Kevin Castille
Age: 40
DOB: 3/17/72
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
College: University of Louisiana- Lafayette
Affiliation(s): John’s Run/Walk Shop
Honors:
2012 American Record Holder- Masters 5,000m (14:00.09)
2012 American Record Holder- Masters 3,000m (8:14:40)
2012 USA Track and Field, Athlete of The Week- April 1-7
2012 USATF Masters 8k National Champion
2004 USA Olympic Trials Competitor- 10,000m
Kevin Castille has been a front running fixture to the Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans roads for years, having won just about every race he has entered in the state of Louisiana. Recently he moved to Kentucky in an attempt to pursue his career as a master's runner where he has since captured 2 American records and a master's national title at 8K.
We caught up with Kevin a few weekends ago, who had just finished recording another PR on the roads in Philadelphia with a time of 1:05:39, 5:01 pace for 13.1 miles! Busting myths of age, and defying odds constantly... Kevin has become a national star overnight with his entry into the master’s world. He was kind enough to provide us with the following interview:
LRC: Kevin tell us a little about your start to running and your high school career.
KC: I started running my sophomore year by default because as a freshman the event that initially got me out to track & field was the pole vault. I don’t think I ever cleared opening height which was usually 9ft. So the following fall, my coach along with life time mentor and friend James Simmons, encouraged me to go out for CC. It was like the discovery of penicillin, it change my life. I did run CC all 3 years but in track I was strictly a 2miler runner until Sr year where coach decided to run me in the mile. I ran 4:23 first time ever running the mile.
LRC: What kind of times in did you run in HS (PR’s)?
KC: 10th grade: 16:50CC, 2 Mile track 10:01; 11th 15:50, 2Mile track 9:40; 12th 15:15, 2Mile 9:20, Mile 4:17
LRC: After high school there was a huge gap where you dropped off the map for 10 years, what made you decide to get back into running after all that time?
KC: In 2002 after being out of running since the 1992/93 season, I was back in school(college) and saw a sign in the P.E. department that an Elementary school was looking for a CC coach. So I got a wild hair and decided to take a chance. In my mind, I did know a little about running. So I called, and he immediately set the interview and before I even had time to really think it through I had the job. Nevertheless, I didn't realize that, that very moment would be the rebirth of my running career.
LRC: Tell us a little about your experiences as a coach (St. Thomas More) and your travels in Kenya/Oregon. and how it has helped shape you as runner.
KC: My traveling for training experiences have somehow worked together with the end result of what I am today. (Louisiana/Home) gave me my strength, (Oregon) gave me vision and made me dream again, (Kenya) helped me find myself & overcome my fears, (coaching) gave me an amount of love for running that can't be weighted with a scale. I know every coach after they have coached for a while feels like they have the best kids in the world. All my years of coaching I thought I was the coach, I thought I was the teacher, those kids gave me something I wasn't born with, they gave me something money cant buy, they gave me a new lease on life and every morning my eyes open I remember that. So from the bottom of my heart I am thankful to them, to all of them, the group where there were no Big I's and no Little U's we were family as we are still!
LRC: When most people slow down with age, you are actually speeding up. What do you credit for this?
KC: I don't believe in luck when it comes to running so I'd like to think that my almost 10 year layoff from running has somehow enabled me to do the things and accomplish the goals I didn't in my youth. However hard work, persistence, and having a great coach have all played a big part in my longevity!
LRC: You recently moved to Kentucky, tell us a little about the training, living conditions, and how they have helped contribute to the fall of all these American Records....
KC: Moving to KY was a life changing decision definitely not an easy one but it was one of those decisions where I look back now and wonder how did I go through with it. Asides from my 6-7 months where I moved to Eugene for training pre 2004&08 trials I've lived & trained in Louisiana all my life. And any Louisianan knows that we do not live in a climate that appreciates the distance running community. So KY again was a big difference, however a great change and move. I was able to get the variety of training I needed. However it did not happen over night. It took almost 10 months for me to see the results. Had I not had patience, I don't think I would be answering these questions. As far as the American Records go, I don’t have the luxury of making my own race schedule so all those record breaking performances are coordinated by Matt (coach for the past 8 years, husband of Olympian Marla Runion) who does an exceptional job of making sure I get what I need and putting me in races at the right time. We're a great team and my inspiration comes from him on a weekly basis.
LRC: What is a typical week of training like for you?
