Runner Interview: Craig Odermatt

Craig Odermatt (Photo credit Erin Burrett)

I like all running but cross-country is definitely my favourite and always gets me excited.

Craig reached out to me after I published the Erin Burrett interview singing the praise of her fine qualities. I did not know Craig, but I was impressed with his gracious attitude towards another runner. As we chatted I also realized that I did not know much about him. What I did know was that he seemed to be winning often in several of the local races that I attended, specifically in the Vancouver Island Race Series. Even so, he was not so well known. Maybe it is because he does not have a website or a blog and has yet to post a tweet, that I didn’t know much about him. Thankfully we connected on Facebook, where he is active. There are also a few post race interviews of Craig, which offer small glimpses of his greatness. I figured it was time to find out more, so I asked him to answer my interview questions and I was thrilled when he agreed.

In the last couple of years, I’ve seen Craig at several races picking up medals – for age-group wins and fastest master runner. He is also always in race start-line photos. Is that keenness or eliteness? Well, he has the race results to prove that he is not just a one hit wonder. He has won or placed at the local, provincial and national level for many years. That makes him an amazing champion in my eyes! So Craig here’s a bit of PR for you!

What is your running history?
Growing up I was active in a variety of sports both organized and informal. My 2 main sports were soccer and baseball. I did compete in running in junior high but I didn’t get into serious, consistent running training/competing until high school. Running was something that was fun but it didn’t seem like I had the ability to compete at a high level for the future so I wasn’t planning to continue competing past high school. Then I had a sudden improvement from Grade 11 to Grade 12 that included placing 3rd overall in Victoria cross-country league standings and then 12th at the BC High School cross-country championships. That convinced me that I should keep going and see what happens. My first year at the University of Victoria I had some health issues and did not really compete. I started to have some doubts again but my coach at the time was encouraging and I kept going. I have been going strong with running ever since (25+ yrs and counting).

Why do you run?
My dad always emphasized that whatever you do, have fun. That is something I live by in sports. So I run because I love it. Especially when it comes to cross-country. I like all running but cross-country is definitely my favourite and always gets me excited. Running has also given me a chance to challenge myself. It’s fun to push yourself and see how you can progress and go after whatever goal you have set for yourself. Running has also been a good stress release at times. For example, things got really busy during my Masters degree and at times I had to cut back on running but I would never completely cut it. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not had running as an outlet at that time.

Finally I run for the social aspect. Running has allowed me to meet a lot of impressive people. There are some great friends I have thanks to running. A good example is my long-term friend Erin Burrett. It has been so great to see her overcome some past tough times and have the big success I always knew she could have. I admire how helpful she is towards other people. I have benefitted from her support many times. Others have too.

When I started running I never thought I would see a day I would be a Canadian Champion in anything.

What was your last best/favorite race?
It’s always hard to single out one favourite. There are a few races that stand out. Such as my last year at UVic when I helped the UVic team win it’s first ever Canadian team cross-country title for men. Fun to make history. Another memorable race was when I ran my PB of 30:38 for 10K. That was a day where I had that strong, flow feeling. The kind of feeling you wish you could save for a future race when you really need it. In Sept 2014 I was part of Team BC for the Canadian 10K Championships. I grabbed the gold in masters to become Canadian champion for the first time ever. When I started running I never thought I would see a day I would be a Canadian Champion in anything.

In 2015 I have placed 2nd overall at the Cobble Hill 10K and Cedar 12K. In both cases I shattered the race record for my category. Taking part in big events like the Sun Run is something I really enjoy. I have been honoured to be invited as an elite a few times. They look after you well. As for favourite distance I would say 5 and 10K, but halfs are growing on me.

What is your next race?
Next planned race for me is the Comox Half so that I can qualify for the Island Series. I am hoping to finish in the top 2-3 overall in the Series based on my current placing and also win the Masters title. My next major goal is the Sun Run 10K. I really hope to be under 32:30. I hope to run a 5K under 15:30 some time this year and also qualify for Team BC for cross-country Nationals.

What type of training do you do?
During the week I am pretty busy with work so I do all my runs fairly close to home. Luckily, close to home, in Victoria, I have the UVic track/trails and Mt Doug/Mt Tolmie and Cedar Hill Golf Course trails. It helps to have some good running options for easy runs/hard workouts close to home. I do most of my long runs at Beaver Lake. It is one of my favourite trails. My long runs are all time based. My workouts depend on what I am going for. In some cases they might be timed runs, sometimes they are specific distance track intervals. Hill workouts are one of my favourites. I also include tempo runs.

