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Adam and Kara Goucher head back to Boulder to take on America’s best at XC Champs

Posted February 7th, 2007 at 10:08 AM by Afton Cohen

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

They’re attractive, they’re talented, and they’re headed back to Boulder. Former NCAA stand-outs Adam and Kara Goucher have returned to the city of their collegiate glory to compete at this year’s USATF Cross Country Championships at Flatirons Golf Course.

The powerhouse couple has teamed up with Alberto Salazar with the Nike Oregon Project, and under his stellar and unique training the two are ready to take on the world. Salazar, who won three consecutive NYC Marathons from 1980-1982, is extremely committed to his new team.

The Nike Oregon Project incorporates underwater treadmills and high altitude simulation systems to adequately prepare runners like the Gouchers. The couple seems to have adjusted quite well to these new changes and are ready to shoe how far they have come. Adam said:

“I did things a certain way for 10 years under Mark (Wetmore) at CU, but I knew at the time I needed to make a change, and I was fully prepared to do that. That’s what Kara and I both needed to have coming in, or else we wouldn’t have been successful here.”

Salazar has helped the two develop a new training style that has helped them battle injury and frustration & restore their confidence. Kara in particular has been faced with intense injuries, and, even with Salazar, has had to undergo shin and calve surgeries to conquer compartment syndrome. Still, Salazar’s methods put direct a focus on health and preemptive attention to injury which has helped Kara to progress. Kara explains:

“Alberto’s energy and enthusiasm won me over. He had no reason to believe in me. He didn’t really know who I was, and yet after a few workouts he was so excited, saying ‘Wait ‘til your healthy, wait ’til you’ve had a year.’”

Salazar is paying attention to even the smallest details and has encouraged the couple to follow a regimen that includes: massage, chiropractic therapy, and Active Release Therapy. They hope that these measures will enable them to reach their goals of qualifying for the IAAF World Cross Country teams and competing in the March World XC Champs in Mombasa, Kenya.

The Nike Oregon Project has reinforced for Adam and Kara what it takes to be a professional athlete and how to compete to win. Since training with Salazar begun, the Gouchers have both reached personal records their respective events [Adam in the 5000 and Kara in four distances between 1500 and the 10,000]. These performances have given them a lot of momentum heading into this weekend’s USATF Cross Country Championships and they hope that it will translate into big wins on Saturday.

Stay tuned for The Final Sprint’s LIVE coverage of this weekend’s XC championships and to see how Adam and Kara perform in their respective races!

For more information, please visit: [DailyCamera]

Kristin Vanderzanden said:

Hello ny name is Kristin Vanderzanden and I am doing a history project on Kathrine Switer. I was hoping that maybe you could send me an email about how you feel Kathrine has made a difference in womans running.

Anything you would be willing to share would be helpful.
Thank you for your time,
Kristin Vanderzanden

xcrnr92@verizon.net
May 14th, 2008 at 12:29 am