Miami Sunset senior and University of Florida signee Nick Diaz will make his second straight trip to a national meet. Last year, he qualified for Nike Cross Nationals and opted to give Foot Locker a try this year. After finishing 9th in a new personal best time of 15:01, he will join Merritt Island's Steven Cross at Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego. We caught up with Diaz to talk about the last month, training, and what he is looking forward to most about this weekend.
The Cross Country Finals were a little less than a month ago. You had two weeks between that meet and Foot Locker South. What did you work on in that time frame?
After being sick with a 101 degree fever at states on Saturday I was able to have a full day of recovery on Sunday. The following week included two intense workouts, two distance runs, and two recovery runs. The week of Foot Locker South was less intense with one workout, two distance days, three recovery days, and the race on Saturday.
What was the game plan for that meet?
The game plan for Foot Locker South was to hit that first mile in 4:40. I knew I was going to be in at least the top 30 if I hit my time. I knew that by the 3k mark I needed to hit around nine flat and the two mile split needed to be under 9:40. My coach and I really didn't have a game plan for the last mile. Everything the last mile was planned during the race and I was able to position my self in a good spot at the 4k mark and I crossed the finish line in 9th place with a new PR of 15:01.
Three seconds separated third place (14:58) from ninth place (15:01). How would you describe those final meters of the race?
The finish was a little emotional for me because this was really one of the most hardest and competitive race I have been in a while. I was a little uncertain if I had made it or not at first being in a big pack of runners although I knew I made the top ten when they called out for my bib number to go to the tent to sign some paperwork.
Last year, you made it to NXN after advancing as an individual from NXN SE? Why did you decide to switch and do Foot Locker this year?
I decided to do Foot Locker this year because I thought it would've been really nice to be added on to a short list of people who have only qualified to both Foot Locker and Nike. I loved the experience I had at Nike and I learned so many things there as a runner. I''m hoping Foot Locker could offer the same experience and more.
Only two other runners Brian Atkinson from Melbourne and most recently Elliot Clemente of Belen were able to make it to Foot Locker and Nike Nationals. How does it feel to be mentioned with those guys?
It means a lot to me to be apart of the Nike/Foot Locker Nationals list. I know that both of those runners were great high school athletes and no one could take away you being on this list of elite runners that have qualified to both.
Last year, you won the 4A Cross Country Finals title. This year you were fourth. Did that give you extra motivation to perform well in the postseason?
After states was over I knew that I could've done so much better if I wasn't sick. I congratulate Joshua Jacques on being a state champ! Thats great for him. Carlin Berryhill use to be my teammate in middle school and I couldn't be any prouder of him placing 2nd at states. If anyone deserves a great season its him because I know he's a hard worker. Congrats on James getting 3rd place. Sorry, we couldn't get another crack at it again this year but it's been a great one! Once I finished States my first thought was how I was going to make it to Nationals and it made me work a lot harder and stay motivated the following two weeks of training.
Joining you on the trip out west will be Steven Cross of Merritt Island who was 8th at Foot Locker South. What does it mean to have another Florida boy out there with you?
Having Steven Cross there at Foo Locker is going to be great. He is a really good guy and humble runner. I can't wait to go up and get to know the south team a little more and just have a good time with all of them.
What kind of preparation/workouts do you do this week to get ready for Foot Locker Nationals?
Usually, I'll have an ice bath and one easy speed workout. It's the end of a very long season and my legs could use as much rest as they could get now. The mileage is a lot shorter and the workouts this week were a lot less intense. After nationals, I'll have a good three weeks of rest and then I'll be back to the drawing board for track!
What are you looking forward to the most about this weekend?
I'm looking forward to racing the most. This is my 45th and final XC race of high school. I'm going to try my best knowing that this is really it for my high school cross country season. My goal is to place in the top 15. I know this race will need to have some strategy and risk. I don't really know what will happen until I race but I can't wait to find out!