by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Matt Gonzales was patient for long enough.
The former UNM track and field and cross country star has signed a contract with Nike, making his status as a professional runner official.
Gonzales signed the contract on March 8, but said he could not disclose any details about the agreement.
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He is relieved to have the deal completed after his agent, Peter Stubbs, had been in negotiations with the shoe company for months.
"To be honest, it was frustrating," Gonzales said. "It's hard. It's really hard for an athlete."
Now that everything is official, Gonzales said he is thrilled to have accomplished one of the biggest goals in his life.
"It's something that I've been looking at since I was in high school," he said. "It's a dream I've had since I was a kid that I've made come true."
With the stress of contract negotiations aside, Gonzales can put his complete attention on running. He said he has spent the past few months doing intense workouts in order to get in shape for important races this summer.
"Being able to focus everything on training, it makes a difference," he said. "It's just easier to train three or four times a day. That's been the most exciting aspect."
Gonzales ran for UNM from 2001-05, a time in which he built one of the more impressive legacies in school history. He earned All-American honors five times and set school records in the 5k and 10k. He also competed at the 2004 Olympic Trials where he won his preliminary heat and finished sixth overall in the finals.
UNM head coach Matt Henry said he and Gonzales still have a close relationship even though the ex-Lobo left the cross country program in spring 2005. He said he's happy all of Gonzales' hard work has paid off.
"That's pretty special," Henry said. "That's what he's wanted to do his whole life. He just puts his whole life into running, and I'm really happy for Matt."
Since leaving UNM, Gonzales has spent most of his time training and battling through some minor injuries. When he has been healthy enough to race, Gonzales said he has been pleased with the results. Last fall, Gonzales was part of the U.S. distance medley relay team that placed third at the World Championships in Japan.
On March 15, he ran a 15k in Florida and hit a time of 44:07, something he said he is happy with.
Henry said Gonzales is in great shape and is looking forward to what he thinks can be a brilliant professional career.
"He's the most amazing guy," Henry said. "He never once stepped up to the line and said he was afraid of anybody. He's in the best shape ever, and he's getting better."
Gonzales said when he first left college he was on a different level. Now, he said, he expects to be one of the world's best runners in the near future.
"I'm a completely different runner now than I was 10 months ago," he said. "The way I raced in Florida, I feel that I made a huge jump. I'm used to the pressure, the bigger names. I'm hoping this year that I can be one of the top dogs. I don't want to waste too much time."
Gonzales still works with Henry and some UNM athletes and said he is proud of his New Mexico roots. As he prepares to try and qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Gonzales said he is representing not only the United States, but New Mexico as well.
"I think I'm one of the most proud people to be from New Mexico," he said. "I have a tattoo of a Zia symbol on my forearm. It's something I'm really proud of, and I want people to know."
Gonzales has waited his whole life for the opportunity to race for a career. Now that he has it, he said he plans to take full advantage of it.
"It's all I think about: world records and gold medals," Gonzales said.
