Wolverines learn to lap up 'Michigan Mile'

Michigan football players don't love it, but they are embracing the "Michigan Mile."

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines run a mile each Monday as a way to reengage body and mind as they prepare for another week of practice and game.

The No. 22 Wolverines (3-1) open Big Ten play at Maryland (2-2) on Saturday in a prime-time game.

"it starts the week off the way you want it," offensive lineman Kyle Kalis said Monday at Michigan's weekly news conference. "It's the first chance to compete at anything that week, really. Gets a little sweat going.

"It's not my favorite thing, I will admit, but it's definitely a good starting point for the week."

Harbaugh said running the mile on Mondays accomplishes a few things.

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"No. 1 conditioning, No. 2, just get the lactic acid out. Good way to make the body feel better," Harbaugh said Monday. "It's good to run. I think distance running does that. You have to coordinate your whole mind and body with some distance running."

Defensive lineman Ryan Glasgow said last Saturday after the Wolverines' 31-0 rout of BYU that the weekly schedule this season is not vastly different than last year under then-coach Brady Hoke and his staff.

But there is the Michigan Mile.

"It (stinks)," Glasgow said, drawing laughter.

Harbaugh said defensive back A.J. Pearson has won a few of the runs. He planned to give the "bigger guys" a head start on Monday's mile.

"Give them a shot," Harbaugh said.

Kalis said he ran last week's mile in 7:30, which is impressive for a 6-foot-5, 305-pounder.

"I'm moving," Kalis said, laughing. "I'm moving."

angelique.chengelis@detroitnews.com

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