As the promise of a warm Carolina spring blazing down the
track begins to once again creep it’s way into my head, the reality of a harsh
winter ahead is becoming easier to accept. In fact, winter is my favorite season of the year. There’s
something beautiful about nature’s preparation for hard times. There’s no
hiding or covering up. Nature rises to the occasion, gets strong, and prevails.
I like to use this as an analogy for the type of person you have to become in
order to be a successful distance runner. This mentality of acceptance of hard
times, and the readiness of standing tall.
Jeremy and myself raced at Kent State this past Friday, and
though neither of us where happy about the outcome, I think it helped get our
minds right leading into this next block. It was a harsh shock racing around an
indoor track again, but competing is something I’ve always loved, and it was
nice to get back in that shark tank.
I’ve reached out to my old teammate and now current
Assistant men’s and women’s Cross Country and Track Coach at Bowling Green
State University, Chuck Wentz, to help me with training and coaching. Chuck has
been very successful at BGSU, and I’m excited to see where he can take me in my
running. I’ve had some goals since 2012 I’ve wanted to achieve, and it seems
like I’ve put myself in a good position to go after it this Spring. Athens has
been a staple in my life now, and I’m anxious to continue to work hard everyday
and grow as a runner, and in my career path with Morison Healthcare.
There’s no easy way to do it. Nowhere to hide or cover up
from the harsh reality of hard work prospers. So grow strong, and continue to
work hard towards unfulfilled potential.
-BJW
