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The Runner's Body

We come in all shapes and sizes, but run long enough and the sport shapes us. Running molds the human form in ways both beautiful and grotesque. From powerful glutes to black toenails, bulging calves to skinny biceps—the miles mark us as one of the tribe. This is the runner’s body. A photo essay by Reed Young.

group of young women running in city setting
Alys Tomlinson//Getty Images
1

A Runner's Body

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Media Platforms Design Team

Rae Baymiller

Age: 71
Years Running: 21
x 500m at 800m race pace: 30
Mile PR: 5:20
10K PR: 37:12
Half Marathon PR: 1:18
Marathon PR: 2:52
Favorite Distance: Marathon
Favorite Workout: Hills
Strength: Endurance

2

A Runner's Skinny Legs

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Media Platforms Design Team

Rich Nelson

Age: 44
Years Running: 6
x 500m at 800m race pace: 40
Mile PR: 4:54
5K PR: 17:10
10K PR: 35:25
Half Marathon PR: 1:18:23
Marathon PR: 2:47:16
Favorite Distance: Marathon
Favorite Workout: 12 x 400m at 5K race pace with 200m recovery
Strength: Endless energy

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
3

A Runner's Arms

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Media Platforms Design Team

The athletes featured belong to Central Park Track Club. Founded in 1972, the club serves more than 400 competitive runners of all ages.

4

A Runner's Back

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Media Platforms Design Team

Rolanda Bell

Age: 26
Years Running: 18
x 500m at 800m race pace: 65
Mile PR: 4:43
5K PR: 16:24.75
10K PR: 36:27
Half Marathon PR: 1:20:48
Favorite Distance: 3,000m steeplechase
Favorite Workout: Steeplechase hurdle intervals
Strength: Athleticism

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
5

A Runner's Quads and Legs

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Media Platforms Design Team

Julius Mutekanga

Age: 26
Years Running: 8
x 500m at 800m race pace: 35
400m PR: 46
800m PR: 1:46
Favorite Distance: 500m
Favorite Workout: 200Ask the Coaches: Foamy Sweat
Strength: Speed

6

A Runner's Jump

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Media Platforms Design Team

Harrison Hunter

Age: 20
Years Running: 7
x 500m at 800m race pace: 50
400m PR: 48.1
800m PR: 1:51.64
Favorite Distance: 800m
Favorite Workout: 4 x 200m at 95 percent effort with 3 minutes rest
Strength: Kick

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
7

A Runner's Abs

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Media Platforms Design Team

Francyna Evins

Age: 23
Years Running: 11
x 500m at 800m race pace: 5
55m PR: 7.15
60m PR: 7.61
400m PR: 55.68
Favorite Distance: Sprints
Favorite Workout: Core workouts
Strength: Force application

8

A Runner's Back Side

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Media Platforms Design Team

Bill Wells

Age: 30
Years Running: 16
x 500m at 800m race pace: 70
800m PR: 1:58
Mile PR: 4:24
5K PR: 16:07
10K PR: 34:51
Half Marathon PR: 1:21
Marathon PR: 3:11
Favorite Distance: 800m
Favorite Workout: 3 m on the track; cross country any distance
Strength: Competitiveness

Meggie Sullivan

Age: 26
Years Running: 18
x 500m at 800m race pace: 45-50
Mile PR: 4:48
5K PR: 18:30
Favorite Distance: 1500m and 1K
Favorite Workout: 12 x 300m
Strength: A durable, healthy attitude

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
9

A Runner's Flex

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Media Platforms Design Team

Sue Pearsall

Age: 48
Years Running: 18
x 500m at 800m race pace: 50
Mile PR: 5:48
5K PR: 20:00
10K PR: 36:27
Half Marathon PR: 1:32
Marathon PR: 3:32
Favorite Distance: 1500m on the track; cross country (any distance)
Favorite Workout: 3 Hills and track repeats
Strength: Tenacity

10

A Runner's Legs

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Media Platforms Design Team

The athletes featured belong to Central Park Track Club. Founded in 1972, the club serves more than 400 competitive runners of all ages.

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
11

A Runner's Torso

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Media Platforms Design Team

Alan Ruben

Age: 57
Years Running: 28
x 500m at 800m race pace: 55
Mile PR: 4:34
5K PR: 15:39
10K PR: 32:54
Half Marathon PR: 1:11:27
Marathon PR: 2:29:54
Favorite Distance: Half marathon
Favorite Workout: Progressive tempo
Strength: Endurance

12

A Runner's Calves

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Media Platforms Design Team

Shawnessy Dusseau

Age: 32
Years Running: 18
x 500m at 800m race pace: 50-60
Mile PR: 6:20
5K PR: 20:49
10K PR: 44:34
Half Marathon PR: 1:35:51
Marathon PR: 3:31:44
Favorite Distance: Half marathon
Favorite Workout: Track intervals
Strength: DAA Industry Opt Out

How to Run Twice a Day Without Injury
13

A Runner's Feet

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Media Platforms Design Team

Ivette Ramirez

Age: 24
Years Running: 12
x 500m at 800m race pace: 45-50
Mile PR: 4:52
5K PR: 17:25
10K PR: 37:42
Favorite Distance: 5K
Favorite Workout: Ask the Coaches: Foamy Sweat
Strength: Speed

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