Jacob Ott’s journey with running started back in middle school. It was a good way to get into shape and socialize. He kept up with it while attending Denison University, where he competed at the Division III level in cross country and track and field. The former Lakewood High School track and field coach is now a coach at Second Sole in Lakewood. He shares why he loves running.
One of the reasons I’ve always gravitated towards running is that you don’t need to be on a team. You can set your own goals, set your own pace. There’s a lot of freedom involved. The nice thing about running is, that similar to hiking, you can explore all the Metroparks in the city. Consistency is very important. Just getting out the door every day. It’s also fun to run with your friends. The more you’re talking on a run with people, the less you’re actually focusing on how much your legs are tiring. A lot of my friends are people that I have met through the running community. It’s a good way to see the city and meet new people. — as told to Viola Sullivan
