Jun
30
Predawn Profile – Nils Erik Antonio
You may not realize it, but there is a former Olympic marathoner among our midst in the Northeast Ohio community and on Dailymile. Nils Erik Antonio has experienced the glory of the Olympics, and still has some running ambitions he is aggressively pursuing. His quickness in pace is inspiring, as his brevity and pointedness in answering my questions (if you haven’t noticed, I do tend to ramble a bit). And he manages this all while running a business and taking care of twice the number of children I have. I bow in his presence.
In case it's unclear, Nils is the one on the right.
Predawn Runner: How did you come to be a runner? What is your purpose in the sport?
Nils Antonio: Well growing up in England, I gained my first exposure to athletics (as it is called there) – there was not a weekend I was not watching a track meet on TV. I also had a cousin who represented England in the 76 and 80 games in 100m high hurdles. At the time I just wanted to run fast. I had asthma and really couldn’t run long. So it was all about running and running fast
PR: So, let me understand, you were born in the UK and now live in the US, but you also have some experience with Jamaica in your background, correct?
NA: Born and raised in London England, but my parents are from Jamaica. Never lived there, but have been there quite a bit. To visit family and race.
PR: So who did you root for in the World Cup match?
NA: Rooting for England. I am very disappointed in there performance.
PR: How did you come to live and start a business in our lovely suburb of North Royalton, near Cleveland?
NA: Parents came over in 1978 (when I was 14) and my brother and I lived in Lakewood, Ohio and I finished high school there. I went to Baldwin Wallace College. Met my wife there and she is from North Royalton. I got in to Amway from a friend in Church. The supplements are great and help me and my family stay healthy. I just wanted to keep some time free to do what I want to do (like run).
PR: I notice that you represented Jamaica at Atlanta in 1996 in the Olympic Marathon? How did you end up qualifying and what can you say about that experience?
NA: All I can say is wow!!!. Still surreal, but what an experience. Just had to prove my birth and family history. Since I was the sole runner for them in the marathon, I just had to run the “B” standard (2:25). In the Olympic village, I met all my idols. Haile Gebrselassie, NORDINE MORCELI, to name a few. I just had fun and sucked all in.
PR: At one point you were one of the top runners in the state of Ohio. What were some of the races and results you were posting at that time?
NA: Two for the road in Lakewood, 1st, Cats in the Flats,1st 3yrs in a row. Bay Days run 5k 1st. Cleveland Hartathon (1/2 marathon). Bonne Bell Run 5k. 1st, St Mallicais 1st. Jamaican National champ 1996 10k.
PR: What are your PRs at various distances, 5K to marathon?
Mile 4:17
5k 14:01
10k 29:30,
Half-marathon 67:13
Marathon 2:24.59
PR: Geez, I need to stop interviewing such fast runners, you are making me feel like a slack. What is your goal now?
NA: My goal now at the age of 47 to see if I can run a 15 min 5k
PR: What can you say about pushing for aggressive goals after being away from the sport for a bit?.
NA: It is a lot of work, one of the reasons I got on daily mile to keep me going and motivated. My Z man loves it that I can still race and we race together. It has been a struggle mentally, but as the weeks go by I feel better and better.
PR: Is Z-man one of your children? I noticed you have a few – how many do you have, and are any of them runners?
NA: Yes Z-man is on of my children I have 6 kids ages from 17, 13, 10, 8, 5, 3. First 4 boys last 2 girls. My oldest used to run for me, then got into music. He is very talented. Second oldest is a soccer player. Z-man is the runner at age 8 ½; he’s already run a 6:20 mile. He will be better than me. Have not figured out what the others want to do yet.
PR: Can we catch up with you later to see how your mission plays out? Actually, none of us can probably “catch” you literally, but at least figuratively?
NA: Feel free to check out my Dailymile postings to see how my work is going. It might not happen till next year, but I will keep at it.
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