Athlete Profile: Kate Cramer
After watching a Spartan Race on television in September 2014, Kate Cramer knew she wanted to give the sport a shot. The 31-year old mother of three from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and LSU graduate jumped into the sport head first. Her first season on the OCR circuit has been impressive with 12 podium finishes to her name in her first year of racing. She has already been invited to the Spartan Pro Team as well as sponsored by Exerfit Family Fitness and Crawfish Aquatics. Learn more about Kate Cramer in this interview.
How did you get involved in your sport?
I watched a spartan race in September 2014 on TV and decided to give it a shot
Were you always an athlete?
Yes
What are some of your athletic achievements?
High school:
20 time individual state champion and 10 time team state champion for swimming, cross country and track. All American for swimming and Louisiana metro and state MVP and star of stars winner for soccer. 2 time advocate athlete of the year winner and Wendy’s high school heisman state winner and national finalist.
College:
Played soccer freshman year for #3 Texas a&m aggies. Scored three goals as a forward. Team lost in the elite 8 of the NCAA tournament to #1 UNC.
Played remaining 3 years at lsu and was a starting forward, and started 54 out of 60 games in 3 years. Team leading 8 goals senior year and top 10 forward in SEC play. Served as team captain. All Louisiana twice and LSU strength and conditioning award.
Professional:
USA national triathlon team member for 2 years 2006-2007. Competed in Lausanne, Switzerland in the 2006 World university games for the United States. Competed in numerous pan-American cup races and was the 2006 sprint triathlon united states national champion. Placed 14th at the United States national championships in 2007. OCR: 7 time Spartan Race Elite Champion, and 12 podium finishes
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
To have a great race in Lake Tahoe at Spartan World Championships
Who is/are your inspiration?
My kids, Lucy, Molly and Leland inspire me to be the best athlete and mom and person that I can be each and everyday. Their little eyes are always watching and taking everything in and I want it to be positive and want to make them proud
What is your most proud moment in sport?
I believe it is still yet to come! 🙂 My goals are what keep me motivated each day!
What is your most proud moment in life?
Several: accepting Jesus Christ as my savior when I was 8 years old, marrying the man of my dreams, having each one of my 3 children!
How do you overcome a bad race or training day?
Learn from the weaknesses I experienced that day and use those as motivation to become strong points in my next race or training session…no race or workout is ever wasted, no matter the outcome!
What is your training routine like?
5 training days a week for about 2-3 hours and 2 recovery days (swimming and yoga)
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your sport?
Go out and have fun and try out the obstacles and then base your training around the ones you found hard and the weaknesses in your racing.
What is your favorite pre-race and post-race food?
Pre-race: banana or zone bar with cytomax post-race: hamburger and French fries 🙂
When not training and competing what do you do with your down time?
Down-time?! What’s that? ? I am a full time wife and mother of three, so cooking, cleaning, carpool and my kids sports/activities (soccer, swimming, tennis, piano and triathlon team)
What is your favorite quote to motivate you?
“Embrace pain and burn it as fuel for the journey” -Kenji Miyazawa and also:
“I don’t have the right to give up. I don’t have the right to give in. You’re (God) gonna bring me through so I’m gonna put my trust in You.” -Yolanda Adams
What is the best advice a coach ever gave you?
My dad coached me and always reminded me to give the glory to the One who deserves it!! He always told me, “Remember Jesus!”
If you could share some advice to the next generation of athletes, what would it be?
Stay humble and always remember how you got to where you are…it wasn’t by yourself. Remember those who helped get you there!
What is/are the races you are most looking forward to this year?
Reebok Spartan Race World Championships in Lake Tahoe, California…it ends my season and my whole family will be there supporting me!