Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

November 22, 2002

After five

Ever wonder where your co-workers are headed at the end of the day? This Inside feature catches up with university employees "after five." Photo by Bob Elbert.

Name: Kim Smith

By day, he's: Professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

After five, he's: Marathon runner, competing in races from D.C. to Davenport

Cut back on the carb loads: When his brother invited him 18 months ago to compete in a half-marathon on the Great Wall of China. ("Up until then, I was just plain obese and sitting around the house.")

Egged on by endorphins: Followed the Hal Higdon training program after Beijing and has since run in six, 26-mile marathons. ("There's no feeling like running down the center of Pennsylvania Avenue, between Congress and the White House, and people just cheering you on. But overall, I think my recent run at the New York City Marathon was my favorite. I had my slowest time, but the experience was just spectacular.") Currently in training for a London marathon.

The bonus of bunions: "Running has enabled me to lose a fair amount of weight, and it's made my life calmer and more comfortable because I'm more relaxed. It's such a great sport -- you can really suck at it and still finish. I'm still just a short, fat, stubby guy, but now I've got great legs."