Ellen Bids Farewell

A very wise man once taught me that I could play one of two roles on the track. On one hand, I could be a dragon slayer. Dragon slayers fight hard. The dragons have more muscle and force than the dragon slayers, but when the dragon slayer wins, the glory is that much greater. I thought being a dragon slayer sounded pretty cool. Then the wise man told me that I could also choose to be a dragon. Dragons are strong, callused, and smart. Dragons fight the dragon slayers knowing that they have all the tools to win every battle they enter, and this can instill great fear into their opponents. “You have always been the dragon slayer,” the wise man said. “Maybe it’s your time to be the dragon.” Advice like that of the wise man (who shall remain nameless, though he knows who he is) has gotten me through all aspects of my life in the last four years. Deciding to run on the cross country and track teams at Saint Mary’s has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The lessons I have learned through my experiences as an athlete have truly shaped my life, and my gratitude to those who have guided my experiences on and off the trails is boundless. Mom and Dad, you have been such amazing influences in my life. Both of you have given me the opportunities emotionally, genetically, and financially to continue my running career. Mom, you never fail to put my running into perspective with the rest of my life, and you always show me how to balance my own happiness with the happiness of others. Dad, those tearful conversations on the car rides home after countless disappointing finishes at many, many track meets are ones I have never forgotten. Know that I still use your words as inspiration! Also, to my siblings: Michael, Allison, and Katie, you have all shown me in your own unique ways what being a Koranda is all about—a family prayer, a good laugh, and salad with really good bread. Happy Graduation to us all! I truly believe I never could have thrived in the running circuit as much as I have without the inspiration, encouragement, and support of the teams that I have been on. Keri and Dingels: I think I tell someone that I miss one or both of you at least once a day. You are the type of people I want to be on the track and the type of people I want to be off of it. You will probably be my friends forever, and you might just have to learn to deal with that. AK and Tera: show this team what it’s all about next year, and call me if you ever need advice on how to lay the smack down! Dan, Bill, and Shannon: Thank you for keeping me sane! My favorite twins: you’re the future of the program — don’t mess it up! Thank you for coffee dates, French braids, and four shoulders to cry on. Finally, to all the distance girls: I felt like I was on a real team this year, and I am incredibly jealous not to be a part of the future. Enjoy the experiences, and keep in touch! Sara, Jen, and Hannah, you have made this year truly special for me. Thanks for keeping the village quiet every Friday night and for letting me forget about the bad races or celebrate the good ones with you! Finally, my coaches have been incredibly influential in my collegiate life as a whole. Skemp, you got me running in college and your training brought me my first nationals experience. Without you, I never would have had many of the amazing experiences I did during my first two years at Saint Mary’s. Thank you! Kirk, you have done everything in your power to give me the opportunities to get done what I need to get done and I am so grateful. Ward, I cannot say enough about what you have done for the program or for me as a runner and as a person. You have truly made an impact on my life. Using a famous Keri Drake-ism, you’ve helped me help me, and that might be more important than I ever could have known. Many people have enabled me to make the commitment to running at the collegiate level, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. I can only hope that the next part of my journey is as amazing as the last part has been. As the MIAC track meet comes into clear sight, I cannot wait to step onto the track as a dragon: strong, intelligent, and ready to face whatever obstacles come my way. With the help of my experiences as a part of Saint Mary’s cross country and track, I know I’ll face the next chapter in my life with the same attitude.