Motivated students adorned in shorts and tank tops, armed with portable music, have taken sunny afternoons by storm. Wesleyan joggers have hit the streets, hills and paths at what appears to be an increased rate this semester.
“This year I’ve seen more people running than in the past three years,” said Greg Morrill ’05 . “I expect that to taper off once it gets cold out. But I run in the winter when it’s cold outside. We’ll see who can handle it.”
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the reasons behind the apparent increase in joggers, it could be attributed to students’ summer habits re-entering a rigorous academic environment or for purely health reasons.
“Of course, jogging might be popular because it’s something that can be done at any time and isn’t dependant on a certain facility being open, nor does it require specialized equipment other than a good pair of running shoes and perhaps a bottle of water,” said Lisa Currie, Director of Health Education. “Also, it’s possible we just had an influx of avid joggers in this year’s crop of new students!”
Regardless of the motivation, students and experts agree that running is an ideal physical and mental outlet.
“I think that you reach a unique mental state when running; you’re very much active but your brain and your mouth are more free than any other time of the day,” said Frank Lyon ’05, who goes running almost every day.
Morrill, who finds it difficult to relax, seeks relief in running.
“Jogging is definitely the best way I found to relax, being out in the open in the fresh air, being uncontained. I need to do something active that lets me get my negative energy out. I need to sweat to get my body going.”
Many feel that running regularly increases self-confidence.
“After I go jogging I feel more alert and more energetic and better about myself,” Christina Marenson ’06 said. “It’s definitely something that I feel contributes to me being happier in general. It’s a good feeling to know that you’ve accomplished a routine and feel healthier as a whole.”
Some think running is as easy as throwing on a pair of sneakers and heading out the door, but there is much more to jogging safely.
Cross-country runner Courtney Quirin ’05 offered advice to those starting off.
“Start jogging a couple times a week at a really low mileage and slowly build up and don’t push yourself hard every day,” she said. “So many people start running and they always end up quitting, because it takes the fun out of it if you’re just out there killing yourself.”
According to Quirin it is important to stretch before and after a run.
“I always stretch before. I get a better workout if I loosen up first, [so] I do a warm up lap and then stretch. It’s not good to stretch cold and not doing anything,” she said. “You have to stretch after or you’ll have a lactic acid buildup and you’ll stay really tight. It increases your flexibility, so you can do more, go harder and faster.”
Quirin stressed the value of allowing one’s body to recover through rest or eating after a run. She suggested eating a complex of proteins and carbohydrates within a half hour of running. A balance bar or a banana and Gatorade are both recommended.
Some avid runners say the right clothes make a difference.
While Morrill wears special running shorts and a tank top, Lyon claims to be interested in a ‘mono-chromatic’ way of dressing.
“Dress appropriately for the weather in clothing that allows perspiration to be wicked away from the skin,” Currie suggested. “Move indoors when there is high heat or humidity or extremely cold temperatures. Monitor your body throughout the run and if something hurts, slow to a walk until it diminishes or stop completely. Avoid running when you are injured since this may aggravate or prolong the injury; try walking or other activity that your health care provider okays until you are healed.”
Even if you jog regularly, it’s not always easy, say runners.
“When you first start running it actually feels traumatic,” Lyon said. “I think I’m just getting to that stage of grace, where you’re feeling engaged and you no longer entertain the fear that you’re actually going to expire. I think there’s something about exercise, if you’re going to make any progress you need to challenge yourself. There’s always some fear in it, but as you get used to it you are able to surmount it.”
Students vary in their routines and running routes. Many seem to alternate between the short and long loops around Freeman, while others are more creative.
“I found a nice new route, it can be a 4.2 run or six mile run depending,” Morrill said. “I wanted a longer run, as I started getting back into shape, I wanted to do some ‘LSD,’ Long Slow Distance. And also I wanted to get some variety and mix it up, and find something that might be nicer to run along.”
Lyon, too, likes to modify his routes.
“It’s safe to say I think running is a good way to experience a place,” he said. “I do have a fantasy that eventually it becomes this thing that you are so comfortable doing you just run to your errands and things like that.”
Changing scenery and an excuse to be outdoors make jogging particularly appealing to students.
“When it’s nice out in the afternoon it’s the perfect time to go running,” said Bridget Palardy ’05. “It’s a good time because I’m not going to be able to do work because my mind is shot after class.”
There are still those who dislike and fear jogging. Many prefer the safety and comfort of a gym.
“I just don’t like running,” said Lauren Cobey ’05. “I don’t like to be out in the elements, in nature. I prefer being in an air-conditioned gym where I can just zone out and don’t [care] about where I’m going. Also, it doesn’t hurt as much”
If you are looking for a new route or want to know the exact mileage of your daily run, maps of routes in the area are up in the basement of Freeman.
Leave a Reply