"Inspiration"

With any sport, all you need is a little inspiration. In terms of my career so far as a runner, my inspiration always and will be my high school coach. He was truly an outstanding man. He put himself before everyone else. Was always there not just as a coach, but a mentor. When he talked to you, it was always with purpose. Hedge, was a memory of high school that will stand out always. He created a team with a strong bond. Family. That was how I referred to my team. He had this contagious personality, always knew how to make you smile even if you were down. That's an inspiration. 

Turkey Trot 2012
Coach Katie (Far Left)

Coach Hedge
High School Varsity Dinner

Then going into the real world, as you grow up, you meet new people. Entering my collegiate career, my coach Katie is an inspiration, along with my teammates. They all have something to bring to the table, and never takes no for an answer. You always learn something from someone, take a piece of that with you and move on. Stringing this back into running, when you have that one inspiration, the one person you can look up to, you know from then on that there was a reason they had such belief in you. When you feel you can't go any faster, they make sure you know you can. That's the care of a coach. That's what makes this journey so rewarding.