miles run: 12 mile run............................dirt/asphalt...................................sunny/nice
something to think about: "Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win."- Tom Fleming
Salmiler on the run with: Nicholas Arciniaga"Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win."
- Tom Fleming's Boston Marathon training sign on his wall
Here at Salmiler lifestyle we have been privileged to have a few words with
Nicholas Arciniaga on his return from his first international race ,representing the US at the Ome 30k race in Japa
n ( sister race to Boston). In this race he, impressively, ended up finishing in 5th place in a pr of 1:34:25, only a few seconds behind 2 of Japan’s top aggressive marathoners. We came across this seasoned runner originally from Southern California , a few months ago and were greatly impressed by his consistent running record, and his running attitude. Actually, it was after the hype of the Boston Marathon, after having finished with a time of 2:16:13, an impressive performance which granted him a top US finisher status. However, more than any accomplishments, what is greatly admired of Nick is his determination and ambition to run, train hard and never, ever give up. Clearly, a race is never a man’s sure win. One must be prepared to accept the great and not so great results and take that as running experience, sleep it off and get up the next day; refocus and continue with the training because there is another race to be run tomorrow.
Name: Nicholas Arciniaga
Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA
Current Location: Rochester Hills, MI
High school : Fountain Valley High School
College: Cal State University, Fullerton
Career: Professional Runner.
S. When did you first begin this lifestyle of running?NA I first started running my freshman year of high school, but it didn't really become my lifestyle until my 2nd year of college.
S:Why? NA:I joined my high school team because my friends told me I would do well at the sport and I have always had a competitive mindset towards running. Up until my 2nd year of college Running was really just a sport to me, and a way to pay for college. Then I finally hit the tipping point when I realized that I would probably run for the rest of my life, I truly enjoy the way it feels when I’m outside running myself to exhaustion.
S Who is or has been the biggest heroic inspiration for you in your running lifestyle?NA :This is a tough question for me. There have always been runners who I have looked up to and idolized, such as Brian Sell and Ryan Hall, but it is tough for me to call them Heroes. I've known Ryan Hall since I was in High School, he has always been heads and feet ahead of everyone I knew, he is the same age as me and he is the type of runner I aspire to be. Fast, Smooth, Humble, and a down to earth great guy. Then there is Brian Sell, who I have looked up to for years now. He has a similar background to myself, not amazing in high school or college, but finally found his nitch in marathoning. Brian's work ethic and his ability to train harder and push through more pain than anyone I know. That is also the type of runner I want to be, to push myself to new limits.
S:Okay Nick, so you have been very successful in high school and college, correct? NA:I was decent in High School, but below average in College.
S: Most people stop running after they start their careers and or after they settle down. Why are you still running? NA:I continue to run because it is my dream to go to the Olympics. Right now my focus is on 2012, then it will be 2016, and so on. As long as I am still able to run, and compete at a top level I will.
S:Do you think you will ever stop? NA:No, it is something I can see myself doing until I'm 90-some years old.
S:Briefly take us through a week’s routine in the running lifestyle of Nick Arciniaga.NA:That’s easy. Every morning I wake up at 6:45 or so, then go for a 10-20 mile run with my teammates. Currently I am on the Hansons-Brooks Olympic Development Program. After my run I eat, and either go to work or take a nap. I work at Hanson's Running Shop, a store owed by my coaches, Kevin and Keith Hanson. I only work part-time since my coaches want us to be more focused on our training than work. After work, or after my nap I go on a 2nd run of 4-6 miles. This run is usually pretty easy and on my own. Then I have dinner, watch some TV, and go to bed around 10. This is a typical day, everyday of the week. Once a week or so, the team will get together, go to a movie, have a card night, or go out to celebrate a birthday.
S: If running was not an option for you, what other hobby/lifestyle do you think you would be engaged in?NA:I have always been active and competitive, so I would have probably ended up doing some endurance sport, whether it was cycling or swimming. If I was not good enough to make it a living then I would likely use my Accounting Degree in some way. Although part of me wants to say that I would have ended up living out in the wilderness somewhere, perhaps being a park ranger at some National Park in California. I have always enjoyed camping and being out in nature, surrounded by trees, animals, and not much else.
S: What has been the most gratifying moment in your life as a runner thus far?NA:The most gratifying moment is a tie between Qualifying for the
Olympic Trials in my first marathon ever(Chicago, 2006), and Finishing 10th place and 1st American at the
Boston Marathon last year(2008).
S:What has been the toughest, and how did you overcome these tough times?NA:The toughest was my freshman year of college, the entire year, where it seemed that no matter what I did, I could run as fast as I knew I was capable of, and because of that I nearly gave up the sport. By the end of the year it was a conversation that I had with my teammate that made me rethink my whole attitude that I had towards running. Basically, in order for me to succeed, I had to make running my passion, make it my life. For too long I had run, done my workouts, like they were a job, a task. Now, every run I do still has a purpose, but I make sure that it is enjoyable and beneficial in the long run.
S: How has running influenced other aspects of your life?NA:Giving me the opportunity to travel a lot more than I would normally have been able to. The most recent of while was a race in Japan. Running has also taught me a lot about hard work, patience, time management skills, healthy eating, and how to be calm and level-headed in any kind of situation. All of these skills can be used in pretty much every aspect of my life.
S: What piece of advice can you give to others just starting out in this running lifestyle?NA:Pretty much the same thing that my teammate told me in college, go into every run with a good attitude, that every run will be a benefit to you. Taking a negative attitude makes running seem more like a chore, nobody likes doing chores. Sooner or later you will hit the tipping point and you will begin enjoy running more than you hate it, eventually maybe even become obsessed with it.
S: What are your running goals and aspirations for the future?NA:My Main Goal is to qualify for the Olympics. My best shot is in the marathon for either the 2012 or 2016 Olympics. My chances are realistically pretty slim, so I would be just as happy if I were to represent the US in at least one International Race, and there are a few of those opportunities each year. I would also like to travel around the world a lot more, touring as many major marathons as I can around the world.
S: What are your thoughts on salmiler lifestyle?NA:I must admit, I'm not quite sure what the lifestyle is, however I'm pretty sure that we have the same ideals and Lifestyle.
S: How does your family and friends keep updated on you and your running? NA:My family and friends contact me pretty often. People who I ran with in high school or ran after I did e-mail me every once in a while to ask how things are going, or to congratulate me on races that they hear about. Then there are people on Facebook and Myspace who I maybe met once, or never even met before, who congratulate me, add me as their friend, or even ask for running advice.
That was one heck of an interview. We want to thank Nick Arciniaga for taking the time to share his running lifestyle with us here at the Salmiler lifestyle. There is no doubt that his running lifestyle and accomplishments will offer inspiration to others already in this lifestyle and those just beginning. We wish you the best of luck in your quest for the Olympics and all your future goals to come. Please know that here at Salmiler we support you and your goals 100%. Again, thanks Nick!!! ... here at Salmiler our lifestyle is on the run, R U?
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