Monday, April 25, 2011
I went for a run the other night and I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing
living in Flagstaff, Arizona. The sky and mountains were an array of colors that
is almost impossible to describe. The trees were huge; the temperature crisp.
What a beautiful display of nature!!! It made me think about how amidst all
the stressors and struggles of trying to live the life of a professional runner,
I have so much to be thankful for; I am thankful that I can move freely,
thankful for the great friends that I live and train with here in Allie Kieffer
and Kristina and Tebor Vegh,; thankful for my coach Ryan Cole, and for many
people in Charlotte who still encourage and support me. But most of all, I am
thankful that I am close to God and that I experience His power despite being an
undeserving, fleshly human.
Sometimes, when I run, I reflect and think
about what I am really doing with my life and how I chose this
particular life of sport; Soccer, basketball, tennis, softball and other
team sports have always been a part of my life, but just what am I
doing training on some of the best trails in the world with some of
the best runners in the country? Racing competitively is not how I
envisioned my life in High School, College or even beyond that. And despite
injuries, broken ankles, illnesses, rejections and a very unusual upbringing, I
am here. I may have a long way to go in developing as a runner, but I am here in
Flagstaff, Arizona trying to be the best athlete I can be.
At this point in my
life, nearing 29, I remain as competitive as ever. I’m still not quite sure that
I was created to be a high caliber distance runner:),… but I was created to be
an athlete! And although I love contending at this elite level, I confess that
it is beyond pride and ego that I compete for. I run for Jesus Christ and know
that any gift that I do have, is from Him. I like to take the following verse to
heart; “each one should use whatever gift they have been given…” (1 peter 4:12)
I think Peter is trying to say that we all have different abilities and talents
and we should use them for God, others, and ourselves. I’m not the best runner
or one of the most talented in the country, and I don’t know if I will ever be.
What I do know, is that for now at least, I was created to be an athlete and to
use any ability I do have the best that I can.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I came to Flagstaff in January, 2011 and although I
had a couple indoor track races, the real season really began in March with some
road races and track tune –ups. I’ve had some good races so far this spring, but
I have a long way in reaching my goals, as I continue to come face to face with
the best of the best. So here is a little update of races that have gone on in
March and what continues to go on in April.
I went for a run the other night and I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing
living in Flagstaff, Arizona. The sky and mountains were an array of colors that
is almost impossible to describe. The trees were huge; the temperature crisp.
What a beautiful display of nature!!! It made me think about how amidst all
the stressors and struggles of trying to live the life of a professional runner,
I have so much to be thankful for; I am thankful that I can move freely,
thankful for the great friends that I live and train with here in Allie Kieffer
and Kristina and Tebor Vegh,; thankful for my coach Ryan Cole, and for many
people in Charlotte who still encourage and support me. But most of all, I am
thankful that I am close to God and that I experience His power despite being an
undeserving, fleshly human.
Sometimes, when I run, I reflect and think
about what I am really doing with my life and how I chose this
particular life of sport; Soccer, basketball, tennis, softball and other
team sports have always been a part of my life, but just what am I
doing training on some of the best trails in the world with some of
the best runners in the country? Racing competitively is not how I
envisioned my life in High School, College or even beyond that. And despite
injuries, broken ankles, illnesses, rejections and a very unusual upbringing, I
am here. I may have a long way to go in developing as a runner, but I am here in
Flagstaff, Arizona trying to be the best athlete I can be.
At this point in my
life, nearing 29, I remain as competitive as ever. I’m still not quite sure that
I was created to be a high caliber distance runner:),… but I was created to be
an athlete! And although I love contending at this elite level, I confess that
it is beyond pride and ego that I compete for. I run for Jesus Christ and know
that any gift that I do have, is from Him. I like to take the following verse to
heart; “each one should use whatever gift they have been given…” (1 peter 4:12)
I think Peter is trying to say that we all have different abilities and talents
and we should use them for God, others, and ourselves. I’m not the best runner
or one of the most talented in the country, and I don’t know if I will ever be.
What I do know, is that for now at least, I was created to be an athlete and to
use any ability I do have the best that I can.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I came to Flagstaff in January, 2011 and although I
had a couple indoor track races, the real season really began in March with some
road races and track tune –ups. I’ve had some good races so far this spring, but
I have a long way in reaching my goals, as I continue to come face to face with
the best of the best. So here is a little update of races that have gone on in
March and what continues to go on in April.