Boulder resident Kenyon Neuman has a long, bright and prosperous future ahead of him. At only 25 years young, Neuman has been climbing the running ranks ever since his successful years on the Track and Field Team at CU Boulder.
But this articulate Nike Racing Team runner isn’t just out to win races, he’s also a part of various up-and-coming training programs to help others achieve their goals as well. As Vice President at Zone Sports Management, Neuman develops training videos for runners and other athletes. He trains in Boulder with Hudson Training Systems, and he’s also a Cross Country Coach at Boulder High School.
Read on to find out how Neuman balances his busy lifestyle and training regimen with calculated recovery steps (think: lots of sleep and root beer milk!) to stay on track.
Quick Stats
Name: Kenyon Neuman
Age: 25
Hometown & Current: Bend, Oregon & Boulder, Colorado
Professional & Educational background: I graduated from Summit High School in Bend, Oregon in 2005 and decided to attend the University of Colorado where I graduated with my B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. I then worked for Newton Running Company in Boulder for close to 2 years. Last January I began working in my current position at Zone Sports Management where I manage running content and help develop educational videos for all types of sports and lifestyle activities.
Sports participated in: Soccer, Snowboarding, Cycling, Running
Years in current sport: 10+ Years
Racing Team: Nike
Sponsors/Affiliations: Nike, Hudson Training Systems, Boulder Wave, RallySport Athletic Club, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, www.findyourzone.tv
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
I think the biggest highlight of my racing career to this point has been winning the Big 12 Track and Field Championships as a men’s team in front of our home crowd in Boulder, Colorado back in 2008. Everything just came together perfectly. Our sprinters, throwers and distance runners all brought it and we ended up winning CU’s first and only Big 12 men’s track and field title. I had many great friends on that team who were graduating that year and the Boulder Community supported us in a huge way.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
I’m not completely sure yet. All I know is that I want to run fast and win races. I want to improve continually. Right now, making an Olympic team isn’t really a reality but it could be in the future if I make the right decisions and have a little luck. I definitely want to wear a USA jersey at some point. I want to break a 4-minute mile. I want to break 2:10 for the marathon. I’d love to break 13:00 for a 5k but that’s not a reality at the moment either. I just want to run fast, make myself better continuously and compete at a very high level.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado is just an amazing place. You’ve got open, forested areas, mountains everywhere, tons of sunshine, State and National Parks, skiing, all 4 seasons, endless trails, etc. From what I’ve seen this is the most active State in the country. I just love the area, the attitude and the people. There aren’t many better states to live in if you love to explore, exercise and participate in a wide variety of activities. If you’re an endurance athlete, skier, hiker, climber or camper this place is paradise. I also love that Denver and DIA are so close. I can enjoy the perks of living in the city when I feel like it and the proximity to DIA makes traveling easy.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
- Run
- Work
- Run
- Dinner
- Sleep
That’s about it. Kinda boring but I like to mix it up with some social stuff, basketball, weights, snowboarding and other activities. I also do some self-rehab and other peripheral work in between. I coach XC and track at Boulder High School as well. It’s a busy schedule but it’s a lot of fun.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
Getting Plenty of sleep is huge. If I can get 9-10 hours a night I’m a whole different runner. I’m stronger, faster, less injury-prone and I recover like crazy. Other than that, eat healthy and run hard. I don’t think there are any short-cuts that work so well as sleep, healthy eating and lots of hard running.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I’ve been trying to avoid bread. I feel far better when I eliminate most of the bread from my diet. I try to eat gluten free but I find it’s easier to avoid gluten 80%-90% of the time. That way you don’t go insane. I try to eat lots of leafy greens and veggies but I’ve never been a big vegetable eater so it’s hard for me. I love to eat Ribeye Steaks or Sockeye Salmon with some steamed vegetables like broccoli with cheddar cheese. Those meals always leave me feeling full but still ready to rock the next day.
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
Yes! www.findyourzone.tv. I work at Zone and we’re creating great educational videos for runners and other athletes. The videos cost $1.00 each but a single video could make a HUGE difference in your running and your race performances. It’s a great platform because it allows you to connect with expert coaches and athletes that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. I’ve been using many of our running videos in my own training. In terms of books I’d recommend any training material from Arthur Lydiard or my current coach, Brad Hudson. If you’re in need of a coach you should contact Hudson Training Systems. You can follow them on twitter at @hudsontsystems or check out their web-page at http://www.bouldersportsmedicine.org/hts.html.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Getting enough sleep. I try to manage that by staying regimented. I really should get 9-10 hours a night but it’s just hard between training, working, coaching and still trying to socialize every once in a while. If I set a deadline and just drop whatever I’m doing at the time and go to bed that works best.
