Cari Kimball
Melia: I’m Melia Coury here with Cari Kimball and she won our Silverton Alpine Marathon today, congratulations.
Cari: Thank you so much.
M: So how was it for you out there? Did you have any struggling moments or were you just conquering the mountain the whole time?
C: I don’t know if conquering would be the right word, but um, it was a really good day. The climbs are pretty steep and good but for the most part it is really runnable and the views are incredible.
M: Did you have a favorite portion of the view?
C: I would say that when you are up by Hurricane Pass. That portion when you are topping out and there is that last aid station and then you get over that finale hump and there is just his incredible vista. There is an aquamarine lake bellow and this whole scene of mountains. Then that portion of the course after that is just down hill, a little technical but that felt really good just to pick your way through it quickly.
M: Do you prefer down to up then?
C: Yes, I would say my relative strength is the down hills. The up hills were definitely hard. I was running with Phyllis (Tsang, 2nd Female) for a lot of the up hills. She and I were playing back and forth between the two of us. Some hiking and running a little bit, definitely feel the elevation.
M: Do you like pairing up with runners training or during races?
C: Oh yeah, totally, it’s all about the people for me. It’s so fun to meet people from around here and from far away. It’s awesome that Phyllis is here from Virginia and crushing it at like 9,000 feet, I’m still just in awe.
M: It’s a great community and everyone out there is so inspiring.
C: Yeah, and that’s been my experience with the couple Aravaipa races I have done. Yeah, you guys bring really cool people together and we have a fun time.
M: Thanks. Do you have any races coming up…
C: The next race on my horizon is a new race outside of Santa Fe called the Santa Fe Ultras. I’m hoping to be ready for the 50 mile next month for that. It will be my first 50 miler so we will see how it goes and hopefully no injuries between now and then.
M: That always helps.
C: Yeah, the injury conundrum. But I felt like today went really well. With injuries I always toe that line of pushing but not getting hurt.
M: Everything feels good now?
C: Yeah!
M: That’s exciting! Well congratulations again and best of luck.
C: Thanks.