(Photo courtesy of Tyler Flora) Western Michigan University senior Tyler Flora runs in the Chicago Marathon.
His worn Muzuno shoes pat rhythmically on the ground as he reaches the final stretch of the marathon. With the Chicago River on his left and cheering crowds on his right, he feels limbless sprinting the end of the 26.2 mile run. Heartbeats climb up his throat and the crisp, fall air pierces each inhalation and exhalation.
All of his hard work, time training, travel, and money spent was worth this moment of pure adrenaline ecstasy.
Senior Tyler Flora slows as he embraces the finish line, hands pat his back, runners surround him limping and exhausted.
An average of 40,000 runners compete in the Chicago Marathon between competitive athletes and challenge hungry individuals from all over the world. While college students battle weight gain, physical laziness and beer bellies, others dare to break the norm.
Running can be physically and mentally freeing, but what happens when running for enjoyment becomes drab? What happens when that competitive taste settles in ones mouth and racing a random bike along the road is no longer satisfying? One signs up for a race.
“I have always been running on and off since high school to stay in shape,” Flora said. “For a workout I run about eight miles.”
Staying committed can be difficult though, since there is no immediate physical evidence other distractions in college can take precedence.
“I found the more money I spent, the more I trained [for the marathon],” Flora said. “Make sure to buy some nice shoes.”
Shoes are essential for all successful runners. Visiting a local running store will help search for the “soul shoe”. Understand the arches and pronation in the feet, because different brands cater to different needs.
Ones feet are the biggest tools in running, so make sure to treat them like royalty. Training with poor shoes will hurt the feet and the confidence in one’s running capability.
“I started running my senior year of high school because I was told it would bring up my stamina,” sophomore Erin Frame said. “I fell in love with the way I felt after a good run.”
Frame is considering signing up for a marathon this summer, she currently averages 4-5 miles a run with her New Balance shoes. It is recommended to average 18-20 miles for the majority of the four months or more in training before a marathon. Juggling school, work and a social life makes it difficult for students to commit to the arduous schedule.
“I would say that having the motivation is more than half the battle,” Frame said. “You really have to believe in the run.”
Running has shown to improve emotional well being. It is a stress reliever, an energy boost, and can induce a calm state of mind.
Some call it the “runners high” because people who run are generally happy and clear thinkers.
“For me, now it [running] has become more of a solitude thing,” Frame said.
As college students we are exhausted from studying, partying, working and living our independent lives. We look forward as our future becomes a reality and rarely take time to unwind and let things take their course.
Running, whether for competitive, recreational, or health purposes can serve as students personal reclusive time.
It can be done with an iPod pumping music, a friend to chat with, or just you and your shoes.
No matter the style of run, it will serve the same purpose. And when one does feel that competitive taste settling in your mouth? One signs up for a race.
“If you are thinking about doing a marathon, sign up right now,” Flora said.
