Hokas and watches
Bethel men’s cross country completes a chill workout of 4x400m repeats and three to seven miles.
By Talia Egge, sports reporter
The Bethel men’s cross country runners burst through the doors of the Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) for practice at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 23. Had they planned it? Reese Thompson and Daniel Hage jump around, throwing fists. Gabriel Kuecker wears banana shorts?
The team huddles up with assistant cross country coach Timothy Huss. He runs through the workout of the day. It’s mileage and 400m repeats — ten minutes of easy running, followed by a dynamic warm-up including high knees and leg swings, 4x400m with a 100m jog in between each rep. Following that, each runner must finish their mileage for the day, three to seven miles, depending on their assigned mileage for the week. The assigned mileage is predetermined by the head cross country coach, Kevin Rengo, based on each runner’s experience level and body type.
“This is just a really chill workout to get some turnover and a touch of faster work,” Reese Thompson said.
Some runners are stoic: arms crossed and Hokas planted on the ground. Others jump around from one leg to the other. One runner stretches, and others look like they’ve already finished the workout as they slouch on the couch before it’s even started. The female cross country runners dance behind them, “Beauty and A Beat” by Justin Bieber is playing on Evie Hage’s phone while they wait for instructions. Some men ask questions. Gum smacks. Once Coach Huss is done talking, the men are out the door.
Beep, beep, beep. That’s the sound of their watches.
The runners are back from their warm up. Huss and the runners are working out the kinks for their workout.
“Tim, why don’t you just stand where it’s confusing and remind us,” one of the runners said.
“Yeah!”
“Yeah!”
“Makes sense!”
“Yeaaaaahhh!”
Coach Huss laughs, “I’m happy I figured that out! My first reaction was why did I put that cone over there?” Huss added a cone to indicate the runner’s recovery distance.
The men cluster in lane four.
“All right, let’s go,” said Reese Thompson.
Beep, beep, beep. Once again, their watches have started. Brookes, Asics and Hokas pound the track.
About a minute later, they’re already rounding the corner to finish their first laps. Their eyes are focused on the finish line.
Three more laps go by. This time when they turn the corner, their faces are red and grimacing. They finish their workout.
“Nice work guys,” Coach Huss said.
Everyone is passing around high fives. Yells of encouragement to the women who are still on the track.
The men slowly make their way off the track, shaking out their legs. They still have to finish their three to seven miles.
Beep, beep, beep. One last time, their watches are on.
The men talk about the last email President Ross Allen sent out titled “Budget Update and Upcoming Personnel Changes.”
