From the track to the mountains
But to train better for the grueling track-and-field circuit on the professional level, Manzano has decided to train in Mexico.
“I’ll totally be gone six to seven months out of the year,” he said. “I’m excited but kind of scared at the same time.”
Manzano, the son of Mexican immigrants Jesùs and Maria Manzano, graduates from Texas next week.
He plans to spend the Christmas holiday with grandparents in his native country. But instead of returning to Texas, the 2004 graduate of Marble Falls High School will go to the Mexican mountains.
“I haven’t been able to go to Mexico,” he said. “I don’t plan on missing Christmas with my family again.”
He’ll be with them Dec. 19-30 and then head to the mountains in San Luis Potosì, Mexico.
“It’s my first time for altitude training,” Manzano said. “A lot of my competitors have had altitude training.”
Not every runner does it, so the former Longhorn believes it can be used to his advantage.
The training is conducted by coach John Cook, formerly of the University of George Mason.
He has coached Shalane Flanagan, who was on the U.S. Track and Field team in the past. Both are associated with Nike, the same company Manzano signed with once he made the decision to become a professional runner.
Erin Donohue and Shannon Rowbury, two of the three 1,500-meter runners on the U.S. Olympic team with Manzano last summer, will be training there, too.
Manzano’s former distance coach at the University of Texas, Jason Vigilante, recommended his former pupil attempt the altitude training.
“He’s always saying, ‘If you want to be good, you have to give a little bit,’” Manzano said. “I’ll be away from my family six to seven months all for training purposes.”
Because of his commitment to Olympic weight training five days a week, track and other running regimens, the former Mustang said he looks forward to the practice.
“When I go to Mexico, I should be in shape,” he said. “It’s boot camp for runners. I want to be in the best shape I can, so it doesn’t hurt as much.”
The Olympic weight training is for three key areas, he said.
“I’m keeping it more to build strength and speed and power,” Manzano said. “I run 60 to 70 miles (per week). By the end of April, it’ll be 80 to 90 miles a week.”
The former Mustang remains committed to giving back to the Highland Lakes area. He visited high school campuses at Burnet and Llano in the last several weeks.
He also returned for a practice run with the Marble Falls High School cross-country team leading up to the Class 4A Region IV meet.
“I go with them and be with them and keep them together,” he said. “I talk with them and show them how running is supposed to be. You run with them, you bond and you’re having fun doing it.”
Manzano said none of his goals could have been reached without the support of the Marble Falls community.
“Thank you to the Marble Falls group,” he said. “They’ve been a big help.”