Upping the mileage

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For The Tribune

In the beginning of his athletics career, Keegan Bowman solely ran in preparation for baseball season.

Now, it’s the Seymour High School senior’s only sport — and a passion.

Bowman began running cross-country in middle school, so he would be at the top of his physical performance come time to hit the dugouts for baseball.

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“My freshman year that was still the intention,” Bowman said. “You just kind of fall in love with it because you’re hanging out with everybody.”

Prior to his junior year, Bowman switched to track from baseball.

He will serve his second-year on the Owls’ track team in the upcoming season.

Last spring, Bowman missed some time due to a hip flexor injury.

Now that he’s fully recovered, Bowman plans on competing in the distance events.

“This is kind of like my first track season,” Bowman said. “I’ll probably run 400, 800 and I’ll run the mile a little bit.”

The senior said he feels like 53 seconds in the 400 would be a good time for him, and said he is hoping to run the 800 close to two minutes. Last season, he hit 2:14 in the 800 with very little training.

In the team events, Bowman plans in competing in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays.

Bowman was a part of the 4×800 relay team that qualified for regional last season.

Two of Bowman’s biggest goals this season are to run a two-minute 800 and a 53-second 400 “and enjoy every bit of it.”

This past Fall, Bowman acted as the Owls’ No. 2 runner in cross-country.

“I enjoyed everything about cross-country,” Bowman said. “I liked hanging out with the team. I liked the family aspect of it. You really don’t find that on other teams.”

He said his career-best time was 17:06 on the trails.

“My first mile I really wanted it around 5:10-5:12,” Bowman said. “I would just try to maintain that pace the first mile and get out after it. The second mile you’re just trying to hold that, and the third mile is just whatever you have left.”

Cross-country starts in the heat and finishes in cold weather, while track season begins inn cold weather and finishes in the heat.

For Bowman, the fall is more appealing climate-wise.

As a runner, Bowman feels that it’s important to leave everything in the mileage built up during practice.

“Base mileage is probably the most important thing for you,” Bowman said. “Without base mileage you don’t have that. At the end that is what you really need.”

The goal of base training is to develop a runner’s aerobic potential to the maximum before adding anaerobic training.

As a competitive runner, Bowman trains year-round to stay ahead of the pack.

Bowman said he feels the 800 is a harder race than the 400 on the track.

Over the years, Bowman has learned to maintain a strong mental approach to his running.

“In running, the mental aspect is very important, especially with cross-country because it’s such a long race,” he said. “You’re out there by yourself for 3.1 miles. A lot of stuff goes through your head, and if its negative it just really brings you down.”

For Bowman, sports have opened new opportunities in his life.

“I’ve made a lot of friends through sports, and I feel the coaches are true to what they say, and they care who you are and how much you like it and how much effort you put into it,” Bowman said. “I think every program has a pretty good coach. I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”

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Parents: Pam and Michael Bowman

Siblings: Aubrie, Landon

Sports: track 2 years, cross country 4 years, baseball 2 years

Athletic highlights: qualifying for state in cross country freshman year, qualifying for semi-state senior year; track- qualifying for regional in 3200 relay last year.

Favorite away track: Bloomington North

Favorite away CC course: Brown County and Bedford

Plans after high school: attend college and major in elementary education and minor in criminal justice

Favorite food: Spaghetti

Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds

Favorite singer: Mayday Parade

Favorite movie: “Lets Be Cops”

Favorite athlete: Mo Farah

Favorite team: Cincinnati Reds

Favorite book: “Born To Run”

Favorite quote: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”

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