Habari! It’s been awhile, so I hope everyone is doing well as State steadily approaches. I have been slowly getting back to running and so far have no complaints. Everything has been going great and everyone at the UF Orthopedic Center helped me out so much. It has been a steady progression, but it is definitely an amazing feeling just to be back on the beautiful trails of Tallahassee. Also being around my teammates is always the best feeling. Always a reminder to me and all other athletes- taking care of your body is very important. It is the little things that matter, and as such hard working runners, we owe it to our bodies to take care of them. Listen to your body and that itself will take you a long way.
This week is regional’s for everyone. We should all be proud for getting this far. The Marauders, on both the girls and guys side won districts last week. Maclay will be competing at the Sunny Hill course for regionals. It has been so wonderful to see how far the girls have come and they just continue to show so much tenacity out on the course. Everyone has just stepped it up a notch and it really shows how hard we are working. The boys (or men, as they would like to be called) have also come a long ways. Shout out to George Gwyn, our star studded freshman who just set an impressive pr of 17:36 at our district meet. Congrats George! Also, we have several seniors on the team who have just done a great job leading the team and setting a good example. I am so excited to see what is to come at Regional’s and State. GO MAURADERS!
On the collegiate level, l would like to say two words. GO HOYAS! They won Big east not too long ago, and I wish them the best of luck at Regional’s and Nationals. I am SO excited to be a Hoya next year; words can’t even begin to describe it. I would also like to congratulate Violah Lagat for winning ACC’s. You are awesome and such a great role model. Love ya. Everyone is doing so well in their respective college teams. What make these teams so great are the young stars that come out of high school ready to contribute all that they can. So, I see we have had some more commitments in the past two weeks or so. I’ll do my best to include everyone! HUGE CONGRATS to Katy Solis (University of Mississippi), Ceolamar Ways (UNC Chapel Hill), Teray Smith to (Auburn University), Kristin Zarrella (University of Southern Miss.), Nikita Shah ( Harvard University), Taylor Tubbs (UF), Kali-Davis White( Florida State) and Sabria Hadley( Clemson). You guys are awesome, and every one of those colleges and universities are truly honored to have such talented people.
So this week I would like to give a little piece of motivation for those who are preparing for their last two races. Everyone has come so far. Being a runner is an achievement in itself. Running takes hard work, diligence and patience. It is now time to show everyone what you’ve got. It is not the end, it is merely the beginning. You have done everything you can; now it is time to have your mind and body work hand in hand. You were built to do this and no one will stop you from reaching your goal. Once your legs start moving, there is really no turning back. It is who can come across the finish line on top! You all have the will and power to succeed. Cross country is also a team sport. Remember ladies and gents, you have all carried each other through this whole journey. Keep working together until the end. Push each other on and run with passion. Passion for the sport and passion for your team! When the gun goes off, lose yourself in the race and find yourself at the finish line and you will come out on top no matter what! Keep working hard and live by this quote for the next two weeks:
“Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'.” -Paul Tergat
Happy Running and God Speed