4A
NEWS
FITNESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF DARLI KANSAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008
Getting ready for the big race After beating his goal and finishing fifth in the KC Marathon junior begins preparations to run in April's Boston Marathon
BY SACHIKO MIYAKAWA
smivakawa@kansan.com
Robert Schmidt had run every day since April in preparation for his first marathon, the Kansas City Marathon. His goal was to finish the 26.2 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes and to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
With a time of 2 hours 39 minutes, Schmidt hit his goal.
"It was one of the best feelings in the world," he said.
Schmidt, Overland Park junior,
placed fifth at the annual Waddell
& Reed Kansas City Marathon on
Oct. 18. He ranked first among the
runners of his age group and is now
preparing for the Boston Marathon
— the world's oldest annual marathon — to be held in April.
Other KU students who ran the Kansas City Marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon include Alex Rock, Lawrence senior, Andrew Henshaw, West Point, N.Y., senior, John McGreevy, Wichita sophomore, and Meredith Van Natta, Torrance, Calif., senior.
Schmidt participated in cross county while he was in high school. He said he had run a half marathon, but never experienced a full marathon until the Kansas City Marathon. Despite its length, he said the race was enjoyable.
"I felt tired afterwards, but at the
same time it was kind of energizing," schmidt said.
Schmidt's training for the Kansas City Marathon consisted of running in Lawrence. He said he set a weekly mileage goal — 100 miles during the summer and 75 to 85 miles during the school year — to motivate himself,
Stephan Thrun, Fairway sophomore and Schmidt's friend, said that Schmidt was usually busy
studying, practicing for marching band and training for the marathon, but that they occasionally found time to jog together.
"He's dedicated to what he does." Thrun said.
Annie LeCluyse, Phoenix,
Ariz., junior, met Schmidt through
Marching Jayhawks. She said she
was impressed by his discipline,
personality and leadership skills.
players.
"I heard that the Kansas City Marathon is much hillier, so I think (the Boston Marathon) should be easier for me."
Along with his passion for running, Schmidt is pursuing a double major in French and exercise science. He's a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and the Marching Jayhawks.
"He's very knowledgeable about sports and gives me good advice?"
"He has a great attitude on life," LeCluysse said. "He's very laid back and easy going. He goes with the flow."
Schmidt has played the trombone since he was in high school. In the Marching layhawks, Schmidt is a section leader for trombone
Schmidt also belongs to the pep band and performed in San
ROBERT SCHMIDT
Overland Park junior
Antonio during the National Championship basketball game in April.
Boston Marathon was to finish the race in 2 hours 36 minutes or faster. But Schmidt said he expected the Boston Marathon course to be less difficult than Kansas City's.
Schmidt said the preparation for the marathon taught him to set goals and manage his time well.
"I heard that the Kansas City Marathon is much hillier, so I think it should be easier for me." Schmidt said.
— Edited by Jennifer Torline
Overland Park junior Robert Schmidt runs through Lawrence to stay in shape for competition in the Boston Marathon on April 20. Schmidt took fifth place in the Kansas City marathon with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes on Oct. 18.
kyan Waggoner/KANSAN
ELECTION 2008
Thousands of Kansans register to vote just before cutoff date Number of eligible voters in the state shot up from 1.67 million to 1.73 million in five weeks before application deadline
BY JOHN HANNA ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOPEKA
At least 63.000
additional Kansans registered to vote during the five weeks before the deadline and officials and activists believe the presidential
race spurred the record numbers.
"There's definitely a surge of interest." Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, an
anti-abortion group long active in state politics, said Thursday. "The national election accounts for it. There's just interest everywhere, in general, in voting."
Thornburgh said an incomplete tally of the state's 105 counties at the end of last week showed 1.73 million registered voters, compared to almost 1.67 million on Sept. 15.
The registration deadline was Oct. 20, and Thornburgh's office plans to release final figures today.
Secretary of State Ron
plans to reevaluate rules today. Kansas also has seen interest in advance voting.
KANSAS NEEDS A NEW APPROACH TO ENERGY
We don't need to think about more coal plants. Instead, John wants to work with Governor Sebelius on a comprehensive energy policy that taps our state's wind potential while emphasizing energy efficiency and conservation.A vote for John will ensure that Kansas becomes a leader in wind and other renewable energy sources.
John WILSON FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Bringing New Energy to Topeka.
Working for You.
www.johnwilsonforkansas.com
Pred for by John Wilson for Kansas, Julia Gaughan, Tissue
Let's Work Together and Get Things Done
"Please join me in voting for Republican Scott Morgan for the Kansas State Senate. As a registered Democrat and Obama supporter, I know that Scott can reach out to people of different political backgrounds to find solutions. He will work hard for KU and Lawrence in the state legislature."
- Maggie Carttar,
East Lawrence resident and
retired KU Law School
Placement Director
THE FRIDA FILM
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Scott Morgan for State Senate An Independent Voice of Reason for Lawrence www.ScottMorganforSenate.com/KUStudents.htm
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