Thursday, November 26, 2009

Surprise, Surprise!

"There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved: It is God's finger on man's shoulder."



- Charles Morgan

Hey Everybody!!! Much has been going on since we last spoke but I can't cover everything because I don't feel like writing that much. Lol. Let's start with me going home for Thanksgiving.

I surprised my family by going home, no one knew! When I got there it was around 1am and everyone was asleep, my mom heard me after a while and came out to see who it was. She thought I was a robber lol. I said "Rahhhh" and she jumped back screaming LMAO!!!! I told her NOT to tell anyone I was home... she told everybody! Lol I met my nephew/God Son, he's 2 months old, and the cutest thing I've ever seen!!!! I love him sooo much, he's funny too =) My grandma cooked some great food and all was well. My mom told me to get what I wanted from Christmas on Black Friday, so I got a printer and Blue Ray DVD player... I also got myself an ipod and wii. I brought my dog with me to leave him there, my little sister is taking him because I'm going to be gone every weekend for track meets. It was sad leaving Prince... sometimes I forget he's gone... I miss him a little...

It's the last week of school, today was the last day!!!!! I'm soooo happy! I still have finals though. Dang, one more semester and I'm done. Wow, time flies. I've been so stressed and swomped with projects and papers and things. This week has been crazy.

We have a track meet this weekend!!!! I'm excited! I'm like the only person who actually likes this meet. Most people don't see the point of having a meet in december right before Christmas break. I think it's good because it makes me feel better about practicing since the end of September until now. And it gives me a chance to see where I'm at and what I need to work on or at least be aware of before the season gets rolling. It also gives everyone (especially the freshmen) to get the first meet jetters out. I can't wait to see what happens.

Well I can't think of anything else to write but I'll keep you posted about the track meet. =) Good luck on your finals!!!! Ttyl

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Decisions, Memories, Life

"Time may pass, things may change, but I'll always be a Carver Queen"
- Landria

This week has been a very interesting week for me. Where do I begin...

Well I guess I should start with Track. I've started doing ab workouts, I try to do them daily but I've been slacking a little bit. My core is getting stronger though, it's getting easier to do planks and sit ups and stuff. Low-key I like the feel of the burn! Lol. My leg is completely better now! =) As far as this weeks workouts. Ugh. I'm sad to say I only practiced on Monday. =( But I have a good reason for it!

Tuesday, I went to this program trying to get an internship at either the RNC because I was just trying to get something on my resume! I felt bad because I had to miss my reading buddy program. =( Anyways, the lady at the RNC invited everyone to this intern seminar on Thursday. I talked to her for a little bit after the program and she really liked me a lot and basically said I was in and to give me the application on Thursday at the program.

Wednesday, I was running around trying to get everything together for the seminar. I had to get business cards, my hair done (because it was a straight mess!) and a suit. Sad to say I didn't have a suit... smh... I had tons of business casual stuff but no suits. I def need to step my professional game up! Mom sent money so I could get my hair done because she didn't want me up in there looking a hot mess.

Thursday, rolls around and I'm extra nervous and excited. The seminar was cool and informative. So, after she takes me and a few other students on a tour of the RNC. It was nice in all and everyone there was extra nice and sweet and they even gave us gifts. I gave her the application at the end and she seemed really excited. I mean technically I'm a independent voter. I'm conservative when it comes to money but very very liberal with my social views; gay marriage, abortion, against the death penalty, all that! I'm a strong believer and letting people "live their lives." I mean all I would do is plan parties and meetings and stuff like that. So, that's why I wasn't at practice this week. I was trying to get my post-grad life together.

