Meet the Athlete: Tim “Kenny” Grundmayer

Name: Tim Grundmayer

Age: 24

Hometown: Gretna, NE

Current residence: Gretna, NE

Occupation/Degree you are working towards: Guide Runner, Volunteer Track/Cross Country Coach at Midland University. Working toward collegiate coaching career

High School: Gretna High School

College (major/minor): Northwest Missouri State University (Recreation Management, Sport Psychology)

What is your running background? Running has always been a part of me. Ask my parents, and it started as soon as I could run at age 2 or 3, asking them to time me as I sprinted from the front door through the living room and kitchen, then back (only had hand time so my PR may be a bit off). I began club track at age 7, competing every summer growing up. I picked up xc in high school, although if I’m being honest I hated every step of it haha. Track was my true passion, and I didn’t start to enjoy xc until college. I didn’t truly become a student of the sport until Junior year of college, immersing myself in the culture and becoming obsessed with the never-ending search of intertwined efforts of the mind, body, and spirit to (if we’re being honest) find the best way to run around the country side half-naked. After college, I never once questioned if I would continue running, which leads me to present day.

Favorite distance to run? 800m. There’s something about finding the line that will either make or break you after 600m, that balance of suffering and pure bliss that will almost certainly end with your head in a trash can. I will fully admit that it’s an addiction.

What are your future running goals? In the near future, it is to keep competing and be able to guide run for Alex France (check out his story if you haven’t yet). Ultimately, it is to see the world through running. Competing from such a young age, I believe some of the beauty of running has escaped me. I hope to travel the earth by foot, finding every little-known trail, gravel road, and path along the mountain my body can endure- soaking in God’s great creations along the way.

I can’t run without…? The squad. Don’t get me wrong, there’s something incredible about a quiet run on a gravel road, with nothing but your breath and footsteps to be heard… but nothing feels better than getting the crew together and grinding out some miles.

Do you do anything to stay injury free? Roll out, IT/glute exercises, dynamics, core/push ups, occasional Epsom salt baths. Mostly just listening to my body and taking easy days seriously.

Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete? Currently one of my favorite runners is Tommy Rivers Puzey. Dude just has a way with words, and is very transparent about his training and daily habits as well as the mental struggles that come along with being an athlete. Plus I would love to travel even half the places he’s run all over the world.

What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? Regional Championships for xc, my senior year of college. Had my best xc race ever and knew I left every ounce out there as I nearly passed out with 1k to go. Our team qualified for Natties and it was one of the best feelings ever to accomplish it with my brothers-of-the-grind.

What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? Would like to race in the new Hayward Field. Had the amazing opportunity to race there in college and it would be dope to say I raced in both old and new.

Do you have any advice to other runners? Consistency is key, and health is wealth. If you can put calendar years of training together you will find greater success and long-term results. If I hear one more “get rich quick” scheme about PRing on a 12 week program I’m gonna lose my mind

What are your PRs?

4×4 split (am I allowed to put this?): 48.8

800: 1:51

1500: 3:53

3k: 8:47

5k: 15:52

8k: 25:33

10k: 31:34

Half: 72:15

How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? Since Jan, 2018

What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? Being a part of a team and learning more about this amazing sport through those around me

What does a typical training week look like for you?  Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): Mon-Sun. Currently 65-75 mpw. 1-2 workouts (intervals and/or tempo), guiding or racing, long run. A workout day is always the same for me: very easy AM double, protein shake, chill. Oatmeal w/ peanut butter, a banana, coffee for lunch. Probably more coffee and belvita blueberry crackers for snack before I head to practice. Core, warmup, workout with Alex and the Midland boys. At this point in the day I’ve also probably listened to at least 4 hours of music, I can’t go a day without it.

We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: Short-term→ adjust to higher mileage and marathon training to prepare with Alex for his marathon at Nationals. Long term→ stay patient with my post-collegiate transition, and focus on consistent, healthy training while always finding joy in the grind

Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? A route from Gretna, heading south out and around the Holy Family Shrine and back up into town. Wabash. And from Fremont(Midland) to Hooper.

After a solid race or long run, what is your favorite meal to demolish and replenish those calories?  Please use details and give recommendations! Chocolate covered cinnamon roll from Donut Run in Gretna, with coffee or chocolate milk.

Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: On a run through Maryville in college, it was warm so we were running shirtless and in had my man-bun put up and was running toward the back of the group. As we passed a park in town, a kid who couldn’t have been more than 8 or 9 turns around as we pass him, screaming “I CAN SEE YOUR NIPPLES GIRLLL!” There were no girls running with us, so I’m sure you can guess he was yelling at me. Kid was either confused as hell or was a little to brave for his own good lol

What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? Just read Born to Run for the first time this last week and finished it in 3 days, I couldn’t put it down. Binge-watching The Blacklist on Netflix

You’re the star of a running movie, and the opening scene is you running on a winding dirt road, with a beautiful sunrise.  What song is playing in the background? It’s nearly impossible to pick just one song, ask my friends and they know I’d probably make a full playlist if I could, but I’ll oblige: God’s Whisper//Raury.