On Wednesday afternoon, Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano ended his search for a shoe contract and sponsorship as he inked a new deal with Hoka One One that will support him through the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. On Thursday, I called Manzano to get the rundown on how the deal was completed and what it means for him going forward.

Chavez: First of all, congratulations! How much of a relief is it to no longer have to worry about searching for a sponsor?

Manzano: Oh man, this is amazing. It is a big relief. I had been without a sponsor for over a year. I didn’t have a coach. For a while, I didn’t even have an agent. Missing those three components, it was really tough to keep everything together. 

Chavez: This is a year without a World Championship or an Olympics. What’s you’re focus on now?

Manzano: My biggest goal is to just enjoy running in the way that I’ve always done. In terms of personal records, I want to break all my PR’s. I want to get back on track. I’m motivated to run. I’m motivated to train. I just want to get out there and really perform. 

Chavez: If we delved deep into the search for a sponsor, what was the darkest moment for you?

Manzano: There were several of those points. Last year at USA’s, I finished in the top two and I figured – I wasn’t with a sponsor and I wasn’t with coach Ryan Ponsonby most of the time – something might happen after that. Nothing came around. Then I ended up making the team and running the fastest time in the U.S. last year. I was out in the semifinals in Moscow and that was a pretty big blow. Even this year for indoors, I ran in the final at USAs and ended up fifth. After that, I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen. I thought ‘I have no coach, no sponsor and no agent.’ That was probably the biggest blow I had. In my mind I was thinking ‘How am I going to make it back?’

Chavez: When did things start to take a turn for the better?

Manzano: It may have been two weeks right after USAs. I started talking to Hawi Keflezighi. Around the same time – it’s kind of random how this all happens – I was on the track and I was working out while trying to get back on it. If I remember correctly, it was six times 1,000-meters, which is one of my go-to workouts. Coach John Hayes happened to be on the track. We started talking and he offered his help for anything. I think that was kind of the turning point. I believed there was a good chance he was able to help me, so we kept the conversation going. He asked to look at my training and see what I was doing before observing. After Texas Relays, he came in and I’ve been doing all of his workouts since. It’s been a great experience working with him, because he brings in a new perspective on how to get fit. The coaching perspective brings in all the actual things I have to do to be there. Working with coach Hayes is great. 

Chavez: Is it really different from working with Ponsonby or does he bring in a lot of the same?

Manzano: I would say it’s about half and half. At the end of the day, running is running and you have to get the work done. I’m also working out with Trey Zepeda, the strength and conditioning coach at Texas. It’s half of Hayes’ workouts on the track Then it’s Zepeda’s workouts in the gym. I also like to add in a little bit of my stuff as well. 

Chavez: Describe the moment when you first got to meet with Hawi?

Manzano: This year I had to find different ways to help supplement and fund my training, so I started doing public speaking and doing motivational speeches. I was invited to come out to the RunningUSA conference in San Diego and I spoke about diversity in the sport. Lo and behold, one of the other panelists in the group was Hawi. We started talking and he was down to earth. He said ‘I know you’re struggling. I don’t want anything, but I would love to try and help you.’ One thing led to another and we started working together. 

Chavez: He went on to introduce you to the Hoka shoes. If we went back a year ago and I asked you about the brand or shoes, would you have known much about them?

Manzano: A year ago, I probably didn’t know much about Hoka’s brand or shoes. It was really just about four or five months ago that I heard about these shoes. I had seen them, but wasn’t entirely sure. They looked bulky. Based on appearance, you thought it would never make for a good running shoe, which is what you might hear a lot. I tried them on and I was really surprised about how light they really are. They’re very responsive and it feels like you’re bouncing off the ground. One of the things I love is running down hill. You can be doing that and feel very minimal impact. You can fly downhill with these shoes. 

Chavez: The new deal takes you through the Summer Olympic Games in Rio. The goal there would most likely be to improve upon your silver medal. What type of support does Hoka play in the road to get there?

Manzano: I’m satisfied with my contract with Hoka. I can’t disclose all the details, but ultimately it’s going to depend on how I run. If I run well, I do well. If I don’r run well, then I don’t do well. I’m blessed that Hoka and Jim Van Dine (Hoka One One President) really believe in me and support me to bring me onto the team. 

Chavez: So you will be wearing the new Hoka singlet next weekend in Boston for the B.A.A. Invitational Mile?

Manzano: Yes. 

Chavez: Awesome. I'll see you there and we wish you the best of luck this season. 

Manzano: I really appreciate it, Chris. Thanks so much.