KC: Well as of July 5th I've been on a marathon build which at first was very challenging because I went from 80miles to 130(miles per week ). This was not over night but during the course of the build. So we took a leap of faith because I've done high mileage but never this high for this long. So the new schedule for the marathon build is typically:
- Monday 10miles am 8miles pm
- Tuesday 5miles am Track work am ( 12-14 miles in volume pm)
- Wednesday 10miles am 8miles pm
- Thursday steady state run or tempo run ( volume @ 18-20)
- Friday 10 miles am 8miles pm
- Saturday long run 3-4 miles warmup 14-16(pace work) 3-4miles cool down
- Sunday 10miles am 8 miles pm
On the 8th Day I rest and the cycle starts over again!
LRC:Favorite Runs? Races? Workouts?
KC: Being here in KY I particularly love this place thats called Raven Run. Its actually a hiking trail but ya know being me I use it for my run training. It's the place where I go after a good/bad race day/week - it's almost like going to mass. I get a spiritual release once I get there. It's pretty amazing. I've been on a 120-135 miles per week work load and have had so many workouts, so none in particular that I usually run and tell anyone about. I'm just always grateful to be fit, healthy, and happy. As far as favorite races, once I turned 40 I got a few race invites that I probably wouldn't have gotten prior to that. But after a few races I managed to finally get people to stop looking at the length of my career but to see the quality of my performances. It's been a sensational year and anyone that knows anything about training, training alone is a task in itself. I'm just thankful that all the years of working with the kids have paid off. I have always preached discipline, dedication, determination and faith! I'm happy it rubbed off on me also because somedays it's a mental challenge more than a physical one.
LRC: Any records you are targeting? What’s next for you?
KC: My next outing is the Masters 5k in Syracuse,NY & My Personal Mission Race Twin Cities Marathon( which is the masters Champs). I've had a really good year so far but my heart is set on being successful at the Marathon distance so I've put a ton of time training and energy into this one. For me this means more than my whole year combined just because it's one of MY personal goals. As far as records are concerned, when I get the message for Matt telling me were up for a go at another record, then I'll put my game face on and have a go at it. Until then I'll just focus on the near future.
LRC: What made you decide to add the Jazz Half in New Orleans to your Schedule?
KC: I actually tried to fit the Jazz Half in my schedule last year but it just didn’t work out. I love running in the New Orleans area, always have. I’m getting a little older now and have been at it for a while and when you have done this for as long as I have and been where I’ve been with people kinda getting tired of the same person winning, the same face all the time, it becomes difficult. So quite frankly, most people just want someone new to win and I felt that more and more as the years pass being in Louisiana. So I'd leave Lafayette every chance I got and would escape to New Orleans to Mike (Jazz Half), Gary (former CCC), and Chuck (NOLArunning) who always supported me from day one. So it was refreshing to be around race directors who actually wanted you there. So every chance I got I made it my business to show up for their races and put on a good showing year after year. So I feel like I owe Mike this one and have been working hard trying to make this happen this year.
LRC: Any time goals for the Jazz, and are you excited to get to run in front of the the home crowd again?
KC: It's always good running at home and I don’t have any time goals. I’m just gonna get out there have some fun and enjoy the moment.
LRC: One final question... Being in the education field for years do you have any advice to offer to those student-athletes out there?
After coaching for the 8-9 years I did. It took me a while to get it but I finally learned from the kids that success was about balance. It wasn't always about being talented and being the fittest or fastest! It was simply about balancing that particular sport ours being running. And when I finally figured it out it was a beautiful thing, success was all about balance. So if I would tell someone something that could help them save a ton of time stress and wasted time. I'd say find someone that can help you balance your life/sport out and don't put it off until tomorrow because no one is promised tomorrow. Find the thing, coach, program that works well with and for you. And give it an honest chance, nothing good happens over night, and if you can keep your eye on the big picture then you are on the road to success!
LRC: Thanks Kevin and good luck with everything!
If you don’t have plans on October 27th, come welcome Kevin back to Louisiana as he pounds the streets of the New Orleans at the Jazz Half-Marathon!
