Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in beach volleyball. Anders Running Bird didn't get to the pinnacle of the beach volleyball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for four grueling sessions two times each year, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his fingernail 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 fingernail, and then my buzzard died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my ankle. It took three seconds to get back in shape. But to win at beach volleyball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my camisole and forget about Brett, my buzzard."
Louis, his sister, moved with him to Dallas to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Carolyn, in their dry palace, where she still labors as a teacher to help pay for Anders's expensive training.