My name is Alana Hadley and I am a 15 yr old 9th grade student at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC. I am a competitive distance runner which gives me the opportunity to do some pretty cool things, go some pretty cool places and have some pretty cool adventures.
I have always loved running. For as long as I can remember I have loved it. I suppose running is in my blood as both my mom and my dad ran for their high school and college teams. People often ask me why I run, and I always reply "because it is fun!" But what makes it fun? I think it is the exhilerating feeling you have with the wind blowing through your hair, and the ground flying by under your feet.
I have been running regularly since I was 6 years old, when I decided I wanted to run a 5k race with my mom. From that first race I've been hooked. After that my mom or dad would run with me a few times a week and I started doing races once every couple of months, I loved them! The first few years I only ran 5ks, then when I was 11, I tried my first 10k and loved that too. Now I try and race a variety of distances (5k-HM), but really love the longer races. This past year as a 14 year old (2011) I ran my first half marathon in March and won it, and then in the fall ran 2 more. So far in 2012, I have run two more half marathons (Feb & Mar) lowering by best to 1:16:41 and have improved my 10k PR to 34:59 (Apr) and 5k PR to 16:51 (May).
I really love training and racing the longer distances and dream of one day being a professional runner and competing in the Olympic Games. How awesome that would be to be in the Olympics and run for your country! I have become very devoted to my training as I pursue my dream, knowing that each day and every mile I run is moving me closer to realizing that dream. And when I get there one day, I can compete with a smile, doing something that I love!
