Our society in many ways is one that defines people by their professions. One of the first things Stan Beecham (our sports psychologist) asked me when I met with him after being at Zap for about a month is, “When people ask you what you do, what your profession is, what do you tell them?” When I graduated college I was technically a professional runner, but I did not feel like much of one. I was getting some gear from Puma and later acquired travel money from the NYAC (New York Athletics Club). However, I was still substitute teaching 20+ hours a week and teaching online college classes as well. My training capacity was actually lower than when I was a college student. People would ask me “What do you do?” and my answer then went something like this, “Well, I am a substitute teacher, but I actually am a semi-professional runner.” Pretty weak huh?

I think that self-perception in many ways determines what you do, or sadly do not do, with your life. If you believe as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow that you are a person not only capable of but deserving of your dreams, only then will they materialize. Your actions every day will be appropriate of the person you unwaveringly believe yourself to be.  If you genuinely believe it is your right to accomplish something, only then will you fight with every fiber of your being for it.

I ran PRs last year and got my first Olympic Trials qualifier. However, if you asked me how my year went I would tell you it bottom line sucked. My goals were much higher. I did not make the next step in the running world. I didn’t truly see myself as a professional athlete, and I did not perform like one.

A lot has changed in the last  5 months. I moved my whole life into a small room up in the mountains of North Carolina. I have a new coach, new training, and new teammates. I still teach online a bit, but each day I get to focus completely on running. I have been blessed with the opportunity to wake up every day and relentlessly chase my dream. I now have NO EXCUSES to hide behind.

I have been at Zap since July 1st. That means I have had 5 months to adapt to the new environment, people, training program, and work my ass off to achieve the next big goal. That goal is making my first national team and representing my country. To say I am excited and hungry for the next step in my career would be a titanic understatement. I finally feel comfortable here and in the new system. It is time to really go to work.

“When people ask you what you do, what your profession is, what do you tell them?” asked Stan. “I tell them I am a professional athlete,” I firmly replied.