I’ve always been a bit of a track & field freak… starting in middle school and running through the collegiate level,

I’ve always appreciated this true essence of athleticism; sheer physical strength, dedicated mental focus, and guts pouring out all over the track.

So my trip to Tracktown USA, Eugene, OR, Mecca of track & field, to witness the Olympic Trials was a trip into euphoria. Couple that with the genius and perfection of Ashton Eaton’s heroic decathlon performance breaking the World Record through the rain, and you have one ecstatic Paul Miser.

Eaton’s performance was one of the most electrifying moments of my life. Not just because it happened in front of a record breaking crowd at Historic Hayward Field, but because of the training and dedication that Eaton has endured and the elation and sheer joy when he crossed the finish line at the end of the 1500m run, the final race in the 2 day, 10 event tribulation. His 9,039 points is not only a World Record, but close to perfection with the most points allowed for the Decathlon is 10,000 points (1,000 points for each event). This level of greatness shows me two things in Eaton that should be within all of us: Consistency & a Strive for Perfection.

Like most successes, many of us think Eaton is an overnight sensation, breaking onto the stage with a phenom athletic ability, not wanting to believe it takes time, energy, practice, dedication and passion to accomplish such a feat. But day in and day out, Eaton has put in his time, paid his price, and after years of physical torture and mental anguish, is finally seeing magnificent rewards. Sure he is naturally gifted with great athletic talents, but he had a goal, a vision to maximize and become the best with what he was given and he did whatever he could to achieve it.

I applaud Ashton Eaton and his epic performance in this amazing race. It was a blessing to have been a part of it in real life. He is an inspiration to us all.