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Baez Gets A Rush

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By LARRY BUGG Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 1, 2008

Vinny Baez is hooked on a feeling.

The Zephyrhills High senior cross country runner says he loves the feeling that comes from the endorphins that are released when he covers long distances, giving him the so-called "runner's high."

It often doesn't kick in until he has put in several miles, but Baez loves the feeling he gets from running.

The Winchester, Tenn., native was enjoying the feeling when he ran 19 minutes, 42 seconds to finish 16th at the Bear Run Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 23 at Brooksville Central High's cross country course.

Baez, 17, also runs the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters in track.

He is an excellent student, and he wants to study civil engineering in college.

He isn't expecting to earn a cross country scholarship, but he plans to continue running.

"I will be really happy if I get one," Baez said of an athletic scholarship. "I don't expect to get it.

"I like the challenge. Only five percent of Americans can do this. I have been running since I was in seventh grade."

The best he has done so far was qualifying for a regional meet. He hopes to reach the state meet this year at Little Everglades Ranch. The site is just a few miles from Zephyrhills High.
Baez has to get that feeling.

"I enjoy the 'runner's high,'" Baez said. "I run for the 'runner's high.' That is the main reason I run. Unfortunately, I have been running so long that it takes a while for me to get it. It takes mile 5 or 6 for me to get it."
Baez has serious ambitions as a distance runner. He wants to become a "weekend marathoner," and he plans to run in the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa in March.

"It's been my goal since I started running to run a marathon by my senior year," Baez said. "I can't wait. I'm a runner through and through. I just love running."

Most marathoners start the 26.1-mile challenge in their 20s or 30s. Not many teenagers take part, but Baez wants to meet the challenge.

He is running 3.1 miles on the cross country courses, but that isn't enough.

Whatever Baez's motives, Zephyrhills coach Robin Wilks is happy to have Baez on the team to provide leadership.

"He is a really good runner and good person," Wilks said. "He is a leader on our team."
Baez will be missed next year at Zephyrhills, but he will simply move on to some serious distances.

It just takes a lot for him to get that runner's high.

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