Race Like a Husky

Gear up for the Huskies Forever 5K with tips from experienced runners at UConn Recreation.
Name: Cyndi Costanzo ’88 B.S. (Athletic Training), ’90 M.S. (Kinesiology)
Position at UConn: Executive Director – UConn Recreation
Years of Running Experience: 13 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs
Pro Tip: Train or sign up for the race with a running buddy. We are all more motivated if we are accountable to others. Run with your pack!
Name: Mike Dalfonso ’20 B.S. (Kinesiology), ’02 M.S. (Kinesiology)
Position at UConn: Associate Director – UConn Recreation
Years of Running Experience: 23 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs
Pro Tip: Running in New England means we experience all types of weather during races or during training. Find the right layers and breathable clothing options that allow you to adjust for whatever Mother Nature throws your way!
Name: Nicholas Bertora
Position at UConn: Staff, UConn Bursar’s Office
Years of Running Experience: 5 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs
Pro Tip: A tip that I firmly believe in is not to go out too fast in the beginning of a race. For the personal records I’ve set, I’ve run a negative split (completing the second half of a race faster than the first half) almost every time.
Name: Lauren Cenci ’19 (English)
Years of Running Experience: 11 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs, UConn Triathlon Team
Pro Tip: Don’t try anything new on race day–stick with what has worked in the past and what you’ve trained with! New things are for training, not for race days.
Name: Cheryl Bertora
Position at UConn: Staff, Human Resources Coordinator, Division of Athletics
Years of Running Experience: 7 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs
Pro Tip: Stay the course – follow your same diet, do not wear new clothing or new sneakers that you are not familiar with. Keep your routine the same on race day as during training.
Name: Henry Courchaine ‘19 (Mechanical Engineering & German)
Years of Running Experience: 3 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs
Pro Tip: My favorite tip for race day is to focus on having fun. For me this means trying to stay relaxed before and during the race. This helps me control my pace and succeed at beating my record.
Name: Lauren DeMarco ‘19 (Marketing)
Years of Running Experience: 16 years
UConn Running Group Affiliations: UConn REC Road Dogs, UConn Triathlon Team
Pro Tip: The best part of race day is indulging in the post-race food. Eat all the carbs you want because you’ve earned it!!
Whether an experienced runner, leisurely jogger, or casual walker, join us at the fifth annual Huskies Forever 5K on Sunday, October 27, 2019!
This article offers health, fitness, and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only. Consult your physician or other health care professional for medical advice.