By: Justin Donner

Hector Collazo may be filled with numerous jokes and playful remarks, but this guy is a fierce competitor on the track.

Don’t let humorous responses like, “Know how to look good when you run, and know where the cameras are at all times” fool you. There is a lot to learn from his preparation for season when it comes to nutrition and training.

After getting some much needed relaxation in the off-season, Collazo dramatically increases the amount of time he spends training. Along with that, Collazo multiplies the amount of food he eats in order to repair his body from the rigorous preparation. To make it all the more difficult, he is sculpting his body into the perfect shape for the specific events he competes in for the Cougars.

Athletes who run the 100 meter tend to have bigger frames and powerful upper bodies. Those who run the 400 meter, such as Collazo, need to be lighter with powerful legs in order to be quick for a longer distance. Collazo is naturally a bigger guy and he needs to get his “six pack game on point.”

Getting his body into this kind of shape takes strict dedication. For example, Collazo stays away from most of the food sold at school, and brings his lunch so that he has better control of what is going into his body. Perhaps the biggest piece of advice comes from the way he confronts possible diet challenges from the beginning.

“You have to get your boys on the game plan and let them know– no bad foods – no drinking. Let mom and dad know your game plan too. From there it’s a lot of water and discipline,” Collazo said.

Collazo’s secret weapon though, is coming home to Mom’s home-cooked Mexican food every day after a hard practice.