I recently interviewed my uncle Craig Kolb. Craig is one of the most dynamic master athletes in Jefferson City, MO. He competes locally in road races, race walks, biathlons, and track and field events. Craig has a history of competing in the Show-Me State games. This year he competed in 10 events in the 2 day track and field competition at the Show- Me-State games, call it the Craig Kolb version of a decathlon.
For those unfamiliar with the Show-Me-State games, they are an Olympic-style sports festival with more than 40 sports for all ages and ability levels. It is one of the biggest state games around in 2010, 28,009 people participated in the Show-Me-State games. When July rolls around in Missouri you know it is Show-Me-State games time.
Jake: What were the 10 different events that you did?
Craig: 200, 800, 1500 meter race walk, steeplecase, 4 x100, 4x 400, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and javelin.
Jake: What were your placings in your age group for each event?
Craig: 200 3rd place, 800 3rd place, 1500 meter race walk 1st place, steeplecase 2nd place, 4 x100 (1st, and a new state games record), 4x400 (1st, and a new state games record), high jump 4th place, long jump 3rd place, triple jump 3rd place, and javelin 3rd place. I medaled in 9 out of the 10 events I did. Would of loved to have done better in the high jump, but I didn't have time to practice it enough before the games.
Jake: Did you have extended amount of break in between your events?
Craig: The track and field events are on a rolling schedule in the 2 days of competition. Some guys would show up fresh, right before the start. Whereas, I may have just finished an event 15-30 minutes ago.
Jake: Why do you punish your body and do so many events?
Craig: I would love to run 1 or 2 races, but it's like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and getting 1 plate. I'm all for challenging my body, and seeing how well I respond. This year it was extremely hot and humid, so my times were slower than usually. My last race was the 4 x400, my team was so wiped out after 2 days, plus it was 105 outside, but we still broke the record.
Jake: Any goals for future events?
Craig: I am going to try for Masters All-American in 100m and 400m hurdles next year. Also, I would love to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
We wish Craig Kolb all the best luck in his training to prepare him for his future events.
For those unfamiliar with the Show-Me-State games, they are an Olympic-style sports festival with more than 40 sports for all ages and ability levels. It is one of the biggest state games around in 2010, 28,009 people participated in the Show-Me-State games. When July rolls around in Missouri you know it is Show-Me-State games time.
Jake: What were the 10 different events that you did?
Craig: 200, 800, 1500 meter race walk, steeplecase, 4 x100, 4x 400, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and javelin.
Jake: What were your placings in your age group for each event?
Craig: 200 3rd place, 800 3rd place, 1500 meter race walk 1st place, steeplecase 2nd place, 4 x100 (1st, and a new state games record), 4x400 (1st, and a new state games record), high jump 4th place, long jump 3rd place, triple jump 3rd place, and javelin 3rd place. I medaled in 9 out of the 10 events I did. Would of loved to have done better in the high jump, but I didn't have time to practice it enough before the games.
Jake: Did you have extended amount of break in between your events?
Craig: The track and field events are on a rolling schedule in the 2 days of competition. Some guys would show up fresh, right before the start. Whereas, I may have just finished an event 15-30 minutes ago.
Jake: Why do you punish your body and do so many events?
Craig: I would love to run 1 or 2 races, but it's like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and getting 1 plate. I'm all for challenging my body, and seeing how well I respond. This year it was extremely hot and humid, so my times were slower than usually. My last race was the 4 x400, my team was so wiped out after 2 days, plus it was 105 outside, but we still broke the record.
Jake: Any goals for future events?
Craig: I am going to try for Masters All-American in 100m and 400m hurdles next year. Also, I would love to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
We wish Craig Kolb all the best luck in his training to prepare him for his future events.
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