Seventeenth century American clergyman Henry Ward Beecher once said, “It’s easier to go down a hill than up it, but the view is much better at the top.” Junior Chrissy Monson is a perfect example of this quote. She is a runner, and boy, can she run.
Monson started running cross country and track during her seventh grade year. She has been on varsity since then, and has competed six times at the state tournament in track (numerous events), and four times in cross country. During the 2011 track season, she won the state championship in the 1,600-meter race. That’s one mile, and she ran it in 4 minutes and 59 seconds. She also placed third in the 3,200-meter race (two miles).
“I don’t believe I did it still,” Monson said. “I wanted it so bad, but I never thought it would happen.”
Running wasn’t always her main sport; she thought of herself as a basketball player from age 3 until she had to quit her sophomore year because of stress fractures in her legs. She misses basketball, but she said quitting was a good choice so she can cross train in the winter for track.
She said, “I feel the reason I did so well in track is because I cross trained all year instead of basketball.”
She swims and bikes a lot in the winter. She works out every day, and does tons of core work. She doesn’t always like cross training, but her coach Lon Nelson said, “You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.”
Even though she captured a state title in the 1600, she is pushing for more. She got second at the Big 9 cross country meet this year and eighth at sections. At the 2011 Cross Country State Tournament, she got 54th place.
“I didn’t run my best, but I am going to keep working hard for the future,” Monson said. “I’m not going to let this get me down.”
She hopes to compete in the state track tournament this spring.
“It’d be awesome to win everything one year,” Monson said. “It’s what everyone wants; it’s just so hard.”
Why does she run? Not only is it something she loves, but her religion plays a huge part, too. Before the 3200-meter race at last year’s state track meet, she was looking for inspiration.
“I just opened the Bible, and the first verse I saw was just the thing I needed,” she said.
Jeremiah 20:11: It stuck with her.
“But the LORD is with me like a dread champion; therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have failed, with an everlasting disgrace that will not be forgotten.”
Not only does she run for her faith, she also runs for certain people in her life. During her races in track, she dedicates each lap to someone who is special to her. These people support her and keep her going.
While she is going to continue to work hard each season, she has already accomplished more than many people could ever hope for in a sport. She is currently the defending Minnesota 1600 meter champion.
“It was awesome,” she said. “I was on top of the world. The title is mine, and I don’t want to lose it.”
Monson runs for her faith, her family, and her teams. She has worked hard to get to where she is, and she is on top of the world. Like Beecher said, the view is better at the top.