BLOOMINGTON - Christin Wurth-Thomas' T-shirt read, "Be Fast Or Be Last!" She lives a life built on speed, and Saturday, her whirlwind existence brought her back to a familiar place.

Wurth-Thomas looked at home while jogging around the track at Bloomington High School's Fred Carlton Field, the strides coming easily in the late-morning sun.

She is 28 years old and an Olympian now, headed for the Beijing Olympics in the 1,500-meter run next month. The journey has been long and challenging, but the foundation was laid on this track, where she developed into a three-time Class AA state champion in the 800.

"I love coming back. I love all the memories I had in high school," said Wurth-Thomas, who was in town for her brother Justin's wedding. "But it's funny to see the clips of me running in high school and how much I've changed."

She says her form has improved, though she continues to fine tune it. Her body is different, too … leaner and more defined from weight training and running 70 miles a week.

What has not changed is the vision Wurth-Thomas set for herself after starring at BHS and becoming an All-American at the University of Arkansas. That is, to chase down her potential, no matter what it takes.

"I think everybody deals with the times when you're injured or things aren't going your way," the 1999 BHS graduate said. "Those times actually made me a better athlete, putting in the work then.

"You have to see that 'This is going to pay off. It may not be paying off now, but at some point all the hard work will start paying off.' "

Wurth-Thomas cashed in July 6 in the U.S. Olympic Trials at Eugene, Ore. A third-place finish in the 1,500 secured her trip to Beijing.

She had a time of 4 minutes, 8.48 seconds in what she called "the most nerve racking race of my life." It was well off her lifetime best of 4:04.88, but earned Wurth-Thomas a spot in the 1,500 preliminaries Aug. 19 and 20 in Beijing. The finals are Aug. 23.

"I was pretty much expected to make that team, and you never know how it is going to go," she said. "I actually didn't have an 'A' race, but I was strong enough to be OK."

The goal is to be better in Beijing. To that end, Wurth-Thomas leaves Wednesday for professional races in London next weekend and Monaco on July 29.

Then, it's back to her home in Springdale, Ark., to train with her longtime coach, Lance Harter, before heading to Beijing.

"I've been picky and choosy with races this spring because I wanted to train," she said. "We're ready to get in the competition phase and just let myself compete and get race sharp."

Wurth-Thomas had the ninth fastest time in the world following the Olympic Trials. Every Olympian hopes to end up on the medal stand, but Wurth-Thomas called earning a medal a "pretty lofty" aspiration.

A more realistic goal, she said, is making the finals.

"That's coming from my coach, my family, my husband … everyone believes that's what I can do," Wurth-Thomas said. "If I'm in the top eight, it would be ideal. We'd walk away being pretty happy with that."

Among those pulling for Wurth-Thomas is BHS coach and athletic director John Szabo, who coached her in cross country and track with the Purple Raiders.

Szabo enjoyed watching her circle the track Saturday, saying, "It's neat to see her back here and see how happy she is. Everything she's achieved, she's worked for it and she's earned it.

"In our sport and in her events, it's something you have to work many years for. She stuck with it and has been focused and dedicated."

Wurth-Thomas' cheering section in Beijing will include her husband, Patrick Thomas, a former University of Arkansas runner who works for J.B. Hunt Transport near their home, and her parents, Mike and Judy Wurth of Bloomington.

Commemorative T-shirts and red, white and blue wristbands bearing Wurth-Thomas' name are available for purchase to help defray the cost of the trip.

They can be obtained through Judy Wurth at judywurth@myway.com or Szabo at szabojohn@district87.org. Donations also are being accepted at CEFCU, National City Bank, Country Financial Services and at christinwurth1500.com.

The payoff for the family will be sharing in an experience of a lifetime.

Wurth-Thomas can't wait.

"I kind of have to keep my feet on the ground right now," she said. "We're excited about it, but it's still about a month away."