Tune in here to this episode of Grits, Guts, and Determination, The Leadville Race Series Podcast, a leading authority for all things Leadville! Host Cole Chlouber, son of race founder Ken Chlouber, takes us on a story-telling journey of the 40-year rich history of this race. We learn all the tips, tricks, and stories from the Leadville community members! We are celebrating the 40th year anniversary of the Leadville Trail 100 and the third official season of Grit, Guts and Determination, the Leadville Race Series! Host Cole Chlouber is now the interviewee, with Merilee and Cole’s Dad, Ken Chlouber. Listen in to hear about what the Leadville Family means to him.

To begin, Merilee and Ken Chlouber ask Cole how Leadville found him. He shares that it was not by choice, but his Dad found a job in the mine, which moved their family to Leadville. In 1982, the mine closed and everyone was out of work. Cole was only 7 years old and remembers the sacrifices his family made. The Leadville Race 100 was birthed out of that situation. Ken and Marilee started the race because it gave them a sense of purpose. Cole says Leadville 100 changed his life because it made him learn what it means to dig deep to fight for something. But it didn’t always start out that way! Cole quit the race multiple times when he ran and biked it. That all changed when his Dad asked him to sweep on a 4 wheeler and he was behind an individual that he believed shouldn’t have been out there. As he stopped at each station, he saw an increased number of people that looked like him quit, but this individual did not. He learned that day what it means to keep going. The Leadville 100 Race is like mining- it may be dark and you’re in despair, but better things are on the other side.

Next, Cole shares his most meaningful athletic accomplishment in a competition that he ran for the Lake County Cross Country. It was a horrible weather day for a meet, and he remembered an opposing team saying that no one had a shot that day, it’s anybody’s game. His team had been training in this weather for months and it was their game- not just anybody’s. His coach, Frank, said not to be afraid to lead or win. Most of the time, the team had carried Cole, but that race he got to carry them. He also shares that running the Leadville Race in 2013 was a big accomplishment for him. He gave a speech to the people of Leadville inspiring them, but when it came to race time he was sicker than a dog. His Dad saw the look in his eyes, grabbed him by the collar and said, “You remember what you told those people.” Cole didn't have another problem the rest of the race, and it taught him what these races take and to keep digging deep.

Lastly, Cole discusses the preparation needed for race day. He says that the real training occurs between the 5 inches between your ears. You can physically train, and you should, but that won’t get you across the finish line. Your mentality will. You need to train yourself on your why. Then, when you hear the shotgun ring out and it’s your race day, nothing will stop you. In the next 20 years, Cole sees the races as bigger, brighter family reunions. The Leadville Trail 100 is about changing lives, but it had to start with changing ours. His purpose is to continue this passion they’ve created, to help people get to the finish line and to share the magic of Leadville with others so they can experience this family support system and the race for themselves. They say to every biker, runner and person: “You're better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can.” This has changed thousands of lives at the finish line and they hope it will change yours too!