Runners race to stay in shape

By Antonio Mendoza

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Imagine running 60 or more miles a week in addition to all the classes, studying, sleeping and social events that college students experience. For sophomore cross country runner Colby Wissel, this is a reality.

Cross country runners at Kansas not only keep up with their hectic schedules, but they also have to keep their bodies and minds in superb condition.

To achieve this, runners attend daily practices and train their bodies for long distances.

“We are doing mileage to get their stamina up because at the end of the season the guys will have to race a 10K and the ladies will have to race a 6K,” Kansas cross country coach Stanley Redwine said.

Runners get one day off per week to comply with NCAA rules, but their training schedules are still rigorous.

“Routine is key; you can’t get out of your routine, otherwise it can really mess you up,” Wissel said. “The closer you stick to your routine, the better off you’re going to be.”

Senior runner Angela Pichardo said training started for some by running one or two miles before classes that day.

After their daily classes, runners practice at 2:30 p.m. Wissel said practice could last up to two and a half hours.

Pichardo said Redwine expected this kind of work ethic from his runners on a daily basis.

“Per day, he prefers six miles,” Pichardo said. “For now, it’s six per day, and eight on long runs on Sunday.”

The length varies from athlete to athlete, depending on how they feel, Pichardo said.

Wissel said he ran up to 14 miles on Sundays.

Even though the runners do get one day off, Wissel said he still ran on days off to stay prepared.

Wissel said runners maintained a healthy lifestyle off the track as well.

“Diet is definitely key,” he said. “You have to fuel the machine properly.”

After a day of classes, running and studying, the runners go to bed and start the process again the next day. Wissel said that although it wasn’t always easy, he enjoyed the process.

“I don’t think you can call this a sacrifice because it’s what we want to do, but it does take a lot of time, but it is something we enjoy,” he said.

The cross country season begins on Sept. 3 at the Bob Timmons Invitational, which takes place at Rim Rock Farm, Lawrence.

— Edited by Tricia Masenthin

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