The Runner Box and Colorado Runner Mag have partnered to celebrate Colorado’s outstanding runners. Each month The Runner Box will award one of its jam-packed boxes of runner goodies to a runner that we select. Our first winner was Laura Thweatt, who won the U.S. cross country championships in February, and will lead the American women’s team into worlds next month in China.
Laura, congrats on the win at U.S. cross! A lot has already been written about that, but what about the bell getting rung a lap early? Did you hear it and immediately know that it was wrong, or were you confused (like Neely Spence)?
I did in fact hear the bell, which led to a brief moment of confusion before realizing that it was a mistake. I can only speak for myself regarding my own thought process during the race.
China! How early before the March 28 race date will you travel over? What do you know about the course and the city? Will you fly into Beijing, Shanghai, where?
China!!! I’m so incredibly excited, I cannot wait to represent team USA! We leave Sunday March 22nd, flying into Beijing before catching a 3 hour flight over to Guiyang. Sadly I do not know too much about Guiyang, other than it is at altitude. From what I’ve been told it’s absolutely gorgeous, so I’m looking forward to seeing it for myself.
I always feel bad asking, but are you willing to share a goal for worlds?
Honestly I’m just looking forward to the experience of competing at a world level and really just seeing what I’m capable of doing racing against some of the best in the world.
What will your training be like between nationals and worlds, just maintaining, sharpening?
As I keep saying, nothing will drastically change with my training from this point moving forward into the spring. Like (coach) Lee (Troop) says, it’s not about training harder but maintaining what we have already been doing.
Kaitlyn Benner, a CU freshman, won the junior race. She ran at Monarch as a high schooler, I think. Did you coach her last year then?
I am so PROUD of Kaitlyn! I was so fortunate to be part of her high school career (coached her for three years) that watching her take that next step in the world of collegiate running has been so cool. She has truly had a tremendous freshmen year under (CU coaches) Mark (Wetmore) and Heather (Burroughs), and to see her really start to come into her own is so exciting. I look forward to watching her kick butt over the next four years.
What’s your favorite item in your Runner Box?
My favorite item in the Runner Box was the Foot Rubz ball! I love those things and have recently misplaced my other one, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw one in the Runner Box. What a cool idea, there are so many great products in each box, it was sort of like Christmas. Thank you Runner Box!
“Leave the research to us, and we’ll leave the training to you,” says Runner Box. The Runner Box is a subscription-based service that delivers a “box” of runner-friendly goodies to you every other month, items like gels, bars, and other accessories hand-picked to add to your running. Many items are new to the market, and new items are expected with each box. A great service for yourself, the boxes also make great gifts and are often themed around holidays.