Does anybody have the inside dope about the UCSD program, vibes/level of competition? This is for an incoming freshman 400/800 49/1:52 from Europe. Also, are there any nice trails in LaJolla? Suggestions-advice?
Thanks so much in advance!
Does anybody have the inside dope about the UCSD program, vibes/level of competition? This is for an incoming freshman 400/800 49/1:52 from Europe. Also, are there any nice trails in LaJolla? Suggestions-advice?
Thanks so much in advance!
What's to do in San Diego, besides the beach?
They have always been a bit weak on the men's side at 400/800 (I know because I was one of their weak 400/800 runners). In the past they usually have a couple of guys in the 1:53-1:56 range, but they look weaker than that in the 800 so far this year. They always seem to get 400 guys who can run 50.x, but never break 50.0. They have an absolutely stellar track facility and good coaching in the sprints and field events. I am not sure who is coaching 400/800 people this year. Their distance coach has not produced any decent results since he took over from the distance coach who retired a couple of years ago. However, it looks like he may have a couple of good freshman this year. Whether they develop remains to be seen. There are great trails to run on near campus, including running down to the beach and running along the ocean for miles.
Bump
Badump
I'd pretty much agree with Former Triton. Good school and good facilities. If your sole focus is improving your performance, probably not a good fit. Academics are challenging, but not overwhelming at UCSD. The jury is still out on the current level of coaching for middle/long distance. It's D II, but your in the southern California area so their are plenty of opportunities for meets that mix D I, D II, D III and post collegians together (Mt. SAC etc.).
I've been around the UCSD campus before and there are some trails. Great beaches and views but if you're a 49/1:52 kid from Europe, why are you considering UCSD when you could probably find a better program somewhere else. Is this an academic choice?
bump, interested as well as i might look for a postdoc position there soon. can anyone comment more on running from campus - can you get a 6-10 miler on mostly soft surfaces? what about nearby areas - are there good trails within reasonable (10-20min) driving distance for longer runs?
Torrey pines state park is a decent place to run. Not very large but you'll want to fit it into your loops.
Chosen for the weather and the engineering program. UCSD was one of the schools in the Fulbright Scholarship program. Also, couldn't get into Stanford and hoped that this was the next best choice.
Way Out West wrote:
Good school and good facilities. If your sole focus is improving your performance, probably not a good fit.
If it's a good school with good fascilities, why is it a bad fit if you want to improve?
Is the air polluted with smog etc?
Go right behind the college
and go to Torry pines park or better known as BLACKS BEACH
run up and down those hills a few times and you will be national champion......... GURANTEE IT
They have a really nice track facility. Directly behind it are some trails which you can run approximately 2 mile loops. The beach is also really close so running at low tide is fun.
In addition there are a lot of other running spots close by but you need a car to get there.
San Diego is great for running and UCSD is a good school, win, win all around.
more info? not being a smartazz, i'm genuinely curious.
From The Stands wrote:
In addition there are a lot of other running spots close by but you need a car to get there.
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If it's a good school with good fascilities, why is it a bad fit if you want to improve?[/quote]
You might want to look at coaching staff and who you'll be training with. Probably just as important, if not more important than the facilities. Academics are not a factor if you are just concerned about athletic improvement. It's just that pesky thing you need to do to maintain your eligibility so you can still compete.
Some athletes are fairly independent and self coached. If they have both the facilities and the knowledge about training I truly believe they'll be able to have great athletic improvement, even with a mediocre coaching staff.
About 5 minutes east of UCSD is Penasquitos Canyon, which is about 6+ miles of trail eastward. The XC team trains here sometimes, and I have seen Meb and several other elite runners out there occasionally. Within about 15 minutes of the campus a lot of different trails from the ocean all the way to the mountains.
Torrey Pines to Del Mar Can run from campus, big down and up Torrey Pines Hill however mixture of road,trail along railroad tracks and beach. Can go out and back as far as you want.
Penasquitos Canyon, 5 mile from campus, all dirt trail, 7 miles out and back.
Rancho Santa Fe, 15 mile from campus, endless horse trails and golf course loop
San Deguito River Trail. 7 miles from capmus, new, all groomed trail, I haven't run it so I don't know how far it goes.
Some athletes are fairly independent and self coached. If they have both the facilities and the knowledge about training I truly believe they'll be able to have great athletic improvement, even with a mediocre coaching staff.
Dude, I'm not trying to get into a pissing match with you. You asked why, I gave you my opinion. Take it or leave it.