Eric Senseman
Melia: I’m sitting down here with Eric Senseman the day before Kendall (Mountain Run). And congrats earlier this year you won our Elephant Mountain 35K
Eric: Yeah, thanks very much.
M: Yeah, and it was the second fastest time too.
E: I was hoping for the fastest but doesn’t always work out.
M: You were only like 7 or something minutes shy.
E: Yeah, close enough.
M: You’re up there.
E: Yeah.
M: So you have been doing a lot of ultras and now you are doing this Sky Race; what triggered that desire?
E: No one thing necessarily. I like the style of the Sky Series. The distances are good. They are tough races for sure. Especially it’s a pure form of racing we are in this town you see that mountain there and see who can run up it and back down the fastest. I think that’s cool. Good test in fitness in that so yeah I’m excited to try it out for the first time.
M: Was there anything different you would do in training for an ultra vs this sky race?
E: Incorporating some more hill repeats and high intensity stuff. More mountain running in general. I haven’t done too many ultras that are sort of mountain category. So yeah, just trying to make sure the last few months I was getting enough up and down basically on trials.
M: When you are running a race is there some sort of mantra or something that keeps you on pace?
E: A lot of just reminding yourself to relax. You know you can get anxious about the race ahead of time or nervous or whatever. When you get to racing just reminding yourself this is what you are suppose to be doing. It is suppose to hurt. This is okay so just kind of relax. Definitely have to remind myself that things don’t last forever. It’s a good reminder. Especially when you are running 6 miles uphill. Just kind of remind yourself you are going to get there eventually and it will be over soon.
M: Have you done the Kendall Road before?
E: I have. I was out here for Hardrock last year and I went up with some friends after Hardrock. Not especially fast but I think we did effectively the route. It turns around up there.
M: Yeah, and there is the little bit of the scramble to the top.
E: I’m not sure we did the exact route but most of it yeah. So I know it to some degree.
M: Was there a part where you just had to stop and look at the crazy amazing view where you just had to stop and look out?
E: The whole thing. I mean the second you start till you reach the top you’ve got ridiculous views so that definitely helps out.
M: So you’ve been to Silverton a couple of times are there something like a trinket shop or a restaurant you really like going to?
E: I think everything is worth going to, so no one place. Anywhere with beer probably. When I have been here it is usually camping. Not really being in downtown Silverton as much. So yeah I enjoy it but no one thing in particular.
M: Anything else you wanted to get out in the open?
E: Nope. Just looking forward to tomorrow’s race. Looking forward to coming downhill. I much prefer the downhill. Looking forward to the time I get to the top and I can turn around.
M: It is kind of nice because it is like a 50/50.
E: Yeah that’s right. It is an interesting race because it just requires multiple skill sets. You don’t have to be excellent at all of them to perform well. I would say I am a proficient up hiller but I excel at the downhill. You’ve got to use those things to your advantage. That’s what I will try to do.
M: Well, best of luck. Enjoy your run.
E: I will.