What the Heck?
December 5, 2012
Filed under Sports
Walk into any sporting-goods store and you will see several displays of running shoes of every size, color, shape and brand. Some running shoes are designed with gel pockets in the heel to offer exceptional cushioning. Others are designed with stability and motion control in mind for runners who over-pronate – when the foot rolls inward when striking the ground, potentially damaging the feet, ankles, lower legs and lower back. The new craze on the running shoe market is minimalist shoes, and more specifically, barefoot running shoes. We have all seen that person walking around public with aquatic-looking toe-shoes. Barefoot running shoes are designed to mimic the attributes of walking or working out barefoot. Besides looking ridiculous, these shoes are supposed to encourage a mid-foot or forefoot strike with each stride. Because traditional running shoes often contain extra cushion in the heel, runners have a tendency to heel-strike with each stride. There have been many studies and research with opposing arguments against whether or not the way the foot strikes the ground with each stride can have harmful effects on the body. Even with the debate on running shoes, some runners decide to run completely natural – barefoot. I am not a historian, but I assume running barefoot has been around since the beginning of mankind. Whether or not you are a runner, you have probably at one point run barefoot before, regardless of the distance. Whether running barefoot on the sand at the beach or through the grass at a park, running barefoot gives us the sense of freedom. Wearing shoes creates a separation from our bodies and nature – we cannot feel the earth. Aside from the aesthetic feel, I have also noticed I naturally run on my forefoot when I run barefoot, and when I land on my heel, it hurts. Despite the opposing viewpoints of the effects of heel-striking, perhaps the studies are onto something. Although barefoot running is growing in popularity, it is still something the majority of the running community does not engage in. For starters, if you run barefoot, you are bound to come across different environments and terrains. Glass, sharp rocks, sticks, and thorns do not sound very inviting to the feet. Hot pavement could also cause blisters and pain and cold temperatures could make dsurfaces slippery. I have been running for more than 10 years and have only ever seen one barefoot runner. Granted, she was racing on a track, but it still amazed me. I have run very short distances barefoot, but I do not think I would try to run a marathon barefoot. Although I think the barefoot running and minimalist shoe craze is interesting, I still think it is a fad. It is something unusual in our society, so some people will think it is cool. For now, I will stick to my running shoes. I do not feel like stepping on a rusty nail any time soon. James Heck can be reached at jmh479@saclink.csus.edu.
Runners brace for cold
November 27, 2012
Filed under Sports
During the winter months, sporting events can face unexpected scheduling issues, facing either suspensions of games or canceling of games altogether. Many sports have the luxury of being played indoors on dry surfaces and ideal environments. While track and field meets are h...
Reesey Byers runs like the wind, leads cross country
October 30, 2012
Filed under Sports, Track And Field
He humbly shook my hand the first time I met him. He seemed shy and reserved, probably nervous. He tricked me. When discussing his experiences running, junior Reesey Byers can hardly contain his enthusiasm. Byers was born on March 3, 1992, in Bakersfield. When he was two years old, he was adopted by...
Cross Country teams wrap up Big Sky Championships
October 28, 2012
Filed under Sports, Track And Field
The Sacramento State men’s cross country team placed fifth and the women’s team placed eighth at the Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz. Northern Arizona and Weber State won the men’s and women’s races, respectively, by placing three runners in ...
Cross country runners prepare for conference championships
October 22, 2012
Filed under Sports, Track And Field
The Sacramento State men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete at the Big Sky Championships on Saturday at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz. For the first time in the 2012 cross country season, all 11conference teams will compete in the same meet. The Big Sky...
Train for the apocalypse
October 16, 2012
Filed under Food
If we can take anything away from the recent trend of zombies in the media, it’s that the zombie apocalypse is near and one of the best ways to survive is being able to run. Fast. Endurance running and sprints are two ways to work on your cardio, and doing a mix of the two can help you prepare agains...
Football sees its first loss since beginning of season in conference opener
State Hornet Staff
September 22, 2012
Filed under Sports
Turnovers stopped Sacramento State from any type of celebrating during its 2012 conference opener.Hornets’ quarterback Garrett Safron threw two interceptions and fumbled inside the 20-yard line, leading Sac State to a loss against the University of North Dakota, 35-13.North Dakota stepped away from...
Sac State cross country to host Hornet Jamboree
September 4, 2012
Filed under Sports
The eighth annual Sacramento State Hornet Jamboree will take place on Saturday at Sacramento Granite Regional Park. The Hornet Jamboree is the only cross country home meet of the 2012 season. Approximately 1,500 participants composed of seven to eight collegiate teams – including Sacrament...
Football prepares for opener in New Mexico
State Hornet Staff
August 28, 2012
Filed under Sports
Fans were able to get their first glimpse of the 2012 Sacramento State football team on Aug. 18 as the Hornets held their annual Green and Gold Scrimmage. The scrimmage was a part of “Bee a Hornet,” an event allowing kids a close look at college football.After the scrimmage, kids participated in ...
Campus becomes course for Sac State’s Fun Run
State Hornet Staff
May 3, 2011
Filed under Campus
A total of 575 runners and walkers participated in the third annual Sacramento State 5K Fun Run on Thursday. The fun run started along the walkway between the Well's south wall and the north end zone of the Alex G. Spanos sports complex. The 3.1-mile course took the participants along the northeast per...
