The Pursuit of Excellence

What kid doesn't want to be an Olympian?

When I was in 7th grade, I became heavily involved in cross country and track. At the time, I was a tough farm girl who knew what it meant to work hard, and had some ( ok, they were little) muscles on my bones. Many of my fellow teammates were still coming on to their athleticism, which only meant I had a head start.

So, in 7th and 8th grade, I had my heart set on becoming a nationally-known runner. I was winning medals, and began decorating my room with quotes, and put my whole heart into the sport. The possibilities seemed to expand into the sky.

When I entered the varsity xc/track teams, I found myself among some very athletic (and, more mature than me) women. I was no longer winning the 100m hurdles, or taking the top spots in cross country invitationals. I still put up a fight for my competition, but the experience was humbling, and I suppose the dreams of becoming a nationally-ranked runner, waned.

I hit the peak of my performances as a sophomore, and spent my junior and senior years of high school, chasing the times I had put down earlier in my career. My love for playing violin became a distraction as well, and a few of my coaches correlated my decrease in athletic performance, to my increase in time devoted to the violin. I began to lose interest.

Upon entering college at Penn State Behrend, I joined the cross-country and track teams, but with a wavering heart. I had originally told the coach I would not run for them because my heart and mind were no longer in it. After several hours on a campus-tour with the coach, I realized I couldn't turn back on something that had been such a big part of my life.

My cross-country career never really took off, but my times on the track began to improve again, as I rekindled my love for spikes and the rubber-topped oval track. But, Olympics? Or becoming nationally-ranked? That was long past, and the fire that drove me to run faster times, was simply the fire that challenged me to always be at MY best. It wasn't to prove I was better than someone. (There are some high caliber athletes here at the OTC who just want to prove they're BETTER than you). It was to prove to myself, what I could do.

To be at MY best.

So, now, Here I am, at the opportunity of a lifetime, and with the possibility of competing in the Olympics is in the closest reach that it has EVER been. And I got here on ACCIDENT! How does this happen? And how will I ever measure up to an 'Olympian'? Most of the women here are jacked! Muscles abound, big round bums, and super quick feet... where do I fit in? HOW do I get to the point of fitting in?

well...

I've been going to Bible studies with Pastor Derek Spain from the Baptist church up here. He is a really great guy, and correlates the studies with our lives as elite athletes.

I've now gone to Derek's church twice, and to bible study twice, and both times I come away being more energized and with my mind more straight than it has been in weeks.

Last night, Bible study concentrated on the "Pursuit of Excellence"
http://ncministries.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/the-passionate-pursuit-of-excellence/


How do we get to our 'best'? In the work place, on the athletic field, in family life? Do you weigh yourself against others? Do you give in to temptations? Do you work hard, or try to take shortcuts? What conscious decisions do you make that will help you to improve in the areas you lack?

I recommend everyone to click on the link. He really breaks everything down well.

So, I came out of yesterdays study, feeling more confident about my own 'pursuit of excellence.' I'm excited to be here, and know that my effort to date is minimal yet. I will keep taking step after step to achieve my own 'Excellence.' To be at MY best. I'm not there yet, and I don't know that you can ever be at your VERY best. There are always ways to achieve an even higher level of excellence.

As my ninth grade teacher, Mr. Srock once said "It's not enough to be good, if you have the ability to be better."