SOLE Blog
September 29th, 2010
The queen of pain: an interview with athlete Rebecca Rusch
I once heard a joke that said: "At 40, it takes longer to rest than it did to get tired". Well, whoever created that joke must not have met 41 year old, multi sport athlete Rebecca Rusch. Over the past 13 years, Rebecca has competed in everything from cross country skiing, to orienteering, to adventure racing and finally, mountain biking. She is the 3 time winner of the 24 Hour Solo World Mountain Bike Championship (2007, 2008, and 2009), 2-time Leadville 100 winner (2009, 2010) and carries the title of #1 in the 2008 Masters Cross Country Skiing World Championship. I had a chance to connect with Rebecca shortly after she returned home from racing in Brazil and breaking a record at the Leadville 100.
1. You've had a solid career as both an adventure racer and solo mountain biker. Do you have preference between two?
Really I love both. I've competed in a number of sports over the years including rock climbing, outrigger canoeing, Nordic skiing, adventure racing and mountain biking. I guess what you get from all of that is that I like variety, change and trying new things. The cycling career is just the latest flavour. I do miss the team aspect of adventure racing and the feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere with just your map and compass to get you out of there. If I'm experiencing that cycling, I've gone WAY off course. What I love about cycling is the challenge of trying to learn a new sport, get better at riding and training for cycling and seeing the improvements from those efforts. When I was adventure racing, cycling was my worst event, so it has been really gratifying to put in the work and reap the rewards.
2. You recently completed the Leadville 100 - a gruelling 100 mile MTB race. You managed to dominate the podium, set a personal best, and break some race records. Is it possible for you to pinpoint a 'best part'?
The best part of the Leadville 100 this year is that I really prepared specifically for this event and focused on winning it and attempting a course record. I was pre-riding the course, timing sections, dialling in my bike perfectly, and training specifically for that race and also went early to acclimatize. It was quite different to showing up last year and having to tape a course profile to the top tube of my bike so I would know where the big hills were. The fact that all the extra preparation and specific training came together on the right day was magical. It's scary to focus on one performance, one day, and know that if you get a cold or a flat tire that could be the end of what you dreamt about and were working toward. If I had to pick one single highlight of that day in August, it would be that my boyfriend Greg was there crewing for me. He rode his motorcycle out and was my one man show for support. He was at every aid station giving me splits, water, food and moral support. Seeing him out on the course and the first person at the finish line was really important to me. He is really the only person who knows how hard I worked all year for this race. The fact that he could share it with me and be part of the win was magical.
3. You're known as the 'Queen of Pain'. Anyone who races or trains is familiar with 'the wall', that moment where you don't think you can take another step, lift another weight or do another wind-sprint without passing out. How do you break through that wall? Do you have any advice for other athletes that are hoping to achieve their own personal goals?
I have discovered over and over again that the body is stronger than the mind. We can do so much more than we believe we can. Every time you do a workout or race that seems impossible in your head, but then you exceed your expectations, that is the point where we've shown ourselves that our expectations are not necessarily real. A great example is the Leadville Trail 100 in 2009 and 2010. I went as hard as I possibly could in 2009 and was really happy with my result. In 2010, everyone was asking me if I was going to try to break the women's course record. Honestly, I did not believe it was possible to shave more than 20 minutes off my 2009 time. I surprised myself with a sub 8 hour time and now I know it is possible. The advice I have for people wanting to achieve their goals is first to set a goal, make a plan, then just go out and work bit by bit toward it. It really is a matter of just pushing forward even if you feel like you are the slowest person in the world. Forward momentum, no matter how slow, is the key.
4. Do you have a favourite SOLE product? Why?
I am LOVING the new Exhale. It's super comfy for post race, camping, running to the coffee shop, taking out the trash, whatever. They are perfect for Idaho and the cool mountain air. The name says it all. When I put these on, I can't help but say "aaahhhh."
5. How does SOLE help you perform optimally?
Our feet bear the brunt of all of our adventures from running to cycling to hanging around post race. Keeping my feet happy, supported and comfortable is a huge priority and SOLE takes care of that so I can focus on the rest of my training and racing.
6. What's next?
The main goals for the 2010 season have been accomplished with the Leadville Trail 100 win and a UCI Masters XC World Championship. I will do a couple of local cyclocross races for fun and just ride and enjoy the riding weather before the snow flies in Idaho. On November 4th, I'll be at the movie premiere for the Leadville Trail 100. It's showing at 500 theatres around the country, so don't miss your opportunity to see the great film. Here's ticket info and a little teaser... raceacrossthesky.com
All photos by Todd Meier
— Brandi Weston | SOLE Marketing
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