David Laney finished second at the 2014 Chuckanut 50k. In this interview, he talks about the Nike Trail Team development, his continued preparations for racing his debut 100 miler and Western States, and whether or not we’ll see him race internationally in 2014.
For more information about the race, check out our results article.
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David Laney Post-2014 Chuckanut 50k Interview Transcript
iRunFar: This is Kim Wrinkle of iRunFar with today’s second-place winner, former course-record holder, but also under the [old] course record today at the Chuckanut 50k, Mr. David Laney of Nike. Let’s talk about the race, David. We just spoke with Max [King] and he was saying you were sort of pushing it up at the front early. You made him do some work.
David Laney: Yeah, I knew he definitely is a better technical runner than me, so I wanted the pace to be honest in the first six miles to try and not let him get too far ahead.
iRunFar: When I saw you guys just after the second aid station, he had 10 or 12 seconds on you but then you closed that down pretty quickly going up the hill. Are you a pretty strong uphill runner?
Laney: Yeah, living in Ashland, [Oregon,] that kind of ends up being a strength for everybody. It’s a great place to develop that.
iRunFar: Talk about how the race played out from half way to the end. You got the technical part and the remainder.
Laney: Yeah, Max made a pretty good move as soon as we got on the ridge which is pretty technical. He opened up a gap on me right away. I think he just opened it up over the ridge.
iRunFar: Team Nike did quite well today—second, third, fourth.
Laney: Yeah, it was fun to have the whole team out there and everyone was saying it was kind of like college again.
iRunFar: How is that being their runner? Are you helping design shoes?
Laney: Yeah, we get a lot of opportunity for input. It’s a really fun team to hang out with. Yeah, it’s awesome.
iRunFar: Chris Vargo had a win a couple weeks back, so you guys are actually pretty strong on the trail running.
Laney: Yeah, it’s fun.
iRunFar: You have Western States coming up since Bandera. What’s between now and Western?
Laney: Lake Sonoma 50 in about a month and then Transvulcania about three weeks after that.
iRunFar: This is the same question I asked Max, will you take any down time or just get right back into it? How do your legs feel?
Laney: They feel okay. I’ll probably take one to two days and then ramp up for Sonoma.
iRunFar: Did you change your training at all with Western on the horizon?
Laney: Yeah, I’m doing a lot more mileage trying to get my legs ready, spending some time in the sauna, and just trying to get used to the heat and that kind of thing. I’m working on the downhill and heat.
iRunFar: Are you spending most of your time in Ashland or are you going up to Portland occasionally?
Laney: In Portland a little bit—I’ve been trying to travel a little bit. I’ve gone down to Auburn[, California] a little bit and spend some time down there. I like it.
iRunFar: Have you seen some sections of the course?
Laney: Yeah, it’s been awesome. I’ve gotten to go down and camp a little bit, yeah.
iRunFar: What do you think is the key at Western—the hard up or the hammer down?
Laney: That’s a good question. That’s a great question. As long as you drink enough Coca cCla, I think it will be fine.
iRunFar: Is that the go-to drink for the day?
Laney: Yeah, or Mountain Dew.
iRunFar: Beyond that, do you have anything beyond that or is the ultimate goal for the year Western?
Laney: Western is the big focus, yeah. After that, I’ll kind of reevaluate and see where we are and decide what to do next.
iRunFar: Is the Nike trail group hoping to grow? You’ve added some women now.
Laney: Yeah, absolutely. We’ve got some great women. Alicia Shay is on the team now. We’re really excited to have her. I’m not sure exactly what their plans are. I think… well, I can’t speak to that. I’m not sure exactly what their plans are. It’s an awesome team.
iRunFar: Where’s Daniel [Kraft] from?
Laney: Daniel’s from Telluride, Colorado, originally but now he lives in Corvallis[, Oregon]; so I see him a bit.
iRunFar: Outstanding race today. Best wishes for Lake Sonoma and of course Western States. We’ll be out there.
Laney: Yeah, I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to it.
iRunFar: Is that your first time at 100 miles?
Laney: Yes.
iRunFar: Are you a little bit nervous about it?
Laney: Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah.
iRunFar: I can imagine. Nice talking to you as always. It’s a pleasure.
Laney: Yes. It was great.
