Personal Statement

I haven't always been a runner. My family owns a local bike shop, which is where I got my huge thighs and calves most likely. Before I started running, I had two huge goals as a child. I wanted to be the first female to ride in the Tour De France. I understand now that it is impossible, but I got out everyday to ride my bike until I was too tired to ride any further. Then I had to ride back home. 

I also used to play basketball, until the end of my 8th grade year. (I decided to focus on track instead) It was my dream to play college basketball at the University of Arkansas. My dad took me to every home game we could make to watch the Lady Razorbacks play. I loved meeting them, and it made me feel like I was already a Lady Razorback. I went out everyday to shoot and work on dribbling drills for hours at a time. After too many injuries in basketball (my coach agreed I was too fast to be as aggressive as I was, leading to many ankle injuries) 

Now that I've found track, I'm hooked for life. I started running competitively in 7th grade, I ran up for my junior high. My freshman year, I ran up varsity for the high school I now attend. Throughout my life, I've made it a habit to set incredibly high goals. My goal for track? I want to run in the Olympics. Many people tell me I won't make it, but every time I step in that gym, every time I show up to practice, I'm ready to make progress toward proving them wrong. I'm not doing it for them though. I'm doing it for myself. Running is my passion. Even when I can't run track and field any longer, you can bet to see me running in local 5ks and 10ks. I plan to run for as long as I can. So what is my biggest life goal? I want to be on the track running my heart out in Tokyo in 2020. Will you help me get there?