University of Colorado Athletics
Getting To Know: Austin Mitsch, T&F
What is your favorite running event?
I'm a 100 and 200 meter sprinter. The 200 is my favorite race. That's what I was the best at in high school and that's what I'm doing well at this year. The way I run and my running style, I enjoy the 200 more than the 100. It's a little bit longer and better for me.
How and when did you begin running?
Freshman year of high school, I was brought onto the varsity team. We ended up winning the California State Championship. It was the first time for our high school in something like 60 years. It was a big deal so that's when I was like 'wow, this could be a cool thing.' Then my sophomore year, I just took off. At the end of that year, I ran a big time at state. From that point on, junior and senior year, I realized that this is what I wanted to do. I ended up quitting football and all of my other sports and I just stuck with track.
How did you choose track over your other sports (football and basketball)?
I always knew I was fast in all of my sports, football, and basketball. I've ran track since I was in sixth grade but never took it very seriously. I was just doing it to keep in shape for football. I've come to enjoy running so now if I don't run, I don't feel right or happy. I need to run. But, I never used to like running until basically now.
What are your goals for your final two years of college?
My goals have completely changed. This year has been a breakout year for me. I made prelims which was a big thing for me. Nationals is always a goal. But my main goal is to develop my team. I want to be a leader on the team and impact my teammates. I put my team goals before my individual goals.
You went to your first Pac-12 Championships in 2014. What was that experience like?
It was a really cool experience. I went into the meet hurt and tried to run through it, but I didn't get to run in the finals. I ran in the prelims for every one of my events. It was a fun meet and I enjoyed the experience of running with those guys that I had run against in high school. It was eye opening and I really enjoyed it.
What is the preparation for each meet, both mentally and physically?
Physical preparation was taken care of for me in November. The way I think about it is if I don't prepare for the start of the season, there's nothing I can do now. I just got out of the ice tub (right before the interview) so I do general health things like that every day. But, mentally, it's another thing. I used to stress myself out a lot thinking 'there's a big meet coming up' but now I just want to have fun. I pop my music in and just enjoy it. I want to have fun with it. When I'm not having fun, I don't race well.
What is your pre meet pump up music?
I listen to a lot of common stuff, rap and rock. I don't have a specific song but it varies on the day, how I'm feeling.
Who are your role models in running and in life in general?
In high school there was this kid named Joe; he was a senior and I was a freshman. I credit him every day because I wouldn't be where I am without him. He finally just flicked me in the back of the head and was like 'dude what are you doing? Let's start working out and getting better.' He pushed me to be a lot better. I have to credit mom and dad too; taking me to practice, taking me to treatment and to get massages. They have helped me out. I never really had a pro athlete that I looked towards but definitely close family and friends. My mom hasn't been to as many meets but my dad has been to almost all of them. They're going to be at Pac-12's and Texas when we go to regionals so they're big followers.
What is your favorite thing about Boulder?
I love the outdoors. I love the mountains, the Flatirons. That's my favorite thing. The restaurants are awesome. But, I love the outdoors, I grew up in the outdoors. I love this campus too. I could talk about Boulder forever.