So I made it through my first U.S. Championships as a professional runner…exciting right?! Though I am not satisfied with my performance (I'm not sure anyone but the winner ever really is), I am thrilled to be going to Doha, Qatar to represent the United States. At this point in my career, I want to take every opportunity to seize the moment and learn from it. I really feel like I need all the experience I can get and there is only one-way to get it: Racing…especially international racing. I had the opportunity to race internationally a few times and let me tell you…it is a different world. Those girls are tough. In order to beat them, you have to be tougher. I know things don’t happen overnight but I really think this meet will be a huge growth opportunity for me. I also hope this will hopefully be the start of many more national teams and competitions to come!

I am still working on figuring out the whole “pro” aspect of running. Like every transition, I am sure it will take time. I am the girl who started my running career at age 13 wearing a soccer jersey and cheerleading shoes. It's exciting to me to see how far I've come since then, and even more exciting to look forward at how much more of the journey still lies ahead.

My first goal at Worlds is to make the finals. Easily said. Not so easily done. However, someone once told me “to ever achieve greatly, one must dare to fail greatly.” It was actually the quote that I had taped to my bedroom mirror when I was a senior in high school…right beside my time goal of running 4:35 for the mile. Though I fell a little short of that goal (I ran 4:36 that year), I was still proud of my efforts to attain it. The same goes for my goals now. As long as I dare to achieve them…then I won’t disappoint myself.

I have always considered my ability to run as a “gift from God,” so now it is up to me to use it.

As for my next challenge, I have some serious packing to do.

Wish me luck!

Sarah