After successfully finishing my first year of college, I took some time to reflect on how I got to the place where I am.

I would be lying if I said that this year, running-wise, was easy, because it wasn’t. I had never been in so much pain or felt so disappointed in my results. I am the type of person who will push through anything because that’s what I was taught.

I wouldn’t have even dreamed of running in college without the help and support of my high school coach. My freshman year, you saw something in me that even I didn’t see. You saw the potential for greater things and more than anything, you saw how passionate I was about what I was doing. That year was by far the most memorable year that I had and that year was what made me fall in love with running.

Through all my injuries and struggles in high school, you still believed in me. You knew that I wanted nothing more than to help my team and that I would do anything to do so. I raced when I was sick. I focused when the day was rough because practices always made it better.

You sent me encouraging notes during class the day of a big meet, telling me to relax and set a goal for me to meet, telling me it was time for me to step up and be a leader. You saw that in me.

So thank you. Thank you for everything that you did for me while I was in high school. Thank you for everything you continue to do for me now that I’m competing in college.

Some day, I aspire to be the type of coach that you are because you helped me to find what I love doing and to never give up on it, no matter what obstacles stand in your way.