Jon Rankin: Because You’re the One I Love
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #13)
Posted May 26th, 2008 at 2:14 PM by Jon Rankin
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Jon Rankin
Welcome to the official blog of rising U.S. track & field star Jon Rankin; the inaugural member of The Final Sprint’s Elite Athlete Blog Series. Be sure to check back every other Wednesday for Jon’s latest entry at http://jonrankin.thefinalsprint.com/
Every time I step on the track I ask my self this simple question: why? I ask my self again and again why I put my body and mind through all this trouble and pain. And before I know it I hear Coach Cruz yell ‘GO!’ and I’m off without a second thought or answer. I just start running. Occasionally I’ll hear the voice of a teammate as I run by or the sound of the wind howling past my ears as I put one leg in front of the other as fast as I can. All the while hoping I don’t cave in before they give out. And before I know it the workout is a blur or the race is over, my erratic heart beat has slowly subsided to a subdued pitter-patter and I come to eventually find that I’m still in one piece. And as I cool down I think back to the question that always plagues my mind before every race and every workout: why? And the only answer, in the midst of all the heavy breathing, drowned out voices and splits that have no meaning, which seems to unveil itself to me, is that running is the one thing I love most. And that’s why I’ll never stop.
These past few weeks have given me many reasons to rejoice in the hard work and planning that has gone into my training. I’ve remained fairly uninjured and I’ve been racing as well, if not better, than I ever have. Now that’s not to say that there still isn’t a lot of work to do or that I’m satisfied with the results because there is and I’m not. I just think that I must admit that things are going well and that I’m grateful for that much.
My season thus far has been comprised of quite a few 800m races and one recent 1500m race. The 800m race is one where I lack a lot of competitive experience and therefore, require more work to improve as much as I’m hoping to prior to the trials. I’m still not too sure if I’ll race the 800m or the 1500m at the trials, but it’s nice to have the option to do either or both. My personal best for 800m is 1:47.11 and so far this season I’ve run 1:47.4. I look forward to continuing to learn more about how to best race this event; and I anticipate being pushed beyond my limits to greater heights over the coming weeks. I believe that there are an abundance of great 800m runners in the U.S.A and that will make this event at the trials among the most competitive. I’m extremely excited by the challenges that such a competitive event will bring. I’m very curious as to whether or not I can overcome those challenges. For my self, it’s another great question that I look forward to eventually finding out the answer to.
As far as my primary event, the 1500m, goes I can’t complain about my start in that event. I had the most amazing opener in this event this past Sunday, May 18th at the Adidas Track Classic in Carson, California. I was very fortunate to be invited to compete in this prestigious event; and even more blessed to have felt, competed and ran so well. I felt better than I imagined I would. I competed with great patience never making any big moves and never overreacting to anything that went on around me. And I finished off a strong race with my best opening mark of the year running 3:36. I was quite surprised by the result because we haven’t put as much emphasis on the 1500m in training, but I believe we have been and I just haven’t noticed (thanks Coach!). Regardless, I’m so fortunate to start the season off with a positive result. Again, there is a lot of work still left to do and honestly, a long season to go, but it’s nice to start the season the way we have so far.
At this point my mindset has been primarily focused on growth. I had mentioned in an earlier blog entry that I have so much to learn. In spite of the fast times I know that I’m not where I would like to be. I’m happy to be running as well as I am, but I want to be better because I believe I have a lot more to give. And so I maintain this mindset because I never want to settle or become complacent with what I’ve done when I know that I haven’t met my biggest goals. So I’ll keep having fun and enjoying the work while keeping my eye on the biggest dreams that still remain just that—dreams. Until they come to be my reality I cannot settle for anything less than making them come true.
Cheers to the Goddess of Victory!
- Jon
NOTE: Look for Jon this Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Reebok Grand Prix on Randall’s Island, NY where he’ll compete againts a tough field in the 800m!
Also, check back on June 4, 2008 for Jon’s latest entry at: http://jonrankin.thefinalsprint.com/
To comment on this entry and to to send questions and/or feedback to Jon, please please click here.
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Tags: 800m, adidas Track Classic, elite athlete blog, elite athlete blog series, global athletics, goddess of victory, jon rankin, middle distance, olympic dream, professional running blog, Reebok Grand Prix, the final sprint elite athlete blog series, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, track and field, u.s. olympic track & field trials
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The Final Sprint
For all you Jon Rankin fans out there, I’ve made an “unofficial” site about him:
http://www.squidoo.com/jon_rankin
It’s got a biography, stats, video, photos and even a bit of trivia. You can even voice your opinion about which event Jon should compete in in Eugene: 800 or 1500?
I’ll be updating it often, so stop by and check it out!
May 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pmJon, My brother, My hero!! Im am so proud to read about your success and then to look at things in your eyes and your thoughts… its very encourageing we are so very proud of you Jon we are following you and always with you we keep you in our prays everyday we love you very very much and keep up the hard work SHOOT FOR THE STARS JON!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND WE LOVE YOU, KELLY, DONNIE AND DD, DJ
June 6th, 2008 at 11:31 am