Hi everyone,
I AM SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED THAT THE TRIALS ARE OVER, I MADE IT, I DID IT...WHAT MORE CAN I SAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Things were so hectic after the Olympic Trials(throwing my mom an early surprise birthday party to leaving for Europe 2 days later), so sorry for just getting around to writing about the wonderful experience I had. I knew that I couldn't take too long because so many people were asking me how the race went, what happened and how was my stay in Eugene. So here it goes, I hope that I answer all your questions and make you feel as if you were there with me.
Eugene, Oregon is actually a very nice quiet place in which people seem to love not only football but track and field. Just to throw this out there for those who may not know Steve Prefontaine. He was a great distance runner who went to the University of Oregon. He was AMAZING, he set so many records, went to the Olympics and unfortunately did not get to advance his career due to dying in a car accident. His name still lives on in Oregon, they have a track meet named after him, and you will see many people wear PRE shirts or just sit and reminisce about him. Hey google him and read his story!
I arrived in Eugene five days before the first round of the 400 meters. I was able to have my husband attend with me, his parents and my coach Jim Schnur. My inlaws and coach were able to stay with a very nice family in Eugene. The Duncan's were great! They opened up their home and were enjoyable host. They even attended the final round of the 400 to watch me run. The Duncan's had lived in Eugene for 17 years but actually had ties from Spingfield, Ohio where they both grew up. My inlaws and husband are from there..so we kept thinking man small world...it's interesting who you can meet. So being there early in Eugene of course allowed me to adjust to the time difference of three hours and the weather/allergies. Chris and I got in our last work out while in Eugene, and from there we knew I was ready to go. Nnow all that was left was making it through the rounds and letting the Final take care of it self. I really didn't sight see too much but I stayed off my feet and just relaxed. Chris did go see the mountains and sea lions which were pretty neat, but he said they smelled strong! I will admit prior to competiting...we found out while my coach was with me that he did not get renewed the following year as head womens coach for UC. We were all shocked, upset and confused! I couldn't belive that this happened and happened during the biggest event of my life..the TRIALS. We all decided to not think about it and move forth with our plan...nothing was going to ruin my chance. It is unfortunate that he will no longer be coaching at UC...he is a great coach, very knowledgeable and produced 11 NCAA All Americans for UC. He will still be coaching me in part with my husband, but let's keep him in our prayers!!!
On the day of the Final I will admit I was nervous but confident...I had a plan but sometimes things don't go as plan and you still have to wing it so here it is.....
how the race went:
The race was a blur to me right after....I definitely had so many emotions especially during the last 50 meters. But also after watching it several times I was able to dissect the race and see my mistakes and what I did right. Going into the final I was very confident with myself, I knew that I had worked hard all year and I would make this team no matter how I came across the line. I wanted to complete my goal and I had the look of war on my face for the final...some thought it was nervousness.
As the announcer said set my goal was to get out hard and just run with my heart. My coach had expressed to me to get out the first 80 meters, relax the back stretch but stay in position and then bring it home strong like in Indy last year. Unfortunately it wasn't that easy, as I got into the blocks I said to myself...let's go after her...you can run with her....let's do it. (referring to Sanya...she is a great teammate and competitor) I got out hard the first 100 meters and then didn't get relaxed the second hundred...I increased my turnover causing me to come through the 200 at 23.2 (TOO FAST FOR ME....I USUALLY DO 23.8 or 24 flat) even the announcer stated before that myself and Trotter were slower in the first 200 than our competitors)
I actually made up ground and I was pumped, maybe a little too much....and was in the lead for a little until she turned on her legs and at that point on the third hundred...I still thought I could go with her and still tried to turn over.....as we headed into the last 100 meters...I thought my body felt OK and would be able to finish strong....but the effects of sprinting too fast in the 2nd hundred caught up with me.....ugggggggghhhhhhhhh
That horrible feeling came on quick. The feeling as if a monkey jumped out on my back and was pulling and pulling me into the track. Sort of like your sinking and there is no way out!!! I started to strain and I saw my life flash before me..but quickly. I just needed to hoooooooooooollllllllllllld on....
Sanya took off strong down the home stretch, and as I lifted and struggled down the homestretch I was able to hold on to 2nd place and fall across the line.WHEWWWW!!!!!!! I made it....but gave a lot of people the scare of their life, including myself. Once laid out on the track, I looked back at the screen to see the places because I wasn't exactly sure I had made it. Once I saw it I was so relieved that I didn't even remember how the race had went or that I had fallen...I got up to enjoy my news...I was so happy and thankful!!! The Lord blessed me and I was know an Olympian. Well what I did right in the race was go after it!!! I wasn't afraid and sometimes you have to do that. I didn't run the best race of my life...certainly not but it's amazing how I still made the team and got second at that. My worst race.....think if I would have ran a more relaxed first part my time I know would have possibly been a PR!!! But I will now shoot after that for the Olympic Games.
Thank you all for your continual support and I hope that I have made you all proud. I can remember in 2004 when I was looking for sponsporship....at that time I didn't have anything. I was paying my own way to meets in California and trying to stay focused at the same time. I can remember talking with my high school coach Karl Kauffman, and he referred me to a family that decided to help me out. I tried using my resources in Cincinnati and sent out DVD's expressing to companies my need for sponsporship and pleading my case. This family decided to help me out...I was very greatful and to this day I still think back to Connolly Family in Cincinnati. Thanks again
