It turns out pain is just a mindset for Chad Meis.

The Renton native and cross-country runner at Seattle Pacific University has a bit of an odd outlook on the feeling that many people fear most.

“We always just decide in the middle of workouts that we like pain,” Meis said. “The more it hurts, that means we’re going to be that much faster. It hurts to run.”

And this feeling isn’t confined to workouts. When Meis is out in the middle of a race, pain is just another obstacle. “If I’ve put two months into focusing on this race I might as well run fast, it’s going to hurt anyway.”

That outlook is what is necessary for a good distance runner, a willingness to hurt during a race because he has decided it’s worth it.

Meis runs an average of 70 miles per week, seven days a week, year-round. He recently ran an 86-mile week, his highest ever.

But don’t worry about Meis overworking himself. He does take a breather sometimes. Once in a while he takes a day off to exercise “active rest,” or running just five or six easy miles.

So what are the rewards for this hard work? Simplicity, competition and serenity.

“Running is so natural compared to other sports,” he said. “You just need a pair of shoes.”

Unlike other sports that have so many other factors or players with natural talent can sometimes cruise on that ability, cross country is almost entirely dependent on how hard you work.

Meis said nothing works better to clear his mind or dissolve stress than a midnight run around Seattle, or a 7 a.m. loop on Queen Anne Hill.

Meis grew up in the Fairwood area and went to high school at Seattle Christian. He started running cross country in 10th grade and didn’t take it too seriously until near the end of his first season, when the competition hooked him.

After high school, he wanted an outlet to keep competing, so he joined the cross-country team at Seattle Pacific University.

“I just love racing. I just love competing against other people, just being able to push yourself.”

He said the Division II setting was an excellent fit because athletics come second to academics. The coaches make sure that athletes are concentrating on why they’re there: to get a degree.

The junior is majoring in electrical engineering and also competes in indoor and outdoor track at SPU, where he competes in various distance races.

Meis showed his mettle at this year’s Sundodger Invitational in Seattle on Sept. 20. He placed 33rd in the men’s varsity race against mostly Division I competition.

Meis ran a time of 25 minutes and 38 seconds in the Sundodger last season and before this year’s race, he said his goal was 25 minutes flat. His time this year? 25 minutes flat, on the nose.

Senior Brian Conrath placed just ahead of Meis, at 28th. Meis said the two go back and forth as SPU’s top runner and both carry the responsibility of being leaders for the young team. The Falcons have six freshmen and two sophomores on the 11-man team.

Other finishes this season include 14th at the Apple Ridge Run Invitational at Central Washington University Sept. 13 and third overall at the Saint Martin’s Invitational at Saint Martin’s University Sept. 6.

After college, Meis plans to keep running. He’s not sure how he’ll run, what the outlet will be, or what his competition will be. Maybe move up to half-marathon or marathon distance. But on thing is for sure, “I’m definitely going to keep running for as long as I can.”

Adam McFadden can be reached at amcfadden@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.