Kenny Krotzer, Auburn Riverside WA, has run 4:07 for the 1600 meters. But he has plans for a much faster result by season's end. Read on to learn more about this talented athlete...
MileSplit.us: Seems like something special is going on with distance running in Washington. 4:06 and 4:07 for you and Ben Johnston plus two at 4:11. Where do you think you guys will push each other to by the end of the season?
Kenny Krotzer: Washington state has gotten VERY fast over the last few years, especially with most of the top guys returning from last year. Although I won't race Ben until after state because he is in the 3a division, I know the race for 4a at state will be very fast, unless it turns out to be a tactical race. I know we can get a lot more guys under 4:10, and I'll do my best to make that possible.
MileSplit.us: You must have a lot of strength right now, coming back with a 9:13 after a 1600 like that. Has this run caused you to revamp your outdoor goals? If so, what have you had to change?
Kenny Krotzer: Coming back with a 9:13 definitely showed me that I had a lot better aerobic ability than I ever knew. Before this season I was strictly a 1600/800 guy and only ran the 3200 to get points at league meets, but I definitely realized that I may have some untapped potential in the 3200. Right now I'm still looking for the 1600/800 double for post season, but who knows what can happen between now and Districts?
MileSplit.us: What type of workouts and training do you do to prepare for the pace required to run that fast?
Kenny Krotzer: We do a lot of 400's at our 1600m goal pace so we can be used to running that fast. Also, strides after every distance run keep my legs ready for quick turn over even after a long and tiring run.
MileSplit.us: Do you have a favorite workout that stands out from the rest? What is the best you have done at this workout?
Kenny Krotzer: 400's have always been my favorite workout, but my favorite workout this year was, oddly enough, 1000's. I had one workout where they were all well under 3 minutes, and I ended with a 59 second 400. It kind of shows how I really have branched out to become better at the longer stuff this year.
MileSplit.us: What are your plans for the remainder of the season? Nationals?
Kenny Krotzer: I'm definitely running the 1600 at state, and either the 800 or the 3200 in addition to it. Nationals, however, is the same day as graduation, so I won't be able to go. I'm probably going to run in the high school mile at the Portland Track Festival, where a bunch of the west coast guys are shooting to run under 4. I'm thinking about possibly running at USA Junior Nationals, but that's so far away that I'm still tentative.
MileSplit.us: What has been your most memorable race to date in your career? Why does this one stand out?
Kenny Krotzer: Definitely the 4:07 at Shoreline. I lead the first two laps and we came through with a 58, then a 2:01/2:02. The pace was so fast and it felt so easy that it definitely bodes well for the weeks to come.
MileSplit.us: What do you like to do with your time when you aren't competing or practicing? Hobbies? Activities with friends?
Kenny Krotzer: I really like the outdoors. I love going hiking, backpacking, camping, or just playing frisbee. A lot of my time in the spring and summer is spent outside.
MileSplit.us: What role models do you have in T&F? Why?
Kenny Krotzer: My major role models in track are the guys who have gone through Auburn Riverside in the past. Carl Moe is kind of a legend around our team, and rightfully so. He ran a 4:04 and an 8:48, and we always joke about going and breaking his records at league meets. One of my best friends, Blake Cowan, shaped me into the runner I am. He graduated last year and now goes to Columbia University, but he really showed me what hard training is all about, and how to put aside other things and just focus on running when it comes down to it. Finally, my coach Mr. Sumner obviously has taught me everything I know about training and I think is the major reason why I went from a 19 minute 5k guy to the runner I am today.
MileSplit.us: Who do you look up to outside of T&F? Why?
Kenny Krotzer: Obviously my mom and my dad. Even though neither of them were big runners when they were younger, they sort of know what has to be done in order to get good. They've been teaching me lessons since I was little that I know realize can pertain to track, and it has helped me tremendously. They know that hard work and staying positive is the only way to accomplish anything, so I've used that to accomplish my goals on the track.
MileSplit.us: Are you running in college and have you decided on a college yet? If so, where and what excites you most about collegiate running?
Kenny Krotzer: Next year I'll be running for the Stanford Cardinal! I'm super excited to head down there, I fell in love with the campus and surrounding area the moment I arrived on my visit. I'm mostly excited about the extreme depth of the team. I'll have guys way faster than me, and in order to move up the rankings I'll have to work a tremendous amount, but I'm definitely ready for it.