SALT LAKE CITY — It’s a miracle I’m writing this at all. For the last couple of weeks I have been glued to the television watching non-stop Olympic coverage. The sport doesn’t matter. I’ll watch everything from beach volleyball to trampoline. Those trampoline athletes are incredible, by the way.

I have spent too many hours up way past my bedtime and have paid dearly on my morning runs, but I don’t care. I love the Olympics. Let the cynics say what they will, I love the spirit of the Olympics. I love how every couple of years, our world comes together to celebrate human achievement.

There’s nothing more universal than the desire to be our best. No matter which country an athlete is from, I find myself cheering each win and grimacing at each opportunity lost.

Athletes and non-athletes alike relate to the quest for greatness and Olympians provide a great model for all of us who strive to rise to the top whether in our running or everyday life.

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Taking a weakness and making it a strength is a hallmark of Olympic greatness. Cullen Jones is one example. When this young man was only five, he almost drowned during a family visit to a local water park. He didn’t know how to swim. After the scare, his mom took him to swim lessons. He’s now an Olympic gold medalist. While many people would use their weaknesses as excuses, successful athletes work on them until they are a strength.

Seeing the big picture is another Olympic quality. For aspiring Olympians, the big picture is clear. They are simply trying to make it to the Olympics. Some stretch further with a medal in their sights. Knowing the end goal and keeping it at the forefront of their minds makes it easier to shun distractions and stay on course. When motivation is lagging and the temptation to slack off becomes more and more enticing, having a vision of the end goal can help.

Being humble is an essential characteristic. Knowing that there are others out there training hard and performing well helps athletes stay motivated to give it their all. To be great at something, you can’t take talent for granted. Olympians realize that while they have talent and can do incredible things, there are others out there training to be even more incredible.

While remaining humble, these athletes also much be confident. It sounds like a contradiction, but Olympians have to believe that their dreams are possible and they are capable. It’s a delicate balance. Training hard and trusting in that training can often lead to great things.

Finally, it’s clear that many of these Olympians surround themselves with positive, supportive people. I have yet to hear of an Olympic athlete who didn’t, at some point, want to give it all up. The training is grueling. The sacrifices great. The task often daunting. But with coaches, friends, and family encouraging you on, it’s much easier to stick with it. It’s important to have others reminding you of your goals and your capabilities.

We may not be working toward Olympic greatness, but we can all be great in our own way. Take notes from these incredible athletes and see what your own personal best can be.

Kim Cowart is a wife, mother, 24-Hour Fitness instructor and marathoner who is only happy the Olympics are over so she can get to bed at a decent time. Read her past work on the Deseret News blog, Reasons to Run.

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