FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 14, 2020) – Aldo Marquez, a senior on the Northern Arizona men's cross country and track & field teams, will look to make an impact for the Lumberjacks in his final collegiate this upcoming year.
Prior to not competing last season, Marquez recorded an eighth-place scoring finish for the 'Jacks in the 10,000m at the 2019 Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championships in addition to running the 5,000m. The transfer from Paradise Valley Community College also ran the mile, 3K and 5K at the 2019 Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Championships during his first season in Flagstaff.
Q: Where are you right now and what does a normal day look like for you?
A: I've been in Flagstaff for the majority of the time. It's been a goal of mine to stay here and explore new trails and roads for runs. I've gotten to know the Flagstaff mountain area a lot more. A typical day starts off with a cup of coffee and a warm bath to heat up my legs for a run. Then I meet up with a couple of teammates for a run on some beautiful trail or service road. It's my favorite part of the day. The air here is thin yet we keep throwing ourselves in a difficult run that by the end of it, we learn a lot from. Breakfast then tastes a whole lot better when I'm feeling tired from the morning run. I then take an hour nap because naps are a high priority for me. I have a light lunch and get ready for my second run. Typically for my second run, I spend an hour and a half doing drills and exercise that I don't necessarily have to do. I got these exercises from top athletic trainers from previous injuries in addition to other exercises to avoid future injuries. I take my physical health seriously. I am no good to the team if I'm not running next to them during a workout and encouraging them. The rest of the day I enjoy spending it with my girlfriend or have some quality time with teammates or roommates. The evening is almost always laying on the grass at North Quad of campus slacklining or eating a snack. Then I make sure to get eight or nine hours of sleep for the night.
Q: What are you most looking forward to when you get back to competing?
A: I'm mainly looking forward to being on that front line with my teammates and with the NAU jersey on chanting "Jacks on me, Jacks on three, 123... JACKS!" It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Q: What is motivating or encouraging you to push through these difficult times?
A: I just remember that I have to trust the process more than the product. It is a difficult time to know when we will be back to competing, but I will be ready for that day. What's most encouraging is the people I surround myself with. My girlfriend reminds me every day what I can be doing better and helps me stay on top of it. My roommate has been a nutrition coach to me and helps me feel physically healthier and ready to go. My previous teammate, as well as a couple of my current teammates, has taken on this training block with me to join and encourage me on runs. The most difficult times have been being alone through this process at the beginning and all these people have come up and help me seize the day one at a time.
Q: How did you first get into your sport?
A: Honestly, I had a crush on a girl who was on the team. After a while, I forgot about her and realized how much I loved having a group of friends who support each other.
Q: If you could be a dual-sport athlete at NAU, what sport would you compete in and why?
A: I would do volleyball because I'm really bad at it and I just think it would be fun to try something new. I would want to develop skills so that I can spike that ball over the net in the blink of an eye the next time my teammates and I get together to hang out and have a few games.
Q: If you could pick any other NAU student-athlete to try out your sport, who would it be and why?
A: If different events in track and field count then I would challenge the throwers to do distance. I'd like to see my guys try to run more than a lap. Then again, I'd like to see my scrawny arms throw a heavy weighted object more than a foot.
Q: What is your best track memory ever?
A: It's got to be winning the Big Sky indoor confidence meet in 2019. It was my first year here at NAU as a transfer. It was also the most positive and encouraging environment I've ever been in.
Q: What is your major and what are your career aspirations?
A: I'm majoring in Business Marketing. I just believe that this major is pretty broad for me to do a lot of things. I have a couple of career aspirations. One is continuing my running career with a club that can lead me to be a better athlete in a professional environment, all while doing some online marketing for a local business. I hope my marketing skills eventually lead me to become a running agent and to help other athletes pursue their goals.
