This spring we are profiling the 2018 ENDURrun Ultimate Contenders with Q&As in this blog.
Related: Full blog series | Full list of Contenders
We are excited to finally welcome Colleen Sweeney back for the full week once again!
What is your runner profile?
I have been running since 1989. Mostly roads but have tinkered with some trail running. I was always a mid-pack runner but have found myself drifting towards the back of the pack as I get older. My goal is to keep running as long as I live!
What are your ENDURrun 2018 stories?
When I finished the 2015 Ultimate (with the slowest time in the field) I immediately knew that I wanted to do it again off better training. I planned to do 2016 and 2017 but was unable to due to injuries in 2016 and time off due to illness in 2017. Now it is 3 years later and my motivation is to prove to myself that I can make my 56 year old body do this thing and do it better than I did in 2015. I guess it is sort of my way of saying F you to middle age!
What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2018?
The people, the food, the incredible volunteers, the effort, the fun!
What are you nervous about, if anything?
Chicopee!
Can you share any details of your training?
Will be adding in trail runs twice a week later in the spring and back to back long runs most weekends along with hiking. I am trying to carve out time to be consistent with strength training as well. Squats, deadlifts and plyometrics.
You’ve trained for Ultimate before. What did you learn that you will build from (or avoid) this time around?
Put more miles on my legs (including non-running miles – hiking) and work on downhill running.
Besides training, what will be the same and/or different about this Ultimate compared to your first completion?
I think different will be knowing what is coming at me each day. Not sure if that is a good thing!
What is the one piece of advice that you’re glad you knew/you wish you knew before your first completion?
That downhill repeats are more important than uphill!
How were you feeling in the days and weeks following your first Ultimate completion?
Elated!
What is the most important part of the ENDURrun identity that appeals to you?
The opportunity to challenge myself along with the incredible feeling of camaraderie that comes with being part of this event.