19 years old and eighth place at the recent USATF mile championships, Kremmling‘s Tabor Scholl wins the May “The Runner Box” Colorado Runner of the Month award. Colorado Runner catches up with Tabor on her progress and post-collegiate career in the below Q&A.
Tabor, you were just eighth at the USATF mile championships. Congrats! Let’s back up though; I want to hear how you got to this point. Last year you announced that you were going to attend CU, but then something happened that kept you from competing as a member of the team during the cross season. You still ran at the Rocky Mountain Shootout though and did really well, finishing third. Tell me about post-high school through cross season and what happened or didn’t happen running-wise?
Thank you so much! The USATF mile championships were a great event and race. I was very blessed to be able to compete with such an exceptional field of fast women.
So yes, lets back up a bit. Last August, I moved down into the dorms all prepared to start my college career. However, in a turn of unusual events, the NCAA didn’t clear me academically to be able to receive my scholarship. Meaning, I wasn’t eligible to run collegiality. Talk about a panic attack and trying to tell your parents. My only option was either to pay full tuition and wait for clearance, or defer, so I deferred a semester and moved back home. False start is what I like to dub it!
While home, I continued to train, race, and work. The Rocky Mountain Shootout was a huge breakthrough performance for me and showed me what could be possible under the tutelage of Coach Wetmore and Coach Burroughs.
And so then onto indoor track and you did compete for CU, and did really well again, including a 4:39 mile. Now though, you’re racing on the roads and I’m wondering if you’re still competing for CU too or no?
Continuing the VERY long story, I was cleared by the NCAA to compete for the spring semester of school. In January I moved down, once again, to Boulder. This time though I had a lot of reservations. I had fallen in love with the routine of training and working as opposed to going to school and running. Not long after being there, I called my parents sobbing about what I was going to do. I had no peace about being in the college setting.
So, I made a very fast and drastic change. I, Tabor Scholl, became a college dropout. I felt morally, spiritually, and emotionally obligated to follow the gift that God had given me. I didn’t feel right taking a spot in a Division I program that I didn’t want to be in. There are thousands of runners who would love to have my spot in such a prestigious program as CU’s. I didn’t feel OK with wasting great and giving people’s time, money, and energy.
What other races do you have lined up for the summer and fall?
Looking into the future, I have the Portland Track Festival coming up next. Depending on how that goes, then I will continue to build my calendar.
You and your family have taken part in road races all over Colorado in the last few years. What races are your personal faves?
Ohh, that’s a hard one. I absolutely love the Pearl Street Mile! The atmosphere is unlike any other race in Colorado and I love being able to get a huge piece of cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory once the race is over. Another fave would have to be the Bristol Mile, which I bummed isn’t held anymore. Lastly, though not a road race, would be the Rocky Mountain Shootout…I always enjoy a true cross country course!
Other than running, what do you love best about Colorado?
I love the change of seasons, along with the variety of scenery our state has to offer. One day I can be in a winter wonderland on Nordic skies and the next, I can be in shorts riding my bike, running or rowing.
What’s your favorite thing in the Runner Box?
Well, I was going to go with breathe right apparatus, thinking if I wore it I would certainly run as fast as Shannon Rowbury. So I laced up my spikes and attempted to run around the American record for the 1500m…man, did that hurt and I didn’t come close to sub-4. So, I reached into the box to recover from my record attempt and grabbed the Buff Bake Red Velvet Protein Peanut Spread. I’m in love! Definitely going to need to buy some more!
Tabor, thanks and good luck all summer! Follow Tabor Tabor on twitter @tabor_scholl.
“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:
April 16 – Amanda Basham
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