2014 has certainly been a good year for Colorado athletes. Stevie Kremer has continued her international success with big wins at races like the Zegama Marathon in Spain, the 2014 Matterhorn Ultraks 46K and Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland. Adriana Nelson represented Colorado well at the 118th Boston Marathon with a top three American female finish. We watched Boulder’s Darcy Piceu successfully defend her women’s title as she finished her 5th Hardrock 100 in 29 hours, 59 minutes, also good for 11th place overall. The Pikes Peak Ascent played host to the World Mountain Running Association’s Long Distance Championship and saw Coloradans Sage Canaday and Allie McLaughlin take top honors for the men and the women. The Colorado Men of CU repeated as NCAA Cross Country Champions. Boulder’s Jenny Simpson was named the 2014 USATF Jackie Joyner-Kersee Athlete of the Year, joining fellow finalist and Coloradan Emma Coburn under the coaching duo of Heather Burroughs and Mark Wetmore, who were named 2014 USATF Nike Coaches of the Year.
The list goes on; Colorado is full of incredible athletes, and we’ve been lucky enough to interview a few of them. Check out our favorite athlete interview responses from 2014 below.
Why Colorado?
I’ve been in Colorado since 1993. I went to undergraduate school in Fort Collins and never left. As a child my family grew up coming to Colorado for ski vacations and I have always been an avid skier. In College I went on an Outward Bound course and found that in the mountains and in nature, I was my true self. I lead courses for Outward Bound for 5 years, which grew my love of the Rocky Mtns. In particular, the San Juans have a special place in my heart, which is why Hardrock keeps me coming back year after year. -Darcy Piceu
It depends on what time of year you ask me this question! Growing up in the southwest, I am use to incredibly mild winters with no more than a few inches of snow and temperatures not often dropping below about 30 degrees. I am not a big fan of cold, snow or ice. So if you ask me in the winter why I live in Colorado I would half jokingly tell you it’s because I love my husband and my husband bleeds Colorado pride. But in all seriousness, this state is hands down the best state to live in as a runner! There’s easy access to trails all over the state, it has an amazing network of bike paths that are also great for running, there’s a race every weekend somewhere in this state, and there is so much local support for running. I’m humbled every time I show up to a race because this state is just saturated with runners of all ages and abilities that share my passion for this sport, and on any given weekend you might get to toe the line with some of the best runners in the country. -Abby Depperschmidt
I absolutely love Colorado! I didn’t know places like this existed. Colorado, to me, is like heaven on earth. The summer after my sophomore year in college, I came out to Boulder for a research internship at the University of Colorado. I loved it so much I made a vow to myself that someday I would be back, and three years later I moved here. Boulder has so much to offer from the trails, views, world-class athletes, active lifestyles, innovative thinkers, a great university, microbreweries, fantastic happy hours, and so much more! Because of the people and the environment here, I am always be challenged to be the best I can be athletically, professionally, and personally. –Amanda Scott
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
REST!!! It is a major piece to success. Taking time mid-day to pick up my legs/feet and possibly score a 30 minute cat nap is huge! Your body literally builds and strengthens itself when you rest. If you don’t give yourself adequate rest…you’ll never reap all the benefits from your workouts. -Gina Lucrezi
I think one of my strengths is having good focus and being able to be engaged in the moment. So when I am running, I focus on running. I don’t let other stressors affect my run or workout. The other key thing is that I trust and listen to my coach. -Kristen Arendt
A hard interval type workout once a week. Repeats on the track, a 1-2-3-2-1 fartlek, or 10X 1min, I can push real hard knowing shortly I will have a break. -Dan Spale
The biggest key to my success is completing training with friends. We help push each other, keep each other committed, as well as keep each other in check for training too hard. We’re always exchanging diet, recovery, racing, etc advice, and they make getting out the door every day for a run a lot easier. I also highly recommend regular body work. There are a lot of different types of massage techniques out there; my favorite so far is active release therapy. I see Marcus Allen Hille in Boulder to keep my muscles in line. -Kara Lubieniecki
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
Basically any and all of the trails of the front range, and if I can I like to get up to the Magnolia Road area and Switzerland trail from time to time. -Todd Straka
In Boulder where I live because it’s convenient. In the summer I love heading up to the Indian Peaks which are the closest real mountains to Boulder. I also love the Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen/Crested Butte (ie: the 4 pass loop). -Darcy Piceu
My two favorite places to train are the Boulder Reservoir and Betasso Canyon. The reservoir is always full of runners from many different places. Many professional athletes and the CU cross country team train here. The reservoir also provides an awesome five-mile loop. I love Betasso because it is hilly, quiet, and has beautiful scenery. –Elise Cranny
I am a sucker for the mountains. I love going back home to Bailey to run up by Kenosha or Red Cone or Webster pass – I love a dirt mountain road that goes for miles. I like Rollinsville but it can be a little bit busy in the summertime. There is some great running up in Winter Park in the summer and fall. And I really miss running in Alamosa. Talk about breathtaking scenery and some quiet running roads and trails – Zapata Falls and Mosca Pass by the Great Sand Dunes, the Wildlife Preserve and Fort Garland outside of Blanca, and Rock Creek and San Francisco Springs out by Monte Vista are some of my favorites. –Kristen Arendt
Around Bear Creek Lake Park, Red Rocks, and Green Mtn. because of the challenges and terrain. I love undulating soft surfaces like the country roads around the Greenland area also. –Dan Spale
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from the people I run with. They keep me accountable for my own training, and I am inspired by them when I see them succeed. I am also inspired by my family. My dad was a large influence in why I started running, and they have all supported me immensely as I pursue a running career. –Kara Lubieniecki
I draw inspiration from my Newton Running Elite Team, my training partners, my coach, my family and friends, and my inner drive to prove that the underdog always has a chance. –Amanda Scott
I want to travel the world and use my legs to make a living. I love helping people achieve their running goals through my YouTube videos, blog, and social media posts. –Sage Canaday
I am motivated by my personal goal to be the best that I can be. I draw inspiration from God. I believe that God blessed me with the ability to run and I want to use that gift to the best of my ability. –Elise Cranny
I am a very intrinsically motivated runner. Most of my motivation comes from my own desire to challenge myself, to see how fast I can get, and find out how I might be able to take my running to the next level. I also tend to find inspiration from people who have persevered through adversity, be it running or other areas of life. I always love a good underdog story! –Abby Depperschmidt
LOVE. I draw inspiration from the mountains and from being in the present moment. –Darcy Piceu