Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interview: Kevin Balster of Wartburg College

Before this year, senior Kevin Balster had recorded a solid career at Wartburg College—including four team appearances at the Cross Country National Championships and an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 2007—but his accomplishments were not in line with his own high expectations.  That all changed in February 2008 when Kevin notched his first ever provisional qualifying performance with a 4:15.07 mile; two more national marks would soon follow in the 5000 and Distance Medley Relay.  Two months later at the Indoor Track & Field National Championships, Kevin would make good on his promise with two fourth place showings as he anchored his DMR on Friday night and doubled back in the 5000 on Saturday afternoon.  Having already provisionally qualified in three events outdoors the aspiring Stanford Law student will attempt to build on his already impressive resume at the National Championships at Oshkosh.  Kevin took some time to talk about how he ended up in Division III and his hopes for law school next year, as well as his goals in his final season of eligibility.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, like where you're from and how you got started running?

I was born in the small town of Monticello, Iowa.  I think the reason I started running was because my dad and older brother did.  My dad used to run a couple road races each year, so each summer starting in about 5^th grade I would run a road race or two with him and my brother.  When I got to middle school, I went out for track and cross country because that is what my brother was doing in high school.  I realized I was decent at it, so I kept running in high school.

How do your PRs in high school compare to what you've done so far in college?  More importantly, how has your understanding of training, racing, and running in general evolved?

My PRs in high school were 9:27 for the 3200, 4:24 for the 1600, and 158.0 for the open 800. 

In college now I’ve run 31:01 for the 10,000, 14:29 for the 5000, 3:54 for the 1500, and 153.8 for the open 800

My understanding of racing has evolved significantly since I got to college.  In high school, I wasn’t really challenged much in regular season meets so I never really had to learn too much about racing.  In college, I’ve learned to play the game and to let the race come to me. 

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that building a base is key to reaching and maintaining your peak. I’ve also learned that consistency plays a very significant role in how successful you are. If you can consistently train right, eat right, get enough sleep and have confidence in yourself you can accomplish what you desire in running.

What drew you to choose Division III, and Wartburg in particular?

When I was younger, I always dreamed of going to the University of Iowa…to play basketball.  So until about my freshman year of high school I never thought about going anywhere else. 

Growing up, my running idols were Matt and Mitch Cook from Monticello.  They were 5 years ahead of me in school, and they set the school records in all the distance events at Monticello and won a couple state titles, too.  So when they went to Wartburg to run, I took notice.  If it weren’t for the Cooks, I probably would have thought that Wartburg was a college with a funny name.

I kind of chose DIII by default.  The DI schools in Iowa didn’t really appeal to me, but there were a couple of DIII schools that I was interested in.  I chose Wartburg for a number of reasons.  I met with Coach Johnson and Coach Newsom and felt they would be great coaches for me.  I also liked the fact that Wartburg had a strong distance program.  Cody Solverson told me that Wartburg had the potential to be national champs in cross country, so I was very excited to come to Wartburg and see what we could accomplish.

What was your training like this past summer?  What was your peak mileage, what kind of pace did you run on the typical day, and what did you do in the way of harder efforts?  

My training this past summer was building miles.  I reached 95 miles in a week, but that was by accident.  I mainly stayed in the 75-80 mile range.  My pace wasn’t too quick.  I doubt if I did many runs under 6:50, I just made sure that I was out there putting in the time.  I really never had any harder efforts.  The hardest efforts were surviving the heat and humidity of Iowa during my longer runs.

Similarly, what has your training been like during track season?

For January, I stayed in the high 60s and low 70s. Then the next 6 weeks I slowly brought the miles back down until indoor nationals.  Since indoor nationals, I built the miles back to 70.

We normally have 2 workouts a week.  And I also lift twice a week.

Your indoor season culminated with two fourth-place showings at Nationals as an anchor leg in the DMR and a stellar run in the 5000.  Do two high finishes change your outlook towards outdoor Nationals?

Coming into the season, all my attention was geared towards becoming an All-American, so I was very grateful to become a two-time All-American at indoor nationals.  However, after indoor nationals I still felt that I had room for improvement.  I never really put myself in contention with the lead pack in either race at nationals.  At outdoor nationals, I want to put myself in the mix and see what happens.

You entered your senior year without having recorded any provisional qualifiers in your prior years at Wartburg, but then picked up two All-American certificates indoors.  What has fueled your success so far in your final year of track?

I always knew I had the potential, but I never put everything together at the same time.  There are a number of factors that have helped me be successful this year.  First I have had very consistent training for the last 18 months.  About 18 months ago, I had my iron levels tested and found that I was low. I’ve been taking iron every day for a year and a half and I think that has helped me keep consistent training. 

