That was the message Monday from an outstanding high school and collegiate runner, Ryder Leary, to members of Amelia Island Runners' first Summer Running Camp. Ryder is beginning his senior year on scholarship at the University of Florida. He talked about the thrill of running in national championship events, meeting world-class athletes, and the satisfaction that running can bring.

How did he become such a good runner?

Ryder played soccer before he ran his first race at age 11, the Shrimp Festival 5K, and won his age group. Then he got more interested in running, and at age 13, he won the race outright! He said his father, Michael J. Leary of Fernandina Beach, provided him with valuable coaching. He then received additional excellent coaching at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, increased his training and twice led the team to state championships, his proud dad pointed out.

"The deciding factor in running is desire," Michael Leary told the young runners. "You can be born with great talent, but that talent doesn't make you a great runner. Desire does that."

Ryder stressed the importance of setting goals for yourself. "Buy Post-It Notes" and write your goals on them, he said. "Stick 'em all over your house! Drive your parents crazy!"

"What you put into running, you'll get out of it," he said. If you put the work in, it can take you to the places where I've been." He added that running "makes you feel good about yourself every day."

Bill Beaumont, who's leading this week's running camp along with Michael Leary, said your goals need to be realistic but challenging. "You're not going to meet them all the time, but that's OK -- it helps keep you motivated," he said. "You need to challenge yourself."

Bill added that running and all other sports should be fun, though "it's not always easy."

Ryder noted: "The road is like your boyfriend or girlfriend. It argues with you, it fights back, but it's always there."

Michael Leary told the young runners that with training and effort, each of them can make a big difference for Fernandina Beach High School's running teams in the years to come.

"You've got to develop a discipline -- it's a lifestyle," he said. "It's a lot of hard work, but with great personal rewards."

Starting tomorrow, we'll learn that there's a lot more to running than just lacing up a pair of shoes!