Now, in regards to the quote. I use to be a Carver Queen <3!> At Howard we have different dorms and one of them is a male's dorm called Carver. I really only knew Carver boys so they called the girls Carver Queens. As time passed and we became Sophomores I went off and started focusing on Track, while they started a G-DUB movement. They had their annual Thanksgiving dinner this past Saturday. I went and it was nice reconnecting with old friends and talking about yesteryear. Freshman year was crazy! It was even better to see friendships mended. I always hated being the friend in the middle! Man, I'm really about to graduate. I adore some of the freshmen trying to get on, some of them are extra sweet. It was slightly awkward being surrounded by strangers... but it was kool. Even though I'm not in G-DUB, I'll always consider myself a Carver Queen... Lol... Extra Throw back. =)

Well, that's what I've been up to. I look forward to practice and Thanksgiving =). Ttyl.




Saturday, November 14, 2009

Taking Steps

"A Journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step."
- Confucius

Yesterday was a good day. I attempted to go to the weight room but it was closed because of the men's and women's basketball games. I was kind of bummed but it was probably for the better because applying pressure to my leg may not be the best of all looks. I did manage to get a workout in the pool! It felt nice to be in the water, after my workout I felt relaxed and my leg felt a little better. It's still a little sore (not hurt!) but it's improving. Pool workouts are so refreshing to the body! I've decided I'm going to try and get in at least once a week. Next semester I'm taking beginning swim, so I'll be in at least twice every week.

After my workout I went straight to the dark room. I'm taking a Basic Black and White Photography class. I developed so awesome pics! I'm going to scan them and put them up soon! I have some great track pics too! =)

So, here's the track schedule for 2009-2010... if you can come, check us out! =)

Indoor Track
Dec. 5 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
Jan 9 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
Jan 16 University of Maryland College Park, MD
Jan 22-23 VT Hokie Invitation Blacksburg, VA
Jan 29-30 Penn State Open Invitation Unversity Park, PA
Feb 6 Vince Brown Invitation Newport News, VA
Feb 12-13 MEAC Championships Landover, MD
Mar 5-6 NCAA Championships College Station, TX
Outdoor Track
Mar 19-20 Wake Forest Unversity Winston-Salem, NC
Mar 26-27 Raleigh Relays Raleigh, NC
Apr 2-3 Colonial Relays Williamburg, VA
Apr 10 Hampton University Hampton, VA
Apr 17 Mount Saint Mary's University Baltimore, MD
Apr 24-26 Penn Relays Philadelphia, PA
May 6-8 MEAC Track Championships Greensboro, NC
May 27-29 NCAA Regional Championships Greensboro, NC
June 9-12 NCAA National Championships Eugene, OR

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Little Somethin Somethin


I said this blog wouldn't just be about track. So, I write Spoken words and poems from time to time. Here's one I wrote about running.


Breathing



She said it feels like breathing for the first time.

Every time she feels the wind kiss her face,
The music in her ear, keeping her on pace.

She takes long strides and clears the thoughts from her mind.

She doesn’t even like to run and hates to sweat,
But everyday she gets up, and takes her first breath.

Like the commercials say, Running knows,
Running knows her troubles and eases her stress.

So,
She runs hard and long,
No destination is set.
Just the pace,
And that changes to the music.

She isn’t running to anything,
But she is running away,
Away from the doubts and fears,
Away from the lies and tears.

She runs until she can’t run anymore,
Til her lungs burn and her legs are numb,
Til her body aches,
And she doesn’t know how much more she can take.

She runs away from her regrets,
From her past, and her future,
From her worries, and the pressure,

From the world.

She runs from tears not cried,
decisions not made,
And paths not chosen.

She runs until she can’t feel the pain anymore.

There’s no job,
No schedules, No demands,
No pressure, No lectures.
Just the ground and her steps.

There are no crowds,
No voices to cheer her on,
No cheerleaders to give her water.
There is no one.

Just her.
The music.
Her sweat.
Her heartbeat.


And her first breath.

If it's Not One Thing... It's Another

"The difference between men who succeed or fail is their ability to handle pressure."

