Heather Dorniden's Inspiring 600 meter race

2008 Big 10 Indoor Track Championships, Inspiring Women's 600 meter run, Runner Heather Dorniden falls down during the race and wins at the end

[anthonywallick]

This clearly wasn't a fall, it was a quick well placed powernap.

[JohnLoCicero]

Why hadn't I seen this before? This should be like the most famous sports moment ever.

[john-macdonaldgemmell]

Just after the race starts the commentator said that Heather Dorniden came second in this race the previous year, so from that point of view Heather has to be given praise for at least having a second attempt, let alone what would eventually happen to place her last at the final lap & to have the courage & strength to get back up & win by a nose is a brilliant achievement against all odds.

[numberthespian]

I first saw this video when it first came out a few years ago.  I thought it was so powerful as a runner myself, that I spread it to so many people.  I am now running a very, very long race.  I got married in April, and my wife left me for another man just a few months later.  Everything seems to be going against me; everyone says I'll never get her back, but I have the strength, the endurance, and the mental toughness (and let's not forget my faith that God can and will restore) to finish my race as the victor!!  

It's been a very long time since I've watched something that made me cry, but this video is so symbolic.  :)  Congrats to Heather for winning her race!!

[wingspantt]

This comeback makes a lot more sense if you understand basic science. When she fell, she lost a huge amount of potential energy. It is roughly the amount of energy the entire planet exerts via gravity. She converted this nearly infinite amount of force into kinetic energy, boosting herself forward for the win!

[GisherJohn]

what's even more amazing, she doesn't even look tired! She's not breathing heavy at all, after all that! God bless everyone!

[Mindbender]

2008??? Did you film that with a medieval stone?

[XX-yggl]

Great spurt. She is mentally very strong, comparable to athletes like Maggie Vassey or Susanne Wigene.

[sadistaaco]

I'm very stressed right now with school and everything. But then I saw this, I cried! And now I'm ready to stand up and join the race again.

[JLaw]

YouTube has a super motivational video clip of a young runner, Heather Dorniden from the University of Minnesota, competing in a 600-meter race in 2008 against Penn State. While jostling for first place, Dorniden gets tangled up with another runner and falls to the ground as the last lap begins. Remarkably,

Heather gets to her feet and wins the race with a dramatic lunge for the tape. Coaches can teach you ways of conditioning your body, how to swing your arms, and the importance of mixing up race tactics. There isn’t a coach in the world, however, who can teach you to position your heart and mind to pull off such an improbable triumph. Heather was so focused on winning that she naturally got back up and kept running with every ounce of strength and energy she had. Quitting wasn’t in her playbook, so she didn’t waste a single second considering Plan B. Had she done so, she wouldn’t have won. That indomitable, single-minded will to succeed ultimately derives from soul power, the essence of who we are and what we want to be. Aristotle said, we are what we repeatedly do, so get habituated to giving your absolute best in every situation, and eventually that will become your default position. When the imposition of adolescent discipline turns into the self-discipline of adulthood, you are primed for lasting success. Heather Dorniden powerfully reminds us
that life is not about the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away. Extract from 'The Successful (Less Stressful) Student' by Coach L.

[mulray]

This is what separates the good athletes from the GR8 athletes. I know most would have gotten up to just finish and some would have walked it off in the last lap of a 600. She got up to WIN. This video brings a tear to me every time I watch it. It's the rare quality so few young athletes have today, desire. It begins and ends with hard work and dedication and stays with you in everything you do in life after. Heather Dorniden is a remarkable young lady and a terrific role model of humility. Thanks For The Moment !!!!   

[hellogoodbye]

It appears that Dorniden not only tripped and fell but the runner behind her inadvertently kicks her head or steps on her hair, making this comeback even more incredible.

[robbie]

Still the most inspirational thing I've seen in my life. To hell with giving up! To quote Prefontaine "Somebody may beat me, but they're gonna have to bleed to do it."

[wjallgood]

Wow! The timing of the Conti song with this race was perfect. Goose bumps on a stick. Thanks:)

[camscdan]

The obstacle she encounter was a huge setback, and she definitely didn't go the I'm hurt and I quit mode! She BELIEVED and showed us nothing impossible with a made up mind! Her desire to finish speaks volumes! This girl was on fire! She was focused and kept moving forward! Once again this is proof if your determine and have that passion to be ferocious in battle, you'll definitely be magnanimous in Victory! She's Dedicated, She's Courageous, and She's Unstoppable! Her name is Heather Dorniden.

[Jasononeill]

I don't usually watch athletics but this is spine-chilling!

[mwj]

Could this become by accident a new technique in track where a runner would stop for a few seconds, rest, then speed ahead and have a greater chance of winning? This is amazing to see! Did Heather ever explain what came over her to try to grasp what happened? Thanks Brian Pisciotti for all the work it takes to post a video on YouTube!

[PEPPER]

Very moving ! Winning is everything for some of us.

[manepranil]

She is from University of Minnesota :)

[juandelacroix]

There are 15 losers who disliked this video.