An Olympic Spotlight - Ryan Hall

For those of you watching the Olympics this year, I want you all to keep an eye out for American marathon-man Ryan Hall. This guy is the real deal--committed Christian, family man and competitor. He has been featured in Runner's World magazine many times and an article recently delved into his spiritual life. Check out the article here. He also has a blog that gives further insight into the mind and heart of this remarkable athlete. Here's an excerpt from one blog that caught my attention:

"Perhaps we shouldn't be watching TV dreaming of what we can achieve in athletics, but rather what kind of fulfilling lives could we live if we prioritized what really matters. So what really matters? Well, I realize that I am only 25 years old but I have had a lot of dreams come crashing down on me. I had been told that if I believe and work with a passionate focus towards my goals than they would come true. However, like I said, sometimes no matter how hard you try you just come up short. Some of the goals we have may not even be possible for everyone to accomplish. For example, I know that every guy on the starting line of the Olympic Marathon on August 24th will have dreamt of winning the gold medal, but only one can win. What I have realized through many shattered dreams that I experienced is that it is not about the medals or the records it is about the condition of our heart on a daily basis. Having a heart that is at peace is far more precious than gold. I know that my heart should be set on making the most of everyday. I am excited about things like the Olympics that is a huge honor for me to partake in and is a huge opportunity to shine to the world. I am tremendously excited about the idea of running into that stadium first, hearing the roar of the crowd, and standing on the podium as they play America's national anthem. However, if I don't come into that stadium first and my dreams don't come true I know that it is still possible for me to accomplish my bigger dream. My bigger dream is the dream that the author of "Shattered Dreams" was eluding to. It was the dream that I couldn't see as I cried in disappointment after my last high school race. I have learned that my bigger dream, even bigger than winning a gold medal, is to praise God with every step. No matter what. Win, lose, DNF, no one, not even my own physical body can keep me from accomplishing my goal. It is a goal that frees me to run. When I run with a heart full of praise, released from the burderns of having to perform, I feel like I am soaring."

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