Running from the Cold
Montreal Speedster headed to Gator country where he hopes working with a top sprint coach in a warmer climate will make a big difference by Chris Galakoutis February 19, 2005 After an injury plagued 2004 doomed his preparations for the Athens Olympics, Nicolas Macrozonaris is looking forward to 2005 with renewed enthusiasm. And he will be keeping very fast company while basking in the Florida sunshine! "I have decided to head south for a few months and train at the University of Florida in Gainesville," said Macrozonaris from Hamilton, where he competed last night, thousands of miles from the warm Florida sun where later this month he trains under the watchful eye of American coach Mike Holloway.
Transformed collegiate program 
Mike Holloway enters his 3rd season as Florida men's head coach, and has a total of ten years with the Gator track program. He has developed Florida into one of the top collegiate sprint programs in the U.S, and last year coached the men's 4x100m relay team to a national title. He has also coached 6 NCAA Sprint Champions as well as 25 All-Americans, including John Capel, Dennis Mitchell, and Bernard Williams. Capel and Williams continue to train with Holloway, and represent the high caliber sprinters that Macrozonaris has rarely had the luxury to line up against in practice on a regular basis. "I am so excited for the opportunity to learn from Mike," continued Macrozonaris, "He has great credentials with that program and in working with guys like Capel and Williams." "Hopefully working with him and creating a new training strategy can help me get to the next level." An added benefit on the Gainesville track is the presence of former University of Texas-Austin track coach Dan Pfaff, who just last month was named an assistant track coach with the Gators. Pfaff has coached, among others, the great Canadian sprinters Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin, and represents an added resource for Macrozonaris.
Montreal connection intact Macrozonaris is quick to point out, however, that he is not leaving his Montreal-based coach, Daniel St-Hilaire. "I will continue to work with Daniel, and he will be there for me during the periods I return to Montreal. A couple of important factors for me have been weather and training partners, and that will not be an issue in Gainesville," points out the 24 year old with a 100m personal best time of 10.03 seconds, the fastest time ever run by a Canadian-born sprinter. St-Hilaire agrees this is a good move for Macrozonaris. “We wanted Nick to train more often in warm weather, and under an ideal training camp environment. In Gainesville, he will have an opportunity to train with some very good sprinters.”  On the specifics, St-Hilaire added, “Nick has gained a lot of muscle since last September, he was about 181 pounds 10 days ago. After the indoor season, he will have to work and focus on the development of maximal speed endurance (60-120m) and speed-endurance at the 150-250m distance."
Bouncing back in 2005 Macrozonaris is placing more importance on the outdoor season this year, and has competed sparingly indoors this winter. He adds, "I need to work on my consistency, and make sure I stay healthy, so that I am ready for Winnipeg and Helsinki," referring to the Canadian Championships in July and World Championships in August. His 10.03 second clocking in Mexico City in early 2003 promised better things to come, however a serious ankle injury as well as tendonitis slowed Macrozonaris down significantly in 2004, exiting stage left after the second round in Athens with a disappointing 10.26 seconds. Consequently, he understands all too well that no sun ever rises without setting sometime later, and that a sprinter's best years are very limited. It is for this very reason that he feels now is the right time for this type of move. "I want to look myself in the mirror when my career is over and be happy with who I see," he says, "and know that I gave it my all." A 70-degree change in temperature, in the midst of a frigid Canadian winter, can certainly help you along your way. galako62904@yahoo.com photos courtesy: gatorzone.com and radio-canada |
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