One on One with Nick Willis 23 Jan 2006
Hows the build up going?
Training is going well logging consistent weeks of mileage. Still a bit of a guessing game as to how that will transfer onto the track but the Commonwealth Games are still long ways away.
How is that broken up?
One long run, which roughly equates to 20% of my weekly mileage. At the moment that is about 18miles. Two double days of 10miles at about 6 min pace in the morning followed by 6 miles in the evening with D/S/C. Which is drills/strides and core . Ed Note: Nick went on to say that the closer to racing the more intense the strides become with spikes going on and he treats it like a mini work out. Two work out days which usually means tempo runs, hills or threshold type repeats. There are also two easy days of about 70 mins at an easy clip.
So you don't double on your work out days?
No, well I may do a shake-out up to 20mins but I wouldn't do it to log mileage. I don't need to make myself tired before work outs as I always do a double the day before which takes care of that.
How does your training compare with the European milers?
I wouldn't compare my training with theirs as they tend to run less but always at high intensity where as I am more Lydiard based. I believe the extra strength I get from the long runs benefits my 1500m immensely.
What lead up races have you got planned for Melbourne ?
I am racing the NZ Nationals this weekend (1500m Christchurch Jan 27-28). I am also doing the Mayoral Mile in Wanganui in February and I am trying to get into the 800m at the Melbourne Grand Prix in March. I have decided not to do the Victorian Championships at this stage.
What about you versus Buster (Craig Mottram, Australian 3.48 miler and World Champs 5000m Bronze Medallist) at the Mayoral Mile?
I think I am in a good situation right now as he is the favourite. But I am treating it like any race, I am going there to win!
Goals for the Commonwealth games?
Like any athlete I am shooting for a medal. This is what my training is geared towards but I will have to wait until I have tested myself on the track before I see how realistic this is.
Are there any key work outs you will try to hit to know you are ready to roll for the Commonwealth Games?
Probably just my 5-6 x 1 mile session. If I can hit good times in this one I know I am strong which is where I am trying to get.
Is Ron Warhurt still writing your training schedule while you ate over here?
I am really writing it but am sending it over for him to check out. Every time he calls me up he is always checking to make sure that I am still doing my core work as he knows I sometimes try to miss it out.
How come you don't run more 800m races while you are in Europe?
They are actually really hard to get into. Both because it is a laned event and it attracts such a wide cross section of athletes from most parts of the world. A lot of meet promoters won't put me in an 800m races because they know the 1500m is my specialist event and they think by me running an 800m event it makes their event look second rate. Then it looks as if I am treating it as a work out or lead up to a better meet. In Huesden I won my 800m B race in 2004 (in 1.45.54) and they still put me in the B race the next year! Besides I can do most of my real speed stuff with my training group. Nate Brannen has hit 46.7 for the 400m in a relay so that is plenty fast enough. I also find that if you are trying to run 800m you need to back off and freshen up in training where as with the 1500m I can generally do more running around them
What about the 5000m last year (Nick ran 13.27 for 3 rd in the NCAA Outdoor final in 2005). Was it more so that you didn't have 10 months running 1500m races?
Long term I want the 1500m to be my event. But in early 2005 I was coming back from injury and missed the entire NCAA XC season after the Olympics. I was still only running 50-60 miles through indoors Ed note: Nick won his first NCAA tittle that season in the Mile, and ran 7.48 for 3000m at the Meyo Invitational. I knew if I tried to run the 1500m I was going to have to sacrifice my mileage which I needed to do (the mileage) so by running the 5k I could keep my volume up and run outdoor with my eyes on the 1500m later in Europe. I don't think long term I want to run the 5000m as my specialist event but if I am running a good 5k I know I will run a good 1500m. I also think I need a few more years of strength before I try to run the 5k in Europe . If you are not running around 13.10 you are out the back.
So you got John Walkers record! (1500m NZ National Record 3.32.38 for 6 th at the Paris Golden League)
Yeah, it was a perfectly paced race and everything went well! I just want to keep in the mix in the Golden Leagues. If you can run around 3.30 you can be up there. I have run 2.48 for 1200m a couple of times so I know it is there. Ed note. Nick had to explain to me that a 1200m time of 2.48 is roughly 3.29/3.30 1500m pace.
I notice you beat Alistair Cragg and Mark Carroll (13.12 &13.03 runners over 5000m in the Manchester Road (4.478 Miles) back in November. Are you planing on running many road races?
Probably one a year. I roomed with Alistair at the race and we have both said that we are coming back again this year. He was coming back from injury in 2005 and reckons he will go for the record next year. Hopefully I will be there too!
I Notice you have been doing a lot of pacing at local meets since you got back from the US . I would have thought that an athlete of your ability would be too focused on his own goals?
Firstly I would never jeopardise my own training or racing and I realise the best way to help out local athletes is to run well in Melbourne . But, I have always liked watching people improve and if it fits with me and I can help then I am more than happy to do it. I also find just by being down at a local meet helps me get more out of myself than just hitting the track solo.
So why did you go with Reebok as your major sponsor when Michigan was a Nike School ?
Reebok showed a long-term interest in me from the start and I felt really comfortable with them. Ed note. The Reebok running website has Nick plastered all over it as well as fellow Kiwi Kimberly Smith showing that these two are big news world wide.
So who is your management team?
Coach is Ron Warhurst from Michigan my agent is Mark Wetmore from Global Athletics. Mark is not to be confused with his namesake, which is the coach of the Colorado team.