Personal Statement
My favorite feeling in the world is the rush of finding out how far I can push my body and mind. I am always seeking out new ways to chase this feeling and the sense of accomplishment that follows. Running is a huge part of my life and I have learned a lot from my running experiences. I love being part of a team and want to continue my running career in college. I believe that being part of a college program would be a great way for me to chase down new goals, challenge myself, make friends, and gain school spirit.
As much as I adore running it is also important for you as a potential college coach to know that I have other passions and value balance in my life. I enjoy challenging myself academically and am interested in a college institution that is intellectually rigorous. I also have a passion for the outdoors and during the last four summers I have attended an intense wilderness camp (last summer I spent twenty days backpacking in the mountains). The aggressive mental and physical challenges that I’ve faced during my time in the outdoors have taught me just how far I can push my limits and those experiences are something that I call on during tough workouts and races. I grew up competing in triathlons and, although my focus has shifted to running, I have continued to compete in at least one each summer. During the winter months I am an avid nordic ski racer. I chase snow around the Midwest, searching for new challenges to overcome. I compete in the Midwest junior national qualifier race series as well as other adult citizen races with distances up to fifty kilometers. As important as these other activities are to me, I see college running as an opportunity to use four years of my life to devote more time and focus to running. I want to see how much I can achieve, both as an individual and as a member of a team.