5 questions for trail runner Laura Haefeli

Brian Metzler, Special to the Rocky

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Del Norte's Laura Haefeli became the first American woman to win an individual medal in the World Mountain Running Trophy - trail running's de facto world championship - earning the bronze and leading the U.S. Mountain Running Team to the women's team title in the 8-kilometer event Sept. 15 in Saillon, Ovrannaz, Switzerland. She spoke recently with Brian Metzler.

1 How did you train for world competitions in Colorado?

"I run on the roads around our house, but there are also three main hills that I train on. My running buddy here, Chuck Smead, used to be one of the top mountain runners in the world, and he helped pick out trails for me. There are a lot of trails out here that don't even have names that are steeper than heck, and those certainly helped."

2 What is summer biathlon, and how did you became a seven-time U.S. champion?

"It's basically a 5K trail run with target shooting, but unlike the winter version on skis, you don't have to carry the rifle with you. I have always been a good runner, and being from a rural town in Indiana I learned to shoot in middle school and did it through high school. Then the year I graduated from college, I went to the national championship in Minneapolis and I hit nine out of the 10 targets and won by one second. I was hooked, so I did it for the next 14 years."

3 What do you like about trail running?

"I just love to be out there. I'd much rather run in a scenic place than running on the same beaten path all the time. I'm so thankful that I have good health and am able to see things that so many people will never get to see and experience. I saw a bear at the end of June, and we see cat tracks all the time."

4 What would you recommend to new trail runners?

"Just have fun with it, is the main thing. Pick some trails that maybe you've never been on and you just want to explore and go out and run for fun. And also be careful and be aware of your surroundings and footing."

5 What do you think about the World Mountain Running Trophy's coming to Steamboat in 2009?

"It will be so cool to have it in the U.S. It's a big event, and maybe it will help people realize how different mountain running is from track and field and the marathon. I just hope I'm injury-free and running well enough to make the U.S. team for that race."