Boulder Runner Goes for Gold Saturday

By Scott Bush

While there are plenty of Colorado-based runners competing in the USATF Cross Country Championships this coming Saturday, few have as tight of connection with host Boulder as Laura Thweatt. The former University of Colorado runner lives and trains in the thin air of Boulder and since graduating has taken her running success to a whole new level. The two-time reigning USATF Club Cross Country champion seeks her the win this weekend, hoping to build off her impressive 2014 campaign that saw her run a big PR over 5,000m in 15:04.98 and even tackle the half-marathon distance with an 1:11:02 success in Philadelphia.

Scott Bush (SB): You live in Boulder and went to the University of Colorado. How exciting is it to be able to compete in front of your hometown fans, challenge for the win and a spot on Team USA?

Laura Thweatt (LT): It is very exciting! The fact that it is cross country makes it even more special. It is not too often that you get to compete at a National level against some of the country's best in  your very own backyard, with the support of family and friends all over the course. At this point I'm just looking forward to getting out there and having some fun. 

SB: You enter this weekend's competition coming off a big win late last year at the USATF Club Cross Country Championships. What did that race tell you about your fitness?

LT: My performance at Clubs just proved to my coach and I that my strength is right where it needed to be heading into February 7th. From a training standpoint nothing needed to change. 2014 was a great breakout year for me, and to be able to end it with a defending win definitely gave me a strong shot of confidence that I am right where I need to be going into 2015. 

SB: What type of work have you been putting in of late to prepare you for this race specifically?

LT: As I stated earlier, my training has not drastically changed from what it has been over the last 3 years. As Lee always says, it's not about training harder but maintaining what you have already built upon. For me it has really been the consistency that has made a difference in my performances and is what has allowed me to continue improving year after year. 

SB: You ran some great races in 2014, including 15:04 for 5k on the track. Yet, you also competed in a half marathon, which went fairly well. With it being a championship year, will you focus in on one distance a bit more or do you think you'll dabble a bit more? 

LT: At this point I will continue to keep most of my focus centered around the 5,000 and 10,000. As fun as that half marathon was I think for now my interest is still seeing what I can do on the track haha. 

SB: With it being a New Year, what are your 2015 goals, both for running and off the track, too?

LT: Just to continue improving. This year presents great opportunities to mix it up with the country's very best as I assume everyone will be carrying a great deal of momentum heading into this spring and summer. A championship year is really exciting because it brings this new level of energy to each race. I just want to keep enjoying every second of it, the same goes for life outside the running circuit.

SB: You train with Lee Troop in Boulder. What other runners do you train with?

LT: Over the last several months the Boulder Track Club has really grown, and is quickly developing into what I consider to be one of the country's best distance groups. Of course I am somewhat biased but I truly believe in Lee, the club, and all the great people who have chosen to pursue their running dreams through the BTC. The men's side of things are lead by Sean Quigley (fellow Saucony teammate), who I believe to be one of the best in the country. His range from 5k to the marathon is truly amazing, and I look forward to watching him crush it on Saturday! Austin Richmond and Curtis Beagley (Curtis's marathon PR 2:17) are a few other men who have really been with the club from the beginning, and are superstars in their own right. On the women's side I have been so fortunate to have had marathoner Wendy Thomas join this past summer. She is one of the toughest competitors that I know and owns a marathon PR of 2:32. Wish I could name everyone because we truly have some fantastic women and men who I'm lucky to train with on a daily basis. 

SB: Last question...you dropped your 5k PR by 32 seconds last year and 53 seconds over the past four years. What's your secret to such fantastic improvement?

LT: Loving every second of it! Each day I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I am doing, and I think performances really reflect your level of enjoyment. I have found a great athlete-coach relationship with Lee, and I am incredibly lucky that I am able to have someone like him in my corner no matter what. Last but not least are my family, friends, and teammates. I am surrounded by great people each and every day and without them I could only have dreamed of making it this far.