Changes

I'm at that point in life where a lot changes are about to take place. My final semester of college is coming to a close. I'm not overwhelmed with exams which is nice compared to previous semesters. I've been doing a lot of thinking about life in general over the past couple of days. Thinking of all the times I've experienced transitions in life. Looking back, these changes have made me stronger and helped me develop as an individual. Although I thrive off consistency as a runner, life's obstacles help me perform at my absolute best. Why that is I can't really be sure of.

I've been reading the book "Again To Carthage" which is the sequel to "Once A Runner". In short both books are about the life of a serious distance runner. What it takes to be the best and what's given up in the process. I'm reading a chapter right now in which Quenton Cassidy, a fictional character replays his childhood remembering moments that lead to his success. So while reading this book, getting ready for a new chapter in life, I can't help but think back on some moments that made me the person I am right now. Why am I in love with this crazy sport? Maybe because it was a way out for me. My first memory of really going out for a run was when I around 10 years old. I was fishing over at Byrd park with some friends and I saw all these people running around the lake. I always ran during soccer practice, but never enjoyed it. For some reason I decided to start running around the lake. The only problem was I had no shoes on. This didn't stop me from running a couple loops around, enjoying every minute of it! I remember how beat up my feet were afterward. Other moments include running the mile in PE my freshman year in high school. My teacher was amazed that I ran 6:04 and told me to go out for the indoor track team to prepare for soccer in the spring. That's when it all started....

Since that day running has been my way of dealing with things. Through the ups and downs I always had that connection. At times I have not run for months due to various reasons, but never did I lose my love for running. I remember changing high schools in January of my junior year. This was a new beginning for me. That outdoor season I told myself that nobody was going to beat me, and in a way I had something to prove. Just thinking that put me a level above everyone I raced against. After high school I didn't run competitively for a few years but once given the opportunity to compete in college, I again felt like I has something to prove. Looking back I ran some great times for my fitness level at the time. At the end of the day I have to look myself in the mirror and ask the question, did I give it everything I had today? Some days you have it and others all the pieces may not have come together. That brings me back to right now. This training cycle has been going great. I've put in all the hard work, starting in January when I was putting in the miles all alone in Colorado, to running through the snow all winter, to busting my ass on the track the past few months. I know what I'm capable of now it's time to go into these next few races with the desire to win! In a few weeks I'll be graduated college and a new start awaits me. Things are really going well. I mean my workouts have been phenomenal, I'm becoming more involved in coaching which is something I have a passion for and want to continue doing for a long time. I would love the opportunity to train somewhere next year and really see what I can run with having all the things it takes to be a great distance runner. The fact of the matter is I need to run certain times over the next 6 weeks in order to ensure myself that possibility. I'm doing things I never thought possible, now it's time to believe in myself again. Whatever the future holds I'm ready!