Colorado trail running is tough to beat, and that’s what brought Amanda Basham to the Centennial State late last year. The 26-year-old finished second at April’s Gorge Waterfalls 100k in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, and thereby earned a “Golden Ticket” automatic entry to the famed Western States 100 in June. That performance also earned her our April “The Runner Box” Colorado Runner of the Month award. Basham talks running shop and Colorado v. Oregon in the below Q&A.
What’s your running background? You just popped up last year as the USATF 50-mile trail champion [Basham won the Cayuga Trail 50 Mile in NY in May 2015]. Did you run in college before that, and how long have you been doing ultras?
I started running track in middle school purely for the social aspect. I actually did the least amount of running possible so that I could get my workout done and hang out with my friends. I focused on sprints and field events. I wasn’t good but I just wanted to have fun. I finally got more serious my senior year of high school after joining the cross country team. Honestly, I just needed something to do. I ended up being pretty good and won our district championships that year. I went on to run in college at Pacific University for two years. I was very mediocre but I don’t think my head was in the right place during that time. I actually quit the team, transferred to Oregon State University and started running on my own.
I got the trail bug when I worked at Nike after being injured from a lot of road running. My friend, Kaitlin Koosman, suggested running in Forest Park [Ed: Portland’s iconic city park] because the surface was much softer and easier on your body. I started running there every day and got hooked instantly. Shortly after, I signed up for a local 50k and won. It was small, but I still felt like this may be my calling.
I did a few more trail races and started learning more about the trail community. Not only was I doing well and having fun, but I was also meeting great people through it. Then I hired Chris Vargo to coach me and told him my goal was to get on the Nike Elite Trail Team. I’m sure he initially thought it was a bit of a stretch but he helped me achieve that goal in a short amount of time. Chris is also the one that suggested I run Cayuga, so I put it on my calendar but didn’t have any expectations. I had a great day at that race because I knew I had put in the work and I was very relaxed. That win got my name out there so I definitely owe that to Vargo.
You moved from Oregon to Colorado, I think. The two states seem to be similar culturally, and people often move and travel between the two. Apart from the weather, what differences between Oregon and Colorado do you see though?
Yes, that’s correct. I grew up in Sweet Home, Oregon [Ed: Sweet Home is the town’s real name, not far from Eugene], but moved to Portland after college. I’ve been wanting to move to Colorado since I did my internship in Colorado Springs in 2012. I came back again the spring/summer of 2015 after Nike agreed to let me work remotely so that I could train. After that second time I knew I belonged here. I ended up moving in November 2015.
The weather is the biggest difference by far, but the access to incredible trails is another. There is always something to do here and people are always outside. I can walk out my front door and be on Pikes Peak in 1/2 mile. I’m able to train on serious trails at altitude every day. I couldn’t say that when I lived in Oregon.
And then within Colorado, you’ve bounced between Boulder and Colorado (Manitou) Springs. What makes Manitou a personal favorite?
I absolutely love the Springs. It’s very underrated but the trails here are some of the best I’ve ever been on. Boulder is great and the community outdoes Manitou’s by far, but the Springs stole a piece of my heart in 2012 that I never got back. I feel like this is where I belong.
I don’t want to turn this Q&A negative, but want to at least ask the question. You’re a coach with Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). Frequently when it comes to CTS, there are anonymous comments on sites like iRunFar and LetsRun being critical of runners associating with CTS. I’m not well versed in the CTS-Lance Armstrong history, so I feel unaffected either way, but for you, is this association one you had to rationalize or think through before stepping into?
People are always going to say what they want to say and believe what they want to believe. I think a lot of people make accusations without really asking any questions or caring about the details.
I knew of [Ed: elite ultramarathon coach] Jason Koop and CTS before I knew about the coaching position. I knew that Lance was associated with CTS during his career but I also knew that Jason was a well-respected coach who worked with some of my friends. I didn’t have to think through working for CTS. I knew very quickly after talking to Jason that he was a passionate, intelligent, caring person. He would never have his athletes do something they shouldn’t do.
Thanks Amanda, and good luck at Western States!
Follow Amanda on her coaching Facebook page and on twitter and instagram @trainer_ab.
“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.
Previous “The Runner Box” Colorado Runners of the Month:
February 16 – Alia Gray
November 15 – Ali Williams
October 15 – Neely Gracey
September 15 – Timmy Parr
August 15 – Andy Wacker
July 15 – Lanie Szuch
June 15 – Joe Gray
May 15 – Brittni Hutton
April 15 – Andy Rinne
March 15 – Justin Ricks
February 15 – Laura Thweatt