BEIJING .....the next level .......where the real athletes compete!!!!

Hey everyone,

FYI- My Home Depot Commercial aired on Aug 8th and has been on several times. Check out NBC throughout the day and you will see it or here is a link from my buddy Chris Smith who put it on youtube. He taped it with his cell phone. But hopefully you can see the real thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Wupk7bB2g

Well sorry it took so long to write an update email to you all, but things here are great! I made it to China safe and sound with no problems. I have so many stories to tell that I don't know where to begin. Let's start with after the Olympic Trials....... I was so excited and proud of myself that I had one of the biggest smiles on my face for the remaining time that I was in Cincy before heading to Europe/China. Everyone in Cincy has been great supporters and fans. The coverage has been great for both myself and fellow Bearcat David Payne. I have enjoyed talking with all the reporters and being on all the news shows. I am happy for the exposure because it helps a lot of people understand more about my event, running and of course the Olympics.

Now I guess we can move on to the Big Trip.....My Road to Beijing. I left Cincinnati on August 2nd, 2008 and headed to San Jose, California to do processing. It was an amazing time in which I was able to go though different stages of processing, such as ring sizing, uniform collection, collection of sponsor gifts, shoes, clothing, getting Olympic information, and of course getting fitted for my opening/closing ceremony outfits. The whole process was overwhelming....I had a cart full of great things, and everyone from the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) was so helpful and nice. They definitely made my day. For this year Olympic Games the sponsor was NIKE and Ralph Lauren POLO. I got so much stuff that I was able to send a suitcase of stuff back home. While processing I found out that we get Olympic rings!!!! Wow my own ring. I was able to pick what I wanted it to say on the side (MARY 400M) and it will be white gold and have Olympic Rings on it. I can't wait to get it. After we went through processing a group of us (other track athletes) were able to eat dinner. We were expected to then after dinner get all our belongings together to get packed up for the airport. We would take off bright and early the next day to a long flight which would last 12 hours.

I can recall not being able to sleep that night, anticipating the next day. I felt like it was Christmas Eve and the next morning would be filled wth fun surprises. I headed to the airport the next morning and as Olympic athletes we went and checked into a special section. Check-in went smooth and the plane was a big one. I was happy with my seat choice which was a window seat with no one in the middle but another track athlete in the aisle seat. I was able to stretch out a little and get some sleep during the flight. At last after several hours and meals I landed in Beijing, China. As the plane landed I looked out to see gray skies and as I headed off the plane it was so very hot and humid. I couldn't believe....I'm Here, I'm here in China.

The transition to the Olympic Village was great, the Chinese volunteers for the games are very nice, full of smiles and very welcoming. After checking into the village the place was AMAZING. The village consisted of many dorm like buildings called suites and the athletes stay six to a room. The rooms are very cozy and I was able to recieve a gift from the Chinese children on my bed to welcome me. They painted pictures for each of the athletes. The days go by fast here espicially if you keep busy. I usually attend practice in the mornings, get treatment such as ice and stretch. then I go for lunch and then check email or go into our international zone on site, then it's time for dinner and we may have a team meeting here or there and it's bed time. Wow sounds like the life right...haha. But I am enjoying myself, and staying calm as I prepare for my first day on Saturday.

Opening ceremonies was such a great thing to be able to participate in. I was able to see so many athletes from other countries, and even from the U.S. Kobe, Carmello, Lisa Leslie, LaBron, Jenny Finch (baseball pitcher), the Venus sisters, volleyball and women's basketball, the Lopez family in Judo and even Dara Torres and Michael Phelps. I also meet President Bush, his father and Laura Bush. They all were very nice and greatful to have so many athletes to represent the USA. Walking in the cermony was long and hard because with what we had on and the weather, it was a sweaty four hours! But it was worth it and I would do it again. I was able to get some TV time by staying near Men's basketball, since I knew the TV would catch them and give them a lot of attention. If you were watching opening cermonies Men's basketball was the last team to walk into the stadium and I was talking with one of the players when the tv showed me. I was able to state to him that this crowd would be the same once track and field started. We were both amazed and he said that it was much more fans than they would have in their basketball arena. So I had a great time and was proud of Team USA for looking good and being the biggest team present. GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris was able to arrive a day after me and we were able to celebrate our 2nd anniversary in China. Well not really because he was actually on a plane on our date. But it is nice to have him here for support. He is also amazed with the whole experience. He is having a great time and for him the opening ceremonies was BRILLIANT. Chris wasn't able to be at the stadium but he did watch it on a big screen tv where he is staying. And boy let me tell you the coverage was great. He saw many things that you all in the US did not get a chance to see. His greatest event was the lighting of the torch and seeing the man run around the entire stadium. Chris has also been able to visit in the Olympic Village and eat a couple of meals with me. We have not been to any of the other athletic venues, but we have seen a lot on TV. We went to the Silk Market on my day off and let me just tell you there are some aggressive sellers!!!! Imagine yourself in a crowded shop with tons of people, and tons of little booths in which you go down an aisle and each floor is specific. You hear COME COME buy from me pretty girl or you handsome guy, ohhhh don't you want a tie, a purse, a shirt or some jeans. They grab your hand and usher you into their little booth and don't think you can escape. You have to bargain talk their prices!!!!! They will try to get more money from you at first then you hear the constant...ohhhh I don't make any money, youuuuu sooooo tough, or give me 300rmb and you immediately say no and only offer to give 100rmb which is like $20 USD. So that was our highlight of this trip so far. We also went to Nike hospitality in which I got some good stuff and we were able to eat and enjoy mingling. Now I am not going anywhere else until competition is over.......I am resting these legs and by he way it is raining today......

