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Written by Katie Robison
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
Hyrum Oaks, store director of Reams and an avid runner, organized the first Utah Valley Marathon held on April 12 as a promotional tool for Reams.
Since he was 10 years old, Hyrum Oaks has been considered a runner. He did it for fun, competed, and now organizes marathons. As I explained to him that I dreaded my 30 minutes on the treadmill he offered me some tips.
Here’s some advice Oaks gave to me and others searching for the runner’s high:
• Run outside. I don’t even use an iPod and you’ll find lots of locations to get drinks.
• Find friends or training buddies to run with. You’ll run faster, push each other, and it’s much safer.
• Be consistent. Stick with it or you’ll get out of shape.
• Plan on it being difficult for a few weeks while your fat turns to muscle. Don’t be surprised if you initially gain weight.
• Recognize the difference between pain and soreness. Know when to let up. I had tendonitis but pushed myself and it took one and a half years to heal.
• To avoid pain, stretch before and after. And get good running shoes.
“I run because I can meditate. I have no distractions. No TV, radio, cell; my head is clear. I run because it makes me feel good and I like being in shape. It’s the only legal drug around — the runner’s high.”
And in its first year out, the Utah Valley Marathon gave a 76-year-old man, Ms. Utah, and a mother of four have something in common: They all ran in the race and finished.
The race started at 6 a.m. at Bridal Veil Falls and ended at Footprinter’s Park.
All 250 attendants were awarded T-shirts and prizes from Sierra West, and those who finished the 26.2 miles within six hours received medals. The men’s and women’s division champions received the grand prize of $1,000.
“We were surprised at the attendance of the event since it had snowed the day before,” said Oaks. “I thought more would run in the 5K and less in the marathon.”
Oaks has been running competitively since junior high school and has competed in 22 marathons. When I asked him what he found unique about the Utah Valley Marathon he said that when the mother of four arrived at the finish line, all of her kids with “Way to go MOM” T-shirts ran beside her.
“There was so much support. We’re going to keep it going every year,” said Oaks.
All proceeds went to the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation.
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