I train 6 days a week and have one day off. These 6 days will include 5-7 runs and one cross-training day. I have been trying to do 2 strength sessions a week (e.g. core). I do hard workouts on Wednesday and Saturday with a long run on Sunday. Specific hard workouts will depend on the time of year and which key races are coming, but Wednesday can include hills and something speed oriented (e.g. fartlek, shorter track intervals). Saturday will often include longer workouts (e.g. 10K type, tempo). The Sunday workouts can be trail, road, or track depending on the time of year. The other run days are easy.

I am careful before a race to stick with foods I know work. … Last thing you want is your gut acting up on race day.

What kind of food philosophy do you follow?
I am not sure I have a specific philosophy. My parents always emphasized balance. So I try to follow that and be as healthy as I can but I am far from a master chef. I need to get better but sometimes it’s not easy to find the time for the prep you need to do. I have to admit I do like the bakery section of the supermarket a bit too much sometimes. I’m also a big chocolate lover.

Since I got my blender I enjoy smoothies. A great and easy way to give yourself a healthy boost. I am careful before a race to stick with foods I know work. And on race day I definitely make sure I don’t do anything I haven’t tried in training first. Last thing you want is your gut acting up on race day.

Do you have a running hero/ role model?
I do have people I look up to. The most important was my dad. He was always very active in sports and I think that was a big influence on me. He was also very supportive attending many of my races both at home and out of town. My high school coach Stan Gill was definitely a role model. He taught me how to train and was the first one who made me realize I could have some kind of higher level success in running.

When I first started at UVic a couple of the running team members took the time to get to know me and make me feel welcome. They were also very successful. They were only a year older but I looked up to them (Tania Jones, Paddy McCluskey). I particularly looked up to Paddy since he had the same passion for cross-country and was very successful in it. Lucy Smith is someone I have admired as well. Both for being successful for a very long time and for her passion and joy she has for running even after many years. I have also admired the Kenyan runners. They make it look so easy out there. A good example is Paul Tergat.

How do you relax, when you are not running?
Running at a high level takes a lot out of you. When you combine that with work a lot of your week is taken up. So in my downtime I like to really recover properly. It means relaxing and not doing much. My downtime includes going on the internet and watching my favourite TV shows. I am also a big sports fan. So I watch a lot of sports on TV. Back in Dec I went with a friend to my first ever Canucks game at their current arena. I also like to read. Especially biographies. I just finished reading a good book about hockey great, Gordie Howe.

I do like to travel too but as typical runner I plan it to not interfere with key races. So I ususlly go away in the summer to get a break during some planned running downtime. Back in Janurary I did something unusual and went away during the winter to Hawaii. Just by chance I found out about a half marathon there. So of course I used it as my workout.

When you train and compete at a high level you are never going to be 100% healthy all the time…

Have you had any running setbacks?
I have been very fortunate health-wise. I have never had anything like a stress fracture or something similar that would be major. The last time I had to miss a decent chunk of a season was about 20 yrs ago. When you train and compete at a high level you are never going to be 100% healthy all the time but usually I just have to deal with minor niggly little things.

Do you have a coach?
I was left to fend for myself a few years ago so I don’t actually have a coach at the moment. However I have done some coaching training and I have many years of running experience so I do have the background to be able to help myself. Maybe it’s not the ideal situation, but I am making it work with some great results. For example, I have been on Team BC more on my own then I ever was with a coach. I have also coached a friend and helped her reach both Team BC and Team Canada. I hope to help others in the future with running advice. I do consult with a couple of people about training ideas at times just as a double check.

What is your career/job?
I work full-time as a Database Programmer for a medical company in Victoria. Sitting so much is probably not the ideal and might have contributed to the occasional back issue. Work does make training during the week a balancing act at times. It has also made it difficult to fit in some extra volume that could possibly help me. Juggling family events (e.g. trips) on weekends can be tough with running too. You just do your best and hope they understand when you have to fit in a key run.

Do you listen to music when you run?
I don’t actually. I like to be focussed on what I am doing. Also it’s nice to just take in your surroundings when you are on a nice trail run.

Thanks Craig! It is nice to know that you know yourself so well that you can coach yourself. That shows excellent discipline and you have the results to show it. I wish you many years of continued success! I’m excited to meet Craig for the first time at the Comox Half this weekend. It is my first Half so I hope to meet him before the race to pick up on a few tips and maybe have some of that runner’s luck rub off on me. Oh, yes, I will be blogging about that race in the near future!

About Denise

I am a runner.