Chasing Grace Read online

  PRAISE FOR

  CHASING GRACE

  Sanya Richards-Ross has represented Team USA so well for her entire career. But she was born in Jamaica, and I can connect to the winner’s spirit that we share. I’m proud of everything Sanya has accomplished, including the writing of Chasing Grace. Through her vulnerability in sharing some of her most personal stories of victory and defeat, triumph and tribulation, I once again see her strength. Big up yuhself, Sanya!

  USAIN BOLT, the world’s fastest man, eight-time Olympic gold medalist, eleven-time World Champion, and four-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

  Chasing Grace is an excellent read for anyone who is searching for ways to be encouraged and motivated to never give up on pursuing the dream. Sanya Richards-Ross, the five-time Olympic medalist, has illustrated throughout her career patience, perseverance, and perspective on what it takes to become a champion on and off the field with God’s grace. Chasing Grace is the script for a manual that can help guide anyone wanting to be the best. Once you start reading, you will find it difficult to stop turning the pages in the anticipation of wanting more.

  JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE, the greatest female athlete of the twentieth century

  I will always say that I am eternally grateful to the game of football—for what it gave me and what it taught me. Through my sport, I learned to reach out to my family, teammates, and friends. It’s a humbling moment when you realize you have the opportunity to share lessons learned and can support and encourage others to live the life of their dreams. I see that same sense of wonderment and responsibility in Sanya Richards-Ross on every page of her competitive memoir, Chasing Grace. More than a story about achievement and victory, Sanya’s book delivers as a journey of discovery. It is honest and heartfelt, and I believe she openly examines her life’s work in the pursuit of helping others live their dreams.

  MICHAEL STRAHAN, entrepreneur, broadcaster, author, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Super Bowl champion

  Chasing Grace is not only the story of a young girl who followed her dreams and became an Olympic champion, but also a collection of valuable lessons that were learned along the way. Sanya Richards-Ross has written a wonderful book for those who want to be inspired and uplifted while learning how to successfully handle all the challenges we inevitably face in life.

  LAILA ALI, world champion boxer, fitness and wellness expert, and television personality

  Sanya Richards-Ross embodies what I consider to be a true American hero. Her ability to overcome obstacles and stay focused on her mission to be not just the best runner in the world but a world-class woman stirs me, and it will challenge and encourage all who read Chasing Grace. I so respect Sanya’s journey and recommend her book to anyone looking to be inspired!

  DARA TORRES, five-time Olympic swimmer and twelve-time medalist

  When I was a young athlete, my coaches used to explain what I should aspire to be, and Sanya Richards-Ross was always the standard. Powerful, graceful, caring; physically, mentally, and morally sound. You had to wonder how she came to be. Thankfully we don’t anymore. It’s a pleasure to finally read her operating manual.

  ASHTON EATON, two-time Olympic decathlon gold medalist and world record holder in both the decathlon and indoor heptathlon events

  In a world that often defines public achievement as success, Sanya Richards-Ross reveals in Chasing Grace that her greatest feat in life was not on a track for the world to see, but rather in her soul where God would serve as the ultimate coach. She now shares wisdom from the deep reservoir of her pains, joys, trials, and triumphs that will inspire us all to pursue the grace race with confidence, trust, optimism, and unshaken faith.

  SARAH JAKES ROBERTS, author and copastor of One Church LA

  Chasing Grace is a remarkable story of a young woman who stayed the course to achieve her dreams. Like most success stories, Sanya faced many challenges that not only prepared her for Olympic Gold but prepared her for the real race of life. I commend her on having the courage to share her toughest moments, and I know her truth will inspire many.

  ANGELA SIMMONS, fashion designer, TV personality, and entrepreneur

  Sanya Richards-Ross is one of the world’s greatest athletes, but her success isn’t just God-given. She took great talent and made it the best it could be by learning from others, working hard, and leaning on her family and her faith. She has always been about far more than athletic achievement. She has been an advocate and role model and has always taken a global view of her life and career. Chasing Grace provides a look at how she was able to overcome and succeed, both on and off the track.

  MAX SIEGEL, CEO, USA Track & Field

  Sanya Richards-Ross is the definition of a champion on and off the track. Her focus, ambition, and passion were evident dating back to our time at the University of Texas. Chasing Grace is an incredibly inspiring story of how she used her God-given abilities to win gold while ultimately finding her true purpose. I’m proud of the woman she has become and her bravery in sharing her story.

  VINCE YOUNG, professional football player, entrepreneur, and philanthropist

  Chasing Grace embodies the determination needed to fulfill our lifelong dreams. Sanya Richards-Ross has done us all a favor by uniquely sharing her life stories to motivate, inspire, and empower individuals who read it. The 400-meter race is a great metaphor for life. It’s an enduring race. This book is filled with life lessons that will enable the reader to progress from just being ordinary to becoming a true champion on and off the track of life. Grace—unmerited favor of God.

