New coach speaks on running, SCAD cross-country and that mystical “runner’s high”
BY DEANNE REVEL
Name: Stephen Gonzalez
Hometown: Johnstown, Pa.
Sports team: SCAD Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
Position: Assistant Coach
I was anxious to find the new assistant cross-country coach for SCAD, Stephen Gonzalez, at The Sentient Bean, since the description he gave me was, “I’m in the back, dressed in black.” I pictured the Johnny Cash of the cross-country community, but instead I met a spirited coach dressed in school colors, excited for an afternoon of SCAD Baseball.
So, you’re a student athlete, too?
Gonzalez: I’m getting my master’s in Sports Psychology at Georgia Southern.
How is coaching with head coach, Michael Sergi?
Gonzalez: We compliment each other very well. He has a strong background in exercise physiology. I bring a more mental side to our training.
Savannah is flat. How does the city fare in terms of an environment for training?
Gonzalez: We try to be creative. We do quarter-mile workouts on the bridge.
What about all the concrete?
Gonzalez: We’re actually really fortunate because our athletes are well outfitted. I know some D-1 programs that only give their athletes shoes twice a year, but here at SCAD, the team is well taken care of. That’s one thing a lot of people make the mistake of—not changing their running shoes as much as they should.
What’s the weekly mileage for a SCAD Bee?
Gonzalez: Some of the guys run up to 70 miles. The women run about 50 miles.
Do you still run competitively?
Gonzalez: I’m running the Boston Marathon for the second time this year.
What’s your PR?
Gonzalez: 2 hrs. 48 min. That was my debut. It takes a few marathons. I’m hoping to run 2 hrs. 30 min. this time around.
2 mile, 5k or marathon?
Gonzalez: I need the marathon to compete at a high level. Once you complete a marathon, you really realize what the human body can do.
Does the “runner’s high” exist?
Gonzalez: I read that some German scientists proved the runner’s high does exist. They’ve linked it to the neurotransmitter. You feel good about yourself afterwards. That’s the runner’s high I get.
Do you have any artistic hobbies?
Gonzalez: I’m not an artistic person at all. I can barely draw stick figures.
Do you find anything artistic about cross-country?
Gonzalez: Steve Prefontaine was a hero to me growing up. “A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding.” Whenever you do an art, it’s a deep experience. Just from what people have told me, you’re putting a lot of yourself in it. Running is you against yourself. Athletes, too, as they push themselves—it become an art form because you’re becoming at peace with yourself.
What’s it like training artists?
Gonzalez: To hear furniture design and sculpture as majors, I was like, “Wow.” I had to take a step back. I’m in a very different place. To train artists is an experience. The students are very focused. Some of the conversations I’ve had with my athletes are outstanding. They’re very bright. I’m blown away by some of the stuff I see these kids do.
What will you do when your body can’t handle the mileage?
Gonzalez: The day I can’t run is the day I’m done on this earth. I guess I’ll golf [laughs].
SCAD Men’s and Women’s Cross Country will be competing in the Savannah State Tiger Open at Savannah State University on Mar. 7. For a complete list of meets or more information on SCAD Cross Country visit www.scadathletics.com.
