Spring Break
HealthyU: Run for your life, UConn
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 3/20/09 Section: Focus
The weather has finally turned for the better, and it's safe to say we've seen our last snowstorm in Storrs this year.
With the temperatures now in the 60s on a daily basis, all the avid runners on campus can migrate from the treadmills in the Student Recreation Facility to the outdoors.
Jogging around campus can be one of the most beneficial physical activities and also one of the most relaxing.
There's nothing quite like getting in a mile or two under the clear blue UConn sky (doesn't it seem like there's never any clouds at UConn? Maybe it's just me.)
Going for a run every day around the campus will get you in shape, but it certainly has its drawbacks. First of all, the chances you'll run into (not literally) someone you know are very high. The chances they'll want to stop and chat are also pretty high, which leaves you two choices - either blow off your friend or blow off your workout. The decision is usually pretty easy.
No matter how much or how little you want to talk to this person, you'll likely view the chance meeting as an excuse to take a break and catch your breath.
What starts out as a "Hey, whats up? Not much, you?" exchange quickly turns into a five-minute conversation about school, social life and how neither of you will get a job in journalism - or a job, period - when you graduate in May. Before you know it, your workout has become a complete waste of time.
Then, of course, there's the injury ry risk associated with running on-campus.
Sometimes, crossing the road is necessary, and the drivers at UConn don't always adhere to the "yield to pedestrians at all times" law. And you never know who's going to come flying behind you on their bicycle.
The running surface isn't ideal, either. Jogging on cement is bad for your knees and the uneven terrain is conducive to sprained ankles. And how about those hills? Well, running hills just sucks, regardless of whether you're an Olympic athlete or a chubby college student.
With the temperatures now in the 60s on a daily basis, all the avid runners on campus can migrate from the treadmills in the Student Recreation Facility to the outdoors.
Jogging around campus can be one of the most beneficial physical activities and also one of the most relaxing.
There's nothing quite like getting in a mile or two under the clear blue UConn sky (doesn't it seem like there's never any clouds at UConn? Maybe it's just me.)
Going for a run every day around the campus will get you in shape, but it certainly has its drawbacks. First of all, the chances you'll run into (not literally) someone you know are very high. The chances they'll want to stop and chat are also pretty high, which leaves you two choices - either blow off your friend or blow off your workout. The decision is usually pretty easy.
No matter how much or how little you want to talk to this person, you'll likely view the chance meeting as an excuse to take a break and catch your breath.
What starts out as a "Hey, whats up? Not much, you?" exchange quickly turns into a five-minute conversation about school, social life and how neither of you will get a job in journalism - or a job, period - when you graduate in May. Before you know it, your workout has become a complete waste of time.
Then, of course, there's the injury ry risk associated with running on-campus.
Sometimes, crossing the road is necessary, and the drivers at UConn don't always adhere to the "yield to pedestrians at all times" law. And you never know who's going to come flying behind you on their bicycle.
The running surface isn't ideal, either. Jogging on cement is bad for your knees and the uneven terrain is conducive to sprained ankles. And how about those hills? Well, running hills just sucks, regardless of whether you're an Olympic athlete or a chubby college student.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
E
posted 3/21/09 @ 5:50 PM EST
Running around campus clearly has fewer distractions than going to the gym. Which place do you think you are more likely to stop and socialize, a crowded gym full of students, or on one of the long roads that has nobody on it around campus? If you are out of shape, you should be doing hill repeats, not bench presses. (Continued…)
Orlando
posted 3/23/09 @ 8:45 AM EST
1) serious runners don't run on campus. Its not that conducive for running (too many roads...too many people...it's pretty small too-mile wise.
A great tool for runners is gmaps and their pedometer feature. (Continued…)
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