Cedar Falls High School Marathon Runners Train For Race In Duluth: Hi-Line Blog

Lucas Hamilton/Entertainment Editor

As the school year draws to a close, a group of six seniors’ preparations include running in the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., on June 16. The six men choosing to run are Adam Streicher, Andrew Halloran, Alex Staudt, Kurt Hanlin, Matt Adrian and John Paul Sevcik. 

Most of the men picked up running from family and peer influence. Whether siblings, friends or parents started the trend, other people played a major role in launching their running careers. 

“My parents let my brothers and I start doing the Sturgis Falls 5K after our 4th grade year. I think I ran it in 24:44, and I decided I liked it, so I continued to do the race a couple more years. Then, I joined cross country in 7th grade and haven’t looked back,” Sevcik said.

“My main influence would have to be my dad. He used to be an avid runner and ran marathons. I sometimes even went on short runs with him when I was a youngster,” Adrian said. 

All of the men have participated in cross country and track and field throughout their high school years, but in preparation for such a grueling race, their high school training simply is not enough to allow them to survive the 26.2 mile trek. To prepare themselves, the runners have set out on their own plans to physically prepare themselves for such a rigorous race. 

Adrian said, “After track is over, we will be training in a group. We’ll be getting lots of long runs in, even including a couple of 20-mile runs in preparation for the marathon.”

Sevcik said, “The weekly mileage is definitely going to go up … way up. By the time June 16 rolls around, we should all be well prepared for the race as long as we stick to the plan.”

Luckily, the men aren’t delving into a 26.2 mile race blindly. Halloran tells of how he plans to pace his preparation out. 

“I found a marathon training plan from Scott Gall, the owner of the Runner’s Flat and an outstanding runner. It will let me keep track of what I need to do in order to be successful,” Halloran said. 

“I don’t have a particular motivation for long runs; I just really enjoy running. As crazy as that sounds, I just enjoy going on runs with my friends for an hour or two,” Sevcik said.

All of the men agree that running as a group is far more exciting and fun than running individually. The comradery that it provides gives them an extra boost to continue running. 

“Training is much easier in a group. It holds you accountable for getting the workouts in, and when you’re in a group, you can help push each other,” Adrian said.

“Going on long runs as a group is so much fun. We always have memorable conversations and really bond over the time we share running. The time seems to pass much faster when you are running in a group as well,” Streicher said.

In deciding to run the marathon itself, the men can agree that they helped pull each other into it, but there are a couple of stand out individuals who have been an influence on the men. 

“Joey Sevcik and Paul Strike ran this marathon after their senior year, which really got me interested in marathons. This year, the other guys running the marathon influenced me to race,” Halloran said.

“Coach Becker has been a big influence on me throughout my high school running career. After cross country was over, I knew there were bigger and better things than running 5Ks for the rest of my life, so that’s when I decided to sign up for the Grandma’s Marathon,” Staudt said. 

“My brothers influenced me. They all did it. None of them died, and they all looked to have fun with it, so I decided I’d continue the tradition,” Sevcik said.
On the morning of a big race, every runner has his own special pre-race rituals. Music, warm ups, certain meals — anything goes for pre-race rituals. For the six men, they all will be continuing their own traditions, whether they be personal or as a team. 

“I always wear different socks for warming up and racing. I always eat a granola bar two hours beforehand as well,” Streicher said.

“I always have to tie my shoes at a certain tightness before I can run a race. This requires meticulous unlacing and relacing. If I finish the knot, and it’s not the right tightness, I have to start over. The patience and precision I put into tying my shoes pays off with more comfortable feet and faster times,” Adrian said. 

“Before any race, the team gathers up in a huddle, and we say a prayer just thanking Him for bringing us to the race and all our abilities. I also have a playlist of Mumford & Sons, the Killers, and Kings of Leon that I always listen to before running because it calms me down and clears my head of any distractions,” Staudt said. 

Spectators are always welcome to the marathon, and the runners encourage the support. If attending the race is not an option, there is an option of signing up for text alerts for certain runners. These alerts will provide a time at certain checkpoints for any runner desired. This allows a more personal tracking of progress along the race. 

In hopes to continue their passion for running, the men are making plans to continue pursuing running in college. Streicher will be running on the cross country team at Washington University in St. Louis. Sevcik will be attending Loras College in Dubuque and participating in cross country as well as track and field. Adrian, attending Iowa State, and Halloran, attending Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, will be pursuing club running at their respective schools. Hanlin is currently enlisted in the navy and has no future plans of organized running.

Staudt will be attending the University of Iowa and run privately.
Regardless of where the men end up, their passion for running and racing will not hinder.