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Q&A
with the Colfax Marathon Coed Relay Champions
1.
What inspired you and your teammates to participate in the marathon
relay, and how did you prepare for the race?
Our team members are largely retired
from competitive racing, as most of us had long college running
careers. However, two years ago, we discovered the Colfax Marathon coed
relay and were excited about the unique opportunity to race a local
event together, since we attended different colleges. We didn't train
much for the 2023 race but had a lot of fun, which inspired us to sign
up for the 2024 relay and take it more seriously. Our preparation
wasn’t anything out of the ordinary—just our usual team easy runs
together and a few workouts, like hill repeats at Bronco Stadium and
mile repeats on the Platte River Trail.
2.
Your decision to donate the winnings to the Outdoor Lab Foundation is
remarkable. What motivated your team to support our cause, and why does
the foundation’s mission resonate with you?
We’ve loved supporting the Outdoor Lab
Foundation with our race winnings for the past two years! Our team
unanimously voted to donate to Outdoor Lab because we love that the
organization supports local schools and helps students develop a love
and respect for nature while also providing a safe space for learning
and personal growth. We were all drawn to Colorado for its unparalleled
access to nature and understand the role it can play in changing lives.
We also recognize the importance of ensuring that our natural
surroundings are here for generations to come. The more people we can
expose to nature and environmental responsibility at a young age, the
better!
3.
Throughout the race, did you or your team experience any memorable or
challenging moments? How did you stay motivated and focused during
those times?
One of the most exciting moments was
when our fourth leg runner got the baton in 4th or 5th place. We had
discussed our goal of winning the relay the night before, so he had a
lot of work to do to get us back in contention. He stayed positive and
focused on gradually catching the runners ahead instead of pushing too
hard too soon. Watching the live tracking was nerve-wracking, but he
ran an incredible leg, averaging 4:53 per mile, and handed off to our
anchor in 1st place!
We’ve also developed a fun race weekend
tradition—one of our mothers has visited both years we’ve competed.
It’s been great sharing stories and reminiscing with them, and we’d
like to think they enjoy the event just as much, having become master
spectators over the years!
4.
The Outdoor Lab Foundation provides enriching outdoor experiences to
youth. What connection do you and your team feel toward nature and
outdoor education, and why do you think it’s important?
We spend a lot of time outdoors—hiking,
trail running, cycling, and skiing. The mountains provide us with a
place to relax and recharge after a tough week, which is crucial for
our happiness and well-being. We also understand the importance of
protecting nature and believe that immersing children in outdoor
experiences and teaching them how to care for the environment can
enrich lives and help preserve the world for future generations.
5. As
a team captain, how did you foster teamwork and camaraderie during
training and the race itself? What do you think contributed most to
your team’s success?
We’ve been running together for three
years now, so we didn’t have to work too hard to build team
chemistry—it already existed! We’re great friends outside of running,
and that camaraderie is the biggest contributor to our success. This
event is something we truly enjoy, making it easy to stay excited and
motivated. Racing with good friends after high school and college is
rare, so we cherish this opportunity every year!
6.
What message would you like to share with others about the importance
of supporting outdoor education and how they can get involved in making
a difference?
Outdoor education is incredibly
important, especially in a state like Colorado, where we have such
incredible access to nature. Being outside offers countless mental and
physical benefits, but with that privilege comes the responsibility to
care for our environment. Educating children about nature plays a huge
role in preserving what we have for years to come. Whether through
volunteer hours, donations, or community involvement, supporting the
Outdoor Lab Foundation is a fantastic way to make a lasting impact
beyond just our own families and friends.
7.
After such a big win, did you and your team celebrate with a victory
meal? If so, what was on the menu—carb-loaded pasta or well-deserved
desserts?
Absolutely! After the race, we
celebrated with a brunch at Leven Deli, enjoying burritos, breakfast
sandwiches, coffee, and pastries—highly recommended if you haven’t
been! The night before the race, we also had a pasta dinner with
friends to get pumped up. We’re lucky to have such an incredible
support system around us!
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