Saying Goodbye To Bolt

"He's done it! The Triple-Triple!"

For three successive Olympic games, Usain Bolt has blasted the competition away, winning gold medals in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 4x100 meter relay. The domination of Bolt has been unprecedented over the last 8 years, culminating in impressive performances at this past summer's Olympics in Rio.

But it's bittersweet.

Because the big man himself has said for years and years that this would be it. Rio would be his last Olympics, with the 2017 world championships to mark his last competition before retirement.

And how do you say goodbye to a man who has inspired an entire generation of young athletes? A role model, superstar, and nearly a living legend will be coming to the end of his career in just a short time.

But what a blessing it has been to follow him through his track and field epic.

I'll admit, I was not his number one fan when he first stepped on to the scene. His cocky attitude and larger than life presence on the track overwhelmed me. However, as I progressed through my own career and understood more about the power of setting and achieving your own goals, I began to respect him more and more. How could I not respect someone who forever changed my sport?

From a young goofy kid with talent but without a grasp on just how powerful he would actually become in the sport of track and field, one who would give so many aspiring athletes the courage to believe in themselves...

...to a poised and confident man who so often reminds me why I run....

Thanks, Bolt.