Happy Birthday, America
July 4, 2010On June 26, 2005, I represented the United States internationally for the first time as a member of the 100K World Cup team.
When I first qualified for the team, I regarded it mostly as a personal achievement — a “Hooray for me!” moment. I did not devote much thought to interacting with my teammates or representing my country. But that 2005 trip to Japan and subsequent World Cup competitions in the Netherlands (2007) and Italy (2008) changed me. I started to think of myself as an ambassador of sorts, and of my teammates as colleagues who deserved my full support. And I pushed myself to become a faster runner more worthy of the uniform that I wore.
While I have yet to reach my full potential as a Team USA athlete, I’d like to thank the many countrymen who make it possible for me to run in these races and inspire me to compete with honor.
Happy Birthday, America.
Japan 2005: Me at 80K, assisted by Colin, Liz (handing out Gu), and Lion, Mike, and Tak (with sponges).
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