AZ 2014 Track and Field Watch List

Mar 17, 2014

Keep checking back to see who makes the Arizona Milesplit 'Watch List" in Track and Field.

Nate Rodriguez won the State Championship in Division 1 cross country and he and his teammate Ryan Normand helped lead Corona del Sol to the team State Championship! Nate ran a 4:14 in the first meet of this track and field season!

Journal Questions:

Name: Nate Rodriguez (Nate's Milesplit Profile)

High School: Corona del Sol

Year of Graduation: 2014

Track and Field PR's:

800: 1:53.1

1600: 4:12

3200: 9:10

When did you first get involved with track and field? How long have you been running:

I was first introduced to track in middle school through the Hershey National Track and Field Games, but have been running at local 5k's and fun runs with my dad as far back as I can remember.

What is a typical training week like for you?

A typical training week usually consists of about 70 total miles of work through two workouts followed by a weight room session, and a long run on the weekend, with the rest of the days easy-moderate.

What are your goals for the upcoming track season?

My goals for the upcoming season are to make big improvements in all my events, and possibly taking down some state records.

How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race? Do you have any superstitions?

Most of the time before races I like to spend by myself with my headphones in, so I can focus nag get away from any distractions, then getting in a prayer before every race.

What does your season look like and will you be competing in any out of state track meets during the season or post high school season?

This season I will be attending both the Arcadia and Mt. Sac invitationals in California, hopefully qualifying for the Dream Mile at the Adidas Grand Prix as well as the Brooks PR Invite in Seattle.

What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be at the top?

A message I would give to younger runners coming up, and striving to achieve their goals and great things would simply be to give it all that you have. Dedicate yourself and your time to the sport and the results will come, showing major improvement. Along with never giving up, even when faced with adversity. Being a student of the sport and learning from your mistakes will only help you down the road, proving your full potential and all that you are capable of.
"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."
Malcolm X

If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would it be?

I could not attribute my success to only one thing, because for me, my achievements wouldn't have been possible without the blessed combination of great support through family and friends, some of the most honest and hard-working coaches around, and teammates who continually push me to strive for more, and for better. I'm very thankful for them, and know I wouldn't have had the same amount of success without them.

Do you have role models or mentors in track and field?

I have many role models on the professional track circuit as well as fellow runners who I have competed against and/or who have graduated in past years.
(Hicham El Gurrouj, Bernard Lagat, Alan Webb, Mo Farah, Galen Rupp, Nick Symmonds, Leo Manzano, Bernie Montoya, Ben Saarel, Andy Troard, Billy Orman, Sherrod Hardt)

How many events do you compete in and which event is your favorite?

I compete in 3 events, excluding relays, and my favorite is without a doubt the Mile.

What are 3 things we don't know about you?