'Fun run' coming for pair of ex-Cougars

OREM — For most runners in Monday's Deseret Morning News 10K, the race will be anything but relaxing.

But for a pair of former BYU athletes, now teammates on the professional running circuit, the race is a low-stress change-up from the kind of racing they have become used to in their collegiate and professional careers.

Former Cougars Nate Robison, an All-American in the 1,500-meter run in 2004, and Josh McAdams, the reigning NCAA champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, are both signed now to run professionally for New Balance.

And with a grueling training/competition cycle that will begin in earnest in the fall, both are approaching Monday's race as a workout with the added benefit of running in front of a home crowd again.

"The 10K is a lot farther than I usually run, so I'm just going into it as a chance to get some exercise and have some fun," Robison said.

McAdams echoed that sentiment.

"It's definitely not as stressful, because you don't have teammates relying on you," he said. "I'm just going to go out, have some fun and get a good workout."

This race will be especially meaningful to Robison, who will be moving to Virginia in two weeks for graduate school and may be running his last competitive race in his home state.

"It feels really weird," he said. "My wife and I are both having trouble realizing that this could be the last race here, because we don't know when, or if, we'll back."

Drama aside, both athletes are mostly just excited to get back into training after taking some time off after the outdoor track season wrapped up last month.

McAdams, who took some time off to go home to Cleveland, said he needed the break.

"At the end of the track season, I was kind of burned out," he said. "It's a long season when you run indoor and outdoor track, because the two seasons just kind of blend together — but now I'm feeling fresh, feeling strong and I'm ready to run again."

Their proximity to their alma mater allows Robison and McAdams the opportunity to not only train together but also work with their former BYU teammates and coaches, including cross country coach and running guru Ed Eyestone and Robison's father, Mark Robison, the men's track head coach.

"It definitely helps out with workouts because you're getting pushed," McAdams said.

The 10K race begins Monday at 6 a.m. at Research Park at the University of Utah, making its way through downtown Salt Lake City and finishing at Liberty Park.

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com