Also, I have placed my entire focus on running this year.  In past years, I was also concentrating on school, but this year running has been the most important thing for me.   

What are your goals for yourself and your team this season and year?

Depending on the weather at our conference meet this weekend, Brian Chenoweth and I will try to put up qualifying times in the 10k [Editors' note: Kevin ran 30:36.8; five days later, Brian ran 14:34.52 to join Kevin on the 5000 list].  With that said, my goal right now is to run the 10k and the 5k at nationals.  Depending on how I feel after this weekend and what Coach Johnson thinks, I would also like to take another shot at lowering my time in the 1500 or 800 at a last chance meet next week.  At nationals, I want to put myself in contention in whatever races I run and see how well I can finish.

As a team, we want to win our conference meet this weekend [Editors' note: Wartburg swept the men's and women's titles].  If all goes well and we can qualify a few more events to nationals, we want to have our best men’s team finish ever.

What is your favorite workout during the track seasons and what do you like about it?

There isn’t a specific workout that is my favorite; I just really love those days when I feel like I can keep running forever.  My favorite workouts are those that I felt good in and ran fast times. 

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or running?

My high school coach, Greg Williams, has been very influential in my running career.  Greg knows his stuff, and he passed a lot of his knowledge onto me.  He also challenged me every day to become my best.  He worked me very hard, but I knew I would improve because of it.  Greg helped me realize that I had a lot of potential in running, and I’m very thankful that I had him as a coach.

What do you like the most about Wartburg running?

Hands down it’s my teammates.  When I look back at my college career, I will think of my teammates and all the good times we had.  I am really going to miss them next year. 

How do students (and professors) at your school view the track team and its members?
It’s a mix.  There are a number of people who can’t understand why we do what we do.  It’s very difficult for them to understand that running is an integral part of our lives.  They don’t realize that our workout is one of the most important parts of the day, and our race is one of the most important parts of the week. 

On the other hand, there are a number of people who follow our seasons closely and wish us the best. 

What are your thoughts looking ahead to your post-collegiate days?

Next year I will be going to law school.  As of now, I will be going to UCLA, but my goal for the last 18 months has been to go to Stanford Law School.  I am currently on the waitlist at Stanford, so I am hoping I can get in there. 

I still have many running goals that I have not reached yet, so I definitely plan on continuing running while in law school.  The way the last 4 months have gone gives me confidence that I can achieve these goals.  I’m sure law school will be very strenuous, so I think my main focus for the first few months will be to put in miles and not worry about workouts or racing.  As long as I can maintain a routine and schedule a couple hours each day for running, I think I can accomplish what I want to do.

Can you pick one passage from Once a Runner and tell us how you identify with it as a runner?

I really identify with the beginning of the book where Cassidy revisits the track.  It makes me wonder how I will feel when I give up competitive running.  Running has been one of the most important parts of my life for the last 6-8 years, so I get a little emotional when I think about giving it up (that’s what she said).

Do you follow running at the collegiate or professional levels at all?  Would you care to confess to what extent you lurk on Letsrun.com or other message boards?
It’s pretty sad, but my knowledge of other runners is very slim.  When I first got to Wartburg, I had no idea who Adam Goucher was.  I really don’t follow professional or collegiate running too closely.  I will watch some meets if they are on TV, and I will look up results occasionally, but I am pretty clueless when it comes to other runners.

I’ll look at Letsrun.com and read some blogs occasionally, but I’m definitely not a religious follower.

Do you keep an online running log that you'd be willing to share?
I have kept a log of my running since the summer before my junior year in high school.  Eventually I would like to put everything online, but for now I don’t have one.  If you have any suggestions for sites to use, let me know.

Are there any other closing thoughts or pieces of wisdom you'd like to share?

Do what makes you happy.  Only you can determine what is important in your life.  Don’t pay attention to what other people do or say.  Other people are fighting their own insecurities and doubts, so don’t let their problems interfere with your life and what you want.  If you want something, don’t be afraid to chase after it. 

Thanks to Kevin for a fantastic interview.

Untitled Comment

2:13 AM, May 21, 2008 .. Posted by Jimmy Bones

I love me some kevin balster.

Untitled Comment

11:19 PM, May 21, 2008 .. Posted by Lassie

Kevin, you failed to mention the key to your success: the Foreman. I am disappointed.

Untitled Comment

12:32 AM, May 22, 2008 .. Posted by Funkle

kevin, how come you didn''t mention your domestic partner who will be living with you at law school?