There’s more to Katie Radzik than just running.

With the constant training that distance runners must go through, it is hard for them to focus on their studies, let alone take part in extracurricular activities. Combine those time demands and the strain the season takes on a runner, and what you get is one tired and busy athlete.

But this model of the average cross country runner is drastically off the mark when you look at the star and leader of Binghamton cross country, Katie Radzik.

Approaching her last race of the season this weekend, Katie can look back on 2006 with pride: All-Conference Honors, NCAA All-Regional Honors and a first place victory in front of the Bearcat home crowd at the Binghamton Invitational. She also achieved a career best time on a 5,000-meter course at the America East Championships this year, running it in 17:27.

But Radzik is more than a bunch of shattered record books; the reigning campus Female Athlete of the Year, she is also a Binghamton Scholar, a program which requires students have a 3.25 GPA at minimum.

Considering her dominance of races, one has to wonder what exactly she does before she leaves a cloud of dust in everyone else’s faces.

“Well, if it’s a big race, I’ll shake a little bit like everyone else,” Radzik said. “I run a 20-minute warm-up and I just focus and picture who it is I need to beat.”

But Pipe Dream’s 2006 Rookie of the Year has not always been successful in running. Looking back at Radzik’s high school career, it’s evident that she never really competed in long distance running until her breakout senior year. Her talent revealed itself in spades that year as she finished fifth in the Class B State Cross Country Championship. That may not shock the average reader, but take it from a three-year cross country runner, placing fifth in any race is impressive. Placing top-five in the state is that much more amazing.

On course for an English degree, Radzik said of her hobbies, “I love reading and writing. I especially feel I’m a strong writer.” Her aspirations to work in journalism have her working as a copy editor for the very paper you are holding right now. On any given Monday or Thursday night, one can find Radzik editing in the Pipe Dream office, even after a long practice.

She also recently became a member of Taste Buds, the school’s culinary group.

“I like to cook,” she said regarding her new involvement. “I am not great at it, but I still love it.”

Running, however, is still Radzik’s true passion.

“You know, it’s relaxing. Regardless of your stress, you can always get into your own world. And the stress doesn’t seem so bad anymore. It doesn’t require any equipment; just put on your shoes and go,” she said.

In order for a runner of Radzik’s talent to continue to be successful, running year-round is a must. Her training on a given day is a long distance run of an hour. On an especially long run, it takes about 90 minutes.

Once you finally build up stamina and endurance to run that long, you have to give your mind something to do while running.

“I listen to songs in my head. Or, if it is a really long run, I look at the scenery and just relax,” Radzik said.