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Show WASATCH COUNTY Si aaah EO OR IF PGE EP" RUSS RIGGS SPORTS EDITOR eecaedanee Pee ee OOPS ior se“ Postal GG porphcrvba COURIER idway resident Kerry Collings not only delivers =- the mail, but also delivers running performances that would astonish most. By day, he works for the post office in Midway, by night, he’s a running machine. Collings, 52, participates in what are called “ultra’s”. Basically, a race that’s anything longer than a marathon. However, Collings doesn’t stop at a measley 40, 50, or 60 miles—he puts his body to the ultimate test in races marathons. “When I turned 30 I started running to control my weight. Then as I got older and slowerI decided to go like the Wasatch Mountain 100, a race from Layton to Midway through Utah’s backcountry. Yep, that’s right—a full hundred miles straight. Hundred mile races take anywhere from 36 to 50 hours to complete, depending upon how much rest the runner takes. According to Collings, there’s a simple formula to follow. “You run until it gets too hard, and then walk until it gets too easy,” he said. | Collings didn’t just start doing ultra’s, “however. He began by doing those wimpy things we like to call At the top of US Grant Swamp Pass longer,” he said. “After a couple of years, I ran my first marathon. I just wanted to do one, then I got hooked.” After getting bored with At the top of Virginius Pass prior to taking the plunge down the icy face of the glacier. marathons, Collings decided to try an race held in Colorado. In fact, he’s cur- ultra. He signed up for the Wasatch Mountain 100, which has_ been dubbed “100 miles of heaven and hell”, seven years ago. He also participates in the Hard Rock 100, a similar July by running, running, and more running. “I run an hour each weekday night, AC rently training for that race held in and anywhere from two to eight hours on the weekends,” Collings said. For most people, just the thought of running a 100 mile race is enough to make one ill and warrant a trip to the porcelain throne. However, there’s more people willing to put their bodies to. the ultimate test than you would think. “They limit the entries, but it’s get: ting quite popular. As soon as you get the entry form you have to fill it out or you won't get in,” Collings said. As for the race itself, Collings said that he carries a fanny pack full of snack items to eat on the trail. And, as for sleeping in these day-and-a half Grade Level: 9 Sports/Activity: Soccer/wrestling Other Sport/Activity: Football Favorite Music Group: Weezer Favorite Movie: Dumb & Dumber Favorite Movie Star: Jim Carrey Favorite Athlete: Carl Sanderson Favorite Sport: Wrestling Favorite Sports Team: lowa State Wrestling Favorite Food: Alfredo Favorite School Subject: Lunch Person Who Has Influenced You the Most: Dad races, you take what you can get. © “You come across poeple just lying in the trail,” he said. And what’s the reward for running 100 miles in such a short period of time? If you were expecting a large sum of cash, or maybe a new SUV, then you couldn’t have been farther from the truth. “It’s. a T-shirt -or~belt-- buckle,” Collings said. At 52, one would think a person would be slowing down. After all, a 100 mile race can take quite a toll on your body. Not Collings, however. He’s not content being just you’re average friendly mailman. In fact, he’d like to run until his legs fall off. “I would like to keep going as long as I can,” he said. “I just love being in the meuntains and being able to run.” NEW JUNIOR WASATCH CHEERLEADERS Goals for the Future: Mission/wrestle for lowa State Car You Wish You Had: Bent The new Junior Wasatch Cheerleaders for the 2001 football season have been chosen! They will be cheering for all the Wasatch Junior League Football teams ight weight, middle weight & heavy weight). Back row, left to right: Emily Hansen, Tazia Wootton, Cecily Black, Kelsey Duke, Brittany Burge, Ashley Probst and Kali Smith. Middle row, left to right: Reagan Probst, Lindsey Hisler, Kaylee Whiting, Stephanie Baronek, Kaitlin. Woolley, Jessica Mahoney and Nicole Robinson Front row, left to right: Ashley Langford (head) and Heather Rawlins (co-head). |