Jul 22, 2006
Nate Peck /GVSU Views- 184

Allendale, MI

Nate Peck has been a growing force on not only the michigan collegiate running scene, but also the national collegiate scene. After a modest first year at Grand Valley State University, Nate started to make his mark on the national scene and has shown no signs of slowing down two years later.

RM: Nate, you had what many would call a breakout year last year, even though you ran well at different times in years past. In XC, you won regionals individually for the second straight year and placed 16th at nationals. Indoor track went just as well with you running fast times across though board such as running the mile in 4:06 and the 5k in 14:07. What do you feel were the main reasons you made the big jumps in performance over the past year?

NP: I feel like the biggest "Jump" that I made was after my so-so cross season. Jerry and I both felt like I wasn't quite running up to my potential, so I had a "self-intervention" of sorts. I really tried to refocus my time away from video games and other wastes of life and in turn use that energy to motivate myself to make sure that I did my push ups/situps/lunges/etc. I remember sitting down and talking to a past GVSU runner Ryan Cole, and telling him that I really just want to see how fast i can possibly get, and this past year (starting after cross) was the first time that I actually attempted to put that plan into effect. I really made no mileage jumps or anything of the sort. All I really did was make a promise to myself that instead of taking the easy way (cutting workouts short when I was tired etc.) That I would make the decision that kept me on the track for the longest amount of time, and just that change in attitude I believe is what really helped me this past year.

RM: Even though you had a solid cross and indoor season, things didn't seem to go as well outdoors. How do you feel about your outdoor season and what would you have done differently if you could?

NP: My outdoor season was plagued by inconsistency. My mileage was all over the place, and my attitude toward racing was at an all time low after getting stuck in the slowest of the 4 heats in the 5k in stanford. I just had a real hard time after that with my season. I had been looking forward to that meet all year because its really one of the few chances I have to jump in with the all mighty D1 boys and try running a fast time. I was especially excited after i ran that 14:07; I really felt like i was ready to break 14. When i found out that they weren't going to let me run in the fast heat my enthusiasm immediately turned into anger and spite, which killed me. I had a tough time shaking that disappointment all season. My lack of motivation coupled with an iron problem toward the end of the season killed me, and i found myself longing for the end of the season, which as we all know, leaves little room for success.

RM: Your team keeps getting better and better. What are your goals as a team this next XC season and what do you have planned for your season as an individual?

NP: Our team is looking very solid for this upcoming year. Barring any serious injuries I feel like we are going to have the best team we've ever had at GV. We have some serious expectations for ourselves. first and foremost we want to beat our 4th place finish from last year, and we really feel like we have a team that can compete for a national championship. Individually I just want to have the cross season that I know I am capable of. I've told myself that I wont be satisfied until I have a top 5 finish so hopefully that is where I'll be at the end of the season.

RM: To give the readers a better understanding of your running background, what are your high school personal best times and how long have you been running?

NP: Oh boy, I was a middle of the road runner in high school. I posted some decent times here and there, but nothing to brag about. I ran 16:31 for the 5k (which i still think was on a short course), 4:20 in the mile, 9:37 in the 2 mile, and 1:56 in the 800. I actually didn't run XC until my junior year of high school because all the cool kids played football, and ooo man, i wanted to be cool. After my senior year of XC i made the jump from about 25 miles a week to about 65-70 (which i do not recommend in any way shape or form), and i kept that up all the way until my first year here at GV. So I've really only been consistently running for 3-4 years now.

RM: The rumor is that you guys will have an indoor 300 meter track in another year or two. What do you feel will be the impact of getting such a facility on recruiting, doing workouts and hosting meets? You guys will be the only school in Michigan with such a track.

NP: I feel that the addition of the 300m track to our University is a HUGE positive for our program. I believe its not only the only 300m track in michigan, but i believe we will be the only D2 school in the country with a track of that size (that could be wrong you might want to check that, but i am fairly confident that its true). As for doing workouts on it it should really help cut down on the amount of stress that a 200m track puts on your legs after a full indoor season. Those tight turns really start to fight back after a month or so of consistent indoor running. I'm not exactly sure what Jerry has in the pans for hosting meets, but i can only hope that we can start something big.

Thanks for the great interview Nate! (Interview conducted by Nick Cordes)