Athlete
Spotlight on Laura Haefeli
An interview with the only American woman to win an
Individual Medal at the World Mountain Running Trophy
Some mountain runners pull off startling
one-time performances that catapult them to the top of the sport, before
quickly down-spiraling just as quickly once their 15 minutes of fame has
come and gone. These mountain runners often burn out or quit the sport
entirely after this happens. Then there is Laura Haefeli.
Haefeli, 39, hasn’t just been invited to run for the United States Mountain Running Team she basically has her own plane ticket reserved! As a three-time member of the USA squad [2004, ’05 and ’07] and a high finisher each time, Haefeli knows the World Trophy event nearly as well as her local Del Norte, Colorado mountains. [Haefeli also qualified for the mountain team in 2006 but had family commitments and couldn’t make the competition, which gives her four consecutive qualifying races].
Her first race on the international
scene saw her finish 15th overall [Sauze d’Oulx], which she calls
a “learning experience.” Her second year she climbed the notches
to 8th overall [Wellington, New Zealand], which she said, “New Zealand
was fun, challenging, but fun.”
Laura Haefeli attacking the hill at the 2007 WMRT in Ovronnaz, Switzerland.
And then, just a few weeks ago, Haefeli struck again. This time the
World Trophy event was held in Switzerland and she was up against a
tough group of women such as Anna Pichrtova, Elisa Desco and Andrea
Mayr. Haefeli didn’t just show up, she showed up most of the competition
by claiming the first ever medal for an American woman, with a 3rd place
finish. The bronze medal capped off an incredible performance which
saw the women’s team take the overall team event for the second
year in a row. Her World Trophy medal was also only the third ever won
by any U.S runner, male or female [the two others being Jay Johnson’s
gold in 1987 and Dave Dunham’s silver in 1993].
Although it seems that Haefeli has been tearing up the international scene in recent years, she’s also enjoyed much success in multiple United States trail races. This year alone Haefeli captured a pair of 2nd places, at the USA Track & Field 10K Trail Championships in Steamboat Springs and the Mt. Tam Trophy Race in Sausalito, CA.
We were able to catch up to Haefeli for a chat after a recent jaunt on the mountainous trails of Colorado; here’s what she had to say:
How did it feel to get 3rd this year?
Awesome! It was a great race; I couldn’t believe
it when they told me I was in 3rd place. I had no idea I was that high
up until later in the race. I figured I was in maybe 7th or 8th place
but not 3rd. I kept thinking to myself, “Run your own race,”
and that’s what I did. I just really couldn’t believe that
the race went as well as it did.
How did the race play out for you against your
competitors?
Well, when the race started and I approached
the first uphill and looked up at the lead women and thought that they
weren’t that far ahead of me. I was thinking to myself, “Stay
up with them, don’t let them get too far ahead.” Me and
a few of the women in the top ten went back and forth quite a bit on
the up and down hills. I figured that if I could stay in the top five
I’d be happy. I knew we had a solid team this year, which made
me more comfortable.
How did this year’s race compare to year’s past?
I loved this course! It was very tough but very
beautiful. New Zealand had a beautiful course as well but I really enjoyed
the steep ups and steep downs that this course had. I would say that
I enjoyed this year’s World Trophy the most out of any that I’ve
competed in. It’s probably a combination of the course, my finish
and the great team I got to run with.
What is the hardest mountain race you ever ran?
On the Podium 2007 (L-R): Andrea Mayr,
Anna Pichrtova, Laura Haefeli
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| 09/07 | Jay Johnson |
This one [2007 World Trophy course] was right up there. Actually it probably was the toughest! I seem to hurt the most with the uphill grinds. I like it most when there are at least a few down hills to break up the course. This course had those down hill breaks but it didn’t seem to matter, it was painful afterwards.
Does training in Colorado prepare you for World’s?
I think it does, yes. I feel very fortunate to live where I
do. I train a lot up and down my road here and of course, the off-road
training I do helps quite a bit. The higher altitude of Colorado seems
to help no matter where I run mountain or trail. If only I didn’t
have to worry about mountain lions, I’ve seen two so far- both
while running!
What got you into running in the first place?
I started in the 6th grade when a friend of mine asked if I
would go out for the team. I was like, “What is running?”
She explained it was the giant oval [the track] out back. I thought
I was going to be a sprinter, just like everybody else. I didn’t
start running distance until 8th grade when I won some championship
in the 800 meters.
Any future plans?
I’ll try to do this until I can’t
do this anymore! I hope to stay injury free and do this for at least
a few more years. I’m still coaching and training other runners
and I hope to install a joy and love for running in others. I do mile
repeats and a lot of my overall training with the runners I coach and
think it’s a big part of what I do. Other personal goals would
be to get out there and run more road races, because they’re tough
to get to, and maybe…cross country nationals? We’ll see…
See more pictures of Laura and the 2007 team on the Photos
Page