Hi everyone,
Well the time is steadily approaching to the 2008 Olympic Trials..and as an elite athlete you realize that there is no going backing in time. You can no longer question, "Is my training good enough, or have I trained my best?" You now have to realize and trust in your coaching staff, training partners and of COURSE yourself, and know that you are prepared!!!
I am both very excited and nervous as I head into my 2nd Olympic Trials. I am happy that I do have a big supportive group of family and friends. My mom is always telling me to go after the win and beat somebody! I actually in each race go after that goal. I want to win races and I want to give a good time. Let's talk about this past meet and ohhhhh it was so close, I actually almost had a win!
Heading into the Adidas Meet, I had a good two weeks of training prior.....I was ready.....all I could do was give my best. California at this time of the year is usually warm but this particular weekend there was a HEAT WAVE!!!! Man it was hot, so hot that I warmed up inside before my race and came out 20 minutes before to get in some fast striders. The race was full of great competitors and I wanted the win but was proud to come in second place.
If you didn't get a chance to see it here is a recap. I was in lane 3 and got out to a good start.....I started to pick it up at the 200 meter mark and realized that I still felt pretty strong and could give more. I dug deep and started to turn over once from the 150 mark as I headed into the last 100. With 100 meters to go I was in 3rd place with 2 Jamaicans on my outside. ....and I made up ground. Myself and the Jamaican we were side by side, she just slightly in the lead, we inched for the finish line and I started to feel as if I had it but she crossed the line in 50.38 and I crossed in 50.41.......so close. It was a great race and I was happy with the time of where I wanted to be right now.
I will be headed to New York next weekend....again I will continue to go after my goal!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Osaka...HERE I COME AGAIN!!
My next big meet was going to a place that was all so familiar to me, a place that I called home for three weeks. I wasn't excited about the 12 hour flight, but I was excited to go back to the place where I had won gold. The Osaka GP was an event that I attended last year and there I had won the women's 400 in 51.22. As the defending champion, it was now up to me to come back and place with another win.
Prior to making the trip I had checked the weather, I wanted to pack and be prepared for anything. The weather called for rain and chilly conditions, but I didn't let that get me down. I left for Japan on Wednesday and arrived on Thursday, and of course since I am not a high roller or big baller you could say..I rode in coach class. But man I wish I could have flown business, it looked so cozy up there on the second deck of the jumbo plane. All I could do was get a quick glimpse of those who travel in style and comfort...hahah. I got comfortable in my seat and made sure that on the flight home I would request an exit row.
Heading into the meet before I left Ohio I got a sinus infection, so imagine how comfortable flying was....I was stuffed up and my ears felt like they were full. I was happy once we arrived in Japan....I couldn't wait to get off the plane and once again say OHIO (good morning)
My Japanese was very limited but it was nice to arrive at the hotel and have some who spoke English. The Japanese people are always friendly and when they say hello they often bow. As an American I never know if I should bow also, but I enjoy the experience of being somewhere different.
Our hotel was very nice that we stayed in, but I stayed away from trying any different foods. Due to already have sinus problems and not risking getting sick..I didn't try any sushi or traditional Japanese dishes. Man you never want to get sick when traveling...not a good thing. I wasn't sure of the competition in the meet, many athletes had not made it to the meet for various reasons or were heading to another big meet in DOHA. My plan was to go out and have fun in the race, execute and come home with a win.
On the day of the race it rain all day , and was so gloomy and chilly. I always have wondered why in a meet when it is pouring raining why they make you stand in the rain as other athletes are still undressing. The rain didn't bother me too much...good thing my hair was able to wave up and be pulled back into a ponytail. (HAHA) No but really the meet was enjoyable and there was a nice crowd there to support even with the rainy weather. Osaka, thanks for having me!!!!! I ended up winning the race in 51.5, wasn't excited about the time, but again accepted the win.
