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Author, Synjyn Days

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When I decided to become an athlete, I

was 4 years old. At the time, I was living

with my biological mother in North Caro-

lina. During this time period I was fat,

lazy, and always crying.

My biological mother was an all-around

athlete, she played basketball and ran

track. My father played football and ran

track. They both attended college and

played sports. My biological mother at-

tended the University of North Carolina

and my Dad attended Florida State.

But God Was There

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Picture

Of

Me

Fat

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On the final day that I was living with her,

this was huge because I was excited to

be moving to live with my biological fa-

ther. I was moving with him because my

biological mother did not want me to

come between her and her fiancé.

There was a race that would define my

life forever. It was a summer day, the air

was thick, and you could taste it. My

older cousin, who was a girl, challenged

me to a race in the front yard. The yard

was about 30 yards long with a white

picket fence around it. I was very nerv-

ous because she ran track and I was just

a kid that ate Twinkies.

We started to run…

But God Was There

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Picture of me in

North Carolina

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My cousin was beating me badly. As I

was running I could taste the sweat flow-

ing from my brow. As we approached the

fence, which was the finish line, I realized

I could not catch her. When we finished

running I started crying like a baby and

my Dad came over to comfort me ex-

plaining about doing my best and being

prepared. He said, "You will never lose a

race again if you train for it.”

But God Was There

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Picture

Of

Me

Running

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As I started to work hard in the weight

room I soon got bigger, stronger, and

faster.

But God Was There

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10

With the work ethic my Dad

instilled in me I was able to

“Reach” my goals.

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Credits

This book is dedicated to my

father and mother, Calvin and

Paula Days. With their

strength they have instilled in

me I am the man you see to-

day. Special thanks to Parker

Sewell and Caleb Hill for their

drawings on the cover and on

page 10. • •

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