SAUK RAPIDS - While many of us are focusing on our holiday weekend plans, 30-year-old Wade Cruser from Sauk Rapids, is hard at work perfecting his craft.

Cruser is multi-sport athlete that excels at the duathlon. A duathlon is a combination of running and biking.

Not only did he win this years Apple Duathlon, but he also is now a national champion after winning his age group at the 2017 National Championships in Bend, Oregon.

Being a National Champion is a incredible accomplishment for the humble Cruser, but he says when he started his goals were a lot less lofty.

"When I started I wanted to be top ten in the state. Last year they put me number three in the state, looking at that I wanted to know if I could be the best in the state."

Cruser also says even though he is competing against other people at the these events, the real challenge is constantly trying to be better than he was the day before. Since competing for the 1st time in 2012, Cruser has around 25 minutes off his finishing time.

People who get to the point where he is devote a lot of their life to training to be their best. Whether it is eating right or devoting time to running and biking, Cruser says it a large commitment.

"It all depends on the week, but if you average (training time) throughout the year it is probably about ten hours a week."

Cruser is working on becoming a better swimmer as he looks to add National Triathlon Champion to his list of accomplishments.

Justin LaBounty WJON
Justin LaBounty WJON
loading...

 

 

More From AM 1240 WJON