Flagstaff, Arizona. Day 6 of altitude camp. Who would believe that this is where I would be three and a half months after graduating from college. Certainly not me. When I was in fifth grade, each person in class was voted mostly likely to…. then followed by the common scenarios: most likely to become a doctor, travel the world, be on American Idol, etc. Which one was I voted for? Most likely to be in the Olympics. While that dream is still far off, I have already gotten further in running than I ever even imagined. Growing up, I never thought I would be good enough to run in college, but I was. After competing for four years at UC Davis, I never thought I would be able to train as a professional runner. But now here I am, at 7000 feet, not only dipping my toes in the water but also taking the plunge to race at the elite level as part of the NorCal Distance Project.  My journey here has been anything but easy, filled with ups and downs, injuries, racing highs, and tough days alike. When I graduated from UC Davis, the choice to continue running as a professional, or essentially calling it quits, loomed over my head like a dark cloud. For weeks, my not so picture-perfect senior track season weighed on my heart like a dull ache. Somewhere along the way, my goals of competing at nationals in Eugene and getting sponsored had gone astray, and I was left with emptiness and disappointment. To my surprise, I eventually picked up the pieces and came to realize that the fire was still there. There existed a burning desire to prove not only to myself, but also to my friends and family, what I was truly capable of. And thus, I enter my transition as a post-collegiate athlete to the beginnings of becoming a professional runner.  So far, the physical changes have been subtle, but the mental aspects extensive and far-reaching. As an athlete in college, you are constantly surrounded by teammates. However, I have come to learn that professional athletes are by far more independent, compassionate, and possess a greater personal connection with the sport than I ever realized. Training for only a short time with athletes such as Kim Conley and Lauren Wallace, it is not hard to the miss the individual drive that gets them to train as passionately as they do. I look forward to growing in this way as a professional athlete but acknowledge that it will take unbounded mental and physical strength. Success will come only with commitment, passion, and the willingness to take risks.