it can become an addiction. However, it is an
addiction with positive benefits.
“Running makes you feel good about your body, the way that
you look and feel,” May said. “It has cardiovascular benefits and
keeps up bone density, which prevents osteoporosis and other dis
eases in general.”
Clint Gebke, a junior information and operations management
major, said running is one of those “can’t understand it looking in
and can’t explain it looking out” experiences.
“Running is something that grows on you. The more you do it,
the more you realize how it’s changing you, almost always for the
better,” Gebke said. “I gain a lot of pride from running. When I get
done with a long hard run and look back at what I accomplished, it’s
a feeling like no other.”
See RUNNERS on page 5
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