Running is within human nature. My 8th grade English teacher told my class very frequently that humans were designed to walk and talk. Running is to walking what public speaking is to talking. You’re getting out everything you can in a short period of time, possibly for survival, but most certainly to reach an end goal. 

More importantly, running is a form of exercise that when practiced with a group or community and is beneficial not only to your physical health but even to your mental and emotional as well. Track and field is the best place to experience the many benefits of running.

“My heart has been getting stronger,” said sophomore athlete Frank Alvarez. “[A] high 50 is my resting bpm. Just sitting here talking, it’d probably be in the 60s.”

Alvarez competes in a plethora of events during meets.

“I run long distance events, and sometimes 400, 4×4 relaying.” said Alvarez. “It’s the last event of the day so I’m already there.”

Athletes across events experience the common benefits of track.

“My physique has grown in well while running track.” said sophomore Jeremiah Stevenson. “I find running almost therapeutic.”

Very similar to public speaking, running might not be for everyone, which is why track and field offers many events that aren’t just limited to running.

“I joined track mostly to get better at throwing different things,” said fellow sophomore Mike King. “Throwing and running, pushing myself, and learning how to win and lose.” 

Neither of King’s main events involve running, although he does compete in 4x1s. 

“I do shot put and discus,” said King. “Both of those are fun, those are good ones to get a grasp of and master.”

Regardless of the event, athletes participate in track for various reasons. Some for reasons not up to them.

“My parents made me do it, and I found out I really love it,” said Stevenson. “It’s a good sport. It’s pretty individual, but there’s still a team. You’re still a unit. It’s pure athleticism. You just get out there and run. I love that.”

Some for reasons that were absent from other sports.

“[Track] gives you people to talk to and socialize with,” said King, “it gives you a feeling you can’t get from a lot of other sports. When you win by yourself it’s a different feeling. You give more gratitude to yourself, rather than an entire team.”

Some for reasons of self improvement.

“Running, to me, is crucial to [my] development as a person,” said Alvarez. “What’re you gonna do with knowing how to throw some balls in a goal? I’d much rather be able to run away from my problems.”

In any case, running is a connection with the ground that further expresses itself with connections made with others.

“What makes track superior in my head would probably be the fact I’ve got a group of almost brothers,” said King. “We stick together and I don’t feel like I’ve gotten that in a lot of other sports. We’re teammates at heart.”

There are many reasons athletes cover track events, and there are many reasons you should participate in track events as well. Despite your athleticism, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll have some spot on the team. 

“It’s [a] really good culture,” said Stevenson. “It’s really good people, really good coaches, and you just get a ring if you’re decent.”