Nate Kaiser’s offseason work pays off at start of cross country season

Nate Kaiser has been the top runner for an IUPUI cross country team that is searching for a Horizon league 3-peat this season, and he's been running his best times ever.

Kaiser, a junior from Tell City, Indiana, has been leading the Jags to a strong start in their cross country season, setting a new 6k record for their opening meet 18:18. He has been the team's lead runner for both of the meets they have had so far. 

While most runners have a comfortable offseason to get their training and miles in, Kaiser had anything but a typical offseason while working a construction job and running 85 miles a week.

“An average day of training for me starts at 4:45 a.m.," Kaiser said. "I  wakeup, stretch, eat a snack, then about 5:15 a.m. I go for my first run of the day. 7:00 a.m, I leave for work and I get back from work at about 7:00 p.m. Then at 7:15 p.m. I go for my second run and go to bed about 9:15 p.m. Saturdays were for hanging out with friends  and Sundays were for catching up on summer class work and church”.

Whatever Kaiser was doing on a typical day he would always make time for his commitment to running, family, and his faith. The biggest difference from the regular season and the offseason for him was being able to run with his teammates again.

“The biggest difference I noticed was having teammates to run with again," he said. "Solo running can get very dull and having others to talk too again was a game changer. That boosted the morale a ton and really got me excited for the season”.

While most people would have crumbled under the amount of stress Kaiser was putting on his body with work and running, he credits his early season success to his family, his teammates, his coaches, and his faith in God.

“Everyday I get to experience the simple pleasures of being a part of a team who cares for each other greatly with coaches who want to see us succeed," he said.  "I’ve got the greatest fan base known to man back home in a quiet blue-collar town nestled along the Great Ohio."

There is motivation behind him to get up and keep grinding everyday.

"I have a family who loves me no matter how I do, who just want to know when I will be home next," he said. "And I've got a foundation in God that always challenges me to pursue further in my faith. So this whole running thing is built on the people in my life. They are the reason I've been running well, but more importantly, growing in life”.