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THE RETURN TO RUNNING


When Haebe was first told he would need to learn to walk again, the chance to run must have seemed all but incomprehensible. And it likely would have been if not for his support group.


Over the next year, Haebe stayed at his parentʼs home and went through his rehabilitation as Haebe and members of his family were forced to put the rest of their lives on hold. Prior to the Olympic Trials, Haebe had just completed his sophomore year as a scholarship athlete at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. Two years of eligibility and school remaining, things now needed to be placed on hold.


With what he calls a great support system around him, Haebe slowly began to gain stamina and his condition gradually improved. And after months of rehab, it improved to the point where he could resume running.


Having lost most everything, Haebe now faced a similar battle if he would return to a similar level that saw him win NCAA Division II national titles in cross country in 2011 and the 3,000m steeplechase in 2012.


And just as he did with re-learning his first steps, Haebe put one foot in front of the other and began to build stamina. Quickly, what started with short mileage was built to between 80 and 90 miles run per week.


And Haebeʼs thoughts turned back to Western State College.


THE RETURN TO WESTERN STATE This fall, Haebe reached the final point of redemption and proved he can overcome most anything when he return to Western State College and the menʼs cross country team. When it didnʼt have to, the school held Haebeʼs scholarship and reserved his place on the team. Haebe is once again a full-time student-athlete.


“My college was really good about the injury,” Haebe said. “Iʼm a little nervous about going back to school, but my coaches and teammates have been really supportive. I think it will go easier than I expect. I donʼt know if I will get back to where I was before, but I hope to get somewhere close to there.”


What came as little surprise, Haebe will be faced with some long term affects from his fall. He has lost much of the vision in his right eye and has hearing impairment in his right ear. But when examining the big picture, these are minor issues according to Haebe.


Not sure of its outcome, he is treating the 2013 cross country season as a comeback season.


Haebe has spent the fall becoming reacquainted with teammates and some of the same routes he ran on earlier in his national championship career. Much has changed and the simple act of taking nothing for granted is now a consistent part of each day for Haebe.


“Itʼs almost like everything now is a bit of a bonus,” he said.


RYAN HAEBE


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