-Edwin Louis Cole


I decided I'm going to start every blog with a quote! This quote by Edwin Louis Cole is so true. In the world of Track and Field (or any other sport lol) if you can't handle pressure, you will never be great. Imagine, standing at the line with the fastest runners in the Country, at one of the biggest meets in the Nation, on National television, with hundreds of people in the stands, and all you're trying to do is qualify to the next round. Well I've experienced it... 7 times. It's one of the most nerve racking experiences, but the most thrilling at the same time! Had I let the pressure get to me... I don't know what would've happened. Lol.

Anyways, a few days ago at practice I was running late to my reading buddy volunteer program and I had decided to bring my dog to practice that day. I was suppose to be at the program at 5:30 and when I finished practice my coach said it was 5:20. The gate to the parking lot was locked and I knew it was going to take me at least ten minutes to walk all the way around. So, what do I do??? I decide to hop the gate... smh. Bad Idea! Very Bad Idea! So, my first attempt is a no go. I get all the way to the top and as I'm trying to figure out how I should go about getting down, I lose my balance. I start falling backwards and my leg gets caught in between the two bars. The second attempt goes perfectly! But after I'm over the gate and heading to the car my right leg is just not feeling right. I decide to keep it moving and worry about it later. It's still hurting =( Hopefully it's just sore and not an injury... If it still hurts on Monday I'll go to the trainers.

On another note, practice today was cool. I really need to work on my core and hit the weights. I decided I won't be going to the athlete weight room this year because the times don't fit in my schedule. I'm going to the other one... but I've yet to do so. I think I'm going to start tomorrow because I really can't just be skipping out this year. Not only am I going to go to the weight room I'm going to hit the pool too. My body has been aching something serious! It hurts just to touch my back, and my quads are screaming for attention. If I still feel some kind of way after the pool I'll ask DeAnna (Trainer) to give me a deep tissue. I like her, she's really nice! It's not a hassle to get any work done from her, you don't have to beg and plead or whine, like you have to do with some of the other trainers.

I might O.D. on the blog right now but I can bet you the days between me blogging will grow farther and farther apart but I'm going to try and stay up on it. Ttyl =)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A New Start

"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them."
-William Shakespeare

Thought I'd start it off with a quote =). So, it's a new season! My last one as a collegiate athlete! I can't say it isn't a bittersweet moment, time does fly. Anyways, my last 3 seasons weren't the best. Sure, I've had great moments, experienced things people dream of, some only experience once in a lifetime, and others never experience but... I think they could've been better lol. Here's a brief summary of my past seasons.

Freshman year- I ran the 100 meter hurdles. I made it to regionals and had a p.r. (personal record) of 13.55. I placed 2nd in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

Sophomore year- I ran the 100 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles. I placed 2nd in the 100 meter hurdles and 1st in the 400 meter hurdles in MEAC. I qualified for Regionals for both events. I became All-Region in the 100 hurdles and qualified for Nationals. I placed 9th at Nationals became All-American. Qualified for the Olympic Trials!! Placed 26th at the Olympic Trials. Had a P.R. of 13.24 in the 100 hurdles. I made the World List for the 100 hurdles.

Junior year- I ran the 100 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles. I was injured all season. I wore tape on my leg from January until Regionals and didn't practice in between. I placed 3rd in the 100 meter hurdles and 1st in the 400 meter hurdles in MEAC. Qualified for Regionals in both events and became All-Region in both. I qualified for Nationals in both. I placed 10th in the 100 hurdles and 12th in the 400 hurdles. P.r.'d in the 400 hurdles with a time of 57.88! I qualified for USA's in the 400 hurdles but due to a retard head coach I was unable to compete. I also made the World List for Both events!

And now that leaves us here... Senior Year! Hopefully, I'll be able to sign a deal and get to become a professional Track and Field athlete and travel the world! But before we can get to that, I have to start with... Practice!

I don't have the best record of actually working hard. I don't like to practice unless we are practicing hurdles and I don't even know what a w-e-i-g-h-t-r-o-o-m is??? Lmao! But this year I'm going to try and get everything together because I have BIG GOALS!!!

True Life: I'm a * TrackStar *

P.S. It's not going to be JUST about track... but mostly