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Chico State

Steady Pace Towards Olympic Dreams

2010 Zappos Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Las Vegas

Scott Bauhs, BA Social Science, 2008

Scott Bauhs was a standout distance runner at Chico State from 2004 to 2008. He is now working out at a USOC Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., where we caught up with him. He spends time both at the sea-level training center in Chula Vista and in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., where his team, Mammoth Track Club, is based. Bauhs took time out of his busy training schedule to answer a few questions.

Q: How long have you been preparing for the qualifiers (Olympics)?

A: I have been running for around 15 years, which certainly helps as I prepare for the Olympic Trials. I began truly seeing my potential in my later years at Chico, and I have been running full time since 2009.

Q: What is your training routine? Is there anything special you do to prepare for a race?

A: At Mammoth Track Club we do the bulk of our running in the morning, which usually ranges from 8 to 12 miles followed by a 4- to 6-mile evening run for most days of the week. On Wednesday we typically run a medium-long run of 13-16 miles, and on Sunday we run 18-22 miles. We also do supplementary exercises like plyometrics [a type of exercise in which the muscles are repeatedly stretched and suddenly contracted] and weight lifting every day but Sunday.

Q: Congratulations on setting a new personal record in Houston! What was the experience like? How did you feel about the race?

A: Thank you. A lot of work went into running my race in Houston, and it was great to see it pan out the way it did. I’ve learned that you can never take the good races for granted, and I am very happy with my weekend. As with any race, there are things I could have done differently, like starting a bit quicker or keeping the pace a bit more; even that might improve my result next time, so we’ll see.

Q: What was the toughest moment during racing in general?

A: In distance racing there is always a point where you start to really feel the fatigue, but the finish isn’t quite in sight yet. In bad races, this point usually comes pretty early, and in good races it doesn’t seem to be as strong, but pushing through that is essential to being a good runner.

Q: What sparked your interest in pursuing

2010 Zappos Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Las Vegas

Olympic-level racing?

A: Well, I think just about any competitive runner out there has an interest in Olympic-level running. I first started noticing that it might be possible for me while I was improving each year at Chico.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment running for Chico State?

A: Winning the 2007 10,000m title, followed by finishing 1-2 with Charlie Serrano in the 5000m at the NCAA National Championships.

Q: Any advice for aspiring runners?

A: Always focus on getting a little bit better, and eventually you will be great. Communicate with your coach your ideas for training and racing but always listen to your coach’s advice in the end.

Q: What’s next on your journey to the Olympics (and in your life)?

A: I will do a few races between now and the Olympic Trials, and I will be training as well as I can.