Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton, 39, retired from professional track and field after a lengthy running career, but remains involved in the sport. Since she began running at age 9, Favor Hamilton’s drive has brought her a lot of success. “I took running to a great obsession. I had to make it my obsession,” Favor Hamilton explained. “Whatever I do, I want to be the best at it. My drive is incredible” At Stevens Point Area Senior High School, in Stevens Point, Wis., Favor Hamilton won 11 state titles, three U.S. Junior 1500-meter titles, two Pan American Juniors gold medals and held a U.S. Junior 1500-meter record. She was the Athlete of the Decade (1990s) and a 14-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she won nine NCAA titles and 23 Big Ten Conference Championships. While attending UW, Favor Hamilton met her husband, Mark. As a professional runner, Favor Hamilton was ranked number one in 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001 and 2002. She was a three-time U.S. Outdoor 1500-meter champion and a three-time Indoor champion as well. Favor Hamilton held U.S. records in the 800-meter (1:58.10) and 1000-meter (2:33.93) distances. A versatile athlete, she also has personal best times of 3:57.40 in the 1500-meter run, 8:46.16 in the 3000-meter run and 15:06.48 in the 5000-meter run. Favor Hamilton had a well-known rivalry with her teammate, two-time Olympic silver medalist Regina Jacobs, for several years. In 2003, Jacobs tested positive for designer steroid THG. After Favor Hamilton found out Jacobs had been doping, she was upset at first, but decided it was best to move on. “At the time I was angry, but there was nothing I could do about it,” she said. “You really can’t worry about what other people are doing. It never enters my mind. I don’t even think about it.” Favor Hamilton competed in the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000. She intended to return to the Games in 2004, but collapsed during the U.S. Olympic Trials final due to a strained hamstring and fractured ischium bone. Despite her success on the track, Favor Hamilton left the professional side of the sport focus on her family and community in New Glarus, Wis. She works in real estate and is a motivational speaker. Favor Hamilton still runs with friends and is involved with charities and races such as the Suzy Favor Hamilton Run for Capital Candlelighters in Madison. She shares her passion for running with younger athletes at the Suzy Favor Hamilton Running Camp in Green Bay. “I cherish that I have the gift of running,” Favor Hamilton said. “It’s huge in my life.” She explained that she had to sacrifice a lot of time and energy to her training when she competed, and was unable to give as much attention to other interests. In addition to the amount of traveling she did, a typical day usually consisted of five hours of double running workouts, strength training and plyometrics. “Every day it was train, train, train,” she described. While she still runs, Favor Hamilton now enjoys cross-training in the winter. She also spends time creating glass and mosaic artwork, which she has loved doing since she was a child. “I was interested in art when I was in pre-school,” she said. “I knew art before I started running.” Favor Hamilton encourages others to do what they enjoy and know that they are unique. She wants her 2-year-old daughter, Kylie, to pursue what she loves to do, even if it isn’t running. Kylie is now Favor Hamilton’s top priority. “After I had her, it opened my world. I want my child and my husband to be number one,” Favor Hamilton explained. “There are so many other things that are more important to me (than running). Now my life is about being with people and really living life. I don’t look back.” *Photo from runningworks.com Suzy Favor Hamilton Running Camp 2007 Suzy's Banned Nike Commercial