Alayna “Lanie” Szuch, an 11 year old from Evergreen, was seventh at this year’s U.S. Mountain Running Championships. She beat a bunch of former national team members and even some Olympic marathon trials qualifers, and she’s only 11 (!). Lanie tells us all about it, and is our July “The Runner Box” Colorado Runner of the Month.
Lanie, wow, congratulations! I know you’ve had some success running 18-minute 5Ks in the Denver area, but finishing seventh at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships is on another level. You were only 32 seconds back of qualifying for the national team and beat some women that have been on the team before, and women that have run in the Olympic marathon trials. Tell me about the race – where were you doing best, up, down, or both? Did you pass people more on the first or second lap?
Thanks! At the start, I was looking around and knew I was the underdog and really didn’t know how I would measure up to the pros. I decided to just give it my all, and roll with it. Uphill is my strength, but I knew I had to really work to keep my position on the downhill. Usually, I try to not worry about my position in a race for a while, I just focus on relaxing and moving up in the pack. I was in the lead pack at the top of the first climb. On the downhill I got passed by three gals. At this point in the race I kept saying to myself, “you’ll get it, the second climb will be your advantage.” I was in contention for Wales at the top of the final climb but just couldn’t hold it for the final descent and got passed by two on the way to the finish line. Personally, I had a great race, gave it my all, and had a blast! I had fun running in Oregon, with such high level competition. The athletes were surprisingly warm and encouraging.
How did you find the terrain and course to be? Was it as steep and rocky as the trails you typically run in Evergreen?
The terrain was wild! I’ve never ran on lava rock. My family and I do mountain runs up in Summit County but usually the climb is a series of switchbacks, I guess I wasn’t expecting to run straight up a volcano?!? It was a monster!
I know the deadline has already passed to apply to be on the junior national team, and honestly I’m not sure if there is an age minimum or not, but any chance that you applied? I’d love to see how you’d do in a junior race, at the world level?
I didn’t apply because they have an age requirement of 15… rats. I would love to compete internationally in some of the most beautiful areas of our planet but unfortunately I have to wait a few years…. unless I can get USATF to make an exception.
Colorado Runner note: The U.S. junior team was just announced.
And tell me about your training. As I said, I think this mountain race performance outshines your road times, so did you specifically train for this race, and do you train more on trails than on roads? What kind of mileage do you typically do?
I didn’t base my training on this race because we didn’t realize I could race until about a week before. We assumed there was an age restriction. The Sunday before the race I did XTERRA Beaver Creek and I felt good. I think even though the Mountain Champs wasn’t on my radar I was actually well prepared for this race. My endurance is up from last winter’s Nordic season. I train in Evergreen (Bergen Peak) and Summit County. I love trail running and it’s more accessible to me than road running. There is a trail running series in the mountains that I have competed in for a few years now. I think racing at altitude with sustained climbs set me up well for this race. I probably should have trained a bit more on cartwheeling downhill. It felt reckless because I just wasn’t used to that kind of turnover.
Okay, and so you’re only 11, which makes this all so incredible. What grade will you be entering this fall, and how many years have you been running? Any other sports?
Thanks! I’ll be going in to 6th grade in the fall. I’ve been running for about 5 years. I swim year round and try to do a little road and mountain bike racing. In the winter I Nordic ski and snowshoe race. When I turn 13 I would like to try my hand at biathlon.
And what other races, if any, do you have on your calendar for this year? Longer term what kind of races excite you over the next few years?
I’m doing Tri for the Cure this Sunday [Colorado Runner note – Lanie appears to have finished sixth, in 1:17]. Then I’m going to try and get my speed back for middle school XC season. I plan on doing the trail races in Beaver Creek and then I am going to Ogden, Utah to compete in XTERRA Nationals. This will be my first 20k trail race. I’m really excited about this one because I think I’m better at the longer stuff. The Blue Shoe Run asked me to run their race so I will hit that one.
Long term I would like to hit a few high profile races such as Mt. Washington and Mt. Cranmore but they have age limits on those races. I can’t wait for the next USATF Mtn. Champs because it will be an “up” year verses an “up/down” year. I think my odds of making a national team are going to be better on an “up” year. I still don’t know if they would take me on the National Team but I would like try and earn a spot regardless.
You know running isn’t the most popular sport out there. I’m a fan, but there’s probably not too many kids your age that are. I’m just curious then, what professional runners do you really look up to and admire?
I’m a huge running nerd. Of course, I have watched “Without Limits” a million times. I rattle Pre’s words in my head when I race and actually, I dressed up as him for Halloween (Unfortunately, not one person knew who I was). If I had to choose two runners that inspire me the most it would be Zola Budd and Lolo Jones. Both athletes inspire me because of how they dealt with adversity. Zola for showing so much class in the Mary Decker incident and Lola’s story of growing up poor with nothing but pure will and determination makes me inspired not only as a runner but also as a human. I hope to someday help kids that have been raised with adversity.
What’s your favorite thing in the Runner Box?
The Kale Chips are my favorite!
“Leave the research to us, and we’ll leave the training to you,” says Runner Box. The Runner Box is a subscription-based service that delivers a “box” of runner-friendly goodies to you every other month, items like gels, bars, and other accessories hand-picked to add to your running. Many items are new to the market, and new items are expected with each box. A great service for yourself, the boxes also make great gifts and are often themed around holidays.