Simon Gutierrez
New Mexico star 3rd in 1983
Kinney/Foot Locker Series
Still Running at High Quality
More than 20 years later!!!

December 2006
Doug Speck

Simon Gutierrez (left) photo from Simon

From my memories as one of the toughest prep runners I ever observed, Simon Gutierrez, third in the Kinney National Cross Country Finals in 1983 from New Mexico, went on to the University of Arizona, and continues well over twenty years later very far up in open level distance running results!   He has turned to mountain racing in recent years and can hold his own against anyone of any age and based upon the titles won below that is very obvious.  If anyone would love to run for a number of decades, his career below is worth taking a close look at with his approach to running/racing and all.  He is really an inspiration, including his hoped goal for this year when he turns 40 to break his PR for 5k of 14:11 (that's like three 4:35 1600's back to back without rest plus 200 meters at the same pace!).  Very interesting career as summarized below--

1) Briefly trace your collegiate running career and its successes after your prep career?

--FootLocker (Kinney) was the race that made me feel like I was a good runner. The following spring I went on and ran 29.53 and 29.45 (roads...still standing age 17 10km road record) and finished 16th at the world junior XC championships.

University of Arizona...4 x NCAA XC appearances. Never made All american. Was about 60th my senior year. College was rough. I had a constant left lower leg nerve entrapment which kept me from performing well. Nagging injuries from trying to come back to quickly. Frustrated I chose to skip my 5th year of elgibility in track. I had a good solid summer and fall build up (1988) and in February I made the US World XC team (senior men) Went on to finish 83rd at the world xc meet in Stavangar, Norway.

Moved to Europe(Sweden) in 1990. Spent almost 10 years there where I did some of my best racing. Ran a 1.03.48 half marathon, 2.18.36 Marathon.
Excelled in xc and road racing. Got a 3000m track PR of 8.07 when I was 30years old. Ran some incredible races with the club system that took me to countries all over Europe.

Moved back to the USA permanently in 2001 and have been living in Alamosa Colorado.I got into some mountain races which proved to be another extension of my running career. I prefer ascent races. The last 2 years have been 2 of my best. I was 10th in 2005 at the World Mountain running Championships (ascent descent racing) and once again 10th this year (ascent ).

I have won Pikes Peak ascent 2 x (2003 and 2005). 3 x winner Mt Washington roadrace. This year I managed 3 top 3 finishes in Europe , which I have never done before. I even managed a 30.28 10km at 6000ft colorado springs last summer.

My immediate goals...having turned 40 this year I want to race on the roads again and try to beat my 5km PR of 14.11.

2) What career situation has allowed you to continue your running of a serious nature so long after your graduation from high school and college?

--First of all I totally enjoy running and competing. I went back to school , while living in Sweden, and recieved my physical therapist degree in 1997.

Each year I set up new and challenging goals for myself. For sure living in Sweden and running for the club system kept me going after college.

I work 30 hours a week, 11.30-17.30. I train the bulk of my training in the am and always fit in an easy 30-40 min each evening...all told about 100 miles a week year round.

3) What has been the attraction of the mountain running for you, and describe the training and competition available out there in that area?

--I enjoy the satisfaction of racing to the top of a mountain. The scenery, the weather is always a changing factor, as well as the altitude. I won Pikes Peak Ascent in August, finishing at 14000ft. 2 day's later I was headed to Italy for an international invite race which only took us to 6000ft. The climbs are steep but to do well you have to have turnover and be able to negotiate a variety of footing. Mountain running is an extension of XC for me. The races are intense! You have to be very fit. Usually I am probly in sub 30 min shape but have to have the strength to run 1-2 hours uphill.... Over the past 5 years I have competed all over the world. The World Championships have been in New Zealand, Italy,Austria, Turkey and Alaska. I enjoy travelling and making new friends all over the world.


4) How have you remained able to compete seriously for so many years from an injury standpoint, which most serious folks after a decade or two coming down with some permanent condition that puts them off to the side of the course?

--I think the key factor is I rarely run ALLOUT, even in my racing. My training is based on hard / easy day's. I do alot of my mileage at 7.30 pace. If I do mile repeats I always finish feeling like I can do 1-2 more.....I like the idea of train don't strain. Obviously my physical therapy background is a benefit. I have had my share of injuries, but at the end of the day I would rather be able to run easy for the rest of my life than to train super hard and breakdown after a few season's. I'm sure I have not raced to my ultimate potential, but I have been running well for a long time which I completely enjoy.


5) What advice would you have to teenage runners who would be interested in a running competitive career that goes through and beyond college?

--Choosing a collegiate program that will allow you to progress slowly each year. A program that suits your abilities and goals. If you want to compete for a long time , moderation is the key . There are alot of good coaches with different approaches to training and racing. As runner's we respond differently to training stimulus. I think it is very important to have flexibility in a program to stay injury free and motivated..

USATF Bio on Simon