Runner's World interview:People are still surprised at how well you're running at your age, but perhaps we shouldn't make such a big deal of "age." When you looked at the field of women going to the USA 20K, did you think you had a chance at the victory?
Colleen De Reuck: Oh no. I was looking at the field beforehand and at the prize money, and I said to Darren "well, if I come in top five, I can make $1,000." No, I didn't think of the victory, no.
When the race got underway, Magdalena Lewy Boulet (who ended up third) went out pretty hard and everyone else laid off that pace a bit, right?
CD: Yeah. Rebecca (Donaghue) went a little bit and then she held back; obviously, she thought the pace was too fast. There was no way I could go with Magdalena. So everybody was just sitting at the pace that we were running at; we ran like 5:20 for the first mile.
And then at a certain point, were you running alone with Serena Burla (who came in second)?
CD: Yeah, and Rebecca was running just behind us. We were running together, and then she (Burla) was right behind me, and at five miles we caught Magdalena. I was just running and I didn't realize how far they (the others) were back until at about eight or nine miles, we went through some neighborhoods and took 90-degree turns. Then I glanced over and I saw that I had a little gap.
Were you getting tired toward the end?
CD: Yeah, I was. I was okay. I didn't really sprint it in because I knew I had it.
So when it's all over, this has got to be a happy surprise for you?
CD: Yeah, yah, yeah. And I can appreciate this a little bit more than my last win there (in New Haven) a few years back.
The last time we spoke (in January), you said you were enjoying this and playing it out for as long as you can, but you have a lot of responsibilities now. You didn't seem to think of yourself as the same kind of professional athlete you were in your 30s, in terms of seriousness and dedication.
CD: No, I don't. I just do what I can. And I still try and train hard. For the marathon, I'll have three weeks of 100 miles (each) behind me. But to get up to 100 miles for me is a little bit tough. When I train, I hard, but I don't go behind that barrier that I used to go (through). I run towards that barrier. It's "comfortable" hard. I just don't go over that edge like I used to.
And what did that edge feel like?
CD: Oh, you just get tried, the whole body, from exertion.
But now you have so much else to do, with your younger child. So you can't really afford to get that tired.
CD: No. After Boston (in April), I took a big break, and then I started running just 60 miles a week in May, June, and half of July. And I thought "hmm, 60 miles is a good number." You still have a lot of energy in the evening.
Have you done Twin Cities in Minnesota before?
CD: No, I haven't, This will be the first time. It's a USA Women's Championships and a USA Masters Championships. I haven't done it before, so it's something new and different.
What have you heard about it in comparison, say, to the Chicago Marathon?
CD: It's a little bit more difficult than Chicago. At 19 or 20 miles - I have to check the profile of the course - you start climbing. But it's just a gentle climb. Nothing steep like the hills of Boston, but gradual.
What would expect in Minnesota? Something a bit faster than the 2:35 you ran in Boston?
CD: Yeah, I'd like to run faster than I did at Boston. I just hope to go at my pace. I don't want to blow up. You've got respect the marathon, no matter how many you've done.
Do you train on your own a lot now?
CD: I do. I was training with Kathy Butler and Nicole Aish, but Kathy Butler's taking time off and Nicole Aish has gone to the UK to do some races there. But I was training with them quite a bit. Sometimes Elva (Dryer) comes to Boulder for a little stint so I'll hook up with her. Otherwise, I run with Darren or jump in with his running group.
Is Tara, the two-year-old, a little rambunctious one?
CD: Tasmin was so much more quiet and docile then her. She (Tara) is on the move the whole time.
So there's no point in stopping this racing as long as you're doing this well, is there?
CD: I don't know. I just play it by ear. I'll see if I feel like doing anything next year, or what I can do. I'd like to do (USA) Cross Country, 'cause I love cross country. I might go and do that again.
But recently, it seems like you always think each year might be your last competing at the elite level.
CD: Yes, that's what I think. But there's an ultra distance race in South Africa (Comrades Marathon) that I'd like to do. Each one in my family has done it.
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