Kyle Prince doesn’t just run trails; he’s forging them. In the past 10 years since he started running for sport, he’s conquered a ton of terrain and continues to push himself to go faster and farther.
His strong work ethic and powerhouse motivation have been a huge part of not only his own successes, but of many others’ in NRC. And, his fun-loving attitude, well-timed wisdom and natural way of bringing people together have helped spearhead NRC epicness, both on and off the trail.
Kyle has been a runner his whole life in some form or another. His need for speed early on landed him a broken ankle before he’d even turned a year old! He played youth baseball, basketball, and soccer before shifting focus in HS and college to baseball, which although not known for distance sees some mad sprints between those bases. #faststeals.
He was technically born in Murray, KY, but Kyle’s a Henry County, Paris, TN guy through and through. His family is a steady support system for running and life in general. His dad walks a few miles each weekday morning. His brother, who is in law enforcement, and sister-in-law, who is a PT, both recently entered into the running world with the completion of a half-marathon in December 2019, and his brother has registered for a 50k trail race (pass the Kool-Aid, please)! Even his niece, who graduates in May and wields her talents in the arts, is a big supporter of her Uncle Kyle.
At one point, Kyle’s journey took him out west, but he’s glad to be back. “Tennessee kind of has it all – the blues and country music, the rivers and mountains, town squares and sprawling downtowns. I spent almost seven years in Arizona, so I feel like that has made me appreciate this state more.”
In March of 2015, Kyle moved to Nashville for an opportunity with his work at CoreCivic. His current title is Education Services Manager, which is a lot like a public school assistant superintendent, and a role that is clearly much more than a job for him. “In almost 15 years with the company, I have experienced so many things that keep me doing what I do,” he says. “Teaching GED level classes, supervising education departments, and now helping build, design, and monitor educational programs in our facilities – I’ve been part of a countless number of offender’s lives in assisting them with achieving education goals prior to their release back into society.”
He met his girlfriend, Allison, through work, but got to know her more through running, of course! Knowing Kyle was a runner, she asked him for some advice while training for her first half, the 2017 Middle Half. It must have been good advice! ☺ Together ever since, they enjoy sporting events, concerts, traveling and exploring new places.
It was through work that he heard about NRC. His co-worker NRCer Lisa Singer talked about the club often on their lunch breaks. Kyle had gotten into running about five years before moving back to TN after placing in his age group in a neighborhood 5K. That race led to other races including his first half marathon at the Rock’n’Roll in Phoenix 2012, so he decided to give NRC a try. Aside from the classic ‘Hi, I’m Scott Alexander’ Handshake, early stand out moments include his first Saturday AM run from Mama’s Java and his first Oak Barrel experience.
Saying he’s upped his running game is a huge understatement! Since joining NRC, Kyle completed his first marathon at the 2017 St. Jude Marathon (Memphis). In 2018, he ran the Stump Jump 50K and will never forget the Mullens Cove aid station crew where he saw first-hand, “NRC travels like an SEC school to an away football game!” Then in 2019, he took on the YAMACRAW 20K, The Georgia Jewel 35 miler, and his favorite race so far, his first Flying Monkey.
To survive running hours on trails you need people keeping you on track, mentally and physically. You’ve heard of The Illuminati, Skull And Bones, and perhaps even, The Pentaverate… but have you heard of NRC’s unintentionally, somewhat secret, trail-blazing society – DES? It spawned from the grueling 2018 Stump Jump training cycle. And, word is, that Kyle’s endless optimism and energy was a catalyst for what morphed this training group into a fearless band of runners striving to go beyond their limits with the battle cry… Do Epic Sh#t!
Kyle credits his motivation to DES all the way! “That group of people has become some of my closest friends, possibly ever,” says Kyle. “FAM, Teague, Roadie, AK47, and Mud Queen are always up for miles and chatter. Those 5 people along with other members of DES have pushed me through, over, and around some big hurdles both personally and in my running life.”
His NRC DES crew throws the props right back at him. Blake Bivens says, “Having Kyle on the trail, makes the run. His positive and supportive mindset is what makes him a great friend and NRC DES BA.” Amy Klotz says, “Kyle trains hard and has improved so much with his running! I think he’s got way more in him still too!” Michael Teague adds, “He’s an integral part of the epicness that is DES!” Zack Klint says, “As my ‘safety runner’ at Lookout Mtn. 50, he tended to me more than a grown man should ever have to tend to another grown man ☺, picked me up figuratively and literally, and kept me focused. I felt like the best racing I’ve ever done came after mile 40, and Kyle was a huge part of that!” And “Fast Andy” Michael knows Kyle will drop everything to help a friend.
After a crazy hot run at Percy, Andy’s legs started cramping hard at the Sudden Service station across from Lenox Village. It was so bad, he couldn’t even walk back to his car! In a panic, he called Kyle. He was there in minutes. Without a thought about what others would think, Kyle tried to work out the cramps in Andy’s legs – yes, in the middle of the convenience store – but it wasn’t working, so Kyle pulled him up, carried him to the car, and made sure he got home okay. Now, that’s Sudden Service, DES style.
Kyle’s nickname among the DES crew is Birdman. Some say it’s due to his super-animated way of speaking with his hands and arms, almost like they’re flapping. Some say it’s the way he works his cross-training yoga poses. Some say he nailed a bird driving to a run. Whatever it is, it stuck.
Due to cancellations of big races due to COVID-19, Kyle’s current goal is just to maintain a really good base. He was set to crew/pace Fast Andy at his first Georgia Death Race (read: jump in at mile 43 and pace Andy to the finish, mostly in the dark, for nearly 30 north Georgia trail miles), plus run the OKC Memorial Half in April and the Night Stalker 50K in May. He plans to be flexible and prepared until then.
As far as destination races, all Kyle cares about is a race that takes him to a new place, so he can experience new things, and enjoy the opportunity. “I do require it to be in the woods though,” he adds. “I need dirt, views, and trees!”
And, NRC needs us some Birdman! Cheers to you, Kyle, for all you’ve accomplished and the epicness to come!
SPEED ROUND – Kyle Prince
Go to Mid-run/Post-run fuel: Mid – Spring Energy gels and RX or Justin’s nut butter; Post – ginger ale and Holler and Dash (R.I.P.)
Best thing about Spring is… Baseball and green grass
No one would guess… I attended Jim Evans Professional Umpiring Academy in January 2008.
Ice Bath: I only like to drink cold water, so I’ll probably pass on the ice bath idea!
For fun, that’s not a run: Baseball, whether playing, watching, coaching, umpiring, etc. I also enjoy trying new (to me) restaurants, whiskey, and craft beer.