For the longest time, Heather Utrata was a Denver-area road running favorite. She won a lot of races – some competitive and some not – including two straight Colfax Marathons (2009 + 2010). She was nominated for the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year award in 2012, the same year that she set her personal best in the marathon (2:41, Tucson Marathon). Utrata now races less, doesn’t update her blog, and left Denver for Greeley. We caught up with her to discuss this and more.
Heather, thanks for your time. I know you moved to Greeley in the past year (two years?). Is that part of why you’re racing less, that there are less races in that part of the state as compared to Denver? If that’s not it, why aren’t you racing as much?
I’ve been in Greeley for about a year and a half now and there are actually a lot of good races up north so that’s not really why I stepped back from the running scene. I honestly just needed a break. I moved and started a new job and needed to focus on some other areas in my life for a bit. Running has always been one of the most important things to me, but it will never be THE most important. Now that I’ve had time to settle I’m getting back into training and racing and very excited about it – I think 2015 will be a great year.
Apart from racing, how does your running and training compare to before? What’s your mileage, now vs. then? And where are you at on your 14ers quest?
Well I don’t have my training partner – Marshall Zelinger – anymore and that has been really tough. My mileage is still pretty similar, if not a little higher, but I feel like I’m completely starting over. There was a long time wear I was running but just going through the motions and not really “training” and now that I’ve started up again, I have to admit there’s a little struggling going on there. Part of it is the monotony of running so I’m trying to find ways to make running exciting again. Racing is usually a great way to do that so I’m really looking forward to getting out there more this year.
“14er Quest” sounds like a video game! I’m on my way though – only 39 left to do! No, I have no intention of running up any more of them. Pike’s peak was enough. I love trail running but really like to take my time on mountains and just enjoy the experience and soak it all in.
What do you still want to accomplish as a runner? Does the Olympic trials matter, or do you just want to keep it more casual?
That’s a tough question. Since I started being competitive, I’ve always been told about things I should go after, races I should try, goals I should have. I think I became more concerned with what others thought (or at least, what I thought others thought…) I “should” do than what I really wanted to do. That’s led to races that I haven’t really had my heart in and putting my efforts into goals that weren’t ever really my own. The trials is one of those goals. It’s something that I put a lot of work into but I’m not sure if that was something I really wanted at first. I want it now though. This year I want to work on being more aggressive and stronger and faster and go after those times I know I have in me. Beyond that, I’m not quite sure. I love road racing but there are a lot of amazing and different running opportunities out there and there’s a ton I’d love to try off the roads.
DNFs, you’ve got at least a few marathon drops to your credit now, including your most recent marathon attempt, Indy in November. Do you worry that that will weigh on you when you go to start future marathons, like “oh geez, just hope I don’t DNF again.”
No I don’t worry at all. They were decisions that had to be made. I made them and I’m over it.
I don’t think too many local sponsorships matter and ROI for the stores, but it seemed like you were really popular and that people probably did go to Runner’s Roost just on your reach and influence. I was surprised that you stepped away from that sponsorship then, since you were still in Denver at the time. Did you expect to gain another sponsor since then and just haven’t, or did you just want to get away from any pressure you felt as a sponsored runner?
According to one of your graphs, I’m the most popular runner in Colorado. But I don’t know that that made a huge difference in sales at Runner’s Roost. I’d love to think I’m the reason people shop there but I think we all know that’s not really the case! I don’t think anyone should be too surprised that I left. That was a great start for me and there are a lot of people there that I really care about but the team and I had steadily been moving in different directions for a while and it was time to move on. I didn’t feel any pressure from them to perform in a certain way, but did take my responsibilities as a team member seriously and that was at least a small part of the decision to leave since I felt like I wasn’t upholding my end of the deal as far as attending team events and volunteering went. I considered joining a different team but am glad I had the time to myself instead. At this point, I do really miss the team atmosphere and motivation and the connection with other runners so I’m looking into some different options for this year.
Thanks Heather, good luck in 2015!