On Facebook, we ran the "Finish Strong 2009" Contest. Of all the submissions we received, we felt that Rae Alexander's story about her son described the Finish Strong attitude perfectly. Thank you for sharing this amazing story, Rae!
My story involves my son (Colby) who overcame a number of obstacles during his high school running career. Fighting through injuries and barriers became the norm for him. He spent countless hours cross training and fighting his way back from stress fractures and other obstacles to his running goals.
This fall, as the cross country season progressed, Colby was progressing toward his goal of the State Championship. The morning of the Regional Championship which qualifies to the State Meet, he woke up feeling miserable. He had a case of the H1N1. He ran the race and barely qualified but crashed for several days following and started on the antiviral medication prescribed to him.
He attempted to work hard and maintain a positive attitude going into the State Championship meet, but as his coach, it was difficult to offer reassurance and accept his plans to strive for the top place he could have achieved when healthier. He ran the race and finished well behind many competitors that he had previously raced and beaten.
Colby didn't give up his other dreams of racing in a senior all-star meet and the Footlocker Midwest Regional which is a qualifier for the Footlocker National Championship. It was obvious that he felt better the weeks leading to the All-Star meet and he again kept his focus on his goals. He ran well, felt better, but again fell short of his finish goal.
Once more he stuck to his plan, and the goals that were plastered all over his mirror and walls, and trained to race at the Footlocker Midwest Regional.
We focused on keeping him positive, almost preparing him to settle for an All-Region finish and to be part of the Ohio scoring team. He refused to settle and despite some workouts that were not as promising as we hoped he stayed positive and goal driven.
Colby got on the starting line with champions from thirteen states that day. His dream was to be a Footlocker Finalist and be in the top ten qualifiers. He was an underdog and he was clearly not in anyone's list when predicting potential qualifiers to the National Championship.
Colby ran the race of his life, he was focused determined, and he had fire in his eyes. He finished seventh and lived his dream.
He was a National qualifier.
Since then, he achieved another goal. He has always wanted to wear the "O" of an Oregon Duck. He is a recruit for the University of Oregon and will sign a letter of intent in a couple of days.
Despite setbacks and obstacles and injuries, Colby's dreams keep coming true. He keeps his sights on the goals and will do what is necessary to reach for stars. He will always "finish strong" because he has a positive attitude and can focus on his goals.