Prior to the Olympic Trials we caught up with Jordan Kyle, 29, of Indianapolis to learn more about his running, how he felt when he learned he had qualified for the Trials, and his life beyond running; including some fun facts on who he would most like to have lunch with, his role model, his favorite athlete, and something a bit unique about himself. Kyle graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School in 2005 and the University of Colorado in 2008. He qualified for the trials at the 2014 Monumental Half Marathon with a time of 1:04:58.
I started off swimming for a local neighborhood team in Fishers, IN. While continuing to swim, I dabbled in several different sports ( basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey) and realized that I was good at one aspect of all of them, running. I officially began running in 7th grade and quite swimming in 8th grade before high school.
I ran 1:04:58 at the 2014 Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, qualifying by the skin of my teeth (note: the qualifying time was 1:05:00).
The weather on November 7, 2014 was cold, windy, and overcast. I honestly didn't think I had a chance to qualify that day because the weather conditions were abysmal. Fortunately the weather cooperated and I the lead pack got started decently quick. I actually realized that I could qualify in the last 200 meters of the race when I saw the race clock at 1:04:30.
Hamilton Southeastern (2005)
Getting 5th in the Indiana High School State Meet in 2002 (Christian Wagner won the race in 8:55, Nef Aria was second in about 9:07). Getting 3rd in the 3200m my senior year (2005). Unfortunately, I got outkicked by Bobby Moldovan in the last 50 meters.
University of Colorado (2008)
The Indianapolis group I run with is called KP Army.
Tony Houchin
This is my first time qualifying.
I sold software sales for 3 years in Boulder, CO. before returning to Indiana for law school. I am current in my final semester of law school at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law
I quite running for 3 years and only started back running when I started law school.
Tempo run followed by mile repeats / a hard 2 mile on the track.
Eagle Creek
Just like every runner it's ice cream ... Actually, it's probably Mexican Food...I eat a ton, so it changes ;)
Ok, I'm going to bend the rules on this one. With the current political environment I find solace in the middle ground. I would mediate a dinner between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. I'm not sure how educational this would be, but it would be loads of fun to listen to.
My great grand-father. He invented waterproof glue and the folding card table.
Elite Running is a sport that requires an incredible amount of uncompensated time. Similarly situated professional athletes in basketball, football, hockey, or baseball would obtain 6 figure salaries to do what elite runners do. My role models are runners who work full-time jobs, have a life, and balance both of those things while training.
Execute well through the first 13 miles. This consists of taking my water and goos and making sure I'm relaxed going into the second half. I have run one marathon before the trials and it went horrible bad. I came through halfway in 1:08:20 and ended up running 2:28. Needless to say it was a rough day. My biggest goal is to compete all the way to the finish, while passing as many people as possible.