Just before a chilly start to the 2012 IMTUF 100 |
Missoula is a hotbed for ultra running talent and Seth Swanson is clearly one of the most talented runners in the valley. While relatively new to running, his racing resume includes over a dozen 1st and 2nd place finishes at ultra races over the last 3 years. His ability to balance running at a high level, work, and raising a young family shows that Seth is diligent at multitasking. Add to that list this weekends event put on by Seth and Justin Yates, The Phall Phringe Phatty (Ph^3), an unsanctioned, loosely organized, 25 mile trail run/race.
Thanks for your willingness to answer a few
questions and share some insight for our readers. First of all, what is your
running background and how did you get into trail running?
I really don’t have much of a running background; I’ve
maybe been at it for four years now. I
ran cross country in 7th grade and was super slow. My wife, Norel, still likes to remind me of
that and the fact that she used to beat me.
I’m fine with that now. I just
really wasn’t into it and didn’t have much a competitive drive then. I never really got into team sports either,
except for a bit of soccer in the early years. During my college years in Bozeman I spent
most of my time skiing, which was reflected by my academic prowess, or more
appropriately lack thereof. I went onto
graduate school in northern California, where my priorities shifted a bit and instead
of 80-100 days of skiing a year, I became a dedicated weekend warrior. I skied regularly with a tight group of
friends who continually pushed and scared the shit out of each other. It was a blast. I also began mountain biking with this same
crew, which was ultimately a steep learning curve just managing to keep
up. But I loved it, and that’s what I
did: ski and mountain bike.

Equipment check, Duthie Hill. Circa 2010.
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Equipment check, Duthie Hill. Circa 2010. |
What are the main challenges you've overcome
to get your running to the place it's at today?
I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m working on that though. I’ve
had my share of glitches along the way, but thankfully nothing major. But I am a regular at Sapphire PT.
What is a running career highlight to this
point?
I
have only been competing for a few years, so that accounts for a pretty light
resume. I am, however, pretty happy with
my run at the inaugural Mystery Ranch Ultra last August. I saw it as a great opportunity to get an
intimate view of this remote and beautiful mountain range. Even though the trails were surprisingly
runnable, the course boasted over 28,000 feet of cumulative climbing, so it was
tough. I ran conservatively all day, and
was able to finish relatively strong.
Besides having to stop at the Pony Bar to confirm directions to the
finish line, I felt like it was the smartest race I had pulled off so far, a
good feeling for sure.
How do you manage to fit running into your busy schedule with work and family?
Balancing a family life, a career, and running isn’t
easy, and I’m not saying that I can do it with grace. Running is a selfish venture. My entire family shares with me the
sacrifices of running, but it is really just me who reaps the rewards. I am very fortunate to have a lovely, supportive,
and forgiving wife. I am lucky to have
her support and with that a couple of good hearted and flexible young girls.Bea and Norel, Holland Lookout. |
What are the basic
components of your training? Who do you train with? Where do you like to run?
I do the bulk of my day to day running by myself,
well with our dog Norm. Enough that I
believe there is an indirect correlation between his weight and my fitness;
right now he is three to five pounds overweight.
Sheriff Norm, moments before the 2010 Capitol Forest Scary Ass
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What's your all-time favorite trail race?
Again, I haven’t competed in too many races so it is
a little difficult to have an objectifiable opinion. I have only made repeat attempts at one race,
Orcas Island 50k, so I would have to say that is probably my favorite. I actually had to beg my way into a sold out
starting list for this coming year. It
is really my style of racing too: a
tough course, beautiful location, laid back atmosphere, and some partying
afterwards. And most everyone camps or
stays in one of the many cabins available at the old environmental camp turned
race headquarters. It’s like the summer
camp that I never went to, except it’s in the middle of winter, there’s a
bluegrass band, and you can drink beer at it.On top ofMt. Sentinel overlooking Missoula |
Congratulations Seth Swanson! 2nd place of 2014 Western States 100.
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