Always, 'That Kick'

By Claire Johnson

After long days in the hospital as a pregnant medical student, I would come home and put my feet up to relax. Since I was carrying you, part of my routine was to play classical music on my belly to give you some ambient sound. The tempo and artists always varied. My greatest memory was when William Tell Overture played. The energy of that composition is unparalleled, and you kicked like crazy. I could see what must have been your knees going into high gear taking on a whole new level. It was so entertaining! At first, I thought it was a fluke, but the same thing happened each time I played it again.

Your kick was undeniable!

As a toddler, you had the same energy. We were in a shopping mall once and I was pushing your baby brother in a stroller. Suddenly, you took off around the corner and I could barely catch up to you! At the time, I was freaking out, but eventually, that kick would serve you well. You tried so many sports as a child and as you embraced lacrosse, your dad and I would sit on the sidelines and listen to the other parents talk about the gazelle on the field. Our girl was accelerating…

When you decided to try cross country and track in high school, we were amazed at how quickly you rose to the top. And you enjoyed the sport. Remember the early days when I stood at the finish line and yelled, “How bad do you want it?” You wanted it and worked hard for it. By the time you graduated high school, you racked up five individual state championships. If one were to look at your stats online over the years, they see your collegiate national championship in 2019 and USA national championship just a few weeks ago. But they don’t see the incredibly resilient woman who has overcome several injuries, had to make some tough decisions, and has endured the heartache of times when racing just didn’t happen as hoped. You always come back better than ever.

When your brother and I stood in Hayward Field at the 1,500m final of the USA Championships and saw that kick that the stadium roared for, I saw far more than that. I saw 10 years of dedication, persistence, and drive that it took to get to that moment. As you enter the World Championships on your first USA team, I wish for you what I always have: to continue to enjoy doing what you love and own that track. You’ve been training for this your whole life. Get that kick.

We are so proud of you and will always be your number one cheer club.

#TeamJohnson

Claire Johnson is the mother of U.S. 1,500-meter champion Sinclaire Johnson of Nike's Union Athletics Club.