USD Magazine, Spring 2003

...Run a MARATHON? BiLL Parrott '88 has run four marathons. Cinderella learned her lesson at midnight, when her coach turned into a pumpkin. Bill Parrott learned his lesson at the 20-mile marker, when he turned into a salt lick.

Is it possible there's something you didn't learn zn college? Well, just maybe. So we found a bevy of alumni, student and staffexperts to fill you zn on how to do it all. by Krystn Shrieve and Michael R. Haskins Photos by Gary Payne '86 lllustrations by Greg High .ORGANIZE MY CLOSET?

It was then he realized running a marathon isn't exactly a fairy tale.

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TAKE STOCK Consider everything chat will be stored in the closet, including hanging and folded clothing, shoes, accessories, linens and items like luggage or sports equipment. RECYCLE THE RUBBISH If you haven't worn something in two years, sell it at a garage sale or donate it to charity. These items take up valuable space and probably won't be missed. McCormick, who lives in a residence hall, where closet space is a premium, tries to get rid of an old garment every time she purchases a new one. HANG IN THERE Throw out your dry cleaning hangers. They weren't designed for long-term use and may damage your cloches. Tubular hangers are durable, and an easy way ro color-code your closet. Specialty hangers for coats or suits are a good investment, and cedar hangers make your closet smell great.

junior Meghan McCormick is a closet planner at The Container Store.

"I didn't drink any water until mile 13 or 14," says Parrott of his first marathon experi– ence, in 1991. "My cotton shirt weighed a ton, my strength was sapped, and I was so dehydrated chat the Gatorade someone gave me at mile 22 didn't matter. I felt the salt on my skin and the cotton in my mouth, and I wasn't a pretty sight." Parrott, who's training for the New York City Marathon in November, suggests drink– ing water every mile. He recommends get– ting new running shoes for training, wearing lightweight gear, finding a partner, keeping a log and avoiding the Ackins diet. That's all well and good, but lee's face it, if you've never run a marathon, then new shoes, cool attire and a boadoad of bow-tie pasta won't do any good unless you train. Training should start four or five months before the big day. Parrott's typical week includes a speed workout on a track, two 10- or 15-mile runs, each followed by a recovery day running only a few miles at a slower pace, and three days running about six miles. Only occasionally does he do hauls of more than 20 miles. "Just take it a mile at a time," he says. "Stay on pace, stay focused and keep your legs moving. That pretty much brings you home."

Rather than piling them in the corner, store shoes in clear, plastic boxes, shoe racks or over-the– door organizers.

REMEMBER YOUR 'RITHMETIC Closet rods should be at least 21 inches - the width of most hangers - from the wall; women's shoes are typically 6.5 inches wide; men's ties need 36 inches of clearance and long dresses typically need 66 to 69 inches of clearance. DRAFT A DESIGN On a piece of grid paper, sketch out a closet plan indicating spaces for clothes, shelves and drawers.

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SPRING 2003