The extra effort on a quiet gravel road. Putting in another mile when you've already stacked up hundreds. Pushing for more when you're already one of the state's best.
That's how you stay that way.
Never being satisfied.
There's a special kind of hunger that burns deep inside East Marshall's Haley Fye. The kind of drive that arguably makes her the finest female runner the school district has ever seen. Her accomplishments at a school that has seen plenty of outstanding runners are ridiculous. School record holder in the 3000 meters, 1500 meters, 800 meters, distance medley and 400 hurdles. She owns the record for most points scored in a track season and the highest individual finish by a Mustang at state cross country.
And with state cross country and her senior track campaign still to come... look for most of those standards that she's set, to only get better.
It's something that she's gotten used to of late... not by choice... but because she's been that good. And that "something" is having to run against yourself... your own times... your own standards... your own records... because you cross the finish line... look around... and there's no one in sight. Nearly a minute passes by, and THEN the rest of the pack begins to filter in.
That doesn't happen by accident folks. Sure... some of it is God given... but what is ultimately done with that gift is what gives you what you see here.
I've always felt that it takes a special kinda kid to run cross country... at any level of ability. The huge crowds and accolades aren't usually there. The grind is brutal... and the rewards are largely inward. Track can be much the same, especially for distance runners. Low on glitz and glam... High on gruel and guts.
If you haven't figured it out yet... I'm a big fan of this girl. As an alum and a booster... she makes me proud. She's what's right about East Marshall. She works hard... she's humble... and did I mention she's poised to graduate at the top of her class?
That means she's out run the competition in the classroom, too.
Somehow, not surprised.
So when she, along with her Central College grad parents (Go Dutch!), chose our studio, I couldn't have been more thrilled. Picking the brain of one of our all-time greats while she's in the middle of being awesome hardly felt like work to me.
I've probably only served to embarrass her in this silly forum in which I take the time to give you my stream of conscious thinking as if it really matters what a local photographer actually thinks. And in the big picture... it doesn't matter what I think... but I did want to make sure her efforts were recognized... make sure she knows that they are appreciated... and in my own little way, tip my hat to the extraordinary.
You have the heart of a champion, Haley Fye... Proving it again and again, largely against yourself isn't easy. I look forward to seeing how high Fye flies when things get real the rest of the season.
It's almost go time... and while you certainly don't need me to tell you to go... it cannot hurt to know you have another fan in your corner wishing you the best.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40: 30-31
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