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Counselor

Rebecca Gomez, Stephanie Fryberg and Anouk Scheres are all on the faculty of the University of Arizona's  department of psychology, and started running together a few years ago.

Gomez studies how infants learn language, Fryberg focuses on cultural psychology and Scheres studies brain development in children and adolescents with ADHD and related disorders.

All three participate in the Workout Group, coordinated by Randy Accetta, which meets at Reid Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Here are the results of an e-mailed Q&A.

Rebecca Gomez

Gomez has been a runner for 20 years and plans to run the 10-miler in October.  

I heard somewhere, I think on the radio, that a 65-year-old woman who trains regularly can retain the muscle strength of a woman decades younger. I'm getting a long head start, but in an effort to stave off mortality I'm planning on doing all the running events in Tucson this year. 

What cross training do you do?

I lift weights for strength and I stretch to maintain flexibility. I also run trails in Catalina State Park. Actually, I have an extremely active dog (an Australian shepherd). I have to take her running three or four times a week to keep peace at home.

It's always hectic in the school year with teaching and travel for research and talks, but I'm hoping to average about 35 miles per week.

I've never done this race, so any time I have will be a personal record. I'd be really pleased if I were in the top third of the women in my age category (45-49 age bracket). This would be an accomplishment because there are some strong women out there.

Often at the end of the day I feel drained of all energy, like running is the last thing I can possibly do, but afterward I always feel great. I may start the workout dragging from the stress of the day, but ironically a hard workout drives away fatigue.

I don't have a least favorite part, but perhaps it's because I'm really just a recreational athlete. I don't feel like I have to run for any other reason than it's something I love to do.    

I have a tendency to start out too hard in workouts instead of trusting my body to tell me what it can do on a given day. Consequently, I end up getting injured. I am trying to be better about gauging how my body is reacting from the last workout so I can adjust my effort accordingly. 

Join one of the running groups in town so you can train with others. The workout group that meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Reid Park is terrific. . . . There are runners of all different levels so there is always someone to run with (and also someone to try to catch). I ran for years on my own and thought I was in good shape until I began training with this group. My fitness has taken a major leap forward since I started three years ago.

Fryberg has been a runner about 13 years and averages about 20-25 miles a week. She also swims about 8-10 miles.

She's preparing for Get Moving because, she says, having goals to work toward keeps her motivated to get out and run, especially when it's hot.

I alternate running and swimming. In addition to (Workout Group) and a long run with friends on the weekend, I swim four days a week with the Tucson Jewish Community Center Masters Swim team.

I would like to improve my time from last year. I ran the 10-miler with a friend. Our goal was to use it as a "training" run. The idea was to get faster each mile. We did that and we had fun. This year I'd like to see if I could start out faster and still descent (get faster) each mile.

Not too many. I've done a marathon, a couple half- marathons and a handful of 8- to 10-milers, 10Ks and 5 Ks.

Working out with my friends. Some days we get really competitive, but even when we do it is in the spirit of pushing one another and of having fun.

Mile repeats!

Jumping in too fast. Not having a good base before increasing my training level. What happens is that you get nagging injuries that hang around for weeks or months and hinder your training.

Hmm. I think the two main lessons are consistency and hard work. As with anything you do, if you work at it consistently and if you work hard, you are more likely to be successful. Like running, life is not a fad (something you do for a few weeks). When you work consistently it feels good and good things happen.

I particularly enjoy running Sabino Canyon with my friends. The last mile on the way up is tough, but it feels good when you make it to the top. Then, you get to enjoy the run back.

Scheres plans to run the 5K. She gave birth to her son six weeks ago.

She started running in 2002 when she moved from Amsterdam to New York City. "I thought that running would be a good way to get to know the city and make new friends."

The 5K run for me is a way to get back into running after having given birth to our baby boy in July.

Swimming and occasionally cycling (mainly in the gym because I feel unsafe on the roads).

At the moment 0, and before my pregnancy 20.

My goal is just to enjoy the feeling of running again! After having quit in the fifth month of pregnancy, I really miss running now and can't wait to get back.

Cool down, because it is just a nice feeling to have run, and it is a good moment to catch up with runner-friends.

"Lack of cross training, which has resulted in hamstring injury in the past."

During running, I have learned to take one mile at a time, especially during long distances. It makes running for me much easier. I have applied the same strategy during labor: taking one contraction at a time, which made it relatively easy, and as a result I had a medication-free birth.

Sabino Canyon. It is just gorgeous and I love that it's hilly.

"More bike paths! Although Tucson is known as a bike-friendly city, it feels quite dangerous to me."

"Venus Williams. She is a great athlete and I'd like to know how she made a spectacular comeback this year after injuries in 2006."