Bella Smith

2-TIME USA ALL-ARMY TEAM (2011, 2012)
COMPETED AT THE 2009 USATF INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS AGE: 12

HOMETOWN: Navarre, FL
SPORT: Running, Track & Field
YEARS TRAINING & COMPETING: 4
PERSONALITY: Ambitious, Funny, 

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION?
My motivation is to discover my personal limits. Life and work bring a myriad of distractions and there is always a reason NOT to train. I love to find the reasons why I CAN train. While some of life's obstacles cannot be avoided many can be overcome. I love finding how far I can go and what I can achieve while remaining exceptionally committed to my wife Asher Kyger Henry as well as always giving 100 percent to my job as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Life is about pushing one’s self to the limit in all areas: physical, mental and emotional. Running helps me get closer to the limit in every category. 

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My biggest accomplishment is a snap shot of my career as a whole rather than a single moment. Despite countless two week long training exercises in the field that prevent running all together, as well as a deployment to Afghanistan, I am proud to remain the 3rd fastest Officer in the U.S. Army.

WHO IS YOUR HERO?
My hero is anyone who has chosen to serve his or her country--be it as a nurse a teacher a fire fighter or a soldier. Those who serve are committed to the strength and health of our nation and their value cannot be overstated. 

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR SPORT?
I love that running always provides something new: a new race, distance, trail, workout or competitor. Running changes as the athlete changes and it always provides something to motivate you as well as something to humble you. 

WHY IS TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The easy answer is: 'because the Army tells me so'. The real answer is: because if your feet aren’t happy you aren't. Recover starts from the feet up, literally. If your foot strike changes while running because of a blister, tendonitis, a bruise, or poor arch support your entire running mechanics will change. This can cause innumerable issues that include muscle strains, stress fractures and overall increased fatigue.