With the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon coming this Saturday, runners prepare to endure the rigorous 13.1-mile race through the city. While this may be some people’s first half marathon, many groups and individuals maintain a year-round commitment to running.
On The University of Alabama’s campus, the UA Running Club aims to motivate new and regular runners to stay fit by running with a group. With over 60 members, the group’s location and lengths of runs vary, which provides flexibility for runners. Spenser Hayward, vice president of the club, said it aims to provide a fun environment for collegiate runners similar to the one he had as a high school cross-country runner.
“It’s always been a great opportunity to stay fit and relax – I’ll often go for a run if I need to clear my head,” said Hayward, a senior majoring in chemical engineering. “It’s also something that doesn’t require much innate skill, just perseverance, so it was something I could excel in even though I wasn’t coordinated at all.”
The group joined the Honors College Running Club for long runs to prepare for the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon. Similar to the UA Running Club, the Honors College Running Club encourages members to compete in races – most recently the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans. Shane Sharpe, dean of the Honors College, advises the group and regularly runs races with them.
Madeline Gibson, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering, serves as co-president for the Honors College Running Club and will be running in this weekend’s race. While every person’s weekly training routine is slightly different, she said they all consist of shorter maintenance runs, which are typically four to six miles, and one longer run, which is nine to 12 miles.
“Training your body to find the right race-day nutrition and clothing conditions is another important thing most HCRC runners are doing – testing out pre-race foods and gear to see which ones work best so race-day prep will be a breeze,” she said.
Beyond the social aspect of running, both Gibson and Hayward said running alone provides an opportunity to think.
“I enjoy running because it wakes me up, in more ways than one,” Gibson said. “I run in the mornings, and it prepares me for the day by physically waking me up. I feel less stiff and sluggish afterwards, and I am ready and hungry for breakfast. It also wakes me up mentally, making me feel more alert.”
Many college students struggle to find the time to run amidst their busy schedules, but Caroline Dodds, a freshman majoring in accounting, said people have to find the time that works best and commit to it.
“Running for me has always been a priority, just like homework and sleep,” she said. “I try to find a set time of day to run around my class schedule, so I know that I won’t blow it off.”
For people who want to begin running, Gibson said it’s best to find a running buddy to keep you accountable, especially in colder months when it’s easier to stay indoors. Hayward said new runners who follow training plans find the most success.
“The nice thing about running is that it does get a lot easier, and it’s really gratifying to blaze through a workout you could barely finish earlier,” he said. “Finishing a half marathon gives you a tremendous sense of accomplishment.”
For those interested in running, the Honors College Running Club meets every Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Ridgecrest Circle and the UA Running Club plans their runs via their Facebook group “UA Running Club.”
