What was your most memorable race?
I don’t have one race that sticks out as being my most memorable race. I would have to say that there were many races my junior year where I broke personal records. My first race I ever ran sophomore year was a pretty neat experience. I also consider my junior track season when I advanced to regionals in the 800, 1600, and 3200 and received a ribbon in all three to be very memorable. I could hardly believe it and I was blessed that the Lord allowed me to run three PR’s that night.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over the years?
I have only run for three years, and throughout those years my competition changed from race to race. However, I would have to consider myself to be my biggest competition in my three years of running. I found that overcoming the various mental aspects, from what to eat before a race to kicking at the final half mile mark, to be a challenge that only I could win if I chose to do so myself. I could be my biggest motivator or my biggest discourager and I have come to realize that my biggest competition is me.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment through running is two-fold. First, I have had the privilege to be a part of and influence the lives of others on my team, and also younger athletes. I consider this to be a great accomplishment because this goes beyond the track or cross country course. Races are over in a day, but people remember those who show them kindness or took the time to reach out. I am incredibly privileged and blessed to have been given the opportunity to do this. The second part of what I consider to be an accomplishment is receiving a scholarship that will pay for a great majority of my college. This is something that will not only influence my running in the future, but also help me receive a college degree. I am grateful that the Lord allowed me to accomplish this and hope to continue to use this accomplishment to run to the best of my ability for the Bryan Lions.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Looking back there would be some things I would change, though some of them were out of my control. I would definitely start running earlier. I didn’t begin running until the Saturday before practice started my sophomore year, so I didn’t have as much time to train and get better as most. There are some races I would do over, and I would probably try and find a private coach that really pushed me to reach my full potential early on, but especially my senior year. However, everything that happened in my high school running career happened for a reason and through the various events I have grown stronger than ever in my walk with the Lord. While I would have changed some things, in the end view I can look back with no regrets and can honestly say I am not happy I had to go through them, but I am thankful for the lessons I have learned through high school running.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was staying strong mentally and trying to figure out what to do and what was best for me somewhat on my own. I did most of my runs by myself and I had to really learn to push through and be motivated even when I didn’t want to. I had pneumonia the summer before my senior year which took away from training time, and I also had very low iron my senior cross country season. When my performances were dropping and I couldn’t figure out why my parents took me to the doctor. It was relieving to know I could fix the problem, but also very discouraging that my season went the way it did because I didn’t know there was anything wrong. The other difficult obstacle I overcame was my junior year Regional XC meet when someone deliberately pushed me off the trail and injured me, taking my chance of going to state (which I was seeded to do) with it. It was hard to keep a Christ-like attitude, and also difficult to see my season end that way when the person who pushed me was someone I knew.
What will you miss the most?
The thing I will miss the most about high school running, is being around my family during meets, the car rides home, telling them how practice went, and just having all the comforts of home and family constantly around and involved in my running life. I will miss many of the underclassman who have become some of my best friends who I met through running. I will also miss all the support and encouragement from my local family, church body, and friends! In addition, I’ll miss having the opportunity to encourage, motivate, and build relationships with those who live in, and can make a difference in, our small town.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Don’t be afraid to get out there and run, because everyone has to start somewhere. Work hard and give your absolute best, but remember to listen to your body and not over train. Have a good attitude, and be thankful that you are able to run at all because so many people would love to be able to complete a race and are unable. Remember running isn’t who you are, it’s what you do, so strive to be a person who’s reputation is known for being more than just “the runner.” Don’t take for granted what the Lord has blessed you with and use your talent to the best of your ability.
What are your college plans?
For college, I am signed to run cross country, indoor, and outdoor track for Bryan College in Dayton, TN! It’s my dream school since third grade and I am incredibly blessed that the Lord allowed me to see running take me there. I plan to major in Elementary Education and minor in Exercise and Health Science and Bible.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would first and foremost like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to run, giving me the strength and endurance, and teaching me many lessons through running. I would like to say thank you to my parents, who have always loved, encouraged, supported, and pushed me to become a better runner. I would like to thank my 6 brothers and my little sis who have always been encouraging. I would also like to thank Krista Schult for taking the time to coach me, Bryson Harper who is going to be my college coach and has given me the opportunity to run in college, and also everyone in my extended family and friends. You have all helped shape me into the person I am today and also played a part in my running.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would once again like to thank everyone who has contributed to helping me throughout my high school running days. In addition, running is a lifelong sport that has no age limit. So no matter who you are, what your current fitness level is, or what you think you can’t do. Just remember that even a bad run is better than no run at all, so don’t hesitate to get fit because YOU CAN DO IT! “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus... “ Hebrews 12:1-3.
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Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: TGrasley@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2013 on all their hard work and success.