Now Inspired, Lindsey Scherf Prepares For London

She hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Marathon squad.

After the tragic loss of her father last July, American junior record holder in the 10,000m Lindsey Scherf struggled with her running career. She was extremely close to her father. According to a profile of Scherf on the LoHud.com Web site, her father, John, “was everything, and it was because of him that she discovered her passion for running.” At a race in fifth grade, Scherf not only beat the other girls, but also the entire field, running a 5:55 mile and setting a new school record along the way. Scherf began training with her father who was running three times a week back then.

However, tragedy struck in November of 2009 when John was diagnosed with cancer. Sherf stopped running and dedicated her energy to support her father. “You need to put in the time to do well at this,” Scherf says of professional running. “And I didn’t want to put in the time then.”

When her father ultimately lost his battle with cancer, it made Scherf “question whether I wanted to continue on with the sport.”

For More: LoHud.com