Pan Am profile: Nicole Sifuentes

Nicole Sifuentes, this year’s national champion in both the 1,500m (beating out rising star, Sasha Gollish) and 5,000m (taking the win over Canadian marathon record holder, Lanni Marchant) will be racing the 1,500 on Saturday evening at the York University track.

The Canadian Olympian has a 4:04:64 PB for the 1,500m (outdoors) and holds the Canadian record for the indoor 1,500m. We caught up with her to talk about the Pan Am Games, training and racing at home.

A big hole in my resume is finally filled. I am the 1500m Canadian champion! It has been an extremely trying weekend filled with misunderstandings, last minute changes, and circumstances I never saw coming. Despite everything that threatened to throw me off mentally, emotionally and physically I am leaving Edmonton with a smile on my face. #Repost @athleticscanada with @repostapp. ・・・ Nicole Sifuentes @ndsifuentes doubles up and wins the 1500m/5000m at #ACTFchamps. #AthleticsCanada #AthlétismeCanada #🇨🇦

A photo posted by Nicole Sifuentes (@ndsifuentes) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT

Canadian Running: What’s been your opinion of the Games so far?

Nicole Sifuentes: I just got here yesterday, so I haven’t experienced too much yet, but I think the atmosphere in the village is really positive, but not too crazy. I feel pretty comfortable and relaxed here. The support staff for the Canadian athletes have been really great. They’ve got the air-conditioning on and I’ve got nothing to complain about [laughs]!

I also like the feeling of being Canadian at the Games in Canada. It is different from other international events that I’ve been to. I feel proud to be Canadian and I feel like a hometown athlete even though I’m from Winnipeg, not Toronto.

CR: How are you going to be spending your days leading up to the Games?

NS: I think I’ll likely go to the track for a session or two each day. I will spend most of my time at the athlete’s village hanging out, but I might get a little restless if I spend everyday here until my race!

CR: What’s your pre-race routine?

NS: My pre-race routine varies depending on the time of day I’ll be competing. I’m racing in the evening on Saturday, so I’ll try and sleep in and delay my start to the day, trying to stay calm and relaxed. I’ll have a coffee and go out for a little jog. Then in the late afternoon, I’ll start getting excited to race and ready to focus on the task at hand.

CR: How are you feeling about your race?

NS: I’m feeling really excited. Today was the first day that there were events at the track and there have already been some really inspiring performances, so the buzz is contagious. My training has gone well. I went home after Nationals and got a solid training block in with some decent workouts, so I’m feeling ready.

CR: What do you like to do when you’re not running?

NS: I’m a full time athlete, so I don’t have another job. I have a house and I’m married and the time that I’m not training I take care of us at home. I guess you could say I’m an athlete and a housewife and I really love the quiet lifestyle. Some athletes thrive off of a really busy lifestyle, but that’s not me. I work hard on the track and I spend a lot of the rest of my time resting and recovering.