True Colorado native Jeremy Freed has had a love for running since he watched his Dad running out the front door as a young child. Growing up in the beautiful city of Evergreen, CO, Jeremy was deeply rooted in the running community at a young age.
From setting his elementary school mile record to winning a state title in high school in the 1600m to winning the uber-popular BolderBoulder 10K in 2011, Jeremy has worked long and hard to reach his goals.
Not only does Jeremy work full time for the Newton Running Lab, but he also dedicates much of his time to his work at Zone Sports, developing educational resources for endurance athletes. Couple all that with training and keeping up with his personal life and you have one busy top runner.
Read on to find out how Jeremy finds balance in his everyday life between work, training, and fun to ensure he never loses sight of his roots and why he loves to run.
Quick Stats
Name: Jeremy Freed
Age: 24
Hometown & Current: Hometown = Evergreen, CO/Current = Boulder, CO
Professional & Educational background: I graduated with a BS Business Administration Marketing + Finance from Colorado State University. I currently work for Zone Sports (www.findyourzone.tv) and develop educational resources for endurance athletes and beyond.
Sports participated in: I used to play soccer and basketball in elementary and middle school. I also used to do Tae Kwon Do in addition to running cross country and track and field.
Years in current sport: I have competed in cross country and track and field since I was about 10 years old. I guess that makes about 14 years!
Racing Team: I race for Newton Running’s Team Alchemy.
Sponsors/Affiliations: Newton Running
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
Some of the biggest highlights for very similar reasons in my running career were my state title in high school in the 1600m and my race at the Bolder Boulder in 2011. Both races I wasn’t really expected to do much and I came out and won.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
First and foremost I want to be happy and enjoy what I am doing. I have always run because that is what I love to do and I don’t ever want to lose that feeling. Race wise I would like to continue to be competitive on a state, regional, and national level.
I truly want to be able to say when my “professional” career is done that I accomplished everything that I wanted to and have no regrets.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado is my home. I am one of the few people that can say they are truly Colorado natives! There are so many absolutely gorgeous places to run in Colorado. Whether you are a trail, track, or road runner, you can truly get lost in the beauty of your surroundings.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
I work full time so my day usually starts pretty early. I am usually awake about 6:15am and I head out (usually) for a quick 60 -75 minute run in the morning, then I head back, shower, and head off to work. Typically I work until 6 or 6:30pm and then head out for a second 30 min run in the evening. I nearly always have to get my full mileage in by running doubles.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
The big things that keep me alive/successful are sleep and recovery. Without the two I would be utterly useless.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I just try and eat as well as possible despite my busy schedule. I try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible along with some good lean protein like chicken and fish.
To recover, I like grabbing a chocolate milk or Mix 1, especially when I am don’t have the time to eat any kind of meal.
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
I work for the company, but www.findyourzone.tv is a great resource for a lot of runners and coaches to keep current on different training strategies and techniques. Our goal is to really enrich the sport and provide an educational outlet for athletes and coaches to get additional training advice.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge has been finding an appropriate balance between work, a relationship, social and family obligations, and running. I feel like I have done a pretty good job, but I can always do better.
What are your favorite races in Colorado? Why?
Some of my favorite Colorado races are of course the Bolder Boulder and the Pearl Street Mile as well as the one of my hometown favorites, the Evergreen Town Race.
The Bolder Boulder is just such a well run race and whether you are running in the citizen’s race or the pro race, it is such a thrill for all 50,000 + people that participate every year to be able to run into Folsom Field with a big crowd cheering you on. The Bolder Boulder and the Pearl Street Mile are both such huge races for the city of Boulder and bring out such great competition, so they are definitely favorites of mine!
Where do you like to train in Colorado? Why?
I was fortunate enough to grow up in beautiful Evergreen, CO, and there are so many gorgeous trails to run including some of my personal favorites, Bergen Peak and Evergreen Mountain.
Another training destination for me is my current hometown of Boulder, CO, which has some beautiful runs like the Mesa Trail, Dowdy Draw and Flatirons Vista, and one which I just recently explored: Rollinsville.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe:
My favorite shoe is Newton Running’s Distance “S”.
Favorite post-run/race beverage:
Would definitely have to be chocolate milk!
Favorite post-run/race meal:
I am big fan of Mexican food. I make a delicious nacho plate with fajita chicken, onions, black beans, jalapenos, and of course cheese. That makes a pretty ideal post – run meal!
Role models:
Tough one… I am inspired by anyone that gets out and works out and truly challenges themselves. I love to see runners, cyclists, etc. getting out on a daily basis and giving it there all.
My dad is a great example of someone who loves to challenge himself by hiking and hitting the gym despite the fact that he can no longer run consistently after being a life-long runner. Those are the people that get me excited and hopefully they see that same excitement in me and get fired up themselves.
Day job:
I work on developing training resources for runners at Find Your Zone (www.findyourzone.tv)!
Solo runner, running partner or team/group?
I train mostly solo but occasionally hop in for workouts with the Hudson Training Systems crew and for some easy runs with my fiancée.
Favorite Restaurant:
In Boulder, my favorites are Salt and for an easy quick meal, Whole Food’s hot bar.
Favorite Coffee Shop:
I am not a huge coffee person but when I worked downtown in Boulder I would usually head over to The Cup for some delicious bagel sandwiches and hot chocolate.
Favorite Bar:
I don’t really go out to the bars all that often, but happy hour at Centro and the West End Tavern have some solid drinks and apps as well.
Favorite Running Store:
Boulder Running Company has a great, knowledgeable staff full of great runners and a wide variety of shoes and apparel and of course I would be remiss not to mention the Newton Running Lab if you are looking for Newtons!
Favorite non-running activity:
I love watching sports, especially pro and college football! Also if I can get out and shoot some hoops or go for a quick walk I am happy.
Favorite TV Show:
My favorite all time is Seinfeld, but my current favorites are Modern Family and Dexter. I also loved Entourage while it was on.
Favorite book:
I have really enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy lately, but I really enjoyed reading Into Thin Air, Outliers, and a few of Michael Lewis’ bestsellers: Moneyball, Liar’s Poker, and the Big Short.
Favorite movie:
That would have to be a tie between Officespace, Tommyboy, and Caddyshack.
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
I wouldn’t say a breakthrough, but my race in 2011 at the Bolder Boulder was certainly a testament to hard work and staying healthy and on top of injuries.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Some of the best advice I’ve been given is just collective advice from my old college coach, Del Hessel, which was to simply be tough, work hard, and to expect big things if you take care of the first two.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
I try not to get too caught up in running and just to be as easy going with it as I can. Sometimes I am great at it and sometimes I need to be reminded of it.
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I am motivated by the goal of getting the most out of myself as an athlete. I want to be the best athlete I can be and every race and hard workout is an opportunity to transcend what was previously possible.