If you haven't check out the website feel free to...I actually can't put any pictures up from opening ceremony until 3 days after the Olympics so sorry you will have to wait until then. But I do know my friend Amy is a wiz on the computer and she was able to find some shots of me. We should have a listing up and schedule of when I run on the website. I will be also blogging but will try to keep it short on there. I hope everyone is well and please continue to keep me in your prayers. Talk to you all soon!!





Mary Wineberg

BEIJING HERE I COME.....

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

2008 Olympic Trials- 400 meters

Hey everyone,

Things have been going great here in Eugene! The weather has been decent, some days were very hot and besides the smog from the fires in California, things are good. So I know many of you want to know exactly how I am feeling right now leading into the finals. The first thing that comes to mind is a feeling of being BLESSED, I am so thankful for this opportunity! Looking back to 2004, I am definitely a stronger person and athlete. I have taken a journey through the years that has allowed me to get better and better each year. I am ready for this Olympic Trials, I am prepared and may the Lord continue to bless me.

The rounds each day were not too tiring, the goal was to run and place first in my heats. I was happy that I was able to do this and also have two days off after the 2nd round. I have been resting these last two days. Really getting in some good stretching, warm-ups and ice baths, because it is the end of the line. There is nothing that I can do in 2 days that will change how I will run in the final. I have practiced and worked hard all year and what will be will be. I want all my hard work to pay off and that it the plan. Run hard and run strong!!!!!

I am confident after the last two rounds, my body is ready to run and the ultimate goal is to make the team. Thanks to everyone who has been watching the trials or staying updated on line. You guys are the greatest fans in the world and don't think that I don't appreciate you all. It means so much to have someone just routing you on! So please keep the prayers going and let's make this team!

See you all soon,

Mary---
Determination, Desire, and Hope....these things will be in my mind as I get into the blocks on Thursday!!!!)

See you all soon.

Living the Life of a Celebrity....

Hello everyone,
O.K. I know the title may be a little too much but I had a great experience shooting a commercial in L.A. last week, so I figured that I would share it with all my supporters and fans. It was a great experience in which I learned a lot about how commercials are made. Not only did the company Backyard Productions take very good care of me, but I was able to meet one of their employees who use to have family that lived near Colerain Township. Man small world, we were both able to talk about the great spots in Cincy and how Colerain is. Being that I am new to the area I have found everyone that I have meet to be nice and the neighborhood is quiet.

So back to the commercial, I was picked up by a town car and taken to the CVG airport, I was able to fly first class and landed in LA at 10pm on a Monday night. The commercial was shot on the next day and I found out that I would be coming out of the blocks with a stadium full of people, who at the time weren't there. They would be digitally put in during editing. I was able to meet up with other athletes who would be doing other shots. Man t....hey had it all, make-up/hair, wardrobe, and a trailer for us to relax in. The director for this commercial would be the same guy who directed Invincible! That movie was great and after meeting him he was a friendly person.

So when my time actually came around I had five other girls (actors)in my shot. They built a track of about 20 meters in the soccer stadium where Beckham plays...and man I heard that he had walked by while I was in my trailer...I missed him! They made the stadium look really neat and we shot at night. It was a fun time, I did everything I normally did when getting in and coming out of the blocks. Sorry an' give you too many details, so be on the look out. The commercial airs in August of course for the Olympics and will be a Home Depot Commercial, so look for it. I will be "let's get started" theme. To top of the trip I ended the day with eating dinner and ending back to my hotel. I had to get up early the next day to head back to Cincy to get training in. Boy was I surprised when I woke up the next day to go to the airport, my taxi had arrived early, and the hotel receptionist called to alert me. I walked down with my bags and once I realized that my taxi was no taxi but a stretch limo..I couldn't believe it. So that was my quick trip to LA...the city of luxury and celebrities.

Check out the picture taken by one of the guy working on the shoot!
Copyright 2008 Kevin Althans