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
The Pearl Street Mile is a really cool event and it would be great if the crowd down there continued to grow as it has in the past. I also really enjoyed the Boulder Marathon this last year. Though I haven’t run it, I really think that The Leadville 100 is probably to most unique and exciting running event in the state. I will definitely run the Pike’s Peak Ascent Marathon and Half-Marathon one day. I definitely have to get out and participate in some of the great races our state has to offer.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
In and around Boulder. There are so many great trails just right out the front door here. Between the Mesa Trail, Marshall, Doughty Draw, Green-Bear, South Boulder, Teller Farm and Bobolink I’m pretty content. If you’re willing to drive up to a half-hour you can get to Switzerland Trail, Magnolia Road, Gold Hill Road, Rollinsville and more. Crested Butte is also a beautiful area to run or ride a bike. With all of that said I love to explore in new places and I find great new places to run all the time in Colorado. It’s exciting to know that I haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to all of the great trails in Colorado.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Nike Lunar Fly or Nike Structure Triax
Favorite post-run/race beverage: Root Beer Milk after hard sessions (It’s a long story. I used to think this was a myth but supposedly, after several studies, clinical trials, etc. chocolate milk is supposed to be one of the best recovery drinks immediately after bouts of long or intense running as it has an ideal ratio of carbs to protein. I’m not supposed to eat chocolate so I figure Root Beer, strawberry or vanilla milk are all good replacements.) After longer races like marathons or half-marathons I like to drink a beer or two.
Favorite post-run/race meal: Usually something greasy, fatty, salty or all of the above.
Role models: Muhammad Ali – I don’t know if he’s the best role model in every sense but I loved that he was passionate and he stood up for what he believed both in words and actions.
Day job: VP at Zone Sports Management LLC ( www.findyourzone.tv )
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? Most of the time I like to run with a team or group. I train with the Hudson Training Systems group under coach Brad Hudson in Boulder. It’s a fantastic group of runners and it’s growing rapidly at the moment. I love doing workouts and long runs with our crew. There’s always plenty of laughing and very little drama. With that said, sometimes I like to go for a long run by myself. A solo run can clear my head & help me vent in a productive way.
Favorite Restaurant: Zolo. Pasta Jays is also amazing but I’ve been on this Gluten-Free kick lately…
Favorite Coffee Shop: Brewing Market –I don’t drink coffee any more, but I used to drink it a lot. In my opinion the strongest and tastiest coffee in Boulder comes from Brewing Market. In terms of atmosphere I probably have to go with The Laughing Goat as it’s “hip” and they have local musicians performing on many evenings.
Favorite Bar: The Rio Rooftop – My favorite thing to do in the summer is have a margarita or a Corona on the rooftop while the sun is setting behind the flatirons. The chips and salsa are free and if it’s hot out they turn the misters on. If you’re talking about a bar in the more traditional sense of the word, I think I’d have to go with a classy joint called The Sundown Saloon.
Favorite Running Store: Boulder Running Company – They have a fantastic selection of footwear and apparel. Before Nike sent me shwag in the mail I could buy all the Nike apparel I love to run in at BRC. More importantly, the staff and ownership at BRC are big into running. They’re good people who love to hook you up with the shoes that will keep you healthy and running fast. Their Wednesday night runs are right up my alley because friends, beer, pizza and prizes are all I really need to be happy.
Favorite non-running activity: I have many. Cycling, soccer, basketball, tennis, snowboarding, etc. I love watching sports live or on TV. I’m a big Steelers fan, I play a lot of fantasy football and I love NFL Redzone. In the summer I catch a few Rockies games and I love to sit in the Rock-pile because it’s a fun crowd and the tickets are only $5.
Favorite TV Show: Dexter – It’s suspenseful, gory, action packed and filled with mystery.
Favorite book: I don’t have 1 favorite book. I’m all over the place. I really like Jon Krakauer’s stuff. I like Hemingway. I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter books. I’m trying to jump on the Hunger Games bandwagon. I don’t read many running books but there are a couple on my shelf at the moment. I don’t read that vampire bologne either.
Favorite movie: Can’t name just one, sorry… I’m a big Blu-Ray, Hi-Def, Surround-Sound fanatic and a couple of my favorites visually and audibly are “The Art Of Flight” and “The Dark Knight”. In terms of comedies I love “Tommy Boy”, “Dumb and Dumber” and more recently “Horrible Bosses” and “Due Date”. If I need inspiration I watch “Gladiator”.
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
Definitely. My biggest breakthroughs have always come after sustained, consistent bouts of hard training or high volume. I’ve found that sometimes people want an easy answer to getting faster and generally the answer is that you either have to train harder or smarter. The best, most consistent bouts of hard training I’ve put together have occurred when I’m eating well, sleeping a lot and focusing on peripheral exercises, self-therapy, rehab and other activities that keep me healthy.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
At CU, Coach Wetmore repeatedly gave me good advice. I generally followed Mark’s instruction to a “T” and it served me well. I was only really injured a couple times at CU, and when I was it was more-or-less due to my disregarding Mark’s advice or instruction. I can’t recall every instance in which Mark gave me sound advice but he once told me to be a “city on a hill”. That meant conducting yourself with integrity and honesty, being a shining example of what is “good” or “right”. That’s how he envisions his program in an ideal world and I think it is a perfect thing to strive for in just about any endeavor.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
There’s no sole quote that I live or train by. With that said here’s a good quote from a great athlete: “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” – Muhammad Ali
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
To be honest I am most motivated when I feel I’ve been “wronged” or “cheated”. I get fired up, angry, mad. I run best when I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I’m competitive, I want to be a better, faster me and that generally keeps me motivated. I draw inspiration from my friends and family, particularly my father. The guys I train with inspire me as well. I watched three of the HTS guys run 2:11, 2:12 and 2:13 at the Olympic Trials Marathon and it just inspired me to get myself in some real shape and compete.
Photo courtesy of DailyCamera.