Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team

Athlete Spotlight on Kelli Lusk
by James Doak, USMRT.COM Writer
An interview with the 2 time team member after her top 10 finish at the Mt. Washington Race.

Running is a sport that not only challenges the mind and body, but creates a sense of freedom for the adventurous athlete. For Kelli Lusk, it allows her to escape from the every day chaos and train towards becoming one of the top trail runners. A few years back, the Colorado native transitioned from the marathon scene to her new passion of mountain trail running. Lusk has combined her love of the trails and excitement for the outdoors to become an accomplished mountain racer. She has been a two-time member of the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team, winner of the 2003 National Snowshoe race and Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon.

Back in June, Lusk took on an experienced field of mountain runners in the quest to be the first to reach the top of the 48th Mount Washington Road Race. In the grueling 7.6 mile uphill race, Lusk took off and never looked back. At the beginning of the race, she “ran smart and conservative” to assure a strong finish over the last few miles. As she climbed the mountain, she was able to slowly pick off some of the other runners.

Determined to finish well, Lusk continued to run strong and steady; putting herself in a good position over the last few miles to place in both her age group and more importantly, overall. Lusk posted a solid time of 1:22:21.

Kelli Lusk at the 2007 Cranmore Hill Climb.

It wasn’t one of her best performances due to some injuries but she was able to finish 10th overall and 1st in her age division.

Performing to this level requires a lot more work than one might think, Lusk said. Everything from getting up at 4:30 in the morning to run mile repeats to “6 1/2 mile climbs with grade” are what make Lusk such a special competitor. Working 50-60 hours a week and upwards of 100 miles a week keep her busy around the clock.

It is Lusk’s hard work that has gotten her to where she is now. Both smoking and drinking were slowly taking over her life until she found her love for the bike. However, she would soon trade in the bike for a pair of running shoes and compete in a prosperous running career that would allow her to run the 2000 Marathon Olympic Trials. Lusk knew she would become a great runner when she was able to qualify for the marathon trials, running only 45 miles a week.

The season isn’t over for Lusk as she has other summer races coming up with the possibility of a fall marathon. Her love for running has been the key to her success and will once again show why Kelli Lusk is one of the toughest mountain runners around. Keep an eye out for Lusk as she will continue to tear up the trails over the next few months.

USMRT.com was able to catch up with Lusk on her recent Mt. Washington performance and what running has meant to her:

What got you into running and when did you first get into the sport?
I got into running back in junior high but I didn’t get into distance running until my senior year of college. I never ran in college, as a matter of fact. I drank and smoked for 6 years. In 1992, I started racing mountain bikes and that is what made me quit smoking. It wasn’t until I moved to New Mexico that I really started to pick up running more. I did my first marathon in 1995 in Columbus because I wanted to qualify for the Boston marathon.

Do you enjoy trail/mountain running more than the marathon running?
They are really two different types of running. With the road marathon, I have always loved the challenge of pace and trying to get a certain time. There is definitely a sense of accomplishment with the road marathon. One thing that I am really starting to gravitate to is the long distance mountain running. It doesn’t quite beat you up as bad as the road marathon.

Previous Athlete Spotlights
05/08	Rickey Gates
03/08	Chris Lundy
02/08	Dan Verrington
01/08	Erica Larson Baron
12/07	Eric Blake
11/07	Maria Dalzot
10/07	Laura Haefeli
09/07	Jay Johnson

At Mt. Washington, you finished 10th overall and 1st in your division, are you happy with how you did?
It wasn’t one of my fastest times. I felt that I ran smart and conservative. I passed quite a few girls over the last few miles. The last couple seasons have been low key. I have been running the races but I haven’t had any outstanding results. I just tried to run very steady and finish strong so I am happy with how I ran.

You have trained in many different locations throughout the country, what brought you to Colorado?
In 1997, I was racing my bike and I wanted to turn pro. I also wanted to qualify for the Olympic marathon trials in 2000. I was starting to get more serious about my training and I felt that Colorado would suit me best. I had been doing both running and biking at the time but when I got mono in 2000, I had to choose between one and the other. I was trying to do both while working full time so I decided to stick with the running.

What kind of workouts do you do to prepare for races like Mt. Washington?
Lots of hill repeats. I did a lot of 6- or 7-mile climbs. One of my last tune-up workouts before the race was a 6 1/2 mile climb with some grade. I also put in plenty of tempo runs as well as some intervals on the track

Is it hard to balance running with being the USA Cycling Mountain Bike events and program director?
I normally put in between 50-60 hours a week and I travel quite a bit for work. Training varies quite a bit with traveling around the country. The nice thing with traveling is that I usually get to really nice places. Over Memorial Day weekend, I was able to run in New Mexico and I was able to get some good training at 8,500 feet. It is finding that balance between being able to train and not being too tired to train. There are days when I have to get up at 4:30 and run because I have to be in work at 8 and won’t be able to run later in the day.

What motivates you to get out there everyday and put in the long miles required to be competitive in mountain running?
I have always loved running and I think that is the biggest thing that motivates me. It is my personal time and I enjoy doing well in a race. That is really an extra bonus.

How many miles do you typically run in a week?
I have had a few setbacks with tendonitis and groin injuries, but before Mt. Washington I was able to average between 80-100 miles a week.

Athlete Spotlight highlights a current or former member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team. A new athlete will be featured at least once a month. Athlete Spotlight writers include, David Hunt, a writer who resides in Virginia and is an avid trail, mountain and roadrunner and James Doak, a track and XC runner at Liberty University. David and James also both work for 100write.com, a writing and website development company.