Q&A with Anton "Tony" Krupicka

NAME: Anton “Tony” Krupicka
BIRTHDATE: 8/2/1983
BIRTHPLACE: Niobrara, Nebraska
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Colorado
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.antonkrupicka.blogspot.com

Proudest athletic accomplishment?
I'm pretty proud of running 16:14 at the Leadville 100 in 2007; I was out most of the summer with a knee injury but my time was over an hour faster than anyone else has run on that course, aside from Matt Carpenter. I'm also proud of winning the 2008 American River 50; the competition was deep, I was able to run one of the faster times in the history of a race with a lot of history, and it's a flat, fast, short, low-altitude race---all things that most people probably wouldn't consider my strengths.

Superstitions for training or competition?
None. Superstitions just seem to be a way to set yourself up for having an excuse.

What characteristics do you most respect in your competitors?
The ability to give back to the sport/running community in some way, be it hanging around after races, directing a race, doing trail maintenance, etc.

If you were not a pro athlete, what would you do professionally?
I don't really consider myself a professional, but I plan on going back to school in conservation science, and I hope to turn that into a career someday.

When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
Jim Bridger, mountain man.

Song title that best fits your personality/spirit?
Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or Wolf Like Me by TV On the Radio…YouTube either of those and you'll be treated with some of the most exuberant, passionate music out there.

How do you reward yourself when you reach a key goal?
I usually drink a lot of ice water and lounge in the sun. Then I seek out the nearest source of ice cream.

If you were a contestant on Survivor, what would be your one comfort item from home?
My library.

Personal causes you're involved in?
I want more people to realize the importance of wild open space for aimless wandering. This usually means helping with some trail maintenance so as to facilitate the wandering.

Three things people don't know about you?
I'm from Nebraska; and I like it there a lot (despite the lack of mountains). I like chopping wood. I have a degree in Physics.