Final Surge Podcast Episode 32: Addie Bracy

Welcome to Episode 32 of the Final Surge Podcast where we talk to 2016 USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Woman’s open Runner of the Year Addie Bracy. Addie, a former Olympic Trials track athlete made the switch to mountain racing in 2016 and won the US Championship in her first race. We talk about the transition to mountain and trail running and we also talk about her getting involved as a high school coach. I hope you enjoy this show and make sure you check out what the Hudson Elite team is doing with coaching to support their athletes.

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Addie, welcome to the show. We like to start out by getting to know our guest a little better. Could you tell me how you got your start in running?

What was your high school running career like?

You walked on at the University of North Carolina. How was it walking on and what can you share with our listeners about that experience?

You had a very respectful 16:20 in the 5k in college. That may not have been good enough to win a national championship, but many of our listeners, male and female would take it. After running at North Carolina, what was your thought process about continuing to run post collegiately?

Many, including myself, consider Brad Hudson to be one of the top U.S. Distance coaches of our time. He was a guest of ours in Episode 2 of this podcast last summer. How did you get connected with Brad and Hudson Elite?

So in North Carolina were you training on your own and not with a team?

How hard was it running on your own versus running with a group like you do now?

You recently made the jump into running up mountains for fun. What were you thinking?

So that was your first mountain race?

As you mentioned the selection for the U.S. Team was held at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire this past summer and you won the U.S. title on the women’s side. I grew up in New Hampshire and have skied down Loon Mountain several times. But the only way I have even thought about going up it is on the lift. When you lined up for that race what were your expectations?

Then you got to represent the U.S. in the World Mountain Running Championships, how was that feeling of representing your country?

Are you going to continue to do mountain running competitively?

What were the biggest changes you made in your training?

What is a typical length and what is the elevation gain of a mountain race?

Can you break down the training a little bit for us on what a week of running looks like for you now?

So it sounds like the biggest difference is your hard days? Instead of tempo work on the track is it more of just trail-specific work?

Is a hard day still speed work, or is it more climbing hills for the hard days?

Not only did you podium at the 2016 World Mountain Running Championships as a team, you also made the podium at the 2016 Eliptigo World Championships. How much time do you spend on an Eliptigo?

You have run at the Olympic trials and other prestigious races in your career. What has been the highlight of your running career so far?

You began high school coaching this past year. What made you want to get involved with coaching?

You mentioned you didnÍt know how serious they would be. Every high school team has a variety of runners. How do you deal with the differences in motivation levels of the athletes?

A large section of our listeners are high school coaches. What advice do you have for coaches, something they may not be thinking of when working with high school kids?

What advice do you give to your kids who want to continue competitive running after high school?

When we talked to Brad last year he mentioned the athletes at Hudson Elite did some coaching, are you involved in that?

Do you take runners of any ability?

We had a Twitter question come in for you. You can follow us on Twitter @FinalSurge

There are a lot of busy coaches out there. How do you juggle coaching, training, work and a personal life?

What is next for you? Any races on the schedule?

Rapid Fire… 5 questions in under 1 minute

Favorite running book? – Hudson’s Little Black Book

Current trainers you are wearing? – Salomon S-Lab Sonic

Favorite race? – 10k

Favorite meal or recovery drink? – Bacon

Your favorite workout – 400 repeats