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Desiraye Osburn-Speer, an Elite Athlete Grantee BiographyDESIRAYE OSBURN-SPEER HOMETOWN: LYNDON, KS 2008/2009: Injured, but healthy to compete in 2010 CLICK HERE FOR DESIRAYE'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. In Desiraye's words: "Without the USATF Foundation Grant, I don’t think I could have continued my running career. I injured my foot after my first year of running the steeplechase and had to sit out several major competitions. Since receiving this grant, I have been able to obtain the best treatment to fix my injury, which might have ended my career. The Foundation Grant has definitely played a major role in getting me back on my feet in hopes of living out my dream of being an elite runner." I grew up in Lyndon, KS, a small town with a population of around 1000 people. I lived on a small farm with my parents, brother, and two sisters. We used to help my mother, who was a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, care for injured and orphaned animals so they could be released back into the wild. I once came upon a wild mallard duck on the side of the gravel road while finishing a run. He was missing half his leg. I ran the last mile home and told my mom what I had found. To make a long story short, my dad, a mechanic, built the duck a pegged leg which enabled him to get around without tearing up his wings. We also had a turkey, who our neighbor thought was one of our wandering baby chickens. She grew up and we all found out differently. She used to run alongside me every run for half a mile before giving up and heading back home. I can’t tell you how many double takes I’ve seen by passing cars! Given my childhood, I used to want to be a veterinarian, but changed my degree to exercise science. I'm currently a personal trainer and love it! It’s a job that I plan to continue to carry on with when my athletic career comes to an end. I also love to cook, however, I can never follow the recipe's directions. I usually just look at the picture and then concoct my own recipe. I’ve considered writing my own cook book. I met my husband, an accomplished decathlete on the Wichita State track team. We didn’t start dating until after he graduated. A year later, while altitude training in Flagstaff, AZ, he visited me for a couple weeks. We took a trip to the Grand Canyon where he proposed on New Years Eve. We were married July 7th, 2007, in an outdoor wedding. We have two German Shepherds, one black and one white.
LOKI (LEFT) HANGING OUT WITH DES & TEHYA Thanks, Desiraye Osburn-Speer, 3000m Steeplechase, 5000m, Cross Country CLICK HERE FOR DESIRAYE'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. |
Please contact Tom Jackovic, Executive Director, USATF Foundation at (412) 398-2484 for additional information about Elite Athlete support programs.
WITH MY HUSBAND PAUL
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