For Tuesdays with Toyota, we are spotlighting some of USATF's most dedicated members with a short feature on USATF.org and our social media channels. Here is our feature with USATF athlete Michelle Edgar, member of the Southern California Association from Santa Monica, California. Tell us about your journey with USATF and how it has impacted you: “The USATF Masters Outdoor Championships was a very important milestone both in my life and athlete journey as it brought tears of joy to us both. Together with my coach, we not only accomplished our goals but surpassed what we set out to do and earned my second All-American title in the 100 meters and PRed, placing sixth in the finals dropping seven tenths since my last race in June at the Olympic Training Center. In one year of competing (this being my eighth race), I’ve achieved two All-American titles in the 60 and 100 meters in six months. This is a testament of the power of track and how it can put you on a new path in life once you find your lane. At the age of 38, I picked up competitive sprinting during COVID-19 as running helped me heal after losing a parent and making some serious life decisions — from getting a divorce to enrolling into UCLA Law school. Growing up, I never played sports and trained as a concert pianist. I took the same discipline and training and applied it to my newfound passion and purpose. Every race has a different meaning and story in my life. The USATF Masters National Championships was very personal as it represented my commitment to changing my life over the past year when I first started competing. It represented honoring and loving myself, and making personal sacrifices and commitment to crafting a new blueprint and life, where running became the center that ignited all other aspects and allowed me to live my healthiest and best life. Every year, I set a goal to run 1000 miles. [I’m] proud to share that I just completed 2,021 miles over the course of less than two years. I raced ‘for my life’ and gave it everything I had as the opportunity was right there before me and I committed to doing whatever it took to make it happen. Leading up to the race, Coach and I trained up to four hours a day for the past month both morning on the UCLA track to night on weights and technical work to ‘put it all in the bank’ and see what we can accomplish as we took my athletic strength and ability to the next level. It showed me the true power of what is possible when you dream big and get your mind and body in alignment and commit like never before. One year ago, I never imagined that achieving All-American in two events would even be a possibility as I was just starting my journey as an athlete after never doing sports in my life. Now, together with Coach, I’m utilizing the experience and knowledge which I learned from Coach while training and serving the community around us through One Love to help others live their happiest and healthiest lives, enabling athletes to tap into their lane in life and discover uncharted possibilities.” What are you most thankful for in regards to your USATF community? “This Masters Outdoor Championships meet was different from all the other races I competed in and this was my ninth race since my first race ever one year ago in July 2021 when my track journey first began. There’s a common bond – a ‘runners bond’ - that is felt as soon as you walk in – as everyone is so helpful and accommodating and welcoming newcomers, like [me] into the community. There’s a camaraderie, as people of all ages and generations, nationalities and walks of life, from 25 to 100 are represented. This year USATF Masters had the most attendees since 2014 and representing every state but Alaska. Athletes weren’t competing against one another, but a supportive community encouraging one another to be [their] best self – everyone wants each other to be their best version of themselves and be happy with their accomplishment and achievement, even just by showing up and being there and leaving it all out on the track. Seeing all these people focused and working on themselves – all levels of strength – was tremendously inspiring and overwhelming – along with the new friendships made to last a lifetime. I am grateful for this trip and journey as it opened my eyes to a whole new world. This is not just a track meet. To see families gathered, grandmothers to mothers running and having their children watching and cheering them on moved me, and I’m grateful to share these memories together with my Coach. I felt honored to be in the heat with women 35-39 as I had an opportunity to race with amazing athletes who ran track throughout their lives. My trip was a true representation of sister/brotherhood – a collective supporting one another connected through their love for running. After completing my race, I was anxiously awaiting the board to see my time and as it posted, tears of joy ran down my face and I started to cry standing on the track. As I was waiting to share this joyful moment with my coach as he walked down the bleachers, my competitor who ran next to me looked over and teared up after seeing my face and said, you’re story really inspired me, congratulations to you.” Is there a word, phrase or thought that helps you focus while you train? “’Run For Life’ – I run for life as it is my newfound passion and purpose, and calling. I refer to ‘Run For Life’ as a movement to find the light within me to live my best life as I was trying to find the light inside me – to tap into my inner strength, peace and clarity – as I overcame life hurdles. I was running to tap into my life force which was gone. I knew I needed to make a big change and pivot and running helped me heal and allowed me to find the new me – not just a calling, passion but a purpose and new way of life. ‘Breathe’ – Your breath is everything and you always have to remember to breathe when on track and off the track. It’s key to everything that you do and understanding the mastery of your breath can fuel you and your racing. This was a powerful word to me as well as my stepfather who passed. His daughter gave me a bracelet with word on a bracelet and I always wear it as it makes me reflect on a pivotal and very powerful moment in my life that transformed the way I live. ‘One Love Champ’ My Intent bracelet – I run with these words as One Love Foundation is the foundation my coach started to bring track to athletes across the country all ages, all stages. His nickname for me is Champ and it always puts a smile on my face and reminds me of my potential.” Tuesdays with Toyota are a courtesy of Toyota. Check back the second Tuesday of each month for a new Member Spotlight for Tuesdays with Toyota.