English Professor Pam Boyles, 41, not only enjoys teaching English but loves to run. She started running when she was in third grade, and never stopped.
Boyles attended BC pursuing her English degree. She ran for BC under the supervision of Pam Kelly. Boyles was so good at running, it earned her a scholarship when she attended Cal State, Bakersfield, where she received her master’s in English.
After getting hired as a full-time professor at BC in 1996 and having a family, Boyles still found time to run.
Last fall she was the head coach of CSUB’s cross-country team. She also assists Kelly with cross-country at BC.
Every morning at 5 a.m., Boyles wakes up and goes running; it doesn’t matter what the weather is like. Rain doesn’t seem to stop her. “I’ve been caught in more than one downpour,” she said.
When running in the rain, she said it just means wearing less clothing, to keep from being soaked and weighed down.
Not only does she still run but she still participates in other sports. She plays basketball and rides bicycles with colleagues. She was also on a co-ed softball team.
During spring break, Boyles will have competed in the Carlsbad 5000. Many racers will compete, including Olympians.
She will be running in the masters division for women who are 40 and over.
She will be one of 1,200 women in the masters. Last year she competed in the same division and placed sixth overall.
This year she wants to place in the top 10 again. Boyles’ best time for the mile run is six minutes.
Boyles views running as a great type of competition because people of all levels get to run. She explained that in sports, like basketball, if you’re not any good, you are a benchwarmer. She said, “But with running, no matter what level you’re at you still get to put on your running shoes, huff and puff, and get to finish.”