Episode 65 - Victoria Martinez Collins, former USATF qualifier and DII Champion

This week I had the pleasure to talk with former Las Vegas Robertson Cardinal and Adams State Grizzly, Victoria Collins. She has been a qualifier to USATF Nationals and is a former DII cross country, 800, & 1500 national champion.
We talk about joining track in middle school, starting cross country, and her early running. She talks about not understanding the tradition of Adams State before starting there and what it meant to add to that tradition.
Victoria talks about her post collegiate career and when she knew it was something she could go after. The motivation from her coach, Martin, at Adams State and how she felt she could run through a brick wall for him, speaks volumes about their relationship and her determination. And that determination is a theme that I hope you take away from this. She speaks a lot about being in the right place and an opportunity falling into her lap, but she put herself in a situation to succeed. 
We end the conversation talking about her new running group for Rio Rancho runners, Rio Rancho Running. Check it out if you live on that side of the river. She is a great motivator and easy to talk to on a nice long run.
The weather is warming, the wind is blowing, it is a great time for early morning runs. So stay safe, stay hydrated, know your comfort level, and keep running, New Mexico.