Emma Kosciak is currently leading the 30-34 age group in the XTERRA Texas Trail Run Series with 300 points. In March, Kosciak won the XTERRA Pedernales 10K and 25K Trail Run by 20 minutes and in March she won the XTERRA ATX 21K Trail Run. She continued her streak last weekend by winning the XTERRA Muleshoe 21K Trail run.

We recently caught up with Kosiak to talk about field hockey, backpacking, friendship, and of course – trail running.

Q. How long have you been running?
A. I was a collegiate field hockey player, so I’ve always run as part of training. However, I got into running as a sport in my mid 20’s, and started doing focused training about 5 years ago. 

Q.What do you love about running?
A. Honestly, my favorite part of the sport is supporting my friends. It’s so rewarding to put yourself completely out there for someone else, whether it’s helping a friend get through a track workout or pacing a friend in an ultra. Like most things in life, running is most enjoyable when shared.

Q. What brought you to the trails?
A. I grew up playing in the woods, and got into backpacking in college. So when I started running, hitting the trails was a no-brainer.

Q. What is your training like? 
A. I’m completely spoiled, because my fiance is a Ph.D. in a sports science program and is a coach for my team, Endurance Underground. With him guiding me, I completed my first Ironman last year.

So even though I am much more of a runner than triathlete, he still has me do quite a bit of swimming and biking. Other than it’s simply fun, the cross training helps keep my running volume relatively low (anywhere from 25-50 miles per week) which helps with injury prevention, but keeps my total workload high. I can’t say I have a favorite workout, because I like doing too many different things. But I’d say any workout that I can do with a friend is always the best.

Q. Will we see you at XTERRA Trail Run Nationals this year?
A. I hope so! We’ll see how my fall schedule shapes up. But I have XTERRA Nationals penciled in my calendar right now. I have lots of little goals. But I’d like to ramp up for something big this fall or winter. 

Q. What is your favorite thing about XTERRA?
A. I am new to Texas. So I love that XTERRA gives me an excuse to visit new parks and places all over this huge state. It’s been a great way to explore.  

Photo Courtesy of Endurance Underground Photography

The post Why I Run – Emma Kosciak appeared first on XTERRA.