Further honors and titles won by Kevin Castille:
2012 USA Track and Field, Athlete of The Week- April 1-7
2012 USATF Masters 8k National Champion
2004 USA Olympic Trials Competitor- 10,000m
2011 Louisiana State 30k Champion (1:39:46), Course Record
Best Career Times:
1500m- 3:54.68 (2012) Eastern Kentucky Open
3000m- 8:11.84i (2012) Washington Indoor Invitational
5000m- 13:57.32 (2007) Oregon Twilight
10000m- 28:49.11 (2004) Stanford Invitational
5k Road - 14:25 (2004) Camellia Bridge
5M Road- 23:50 (2010) Golden Fliers
10k Road- 29:36 (2003) Senior Bowl
7M- 33:42 (2012) Falmouth
12k Road- 37:09 (2012) Bloomsday
20k Road- 1:02:02 (2012) New Haven
Half Marathon- 1:05:39 (2012) Philadelphia
30k Road- 1:39:46 (2011) The Wall 30k
Marathon- 2:26:16 (2011) Rock & Roll New Orleans
1500m- 3:54.68 (2012) Eastern Kentucky Open
3000m- 8:14.40 AR (2012) Boston High Performance #3
5000m- 14:00.09 AR (2012) Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational
10000m- 28:57.88 AR (2012) Stanford Invitational
5k Road- 14:33 (2012) WV Championships
8k Road- 24:19 (2012) Fit To Run, Fit To Dream
10k Road- 30:07 (2012) Kentucky Bluegrass
7M Road- 33:42 (2012) Falmouth
12k Road- 37:09 (2012) Bloomsday
20k Road- 1:02:02 AR (2012) New Haven
Half Marathon- 1:05:39 (2012) Philadelphia
2012 Race Highlights
Sep 2012 Rock & Roll Philadelphia HM (1:05:39) 13th/Masters Champion PR
Sep 2012 USA 20k National Championships (1:02:02)17th/Masters Champion AR
Aug 2012 Falmouth Road Race 7M (33:42) 18th/Masters Champion PR
Jul 2012 Bluegrass 10k (30:07) Overall/Masters Champion CR
Jun 2012 West Virginia 5k Championships (14:33) Overall/Masters Champion CR
Jun 2012 USA HM National Championships (1:06:02) 26th/Masters Champion
Jun 2012 New Balance Twilight Series #3 3000m (8:14.40) 5th AR
May 2012 USA Masters 8k National Championships Champion (24:19) CR
May 2012 UAE Healthy Kidney 10k (30:10) 14th/Masters Champion
May 2012 Lilac Bloomsday 12k (37:09) 24th/Masters Champion PR
Apr 2012 Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational 5000m (14:00.09) AR
Apr 2012 Eastern Kentucky Open 1500m (3:54.68) 4th PR
Apr 2012 Stanford Invitational 10000m (28:57.88) 19th AR
Apr 2012 Carlsbad Masters 5k Champion (14:57)
Mar 2012 Ohio Bobcat 5k (14:42) Overall/Masters Champion CR
Mar 2012 Red River Run 10k Champion (30:32)
Feb 2012 Elmwood Classic 10k Champion (30:50)
Feb 2012 Husky Indoor Classic 5000m (14:01.69) 2nd, Mile (4:15.04)
Jan 2012 UW Indoor Invitational 3000m (8:11.84) PR
Jan 2012 Norris Dam Challenge 12k Champion (38:26) CR
Past Race Results
Nov 2011 Rock & Roll Savannah HM (1:07:01) 2nd
Oct 2011 Long Beach City Bank HM Champion (1:06:06)
May 2011 Eugene Half Marathon (1:06:57) 2nd
Apr 2011 Crescent City Classic 10k (30:37) 11th
Mar 2011 Great St. Charles Avenue New Orleans 10k Champion (30:37)
Feb 2011 Rock & Roll New Orleans Marathon (2:26:16) 2nd
Feb 2011 Amedisys Mardi Gras Mambo 10k Champion (30:29) CR
Dec 2010 Rock & Roll Las Vegas HM (1:06:01) 6th
Nov 2010 Rock & Roll Los Angeles HM (1:06:43) 2nd
Oct 2010 Rock & Roll San Jose HM (1:06:47) 5th
Oct 2009 Cajun Cup 10k Champion (30:39)
Nov 2008 Cajun Cup 10k Champion (30:12)
Apr 2008 Mt. SAC Relays 5000m (14:14.81) 19th
Nov 2007 Long Beach Turkey Trot Champion (30:19)
Nov 2007 Cajun Cup 10k Champion (30:07)
May 2007 Road To Eugene 08 5000m (14:00.13) 14th
Apr 2007 Crescent City Classic 10k (30:31) 10th
Apr 2007 Oregon Twilight 5000m (13:57.32) 2nd
Apr 2007 Oregon Invitational 5000m (14:00.65) 15th
Mar 2007 Stanford Invitational 10000m (28:53.78) 16th
Mar 2007 Washington Indoor Last Chance 5000m (13:57.68) 3rd
Nov 2005 Cajun Cup 10k Champion (30:02)
July 2004 Camellia Bridge 5k Champion (14:25) CR
May 2004 Willamette Last Chance 5000m (13:59.32) 2nd
Mar 2004 Stanford Invitational 10000m (28:49.11) 8th Debut
Kevin Castille
Age: 40