Professor goes the distance for races, academics

By Jeff Eisenberg
Daily Bruin Contributor

Correcting term papers can be a grueling ordeal for most
professors, but it is a little less daunting after running a
marathon.

And after 28 marathons, it is practically effortless.

That’s life for associate professor Alfreda Iglehart,
undoubtedly the only celebrated distance runner in the UCLA’s
department of social welfare.

Last Saturday, the 51-year-old Iglehart finished the Los Angeles
Marathon in under three hours and 30 minutes, earning first place
in her age group for the second consecutive year.

“I just run until I get to the finish line,” said
Iglehart, making light of her accomplishment. “I have learned
to pace myself. I try to do negative splits so that my last half is
faster than my first. Running with someone who wants to finish in
the same amount of time usually helps too.”

Now a veteran marathon tactician, Iglehart began running while
in graduate school at Michigan, and fell in love with the sport
almost immediately.

“I thought it would be a quick and easy way to lose
weight,” said Iglehart, a member of the L.A. Leggers,
Southern California’s premier running club. “I was very
naive. It took me eight months before I could run six
miles.”

Having improved her training techniques dramatically since then,
Iglehart now runs 50 miles per week in preparation for upcoming
marathons.

Predictably, her results reflect the effort she puts into each
race.

Over the past two years, Iglehart has placed first in her age
group in each race she has entered.

“I wake up every morning at 5:30 a.m. and go
running,” Iglehart said. “It helps me to start my day.
I am always looking for new challenges to spice up my
life.”

While running, Iglehart has made meaningful friendships and
traveled throughout the nation. Last year she was invited to run in
Alaska and Las Vegas.

“I look forward to crossing the finish line as a
93-year-old and hearing the announcer call out my name,”
Iglehart said.