JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Alliance’s Nick Kizzire, a 2008 Bayard High School graduate, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Kizzire, who is an assistant cross country coach in Alliance, works full-time as a chiropractor at Health 4 Life Chiropractic in Alliance. On Saturday, Kizzire won the overall title in the Festival of Hope 5K race in Mitchell with a time of 16:37.
Q: How did you like how this race went?
KIZZIRE: “It was good. I went out a little faster than I had planned, but that’s OK. I kind of wanted to see where my fitness was at. I’ve had a couple good months of training.”
Q: I know you do a lot of running. Do you like the 5K races?
KIZZIRE: “I’ve actually been doing longer races. I just ran a half marathon in Fargo about a month ago. I trained all winter for that. This race was quite a bit shorter than what I’ve been doing, but it was still a lot of fun.”
Q: Have you competed in the Festival of Hope 5K race before?
KIZZIRE: “Yes, I’ve done it a few times. I ran in it last year, too [placed second]. I like it. It’s well organized, and there’s usually a pretty good turnout, and it’s for a great cause.”
Q: Do you enjoy running just as much as you used to?
KIZZIRE: “Yes, I do. In 2017, I was injured for most of the year [hip injury], so I didn’t run a whole lot. I’ve been slowly building back up since then. In the last five or six months, my training has gone pretty well.”
Q: Are you planning to compete in any other races this summer?
KIZZIRE: “Yes, I’m probably going to do the Don Childs’ Run during Oregon Trail Days, and I’m also thinking about doing the [Monument Marathon] again this fall.”
Q: What do you enjoy the most about competing in these types of races?
KIZZIRE: “I like the competition and the community, and I hope to inspire and encourage some other people [to try running] along the way, too.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed being an assistant cross country coach in Alliance?
KIZZIRE: “I love it. It’s awesome to be able to help some younger runners develop and share some of my wisdom with them. I try to make the sport fun for them.”
Q: How are things going with the Alliance High School cross country program?
KIZZIRE: “It’s been going well. Last year the numbers were a little small, but I think they’re going to have quite a few more kids out this year. Some of them have already started running this summer, so that’s been good to see.”
Q: How long have you been a chiropractor in Alliance?
KIZZIRE: “About three and a half years.”
Q: How much do you enjoy living in Alliance?
KIZZIRE: “I enjoy it. I’m from Bayard originally, so it’s close to home.”
Q: How did you end up in Alliance?
KIZZIRE: “I got in touch with the guy that I’m working with in Alliance. He went to chiropractic school in Minneapolis when I was in college, and I got in touch with him through one of his mentors up there. I got an email saying there’s a guy in Alliance who was looking for some help, so I got in touch with him, and things worked out.”
Q: Did you always want to be a chiropractor?
KIZZIRE: “Actually, I didn’t decide to do chiropractic until about a week before my senior year of college. I’m glad I went into that field. It’s fun to help people get out of pain and meet their health goals.”
Q: Just how important is running to you?
KIZZIRE: “It’s a very big part of my lifestyle. I wouldn’t say running is my life, but it’s a big part of my life. I like to exercise and eat somewhat healthy, and I try to get plenty of rest.”
Q: Competing in races like the Festival of Hope 5K, does that help motivate you when you’re exercising?
KIZZIRE: “It does help me to stay motivated. It gives me races to train for.”
Q: How many miles do you run each week?
KIZZIRE: “Usually between 50 and 60 miles.”
Q: How many days do you run each week?
KIZZIRE: “Usually five or six.”
Q: How neat is it for you to be part of this Festival of Hope event – not just the race, but the entire event?
KIZZIRE: “It’s a great event – it’s for a great cause – so it’s fun to be part of it. Seeing all these people here is very inspiring.”
Q: Do you plan to be in Alliance for quite some time?
KIZZIRE: “That’s my plan right now.”
Q: Do you still have a lot of family who live in Bayard?
KIZZIRE: “Yes, my parents and grandparents are still in Bayard.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in June to Camp Scott.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
