# @steeple_squigs on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DKpxg6lOYzi
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/31250713-steeple-squigs-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f10ff6f42e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-08T20:10:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Colleen Quigley (@steeple_squigs) — https://gondola.cc/steeple_squigs

## Caption

The last time I raced at the Festival of Miles was my senior year of high school. That spring all I cared about was 1. Winning the MO state meet and 2. Qualifying for the “Dream Mile” which was this big meet in New York.
The Festival of Miles meet was kind enough to get me a pacer and give me a shot at breaking 4:51 so I could go to the Dream Mile after winning the state meet. I ran 4:52 and didn’t qualify. I was heartbroken.
I had no idea the trajectory of my career would have way bigger things in store for me. I had no idea that the way I was training (under training) in high school would set me up to have a successful collegiate and pro career, allowing me the time to develop as a runner as I got older.
Now I can look back on that race and tell Colleen of 2011 “it all works out, don’t worry about that Dream Mile, there’s way bigger dreams to chase.”

This year I finally went back to my hometown of St. Louis to race Festival of Miles again. And dang! This meet has blown UP! The crowd was AMAZING.
I launched teammeridia this week and have been dealing with some health issues again, but was too stubborn to not race, so I lined up and laid down a pretty embarrassing performance in front of my home crowd, running 4:43 in the mile and finishing second to last. 😓

I can’t even get into it all right now as it still stings, but I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who made me feel like a literal rockstar at this meet even after my bummer of a race. So many people took the time to tell me what my story has meant to them and their daughters who are in high school or college. This truly means the world to me and I’m so grateful. “Thank you” doesn’t even cut it. 🩷

I’m gonna try and get back on my feet as quickly as possible here. My biggest motivation to pick up the pieces is definitely my teammates on teammeridia and the work we are doing to create a space for athletes to thrive. 🏔️ Give the team a follow, we have big things coming.

Sending you all out 10000x the love I have received this week 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
#festivalofmiles #meridia #teammeridia #wearemeridia

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## Tags

meridia, teammeridia, wearemeridia, festivalofmiles

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