Rockhoppin' Trail: Trail Hero of the Month: May

It’s still May (only just) and time enough to squeeze in Rockhoppin’ Trail’s Trail Hero of the Month for May. This month it’s someone who’s still at the fresher end of her running career, who’s getting faster with every race she wins, and who has many exciting years ahead likely to be filled with front-of-the-pack experiences.

Stevie winning the Zegama-Aizkorri Skymarathon 2014

My personal reason for choosing this international trail runner is that she’s a personal friend, so I’m biased J But that said, she’s top of her game – this past weekend cementing her 2013 Skyrunner® World Series Champion achievement by winning the Zegama-Aizkorri 42km Skymarathon® in Spain.

Stevie Kremer burst onto the international trail running podium at the Sierre-Zinal Skymarathon® in July 2012, when she finished in 2^nd place. From there it was only up for Stevie, with a win at the Jungfrau Marathon a month later, crowning her the World Long Distance Mountain Running Champion 2012.

Highlights of 2013 showed consistent wins and a host of new records – 1^st at Limone Extreme Skyrace® in Italy (course record); 1^st at Goldenleaf Halfmarathon in Aspen, Colorado (course record); 1^st at Breck Crest Marathon, Colorado (course record); 1^st at Pikes Peak Marathon, Colorado (US Trail Marathon Championship); 1^st at Hout Bay Trail Challenge, South Africa (course record); 1^st at Mont Blanc Marathon, France (course record); 1^st at Hermannslauf, Germany (course record). She was also awarded the World Sky Series® Champion 2013.

Stevie, 30, hails from Crested Butte in Colorado, USA where she spends her summer running, her winter ski mountaineering, and the rest of her time (!) teaching second grade at the Crested Butte Community School.

Here’s a short interview I had with Stevie yesterday, after hearing she is Rockhoppin’ Trail’s Trail Hero of the Month:

LD: In the past year, your racing success has continued and you’ve notched several wins. How do you feel about it? Which have been your most exciting races and/or wins over the past year, and why?

SK: I have had an incredibly fun and exciting year of travelling and racing, meeting people and running up new mountains. I have been extremely lucky to have had these opportunities and hope I am able to get more of these opportunities. I would have to say my two most exciting races have been 1) the Sierre-Zinal Race in 2012 because it was my first international race and both my parents were there to support me and cheer me on. And 2) the Jungfrau Marathon in 2012, not only because it was a World Championship Race, but also because my dad was there at the finish when I had a completely unexpected win!

LD: Having seen you run, I know that ascents are your major strength. What training tips do you have for becoming a stronger uphill runner?

SK: I do love running uphill, but am becoming more accustomed and comfortable with the downhills, I must say :-) I think my best tips for running uphill would be to keep your head down but to look ahead to see what's coming. I also try to use my arms to pump if I feel my legs getting tired. Some advice I was given, and that I really need to start following, is to do ab workouts, because strong abs can help you pump uphill!

LD: What does the rest of 2014 racing calendar look like?

SK: I will be participating in many of the Skyrunning® World Series races including the Mont Blanc Marathon, Sierre-Zinal, and the Limone Sky Race®. I may try to squeeze in some other skyrunning races if possible and of course, jump into some local US and Colorado races when I can, as I love local races.

LD: Do you have any long term running goals / dreams?

SK: One day (or rather over the course of a few days), I would love to be able to run and race and possibly set some sort of record in a popular race in every one of the seven continents in the world.

LD: I know you’re a strong winter skier too. Does skiing play a big role in your leg strength for trail running?

SK: I definitely think ski mountaineering, especially the uphill, is a great complement to mountain running in the summer.

LD: You spent 2013 in Italy in a teaching post, and you’re now back home in Colorado. What is your preference, the US or Europe, and why?

SK: Yes, I am back in Crested Butte, happily teaching and starting to run on the trails that are thawing out J I am very happy to be back in Colorado, but would not be opposed to moving back to Europe at some point in my life. Both places have such wonderful aspects to them, including the mountains and the people, but something about Europe that I miss is the variety of cultures there are and how many different languages are spoken at any given race. No matter where I end up, I know I will be happy!

Trail Hero of the Month: May - Stevie Kremer