18 year old Kayla Montgomery is one of the best young distance runners in the US. Although she’s always had an interest in sports, she’s not exactly naturally gifted as a runner. As a matter of fact, when she started running about four years ago, her coach described her as average at best.
All of her achievements on the track, she’s had to work for and earn the hard way.
But in Kayla’s case, it’s been harder than most. A lot harder, in fact. That’s because when she was 14 years old, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) after a fall during a soccer game.
As a result of her condition, whenever Kayla races, in the last mile or so her legs go numb. As she crosses the finish line her coach has to catch her to prevent her from falling and hurting herself, because she doesn’t know where her legs are.
For most people, far lesser problems would serve as excuses for giving up. But even MS doesn’t stop Kayla from running. For her, what she has to go through at the end of each race is simply the cost of competing, and she’s willing to pay it.
The short video below tells the story of Kayla’s inspiring journey, right up to the final race of her high school career.
Ironically, that race would prove to be a remarkably accurate representation of her brave battle through life. After falling down early on in the race, Kayla got right back up, gradually caught back up to the group, and actually went on to win the race against some very imposing competition.
Kayla Montgomery is truly an inspiration and epitomizes the “no excuses” mindset. Despite the hand she’s been dealt in her life, she can always be satisfied that she made the best of what she had.
“When or if I’m not able to run at some point down the road, then at least I can look back and know that when I could, I gave it my all.”
That’s a valuable lesson for us all.
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