Jon Rankin: Before It All Begins, I Imagine
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #14)
Posted June 5th, 2008 at 11:30 AM by Jon Rankin
Section: 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/
As I sit on the bench by the track today and I start to prepare for my training session, I find myself staring off into space. I stare at the trees that surround the track as they rhythmically sway back and forth with the quietly blowing wind; my mind dances from one thought to the next, seeming to follow their oceanic pace. My thoughts are daydreams of a grand performance that I hope to have this coming Sunday in Eugene at the Prefontaine Classic.
These thoughts that I have are often so vivid because I’ve convinced myself a long time ago that they are real moments that have not yet happened. I can’t imagine continuing to pursue what are seemingly pretty wild goals without the belief that they are possible. Honestly, I think that it would make the task of achieving a goal that much harder if I didn’t believe deep down inside that I could really make it happen.
The trees continue to sway back and forth like a metronome setting a pace that only my heart could keep up with as I just sit and dream on the bench. After a while I notice other athletes trickling down the stairs and moving toward the track. Out of the corner of my eye I notice them staring at me almost in bewilderment. I think it’s because nearly every day I’m found with a smile on my face and a look of complete serenity. So I can only imagine what they are thinking as they find me staring off into the distance. I’m not too sure what comes to their minds as they notice a very contemplative Jon Rankin not moving quickly to get practice started or even halfway through with practice before they arrive.
In my heart I knew that the answer is that this day is a day of deep contemplation and reflection; that today I want to see myself doing something special this coming Sunday. Before that can happen, I feel like I have to be brave enough to at least dream it first. I don’t know why, but I just feel like today is a day to dream.
Today, as I day-dream, all I can see are my dreams and all I can hear are the sounds of trees rustling as the wind soars through their “hair.” As I sit there, these are the words that flow through my mind:
As I stare at nothing they stare at me,
wondering what I’m pondering,
trying to discover my deepest, darkest thoughts,
hoping to get a glimpse of the things I see
right in front of me, yet,
not there at all.
If destiny and faith are on my side,
if I can make dreams reality,
They all will see what I see,
They all will know what I know.
If! And only if!
Do I dare share my inner world with all who watch?
Make their reality what’s really inside of me.
Oh! How grand this world would be
if I would just take my dreams out of my head
and place them upon a canvas,
table or track without a second thought or act,
That would be a miracle all would wish to see.
Before it all begins I must always convince myself that it can be made into reality. I believe the race is the final act to every dream. Yet it’s up to the person to determine what the finale will be. At the Pre Classic the finale to my dream is my own to know, but know this: That I dream of something grand . . . All around us are miracles: a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, a flower blossoms, the wind makes the trees sing sweet melodious songs that only Mother Nature can create. I am convinced that my dreams can come true not just because I dare to dream but also because I believe we are all capable of something considerably miraculous. I just don’t know when that day will be for me. I hope I recognize it when it comes. . . .
- Jon
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Tags: Bowerman Mile, elite athlete blog, elite athlete blog series, jon rankin, middle distance, Prefontaine Classic, professional running blog, 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
Great post, Jon! Can’t wait to see you turn that dream into reality on Sunday!
June 5th, 2008 at 10:32 amYour wonderful writing is refreshing to read–it’s a lost craft.
June 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pmJon,
I cheered you on in front of my TV.
Glad to see you run soooo beautifully and with GOD
I am behind you!
June 8th, 2008 at 5:58 pmJon,
I like this entry… awesome stuff.
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
Hope to see you around soon.
–jc
June 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pmThis is an absolutely beautiful entry. Every word is inspiring.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pmOk, I’m a fan npow..I was just going over the start list for the 8 and 15 at the trials and I was just curious…because I felt I didn’t know enough about Jon Rankin
June 19th, 2008 at 9:04 ami write this blog that nobody reads and I was going to do an event by event analysis, from a 30 year, 80,000 mile veteran, recently suffering through his first arthoscopic surgery…..
anyway, for kicks I was gonna do an event by event prediction and not use notes, just for the challenge…
but before hand, I just wanted to study up a little more on you, Sam Burley and a clittle more on Will Leer, although I know he came froma small college..
Anyway, I’m glad I did this…
i’m pullin for ya!