  COREY WEBSTER, nine-season NFL cornerback and two-time Super Bowl champion

  Chasing Grace is an empowering story of walking in grace and purpose. Sanya Richards-Ross has passion and courage etched in every step throughout her career so far. This is how you do it.

  ESTELLE, Grammy Award–winning artist, actress, and producer

  Chasing Grace doesn’t just give you a look behind the scenes; it invites you into some of Sanya Richards-Ross’s most personal moments. Moments fans often don’t consider. Sanya’s transparency is courageous and beautiful. Her words are eloquent, and the lessons shared are priceless.

  LAURYN WILLIAMS, four-time Olympian and first American woman to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games

  Chasing Grace gives the reader a glimpse into the mind-set of a rare athlete, Sanya Richards-Ross, who has the holy trinity of skills: the athletic ability to perform and win at the highest level, the poise to deliver a flawless live interview after, and the savvy to know how to build a successful brand from it.

  ATO BOLDON, four-time Olympic medalist and lead track and field analyst for NBC Sports

  ZONDERVAN

  Chasing Grace

  Copyright © 2017 by Sanya Richards-Ross

  Requests for information should be addressed to:

  Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

  Epub Edition April 2017 ISBN 9780310350170

  ISBN 978-0-310-34940-2 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-0-310-35144-3 (international trade paper edition)

  ISBN 978-0-310-35047-7 (audio)

  ISBN 978-0-310-35017-0 (ebook)

  Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

  Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and num
bers for the life of this book.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  Cover design: Curt Diepenhorst

  Cover photography: Erick Robinson

  Interior design: Kait Lamphere

  Interior imagery: PhotoDisc

  First printing April 2017 / Printed in the United States of America

  To Coach Hart—

  I am eternally grateful our paths crossed,

  as your dedication to being the very best

  at what you do aligned perfectly

  with making my dreams a reality.

  The golden moments we’ve shared on the track

  pale in comparison to the memories we’ve made

  and the life lessons you’ve taught me.

  Thank you for the 4 P’s!

  They made me

  the best 400-meter runner in U.S. history

  and gave me a road map

  to navigate through life with God.

  CONTENTS

  Preface

  Prologue: The 4 P’s: Push, Pace, Position, Poise

  PUSH: Chase Your Dream 1. Champion Girl: Realizing Your Talent

  2. A Star Is Born: Manifesting Your Talent

  3. Soldier Status: Finding Your Voice

  4. Competition of One: Getting Out of Your Own Way

  PACE: Create Your Rhythm 5. Tunnel Vision: Eyeing the Finish

  6. Fallen Star: Staying Disciplined

  7. Sprint Queen: Getting Back to Basics

  8. Winner’s Glow: Going with Life’s Flow

  POSITION: Go with Courage 9. Meeting Grace: Knowing You’re Always Loved

  10. Team SRR: Leading from Behind

  11. Glam & Gold: Leaping on Faith

  POISE: Commit to the Finish 12. Lean In: Trusting the Plan

  13. Exchange Zone: Accepting Change

  14. Victory Lap: Taking a Bow

  Acknowledgments

  Photos

  PREFACE

  The track has always been my safe haven. My sanctuary, my place of peace. I’ve always said I didn’t choose the quarter mile, but it chose me.

  Over time, I learned to love the race.

  One full lap around the track—and my favorite part is the last 100 meters off the final curve. I feel free. I feel liberated.

  Then, in an instant, a heartbeat, the freedom can turn to panic. When you sense the other bodies charging around you, and you are not sure if you’re in a position to win, strategy is overtaken by intense desire.

  Be first.

  If you have to dive, fall, or hurl your body across the finish line, you’ll do whatever it takes. It’s an instinct that’s within you.

  But after making it through the tape, you have to wait. And you wait in faith.

  When I won the Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, I wasn’t 100 percent sure I crossed the finish line first. In the few seconds between the end of the race and the announcement of the winner, I wanted to will my name to the top of the scoreboard, but I could only clasp my hands in prayer and believe all my hard work would be rewarded.

  The photo finish showed I won comfortably, by a stride’s length, but in the race’s final moments, I still felt the need to dip my left shoulder and stretch my neck out over the line. Even to this day, when I see my right arm punching through the air, I don’t know whether it’s in celebration or a last-second reach to grab victory.

  As most people equate success with having more, my quest was always for less. For as long as I can remember, life has been measured in seconds. The fewer, the better. I’ve been running track since I was seven—basically a life’s worth of conditioning to run a 400-meter race in fifty seconds, hopefully forty-nine or, even better, forty-eight. Instinctively, my greatest source of validation was being the quickest to the finish line.

