Mary Wineberg and Jessica Beard

I recently read an article about two female runners; Jessica Beard and Mary Wineberg. Both of these runners run the 400, and Mary Wineberg was part of the 4x400 relay team that won the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. The article was written in April 2012, and talks about how these two runners are competing along with others for a spot to race in the 2012 summer Olympics. They have to compete at different time trials to see who can run the fastest 400 meters, until they have the top four runners to form the relay team.

Last summer, I had the chance with my school cross-country and track team to meet Mary Wineberg. She visited our school to talk to us, and motivate us to work hard and run fast. With her opportunity to race at the Olympics, she encouraged us to try our best, and to never give up. Even when she had a baby in 2009 after racing in 2008, she still tried to make it to the 2012 Olympics, and didn't give up. A quote from the article I read is, "' People say 'Mary may be done,' but I'm not done yet,' [Mary] said in a phone interview. 'I trained for so long--eight years--to make my first Olympics and to experience that glory again, to be able to represent the U.S. and hear the National Anthem played, that drove me.'" With her encouraging and motivating attitude, she helps others around her to go after their dreams, keep working hard, and never give up.

See article here.