Running to Infinity and Beyond

Cooper Ruesch 
Staff Writer 
  It is that time of year again where students can test their athletic abilities like speed, endurance, strength, and hand-eye coordination. The Bonneville track team is back for the season with the events from previous years: sprints, distance, shot put, pole vault, hurdles, and more.
  Tzuriel Paredes, senior at Bonneville High School, has been part of the track team for three years. He participates in a variety of events such as sprints, steeplechase, hurdles, and road running. When it is off-season for track, Paredes can be found running on the school’s cross country team. For warm ups Paredes typically runs for two miles and does drills like high knees and Frankensteins. When asked about bonding with other athletes during the season, Paredes explained that he "form[s] relationship with teammates by listening to their stories while [they] run.'' Staying close and forming relationships with teammates is an excellent way to develop trust and respect and to push harder towards the end goal.
  However, Requiring endurance and mental stamina, Paredes stressed the importance of staying in physical and mental shape.According to Paredes, one of the most challenging races is the 3200 meter. He described the race as “the most endurance and mentally draining event there is.… [it] challenges you and push[es] yourself every day to find a good habit to make." Running is arduous for some individuals, especially without the proper training. Paredes explains to other students, “I always smile when people tell me how much running sucks because it is a reminder that I chose the hardest sport there is.” Being one of the hardest sports, athletes are prone to injuries like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and more. Paredes participates in physical therapy exercises to prevent injury, such as external rotation, standing calf stretches, seated hamstring, terminal knee extension, ankle stretch, side leg raises to prevent injury. All of these exercises help Paredes keep his body in shape and in check. Although he has a busy schedule, Paredes enjoys being in cross country and track, so he is always supporting one sport with the other. With all of this training one can only succeed so far as one lets themselves, Paredes is constantly pushing himself in every race and workout. Paredes receives confidence after completing a workout therefore he can push himself further on each race.