  When I first stepped on the track to represent my Jamaican elementary school, Vaz Prep, I heard my parents, family, classmates, and friends cheering for me.

  “Sanya a champion! Sanya a champion!” everyone called out. I won, and my name was in the headlines the next day in our local newspaper, The Gleaner.

  I felt special. I was a champion. For more than two decades after that, I ran in circles around the track, chasing that same feeling.

  It took a long time to realize I was of more value than a gold medal or a record-setting lap. For so long, I was just Sanya Richards the athlete, and I hung my head when I didn’t run well. My existence was all about my performance. Each loss came with a feeling of unhealthy and unwanted shame. Running, I had to figure out, is just what I do; it’s not who I am.

  Since I started to compete at the age of seven, my losses were measured against the hope of greatness. Champions measure themselves against other champions. Winning was simply confirmation that I belonged among the league of extraordinary athletes.

  In retrospect, I believe my wins on the track sometimes led to losses in the race of life. From elementary school in Jamaica to the Olympics in China, physical, mental, and emotional confrontations have tested my character, my faith, and my resolve.

  It has always been my desire to live a life transparent enough to allow others to learn from my mistakes. I want you to see me as I am. Bear witness to strength and weakness, highs and lows, goodness and sinfulness—my complete journey.

  On that warm August night in London, I lunged my body forward, not completely sure of where it would land. I only had my faith.

  Sometimes we need those moments—times when we are forced to be still and wait for the photo finish. I believe life is nothing more than a collection of photo finishes shot through the lens of God’s camera.

  For every exhilarating high like I experienced in 2012, there have been just as many—if not more—excruciating lows. I couldn’t always understand how I could lose after I had trained so hard and competed with such focus. Eventually, I began to see that my losses were as significant as my wins. Every lesson I learned didn’t just make me a better runner; each running experience molded me into a stronger person. I could finally look back and see the beauty of God’s timing. And now I can look forward and trust His plan.

  My journey carried me beyond the track. Through this book, I hope my stories will help you see your own experiences through God’s lens as a life captured in a perfect photo finish.

  Prologue

  THE 4 P’S: PUSH, PACE, POSITION, POISE

  My Strategy to Running the Race with Grace

  Muscles are my memory, and every memory a muscle. Years ago when I started training with my coach, Clyde Hart, he divided the quarter-mile race into four phases. Coach Hart called them the 4 P’s: push, pace, position, and poise.

  I work on each of the four phases in practice to ensure that when it comes time to race, my body responds, as my mind instinctively shifts from one phase to the next.

  As I’ve gotten older, I still see the genius in Coach Hart’s strategy. In some way or another, in some part of my life or another, I’m either pushing, pacing, positioning, or remaining poised.

  I hope you can apply these strategies and learn how to run your best race—to live your best life.

  PUSH: Chase Your Dream

  The push part of the race takes intense focus. As you crouch over the track, feet staggered in the starting blocks, fingertips bracing your body over the start line, hips raised in the set position, the mind prepares to go from “0 to 100.”

  And that’s how it happens. Zero to breaking a school zone’s speed limit in a few strides. You push into the race with all your might. Sprinting is a power event, and with the technology of tracks today, the more you push into them, the more you get in return. The force from my feet actually allows the track to launch me forward into the next step.

  Life, too, gives back what you put into it
. Every day, you have the opportunity to push yourself to a higher gear or achieve a goal. Whether it’s taking a full course load in college, making time to exercise, or devoting extra focus to a special project, you are propelling forward on a mission.

  Believe that your persistence will be rewarded. You may not be able to see it or immediately feel it, but life honors that drive.

  PACE: Create Your Rhythm

  You get out of the blocks strong, coming through the first 100 meters of the race at nearly maximum speed. But it’s not possible to maintain that speed throughout the entire quarter-mile race. The body cannot push that hard for that long.

  At 100 meters, you have to throttle back and let the energy supplies refill with a little more oxygen. Your stride stretches out underneath the body and finds a smooth tempo. Arms and legs work together with the lungs to sustain the energy and strength necessary to shift to another gear and kick coming down the home stretch.

  Runners need to find a rhythm they can settle into.

  Everyone needs an awareness of what they can handle. The push phase sets you up to chase down your dreams, but pacing allows you to maintain your push for the long haul. Rhythm and routine set you up for greatness.

  Evaluate what your mind and body can maintain. Make sure your priorities don’t cause your spirit to burn out. Check in with your Creator so that your vision aligns with His purpose for you. Keep your pace in line with God’s. No need to run ahead of Him.

  POSITION: Go with Courage

  When you’re racing the 400, you don’t start to really compete until the 200-meter mark. As you begin to work the final turn, now is the first time you even consider where your competition is and how the race will be won.

 
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