MileSplit - How is your fitness now that you are in the middle of the 2013 season. What excites you the most about the rest of the season and what you want to accomplish?
Nate - My fitness is pretty good, I'm happy with where it's at right now and I know it will continue to improve as the season progresses. What excites me the most for the season is my teams chance to win the state title and to be in the hunt for a shot at making it to NXN. I hope to follow through with both of those things as well as winning my first individual state title for cross, and breaking 15 min at the Southwest Regional meet.
MileSplit - You have been competing well this year, but broke out at the Desert Twilight with a big win. What are your initial thoughts on your race and how you won it?
Nate - Twilight never fails to be my favorite race of the season, you get to run you heart out on a flat course, that 90% of the time produces PR's. Being able to work with my teammates from the start, all the way to finish... Pushing each other through the tough parts really made it that much more enjoyable and luckily I was able to walk away with a win. But I am still extremely proud of how our entire squad did as a whole.
MileSplit - Where do you go from here and continue to focus for your upcoming races?
Nate - From here we have a two week break before our next meet, so until then we are going to get back to our grind and get some great workouts under our belts. Our focus will continue to be the state meet as well as Nike Regionals.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Nate - I started running competitively in 6th grade on my middle school cross country team because my dad was a successful runner, running at Arizona State, and then for years afterwards... So naturally I aspired to be like him and try my hand at the sport.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Nate - My parents, family and friends are the most influential people to my success. I couldn't ask for a more supportive group of people who are always there for me.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Nate - My father, has been the most influential person in my life not only teaching me everything I know about running, and molding me into the runner I am today, but also life lessons and qualities that I will need in life. He means everything to me and I wouldn't be where I am today if not for him.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program and what work did you put in to start off so well this year?
Nate - Our program is very simple but consistent with the work we put in throughout the summer as well as in-season. We have no magic workouts or special formulas, just a good group of guys and gals who show up everyday and work hard. This year we are especially driven to win the state championship and do well at Regionals since our varsity is made up 5 seniors. (5/7) So that being said, everyone realizes the common goal and is willing to sacrifice in workouts or races for the guys standing next to him.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Nate - My favorite past performance in a cross country race would probably be running against Andy Trouard at the Doug Conley Invite my junior year, where I caught up to him a mile out from home, and ended up finding out just how hard I could push myself the last 800 of a race. I reflect on that race a lot.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Nate - I most enjoy competing against my teammates because not only are the great guys on and off the course, at school and hanging out on the weekends but they are also some of the most competitive people I've met.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Nate - My greatest non-running experience in cross would be the growth and development of becoming the leader on the team this year. Becoming the captain and taking on those responsibilities has taught me so much.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Nate - Long-term goals of mine for running would just be to continue my career onto the college scene and then as long as possible after that.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Nate - My favorite performance of the 2013 world championships would be Nick Symmonds duking it out with Mohammed Aman for his much deserved silver medal.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Nate - I like to rock out to any country music or rock channels (except screamo) when I'm working out.
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Nate - I'm not a huge fan of the grass or the mud being a true track guy at heart, so nothing compares.
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Nate - I check twitter mostly to get all the updates and reports for the running community from Milesplit, Flotrack, Runnerspace... Etc.
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Nate - I would have to say that going out, and the activities that are beyond the household are the most fun, for me.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Nate - My favorite gear when I'm running would have to be some Nike split shorts, brooks trainers and my Arcadia hat.