KATIE BLACKETT, 27, trains in Boulder. Blackett won the
Open 2 division of the series for runners ages 26-39. She works
as a financial analyst and a professional runner. Blackett was
followed in the series by Shannon Meredith of Colorado Springs
and Tanya Poel of Boulder.
When did you start running?
I started running as a young girl with my dad growing up in
Flagstaff, Arizona. I then became a sprinter and heptathlete
and received a full ride scholarship to Villanova University as
a heptathlete and triple jumper in college. As a
sprinter/heptathlete, I hated distance running but when I
graduated from college and moved closer to my dad, he got me
back into distance running. Now it's a part time job for me!
How do you train and what is your favorite workout?
I train seven days a week, every day of the year. I rarely
take a day off, rather I'll take a light day. I do a lot of
weight training and cross training to keep me injury free.
Training takes up so much time that I went to part time work so
I could train at the level I need to be at to compete against
my competitors since many of them run full time. My favorite
workout is hill fartlek at Teller Farms with Colleen and Darren
De Reuck. We fly!
Where is your favorite spot to train?
My favorite spot to train is anywhere in the mountains
Why do you run?
I run because it is my passion and my spirituality.
Do you have a prerace routine?
My pre-race routine is to be silent, alone or with my boyfriend
Matt, and to reflect on what I'm about to do.
Any advice for runners looking to improve?
Get a coach or a fast running partner so you are pushed to your
max. Train hard and rest harder. I do a lot of extra cardio
work because it strengthens other areas of my body that running
doesn't so I would recommend slowly getting into cycling, stair
master, elliptical, pilates, or whatever else you like to do
for strength and variety.
In the series, which races were your favorite?
I truly enjoyed all of the races but the Governor's Cup 10K and
the Stadium Stampede were two of my favorites. John Tope puts
on great races and takes good care of the elite athletes.
Katie Blackett's Racing Series Results:
Running of the Green 7K, 2nd, 135 Points, 24:43
Stadium Stampede 5k, 2nd, 135 Points, 17:58
Classic 10K, 1st, 150 Points, 35:30
The Human Race 5K, 3rd, 125 Points, 17:14
Governor's Cup 10K, 2nd, 135 Points, 35:55
Boulder Backroads 1/2 Marathon, 2nd, 135 Points, 1:22:00
