challenge
verb
chal·lenge
To invite or dare to take part in a contest
To be difficult enough to be interesting : to test skill or ability
For the majority of his life, Jim Ryun has dared to be part of something much larger than himself. In the summer of 1964, 17-year-old Ryun ran the Compton Invitational, finishing in 8th place. On any other day, this might have been disappointing, but in this particular race, Ryun’s only competition was himself. And he came out on top.
Ryun’s time? 3:59.
He had just become the first high schooler to run a sub-four-minute mile.
An achievement of this magnitude is usually cause for celebration, but Ryun had a slightly different reaction.
“I remember going to bed that night not able to sleep,” he said. “I tossed and turned a lot, because I realized that the goal we had set maybe 15 months before was now realized, and I thought as I went to sleep, ‘What would happen if I took ownership?’”
Fifteen months earlier, Ryun was sitting on a school bus with his teammates on the way back from what was only his fourth high school cross-country race. He had finished in 4:21.
“Coach Timmons always had the policy of saving a seat in front of the bus beside him so that he could call us up one by one and talk about our performance and offer some encouragement and some challenges,” Ryun explained.
Awesome article and awesome accomplishment.
A most touching and inspirational story about Mr Ryan. I didn’t run on the same level as he did.But have a touching story about My H.S. coach who not just touched me.Coach Irwin C Goldberg inspiration drove me from a weak athlete of a 208.0 10th grader to a senior year as the 1979 NYS state champion with a time of 1:51.9 meet and school record which still holds to this day,15th in the country and received the NYC Public school Most outstanding Athlete in outdoor Track.The Iron Horse Award.I went on to Jr College indoor All American and outdoor State conference champion.Coach Goldberg is still coaching H.S. to this day at 90 years young.I know have my own youth organization.The Southeast Striders Youth Track and Field Club Covington Georgia for the past 10 years.Coach Goldberg is a inspiration for me to give back to our youth.I really understand how someone can give you a chance see something in you and give you hope to do great tthings.I am a fan of Mr Ryan.Thank you for sharing this inspirational story.I touched me to share my story also.Yours in athletics Ben ” BJ” Kennedy,President/Head Coach
Thank you for sharing Ben! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed Mr. Ryun’s story. And thank you for being inspired by your former coach to help shape the youth of today.