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Jon Rankin:
And Then There Was Today
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry 15)

Posted June 19th, 2008 at 12:39 PM 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/

I’m a very emotional guy. There is no denying that. If any of my friends or family members were to be asked to describe me in one word I would venture to say that emotional would be the most popular word used. And so, as I write this final blog entry prior to the Olympic Trials, I write the following words with a hazy view of the computer screen. Why? Well, I’m dually overwhelmed by the feelings of anxiety and gratefulness. I know how lucky I am to be heading the Olympic Trials both healthy and positively motivated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m terrified because I realize how momentous the occasion will be. And yet, I am more terrified because I believe I’m ready and I believe I have a real chance . . . . Holy cow, I might be an Olympian!!

The days that make up these last few weeks leading up to the Olympic Trials have been filled with many hours of reflection. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting upon the last twelve years (it was twelve years ago that I first decided that I wanted to be an Olympian) and everything that I’ve gone through to get to this point in my life. The most important thing that I’ve come to realize is that as alone as I’ve sometimes felt during my journey I’ve never really been alone or on my own. I’ve been lucky enough to have great parents who cared about me and my siblings and who gave us everything they could to help us have the best start in life; And we all know that a good start in any race is priceless and can make all the difference. This “rat” race called life is no different than the race we run on the track or road. One is a microcosm of the other. Of course all of my friends and the men and women who have been like parents to me have helped me find my way when I’ve been lost. Without my family and my friends what I will aim to achieve in these coming weeks wouldn’t mean nearly as much. I not only run because I love it, I run as fast as I can because they’ve all loved me so much. Their love for me lit the path upon which I run so swiftly now. Thanks to all of them for showing me the way whenever I was lost.

As a competitor I believe that I can safely say there isn’t one person who will be competing at the trials without a desire to make the USA Team. I know that there is a great possibility that this could happen and that there is just as good of a chance that this will not happen. So I just want to say that no matter the outcome, in favor of what you desire or not, these moments are truly the beginning to other moments. This is not the end. The only ending is the end result and that‘s only a reflection of that moment and not the future. I believe that we stand on the edge of something greater with every passing day, but that’s only if we choose to see it that way:

It Is Born

Here I came to the very edge
Where nothing at all needs saying,
Everything is absorbed through weather and sea,
And the moon swam back,
Its rays all silvered,
And time and again the darkness would be broken
By the crash of a wave,
And every day on the balcony of the sea,
Wings open, fire is born,
And everything is blue again like morning.

- Pablo Neruda

No matter what happens there will be another day because the sun will always rise. The trick is to make the most of today so that we don’t spend tomorrow fretting over our regrets.

Thanks to all who have always supported me and to those who never stopped believing. May Victory in all Her many forms be seen by all.

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends!! -Coldplay

- Jon

Be sure to check back on July 2, 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.

penelope rankin said:

another good article Jon,it was so very good to be at the trial with you to cheer you on and to support you, your family and friends are all very happy for you with all you have accomplised ,it was very nice spending time with you and meeting all your friends,you are very special to us and we are very very proud of you ,keep up all your hard work .
love you lots
mom
July 16th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Jon Rankin: Without Fear or Hope(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 16) | TheFinalSprint.com | Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More! said:

[…] To comment on this entry and to to send questions and/or feedback to Jon, please please click here. […]
July 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm