Keaton Gruber of Alexandria class of 2018
Personal Records:
800m - 2:08 (split)
1600m - 4:39.34
3200m - 10:03.11
5K - 16:08.98
State XC 2016 - 72nd place
State XC 2015 - 118th place
Where were you born and what sports did you play growing up?
I was born in Alexandria Minnesota, home of the extraordinary Big Ole. I played baseball, soccer, tennis and my favorite basketball up to eighth grade before quitting and running full time. My teammates and I still like to play basketball at our local YMCA before our runs in the winter. We use it as part of our warm up and a way to hopefully one day fulfill our dreams of making the NBA.
How did those sports prepare you for running cross country? Why did you make the decision to be a distance runner?
I think doing other sports have helped strengthen other muscles that might not be used while running. This helps to keep me healthy and not get injured. I originally joined cross country to help with the basketball season, but after joining my freshman year I got hooked, and ended up quitting all the other sports I played. The seniors made practices, meets, and pasta feeds extremely fun. They also made sure we got serious and worked hard when it mattered. Cross country was the first sport I did where my body type was actually useful.
What is Head Cross Country Coach Travis Hochhalter's training style for cross country?
Our team focuses on our strength throughout the beginning and middle of the season by doing longer repeats while slowly getting shorter and faster throughout the season. We have a lot of trust in our training in that it will work at the end of the year when we are tapering.
What do you like most about running? Why do you like that the most?
I really enjoy earlier morning long runs in the summer on our home course at Atikwa golf course. It's super fun being with my teammates on a barefoot run while the sun is rising then go get the Hungry Bear at Northwoods (best breakfast in Alexandria). I also love doing stuff with my teammates like pasta feeds, movie nights and bonfires.
What do you like least about training for running? Why is that the least fun?
There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a run and having to get something out of your body but no where to go. So you just have to run, walk and stop while making sure you don't poop yourself. It ruins the whole day. I also hate getting a bloody nose in the middle of a run and having to stuff leaves in my nose.
What do you like to do the day of a meet to prepare for racing?
Before a race I'll either sleep or listen to the Beatles, Queen, Supertramp or pretty much anything pre 90's. "Indian Reservation" is my go to song thought. Our team likes to stay pretty lose by joking around and not over-thinking the race too much. I have a hard time concentrating in school the day of a meet and I usually have to catch up the next day or two.
What are your time goals for the 2017-2018 school year?
I was really disappointed with my track season, but I would like to get a big pr in track and work on sticking with some of the top guys in our section. Track hasn't ever been my strongest season but I really want to end my high school career on a high note.
Have you tried every type of race strategy in your career for the Alexandria Cardinals?
Depending on the course I might change my strategy but generally I like to go out a little more conservative and push the second half of the race. I've noticed this year going out faster than I was previously used to works pretty well.
What obstacles have you had to overcome in sport or in your life?
My freshman year of track was really tough before I found out I had low iron and was able to get it up through the summer. I also had a minor foot injury at the beginning of track my sophomore year. Other than that I've been fortunate enough to stay pretty healthy.
Which teammates help you the most in your sports? How do they help you?
My teammates Jackson Wichtendahl, Kyle Vandertuin, Nolan Christienson and I train together throughout the summer and season. They've really helped me get through the times when I'm struggling such as when I was getting back into shape after having low iron. They also just make training a lot more fun by having someone to talk to on a run or go swimming after we run. We used to just be super stupid on our easy days and push too hard but we are really figuring things out this year on when to go hard and when to just chill.
Which opponents are the toughest for you to race against?
Sartell is the toughest team that we race frequently through the season. They are in our section and have been the team to beat the last couple of years. They have a super deep team and they race really gutsy. Our team is constantly trying to get as close as possible to them and they motivate us to work hard everyday.
Do you have any friendly rivals among other teams?
The friendliest rival our team has is against Zac Skoe from Bemidji. He's a pretty crazy dude. Zac is in nordic skiing and always makes us smile and chuckle.
What was one of your worst mistakes as a distance runner? Where did it happen and how did you react or solve the problem?
The worst mistake I've made as a distance runner was taking the lead and pushing the pace before we even hit the mile at the Alexandria Lions Meet. I let the adrenaline get to me on our home course and I died super hard. Everyone was flying past me like I was standing still. That's one of my favorite meets and this year I was able to run a lot smarter and hopefully place better.
What was the greatest thing you have learned as a distance runner? When and
The greatest thing I've learned is to be consistent in training even when it's not going my way. I used to feel I had to change what I was doing in order to get faster. But I should have just been consistent and waited just a little longer and things might have started to click.
Are you in any other extra-curricular activities at your high school? Please name them and list any honors you have received in each. How have they helped your running?
I'm president of the Minivan Club at our school. We meet once a month on a Saturday at noon and drive our minivans around Alexandria and the surrounding area. After driving around the world's greatest vehicle we go to Qdoba to eat. If anyone reading this is interested please contact alexminivanclub@gmail.com and follow @MinivanClub on twitter.
What would you tell a younger you about distance running and high school in general?
I would tell a younger me that the easiest way to get faster is to put on a pair of shorties. They are light, comfortable, give great tan lines and will instantly take time off your 5k time. I would also tell myself not to take Spanish because it's the worst class ever.
Tell us about some of your running adventures and team goals.
I look up to Craig Mottram, Frank Shorter, Galen Rupp and Hassan Mead. I met Galen Rupp this summer but it was right after his 10k at the USATF Championships so he wasn't very happy and he wouldn't smile for the picture. I also got to watch Hassan Mead win the 10k which was super cool.
Our team has a tradition of bleaching our hair if we make it to state and we really hope to grab one of the top two spots in our section this year so we can get made fun of by everyone at school and go to state.
Some of my teammates and I love to pile into my van and take trips. We might go to the nearby city of Hoffman to run or swim. Sometimes we go to the TC area to run. We have even gone as far away as the Black Hills as a group to run. My van makes a great tool for stretching out after any of these trips!
What are your plans for after high school?
I would really like to run in college but as of now I have no idea where I'm going and what I'm going for. I think one day I would really enjoy coaching but I'll have to wait and see.