MANDY CHAPMAN For many UCLA students, running the
perimeter is a more exciting alternative to circling the track at
Drake Stadium.
By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Reporter
Does the term “freshman 15″ fill you with fear?
Running laps around the track at Drake Stadium may seem tedious,
but so does a Thanksgiving filled with comments like, “You
know, I porked up in college, too.” The perimeter (and laying
off the doughnuts) may be the answer to your problems.
But what is the perimeter? The perimeter refers to the 4.5-mile
edge of UCLA, generally defined as Veteran-Sunset-Hilgard-LeConte.
Those who run around the school swear by it.
“I think running is the best way to keep your body in
shape and maintain your fitness level,” said sophomore
gymnast Angie Dickinson.
Kim Antonio,UCLA’s assistant athletic trainer for
women’s basketball, water polo and cross country, agreed on
the perimeter’s benefits.
“It has cardiovascular benefits because of the long
distance, and it is both anaerobic and aerobic because it is not
continuously flat,” she said.
Although some people run the perimeter just for fun, others use
it to train more seriously.
“I ran it a lot to train for the L.A. Marathon,”
said assistant sports information director Danny Harrington.
Harrington noted that there is an easier and harder direction to
run the perimeter, the more difficult being Le Conte, left on
Hilgard, left on Sunset, and left on Veteran.
“It’s definitely harder running it one way because
it is more uphill. I think most people run it the easy way,”
he said.
Although you do not have to be a marathon runner, the perimeter
is not for everyone.
“I would recommend it for someone who already runs,”
Antonio said. “It isn’t a beginning run unless you
jog/walk it.”
Sprinters also avoid the 4.5-mile distance.
“I’m a track and field person and a sprinter so it
doesn’t benefit my training,” said sophomore Adia
McKinnon, who holds the Pac-10 400m title.
Antonio does not think the risk should prevent the average
person from running, however.
“If you are well-trained, there is less risk. If you only
run once a week, I wouldn’t recommend the perimeter. Everyone
is different. Some may feel it in their shins or ankles or
feet,” she said.
Most runners do not seem concerned either.
“I’ll worry about it when I’m old and
crippled. I’d rather be in shape now,” said second-year
engineering student Joseph Coe.
“I don’t worry about my knees because I don’t
need them,” said women’s tennis head coach Stella
Sampras.
Her players, however, need their knees, so she keeps them on the
track where she can also keep an eye on them so they don’t
slack off.
“On the perimeter they breathe too much smog,” added
women’s tennis assistant coach Jon Reeves.
Car exhaust and joint issues aside, many people prefer the
perimeter to the track because it is more scenic. Perhaps
Sampras’ brother, tennis icon Pete Sampras, puts it best.
“Running in circles is boring,” he said.
“The track is monotonous,” agreed second-year
undeclared student Myles Regele. “I see a ton of people on
the perimeter. Anytime you go, you’ll always find another
runner, even at midnight.”
So whether you are looking for company or just trying to keep
little sister’s fat jokes at bay, the perimeter might be for
you.
TWO WAYS TO RUN THE PERIMETER OF UCLA It is
commonly believed that the more difficult route is north on Hilgard
and west on Sunset because the inclines are longer and steeper than
the reverse direction. Original graphic by VICTOR CHEN/Daily Bruin
Web adaptation by MIKE OUYANG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff