Week 5

Friday, October 19

Tempo Sports

“You know who that guy is?”

The Centaurus High School Cross Country team turned as their spike-haired coach pointed down the dirt path at the lean runner cruising by on the Davidson Mesa. “That’s Alan Culpepper, one of the fastest guys in the world,” the coach said.

Unaware of his audience, the defending U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Marathon champion was out alone again, notching 11 miles on one of his favorite routes in the western meadowlands beneath the Rocky Mountains. Running amongst the coyote and black-tailed prarie dogs has been Culpepper’s method since graduating from CU in 1996.  But though his self-coaching has produced two Olympic team berths and national cross country and track crowns, his days as a lone wolf have come to an end. [More]

Thursday, October 18

Presenting Alan Culpepper

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Music:
Acoustic Guitar by 2006 Pl@stic Soul
See the Sun by Black Lab
Mine Again by Black Lab

Wednesday, October 17

The Good Life

It’s all good: the family, house, future, and life of defending U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Marathon champion Alan Culpepper. And yet in a sport fueled by adversity, can life be too good for a marathon runner? Can a contented man such as Alan Culpepper muster what it takes to nab a spot on the Olympic team for the third time?   

“I like being under the radar,” concedes the soft-spoken, universally liked Culpepper. “That’s how I felt at the Olympics—do your own thing; it’s more relaxed.”

With guns like Meb Keflezighi, Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall, and Brian Sell all locked and loaded, fellow 2004 marathon Olympian Dan Browne suddenly finding form, and former world record-holder Khalid Khannouchi in the wings, there are no certain spots on this Olympic marathon team. But with his understated presence, and a proven ability to perform in championship-style competitions, Culpepper is hungry for another bite of the Olympic apple. [More]

Tuesday, October 16

The New Boulder

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Music:
War by Davide Cyr
Incoherent by Josh Woodward
Weight of Life by Uncle Bonehead
Adventures of the Deaf Drummer by Josh Woodward

Monday, October 15

The Back Roads of Boulder

A gentle rain had fallen quietly through the night, but as we pulled into the west gate of the Boulder Reservoir parking lot a soft crease of blue opened overhead, a hopeful sign for the Sunday morning long run ahead.

Most of the parking spots had already been taken, and several guys were eager to be off. Some stretched anxious muscles as they waited for the late arrivals. In all, 15 runners would gather for the run through the famous back roads of Boulder.

“Yesterday we had 14 guys doing light fartlek,” says Pete Julian, one of the founders of the Tempo Sports club. “Today we have a mix of two groups, the Boulder Distance Project and the elite group.” [More]