Kim Dobson is hands-down one of the top mountain runners in Colorado. She recently ran the second fastest time in race history at both the Mount Washington Road Race in 2012, and the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2011. Both wins are simply additional notches in this Colorado native’s belt of top race finishes.
Kim and her main support system, her husband Corey, recently moved to Grand Junction where Kim trains intensely and with purpose to reach her goals. It’s clear that she understands the importance of hard work and dedication to achieve personal goals and dreams.
Read on to find out how Kim supplements her weekly running regimen with a healthy diet and body awareness to stay injury-free and on top of the podium.
Quick Stats
Name: Kim Dobson
Age: 28
Hometown & Current: I grew up in Littleton, CO, and lived along the Front Range (Fort Collins and Aurora) after graduating high school. My husband and I just moved to Grand Junction, CO.
Professional & Educational background: I graduated from Colorado State University in 2006 with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies and an Early Childhood Teacher License. I worked for two years in the Poudre School District before moving to Aurora where I taught second grade for four years.
Sports participated in: Cross country and track (high school), road and mountain running
Years in current sport: I have been running fairly consistently for about 14 years. I have been mountain running for about three years.
Racing Team: Runners Roost Mountain Team
Sponsors/Affiliations: Mizuno, Honey Stinger, Native Eyewear
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
The first time I ran the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2009 will always be one of my all time favorite race memories. I went in to the race with absolutely no expectation of my time or place. I was thrilled, yet shocked, to place second behind mountain running stud Megan Kimmel. I discovered my passion and knack for mountain ascent racing that day.
The Pikes Peak Ascent in 2011 and Mount Washington Road Race 2012 are two other racing highlights. I trained with passion and intensity for both races, and was very grateful to have won and ran the 2nd fastest time in race history at both events.
Qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials was another highlight, as I barely made the 2:46 mark with just 4 seconds to spare. I had to give it absolutely 100% when my body was screaming with pain those last few miles!
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
My main goals are to stay injury free, keep the passion for running, and continue to build upon my training while maintaining a balance in life. As for specific race goals, I hope to do a few mountain races in Europe, be a part of the US team for the World Mountain Running Championships, and qualify for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado is full of beautiful places to train, numerous endurance events, and talented athletes that inspire one another. I am very thankful to live in such a neat state.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
Since I have just moved to Grand Junction, I’m not sure what a day in my life looks like quite yet!
As for training, here’s a general outline of a typical week leading up to Mount Washington:
Monday: Uphill treadmill tempo run (13 miles total-including warm up and cool down)
Tuesday: One or two easy runs and strides (8 miles total)
Wednesday: One or two easy runs (10 miles total)
Thursday: Hill intervals (12 miles total)
Friday: Easy and short run, or off (4 miles total)
Saturday: Long hill run (16 miles total)
Sunday: Medium length easy run (10 mile total) or bike
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
*Easy weeks (less mileage and intensity) every three to four weeks
*Variety in running- steep climbs, high elevation, flat, long, short, easy, fast, intervals, tempo, trails, roads, etc.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I don’t follow any specific nutrition plan, but overall I am a very healthy eater. Most days I eat at least ten fruits and vegetables, Greek yogurt, meat, and lots of whole grains. This summer, I have been on a kick of making crazy smoothies out of frozen fruit, beets, spinach, and carrots. I tried putting broccoli and kale in the smoothies, but the texture and taste turned out terrible! I have a pretty big sweet tooth, so I like to indulge a bit without going too crazy. For recovery meals, I try to eat something substantial with carbs and protein within 30 minutes of a hard workout.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
In the past, my biggest challenge has been staying injury free. I used to get injured from running 30 miles a week. I was absolutely baffled by how people could run 80+ miles a week and stay healthy. I think I started to overcome the injury curse by backing off as soon as something started to hurt, being consistent in gradually increasing my mileage and intensity, and paying attention to the “little things” (core, icing, nutrition, stretching, recovery, etc).
What are your favorite races in Colorado? Why?
The Pikes Peak Ascent is my all time favorite Colorado race. It’s unique, grueling, and has an amazing race history. Every year it draws some of the best mountain and trail runners from around the country and beyond.
The Colorado Marathon is my favorite road marathon in the state. It’s a relatively fast course with beautiful scenery and an awesome post race party.
Where do you like to train in Colorado? Why?
Colorado is the ideal place to train for a mountain runner! I love to train at high elevation, which I consider anything above 10,000 feet. Some of my favorite training grounds are actually ski resorts- Vail, Keystone, and Telluride. The San Juans are also a spectacular place to run.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Mizuno Ronin for racing, Brooks Adrenaline for road training, and I’m still searching for the perfect trail running training shoe.
Favorite post-run/race beverage: G2, Latte
Favorite post-run/race meal: Anything salty!
Day job: Former 2nd grade teacher, currently coaching the Grand Junction High School Cross Country Team and looking for something else part time
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? I enjoy them all, but I especially love my runs with my husband, Corey.
Favorite Restaurant: Rioja, Subway (no joke!)
Favorite Coffee Shop: Any local, mountain town coffee shop
Favorite Running Store: Runners Roost
Favorite non-running activity: Hiking, reading, biking
Favorite TV Show: Chopped, The Big Bang Theory
Favorite book: I Capture the Castle, Me Talk Pretty One Day, the Bible, A Thousand Splendid Suns
Favorite movie: Up
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
I experienced a lot of improvement when I started running in the mountains and hiking. The uphill training really helped develop my strength and aerobic system. The added strength allowed me to run more consistently without getting injured. Gradually upping my mileage to about 60 to 70 miles per week has also helped me drop my race times.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the fortune I got in my fortune cookies- “If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.”
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I am so blessed to have such a supportive, encouraging husband who keeps me motivated and challenged. Corey’s work ethic, self-discipline, and competitive drive inspire me in all areas of my life, including running. I’m also inspired by reading running books and magazines. There’s nothing like reading about how someone is running 140 miles a week to make you feel like a slacker! Ultimately, I think a lot of my motivation comes from within- I love to run and I love to push myself.