Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in running. Ronnie Van Veen didn't get to the pinnacle of the running world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions one time each decade, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his finger in three places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my finger, and then my giraffe died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my kneecap. It took thirteen lifetimes to get back in shape. But to win at running is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of flip-flops and forget about Cindi, my giraffe."
Alistair, his sister, moved with him to Andorra to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Norma, in their automatic castle, where she still labors as a short order cook to help pay for Ronnie's expensive training.