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Trails and Tarmac runners, Cole Watson and Eric Ghelfi, post Rock and Roll Phoenix.

“For the last 10 years I feel like I’ve been falling short of goals, goals I’ve set for myself and lofty goals other people have set for me.  Today it was… Yeah, it was awesome. In my first race over 8 miles I was happy to be able to PR at 8k and 10k its hard to get one PR.  Its awesome to get PR’s at every distance en route to a half marathon.” -Cole Watson

I met Cole a few years ago at the Wild Rogue Relay, a beautiful 224 mile relay that winds through Southern Oregon to the Oregon Coast.  Rogue Valley Runners had put together a 6 person team while most teams had 12 runners.  Every time Cole got the slap bracelet, he started hammering.  His attitude and aggressive racing really set the tone for the van.  A few weeks back, jogging through Ashland Cole says, “Remember that relay a few years back, I had no idea how far it was, I figured it was 15, maybe 20 miles tops.”  Sometimes having no idea what you’re getting yourself into is exactly what you need.

Cole Watson, (3rd from the right) with the deep "V" courtesy of Jenn

Cole Watson, (3rd from the right) with the deep “V” courtesy of Jenn

After a few years of ups and downs Cole Watson is getting things going on the roads.  He mixed it up with some of the nations top roadies and marathoners this morning finishing in 63:50, a stout time, earning him the opportunity to run the Olympic Trials this February in Los Angeles.

Cole 3rd from the left, with the other top finishers

Cole 3rd from the left, with the other top finishers

Cole is the kind of runner who is always up for a challenge and can run well with adversity. Many of his workouts leading up to the Arizona Rock and Roll Half Marathon were run out on dark country roads before work. He doesn’t complain about the time of day or having no training partner. He is truly a phenomenal athlete to work with. Trails and Tarmac is lucky and excited to see where Cole will go from here. CONGRATS!