Jon Rankin:
Somewhere Only We Know
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #11)
Posted May 1st, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Jon Rankin
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, 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/
It’s the end of April and the weather here in San Diego is getting hotter and hotter. I’m grateful for the warm weather, but boy, anything over 90 degrees makes things a little tough for training. However, as hot as it has been I do believe that it must be a blessing in disguise because I’ve been told that the weather in Beijing, China is particularly warm . . . Well, all of the athletes living here at the ARCO Olympic Training Center here in Chula Vista, California are adjusting and making the most of everyday no matter the weather conditions.
I’ve actually been on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to weather conditions. For nearly eight days a small group of track and field athletes from the Chula Vista ARCO Olympic Training Center travelled to Eugene, Oregon for a sneak peek at the Olympic Trials venue at Hayward field on the University of Oregon campus.
For the first few days of our trip it was raining on and off and pretty cold. I’m sure it wasn’t that cold for those who live in Eugene year around, but for us “California cup cakes” it was outside of our comfort zone.
As a middle distance runner I was able to make the most of everyday in spite of cold and rainy conditions. My event specialties allow me to train in nearly all conditions without having to compromise the quality of the session. Yet, even with this in mind it was hard to convince some of my peers from the Mammoth Lakes area running group that my week long jaunt up to Eugene during a very abnormally cold April was a good idea, especially when San Diego was experiencing more tolerable weather conditions. I heeded their cautionary words of advice, but was undeterred from changing my trip because I was anxious to see the newly restored Hayward Field–I wasn’t disappointed.
Hayward Field is truly a magical place. It truly is a perfect venue for the Olympic Trials. As we made the daily trek over the University and the track from our hotel I couldn’t help but feel both a sense of excitement and appreciation about my participation in the Olympic Trials. I felt excited because I’m anxious to see if I can make the Olympic Team in two months; and I’m grateful because I’m going to have an opportunity to make one of my biggest dreams come true: becoming a US Olympian. Just being able to run around the track where my dreams could come true gave me the greatest feeling. I realize that I’ve been on an amazing journey just to get to this point in my life and my running career. I know I’m one of the luckiest people in the world because not too many people get to be this close to making their dreams come true. And even wilder to think, most people don’t even know when or where their dreams will come true. For all of the track and field athletes in the USA we do: June 27th through July 6th, 2008 at Hayward Field!
I humbly dedicate this blog to everyone chasing their Olympic dreams on June 27th through July 6th of this year. After visiting Hayward Field the greatest sense of hope for all of my peers and competitors filled my heart. As I trained in Eugene, Oregon I came to the realization that I’m not alone with this dream of mine. There are hundreds and thousands of others who share this same dream—some will be competing, all will be watching, and cheering and a few will be conjuring up their own dreams from what they see–and I hope that all get a chance to make it come true in some way.
This is our dream, our moment and our time. I’m just happy that I get to be a part of it. I hope I can contribute to making it a moment that all who take part and all who watch will remember forever.
-Jon
Check back on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 for Jon’s latest entry at: http://jonrankin.thefinalsprint.com/
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Tags: arco, California, chula vista, chula vista arco olympic training center, dedicate, dedication, dream, elite athlete blog, elite athlete blog series, Eugene, hayward field, jon rankin, olympic dream, olympic training center, Olympic Trials, oregon, professional running blog, san diego, the final sprint elite athlete blog series, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, u.s. olympic track & field trials, university of oregon
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The Final Sprint
Great blog and best of luck.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:40 pmjon i just want to wish you good luck at the trial and let you know i will be praying and watching and cheering you on,this was a great article .
i believe in you and love you.
mom
May 12th, 2008 at 12:48 pm