INDIANAPOLIS -
Sizwe Langa, 26, lives and breathes soccer.
"I've been playing since I could walk pretty much, yeah, as long as I can remember," he said.
Born in South Africa, Langa came to the US with his parents who studied at Harvard. Even after earning a college degree in economics at IUPUI, Sizwe just couldn't shake his love for the sport.
"I cant really leave it alone," he said.
He now practices twice a day, five days a week with the dream of going pro. The London Olympics are providing motivation to work harder.
"I just wanna be one of those guys maybe," he said.
Carl Day, an Indianapolis firefighter by day, is also summoning his inner Olympian during his run on the Monon Trail.
"It's always inspiring watching people realizing how much they have put into that, just hours. It's mind-boggling," said Day as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Watching athletes soar across the finish, sometimes without breaking a sweat, leaves many of us mortals thinking, "Hey, I could do that!" Experts say, not so fast.
"Just because it looks cool and just because it looks fun doesn't necessarily mean it works for you," said St. Vincent Sports Performance Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeff Richter.
Ashley Johnson is an elite runner and owner of the Blue Mile running store. He says before thinking of breaking the world record for the 800-yard dash, plan on doing some walking first starting with as little as ten minutes a day.
"So many people say I can't run anyway because I get so out of breath and it's probably because they are running too fast or too far," he said.
Johnson, a former All-American sub-four-minute-mile runner, says you don't need much to become a runner, but you do need to make sure you are wearing the right kind of shoe.
"People go for color and price sometimes they think the more expensive the shoe, the better. That's not necessarily true," said Johnson.
He says its vital to get fitted for the right shoe, then find a training plan that works for you.
As for Sizwe Langa, he is playing for a team in Lafayette, Indiana. He has the shoes, the skills and the determination. Now all he needs is a little luck.
"I keep playing and training. You never know who's watching never know who might see you," said Langa.
More info on running plans and training sessions
Sizwe Langa
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