Her potential?
I know more than anyone the power of having someone behind you. Someone to help hold the belief until you can carry it yourself. Jeff might not be here with me today, but we talk before every race. And he was there for me in the early years. My family was too, with this basically being a training day for me, I told them not to worry about the trip down.
"I'll train you."
"No thanks." She clips immediately.
"Why not?" I ask, taken aback by her quick refusal. "I have a proven track record. And it’s perfect because we’re both in Chicago."
"So I’m convenient."
"Hardly." There is absolutely nothing convenient about the way she’s entangled me so quickly.
"But you said–"
"I was pointing out a selling point."
She sticks her legs out straight with a little bit of effort. She needs to start moving before the lactic acid can settle in and make it impossible for her to move tomorrow.
"I still don’t understand why you’d want to do this."
How does she not see her talent? Her drive? Laney has the commitment to excellence in her veins.
That can’t be taught.
"You want to win. I’ll help you win. Simple as that."
She might be down, but she’s not out.
And she’s considering my offer.
How do I know?
The fire in her bright blue eyes as she finally lifts her face to me says it all.
"I do want to win, but there are other reasons not to do this. One," she forces eye contact and my breath catches. Will that ever stop? "I can't afford it."
"I'll do it for free."
She eyes me suspiciously. "Why?"
How do I tell her it’s because I think she’ll help me just as much as I help her? Seeing her for training will be an added motivator to get me closer to my Deca distance.
We all have our motivations for being in endurance sports. Mine stems from a dark, ugly place. Laney is pure light and fresh air and I’m afraid I’ll darken her doorstep.
But I also have a record of success.
One I’m willing to share with her.
"I think you’ll help me in return."
A humorless laugh huffs from her chest. "How the hell am I supposed to help you Mr. World Champion?"
"By helping me shift my focus." To say the least.
Her eyes narrow as she processes my answer. "I have another reason this is a terrible idea." She says.
"Let’s hear it."