My goal is to gear up for the next meet, and hope for better weather. By the way the countdown to the Olympic Trials is now less than 50 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See you all and thanks again for staying updated!!!!
Prior to making the trip I had checked the weather, I wanted to pack and be prepared for anything. The weather called for rain and chilly conditions, but I didn't let that get me down. I left for Japan on Wednesday and arrived on Thursday, and of course since I am not a high roller or big baller you could say..I rode in coach class. But man I wish I could have flown business, it looked so cozy up there on the second deck of the jumbo plane. All I could do was get a quick glimpse of those who travel in style and comfort...hahah. I got comfortable in my seat and made sure that on the flight home I would request an exit row.
Heading into the meet before I left Ohio I got a sinus infection, so imagine how comfortable flying was....I was stuffed up and my ears felt like they were full. I was happy once we arrived in Japan....I couldn't wait to get off the plane and once again say OHIO (good morning)
My Japanese was very limited but it was nice to arrive at the hotel and have some who spoke English. The Japanese people are always friendly and when they say hello they often bow. As an American I never know if I should bow also, but I enjoy the experience of being somewhere different.
Our hotel was very nice that we stayed in, but I stayed away from trying any different foods. Due to already have sinus problems and not risking getting sick..I didn't try any sushi or traditional Japanese dishes. Man you never want to get sick when traveling...not a good thing. I wasn't sure of the competition in the meet, many athletes had not made it to the meet for various reasons or were heading to another big meet in DOHA. My plan was to go out and have fun in the race, execute and come home with a win.
On the day of the race it rain all day , and was so gloomy and chilly. I always have wondered why in a meet when it is pouring raining why they make you stand in the rain as other athletes are still undressing. The rain didn't bother me too much...good thing my hair was able to wave up and be pulled back into a ponytail. (HAHA) No but really the meet was enjoyable and there was a nice crowd there to support even with the rainy weather. Osaka, thanks for having me!!!!! I ended up winning the race in 51.5, wasn't excited about the time, but again accepted the win.
My goal is to gear up for the next meet, and hope for better weather. By the way the countdown to the Olympic Trials is now less than 50 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See you all and thanks again for staying updated!!!!
2008 Penn Relays
USA vs The World has always been an exiting meet to attend and participate in. I can remember in college counting down the days until we would come to the PENN RELAYS. Chris's first year at the Penn Relays resulted in a 3rd place finish in the decathlon while he was a sophomore. I actually participated in the relays in college when we attended.
The thing I enjoy the most is the crowd, the atmosphere and of course the loud Jamaicans. You enter the stadium on Saturday and all you see is green, yellow and black. Jamaican flags, shoes, clothing and of course you smell Jamaican patties/Jerk chicken in the air. OOHHHH what good food...if you haven't tried it make sure you get some authentic food, no wanna be's. It's definitely not the same. You see me I am lucky to have my mother stew up some oxtails/red beans and rice, and my other relatives they make the rum cake. Before the meet my family will state how well the JA's will do. But I have to let them know that USA will always come out on top, the wonderful red, white and blue.
This was the case in many of the relays for the Americans, even though Jamaica did come out on top in some events. Whenever we prepare for USA relay meets, you really never know what team you will be made up of or even what leg you will run until the day before. For me training was heading in the right direction and I was ready to be on any team and run my best. I was on the team made up of Wineberg, Felix, Hastings, and Richards.(same girls from World's prelim and Final...missing Trotter) We ended up running a Penn Relays record and winning in first place over the rest of the field. It was such a good feeling to be able to pass the baton on and really see us make up some ground.
After winning we were able to get up on the podium and accept our Penn relay watches. I now have three watches...hey I will always know the time. This meet was also exciting because some of the UC athletes and Chris were able to stay behind and watch me run. It always helps to have support!!! My mom, family and friends make sure they catch me on TV...and hopefully you fans watch and are screaming at the TV for me to RUN, RUN MARY, AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!!
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