A week or so ago, I met a college triple jumper and somehow ended up asking her if she wanted to compete professionally. Her response was, “It’s not my dream but I wouldn’t mind.” Upon further reflection, I believe when I first came out of college that was me. It wasn’t my dream to run professionally, I don’t think I really knew what I wanted to do (I’m not sure if I even know what I really want to do now lol). When I first came out of college it just seemed like the right move. It was more of a curiosity than a dream. I believed I could run a lot faster. I thought that by going to a small school and doing well (becoming All-American, making Nationals 3/4 years, going to the Olympic Trials) that if I’d been able to go to a larger school with more resources, I would have done even better and I wanted to know how fast I could go under the “right training” but “a dream” probably not even close. Through that journey, I met some amazing people, traveled, and learned a lot about myself and others.

You are probably wondering, well is it a dream now???? A dream?

Well according to Webster, a dream (in the context I am talking) is defined as;

Something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time

4. a:  a strongly desired goal or purpose <a dream of becoming president>

b:  something that fully satisfies a wish :ideal <a meal that was a gourmet’s dream>

I don’t think this defines how I look at it now. It is more of a relentless mission. Something I feel I have been assigned to do and must fight tireless to achieve. There is an objective, a plan, a strategy… it is no longer a strong desire because a desire is longing for or hoping or wanting… No, this is not desire it is will, diligence, sacrifice, action. A dream is something that isn’t going to happen, “A dream come true” is a surprise. This will be fought for with sweat, lactic acid, tears, prayer, weight room, workouts, drills, it will be no surprise, it will be deserved. This is not a game, it’s a war, against opponents but more importantly myself. As Muhammad Ali said,

“Champions are not made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them- a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

All of this to say, the young girl made me think about how far I’ve come, where I’m headed and what it takes.