There's no such thing as an easy sport, and my sport is no exception.
I'm incredibly fortunate that I get to live out my dream every day as a professional
middle-distance runner. I know not everyone gets the opportunity to do that, and
there isn't a day I take for granted.
But getting to this point was beyond challenging.
I've had injuries, setbacks, self-doubt, and plenty of people along the way who
didn't believe I could make it to where I am today.
When I was a freshman at VT, it'd be comical to think I'd be a professional runner
one day. I was a late bloomer, so I was nowhere near the level I'm at now.
But I had a university, community, and team that believed in me, including my
coach, Ben Thomas, who's been a major influence in my life and career.
Coming over from Glasgow, Scotland, I didn't quite know what to expect when I
stepped foot in Blacksburg, but I would soon discover that no matter how much I
struggled or failed, I'd be surrounded by people who believed in me and guided me
on my path to becoming a professional athlete.
Starting at rock bottom
I wasn't unlike any other freshman coming in.
I was starting at the bottom, and I actually looked forward to the challenge of
proving myself and making an impact on the team.
Looking back on it now, perhaps I underestimated how difficult my first year
would be.
I dealt with some illnesses and injuries right away, and it seemed like nothing
could go right for me during my freshman season.
It got so bad that Coach Ben was concerned that I wouldn't come back for my
sophomore season, but that couldn't have been further from the truth.
If anything, these setbacks made me determined to come back stronger and better
than ever.
I had a full year of training and competing without any major obstacles. With
consistency and a clean bill of health, that's when I began to believe I could
compete against the best of the best in the NCAA.
Now or never
My career at VT was a slow burn in terms of progress. As a matter of fact, it took
until my very last college race before I accomplished my ultimate goal of winning
an NCAA title with the group of freshmen I came in with, which made it that more
special.
We won the title at the 2018 Indoors in the distance medley relay, and with all of
us being seniors in our final race, it was a fitting way to go out.
This is what we'd been working toward every year at VT, so we knew going into
the race that this was our last chance to win and bring an NCAA title back home to
Blacksburg.
There weren't any other opportunities.
It was now or never.
So, to rise to the occasion and go out on top is something I'll cherish for the rest of
my life.
To be able to share that moment with Vince, Greg, and Patrick – after all the ups
and downs we've had in our college journeys – is a testament to hard work and
believing in each other every step of the way.
Proving my people right
In 2021, I suffered a calf injury and it couldn't have come at a worse time.
I was training and getting ready for the Olympic Trials when I pulled my calf. It
wasn't a career-ending injury or anything like that, so it could've been much
worse.
But the timing was just awful, to say the least.
What doesn't always get talked about is how cruel it can be at times to be a
professional athlete. With my injury, I couldn't compete at the Olympic Trials, so
sponsorships and federations kind of pulled away and turned their back on me.
It's just the reality of professional sports.
During those low moments, you have to lean on people to help you get through
them. If you let doubt and anger creep into your head, they'll overtake you.
I'm fortunate to have such a great support system in my family and friends, who
have always believed in me. There will always be people that'll count you out
when things aren't going well, but what keeps me going is proving people who
believe in me right.
Improving and staying ready
Once I was able to recover from my calf injury, I've stayed relatively healthy and
have enjoyed some considerable success in my pro career.
Most recently, I competed at the 2023 World Championships, where I finished
ninth in the 1500m. I also had some strong finishes in a few other events that have
made for a productive and accomplished year.
Just like my time at VT, though, I'm always looking to improve, and I've got my
eyes set on a big year for 2024.
The Indoor World Championships are in Glasgow this upcoming March, which is
where I was born and raised. I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to put
on a good show in front of my friends and family to make them proud.
The Olympic Trials are also next summer, just before the 2024 Olympics in Paris,
and because of my calf injury in 2021, I've got some making-up to do this time.
The Blacksburg difference
As I reflect on my time at VT and think about how it shaped me into the person
and athlete I am today, I can't help but think about the absurd amount of talent we
had in the program.
This is highly unprecedented given how difficult it is to be a professional track and
field athlete, but I was in the same class with five runners, including myself, who
turned pro.
Patrick Joseph, Hannah Green, Vince Ciattei, and Drew Piazza.
The culture was second to none. We pushed each other every day in training and
practice and brought out the best in each other.
With a fantastic coach in Coach Ben and the supportive atmosphere in Blacksburg,
I think I can speak for all five of us in saying we wouldn't be where we are now
without our experiences at Virginia Tech.
Truthfully, I don't believe I fully appreciated my time until it was over. I wish I
had spent less time stressing about the results and a little more of the day-to-day
fun that comes with being a college athlete, but I remain eternally grateful for the
journey.
I may be on my own now at the professional level, but I know I'll always have a
university, team, and community waiting for me in Blacksburg.
A place I'll always be proud and happy to run home to.