Cassie Scallon came off a break from running to win without challenge the 2014 Sean O’Brien 50 Mile. Proving that fresh and rested running is sometimes the best kind, Cassie talks in this interview about her favorite parts of the course, why she’d rather run fast than slow, and what she might do with the Western States 100 entry she earned through this Montrail Ultra Cup Race.
For more on the race, you can read our 2014 Sean O’Brien 50 Mile results article.
Cassie Scallon, 2014 Sean O’Brien 50 Mile Champion, Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Cassie Scallon after her win at the Sean O’Brien 50 Mile. Congratulations, Cassie.
Cassie Scallon: Thank you.
iRunFar: You ran for like a week and then you knock one out of the park. Did you surprise yourself at all?
Scallon: Yeah, but I don’t know if training really works for me anyhow. I guess just coming in rested is fine, too.
iRunFar: Yeah. How did you feel out there today?
Scallon: Fine. I think this is my first 50 where I haven’t cramped at all. I had a good appetite all day. I was hungry and eating really well. I think that helped.
iRunFar: No cramps. Good eating. It’s a little shock coming from Colorado to Southern California. How was the weather?
Scallon: It was beautiful. We get one day like this every week in Boulder, so it was just right—perfect temperature, beautiful views.
iRunFar: In terms of the women’s field, you were out there by yourself most of the day. Were you keying off guys or just pushing yourself really hard?
Scallon: I was just kind of running to run. I don’t like to run too easily because then it just makes the day kind of long. I think it’s better to kind of stay intense and kind of stay with it, so I just kept that going.
iRunFar: Speaking of the day being long, you were coming across the line—and we all say different things coming across the line—but you were like, “This is about as long as I need to run.”
Scallon: Yeah, 50 miles feels like enough. My feet are a little bit sore, and I’m pretty tired.
iRunFar: You did earn a way back to Western States. Is that something you’ll consider?
Scallon: Yeah, it was my goal today to come in and have that option. Now it’s an option and something else to have to think about.
iRunFar: Did how fast you ran today change your plans at all? Still doing the marathon in a couple of months?
Scallon: Probably, yeah. Yeah, I’m sticking with the plan.
iRunFar: Did you think you’d run this fast—7:38?
Scallon: Well, I was kind of hoping to be under eight hours, so yeah.
iRunFar: Pretty good. What kicks did you wear out there today?
Scallon: Salomon Sense Pro.
iRunFar: What are those like? Are they the Sense upper with the Mantra outsole?
Scallon: Yeah, I wore them at TNF[EC 50], too. I love them. They’re very, very comfortable and I think perfect for California here.
iRunFar: Yeah, it’s not muddy out here and there’s pretty good footing.
Scallon: Yeah, it was a little bit sandy out there in some spots and kind of rocky in some spots.
iRunFar: And a lot of downhill, too.
Scallon: Lots of downhill.
iRunFar: So what do you as a runner like most—uphill, downhill, flat? If you had one race that had to be all something what would it be?
Scallon: Downhill, I guess.
iRunFar: Downhill?
Scallon: I mean, downhill hurts and probably will hurt me more tomorrow more than anything else, but that’s what I enjoy the most.
iRunFar: Nice. Were there any highlights out there on the trail today? Any stretches that just went awesome?
Scallon: I think just anytime we came up the big hill and then just had an amazing view of the ocean, and especially if there was a nice breeze and you could smell the salt water. That was just unbelievable.
iRunFar: It’s pretty nice getting the views from up high. Did you guys cross over the ridgeline right about sunrise? Driving over to the other side was amazing.
Scallon: Yeah, it was amazing. The sunrise was beautiful today.
iRunFar: Congratulations on a great race today, and we’ll see you on down the road.
Scallon: Cool.
