This week we caught up with Nick Symmonds, Nike athlete and member of the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, Oregon. In 2007, Nick burst onto the international track scene by beating some of the world’s best in The Prefontaine Classic 800 meter race in Eugene. He is one the sport’s brightest young runners, and he has big goals heading into 2008!

So you train with the Nike Oregon Track Club. How has that experience been?

Being a member of the Nike Oregon Track Club has played a large part in my success over the last 18 months. I enjoyed the team atmosphere I found in high school and college and didnt want to give that up after graduation. Here in Eugene I can draw strength and inspiration from my many teamates. Also, when I travel the world racing, I am able to proudly wear the OTC symbol on my chest and stand out a bit from all the other international athletes, knowing that I have an entire community back in Eugene, Oregon cheering me on.

How is your training going for 2008?

After taking a few weeks of down time after the World Championships, I came back to Eugene focused and ready to put the work in! I quickly reached full milage and have been running 70 miles per week all fall and plan to hold that throughout the indoor season. I have suffered a couple of set backs; a cold or two and a few aches and pains, but feel stronger than ever right now. 2008 is going to be a demanding year and to prepare I am now working with trainer Jimmy Radcliffe twice a week as well as swimming several miles each week.

You won the Prefontaine 800 meter last year against an outstanding field. What did that mean to you?

That is still the most memorable and most important race of my life. It was a race that was years in the making. It took the perfect combination of fitness and race tactics to beat that outstanding field and I was so glad that it all came together in front of my home crowd. I was unable to find that strength in later races of 2007, but will strive to race again as I did on that day. My 1:44:54 was a 1.3 second PR, but more importantly that race showed me that I am capable of running with the best in the world…an important lesson going into this year!

You’ve run some incredible 800 and mile races. Which do you like better and why?