Trials and Tribulations/ A Role Model

"Champions are made when no one is watching"

-Unknown

I know I've stated previously that I tend not to work hard, but I've failed to mention a lot of things. Knowing your potential and living up to it is two very different things. I personally don't believe I work hard because I know I can work harder. So, it isn't that I don't work hard it's I'm not working the hardest I can. Every time I get on the track to run, I put my all into it. Whether it be at a track meet or practice, I never half do it. But I thought it would be good if I gave a little Landria History lesson. Man, I've put in some HOURS on the track. Natural talent only gets someone so far and without effort it will get you no where. I've always been a runner but I haven't always been a hurdler.

All throughout high school, I kind of got individual training. I've kind always been around people who run track and aren't necessarily track runners, there is a difference. So, I was always kind of ... alone, when it came to girls at least. So, I kind of had personal workouts from Coach Cook (my high school coach), especially after most people's seasons were over and I was training for States. When I was in 11th grade, however, all that personal attention wasn't really needed anymore because we actually had a good track team! But 11th grade I wasn't just a runner anymore, I was a hurdler now, a new born hurdler, who needed a lot of attention to get the hang of things. I will say hurdles came naturally, even though I was the most clumsy girl anyone had probably ever met. So, once again I was smothered with attention. Hurdles was soo exciting, so new to me I kind of became obsessed. I would practiced for hours. Practiced started at 3, I would stay until it would start to get dark trying to perfect the race. I would practice hurdles every single day, from about 3 to 7, my coach would literally make me leave practice! He would say stuff like "Look, I'm not about to be out here with you all night, I have a wife and a life." lol... And I would beg for just five more minutes. Lol.

Fast forward to college. Freshman year, I worked hard... but there was a point in the season where I was really determined to run really fast and I went back into OCD mode. Man, I was doin a lot lol Working extra hard, and it paid off... I pr'd, then I went back into chill mode lol. I remember going to Regionals and choking, basically. I didn't make it to the finals =( I remember sitting in the stands as the ran the 100 meter hurdle finals and thinking I should be down there. Then I looked at all the times and realized my times were no where near those. It kind of hit me, "I'm not really all that fast" I was determined to be in the finals the next year. I remember thinking "Next time, that's gonna be me" Sure enough it was! Sophomore year, I worked hard came to practice did what I was suppose to do but I never really went above and beyond, just did the basics. That's why I don't think I work hard, because I just did the basics, nothing spectacular on the side, just what everyone else was doing. I made it pretty far though, all the way to the Olympic Trials! Junior year wasn't so great, but I learned a valuable lesson from Junior year. Track is 90% mental.

Now, people say "Landria is just a freak of nature, she can not practice and still be great" but how do we know this? Not because Landria just doesn't practice, it's because Landria was forced not to for a whole season. It wasn't like I was just sitting around doing nothing for a whole season lol. I strained my hamstring. I was advised not to run at all but I'm wayy to stubborn for all that lol I was gonna run, injured or not. It was just making it through that got me. I was banned from practicing by the head athletic trainer and forced to go to rehab everyday. And I was in there everyday, only missing a few here and there. I was really working hard to try and come back from my injury. I wore tape on my leg the entire season, from January until May I hadn't raced one time without tape, not until Regionals. I didn't start back practicing until the week before MEACS (Conference). It's really something to be injured. It's the worst feeling ever, knowing you aren't performing to your potential and there is nothing you can do about it. I regained myself though.

Every time I stepped on the track I gave it my all, pushed as hard as I could in that moment and I ran decent times. And that's how I learned that track is a mental game. You can literally do anything you put your mind to, even if your body isn't feeling up to par, even if the odds are against you, if you want it bad enough, if you're really hungry for it, you can't fail. I'm a hungry individual. I hate to lose, and I'm not just about to sit there and let someone beat me, I'm going to fight for it! I don't care who they are, in my mind, I'm going to win this race and if I don't I'm going to give you a run for it. That's the kind of mentality I've always had, thanks to my father. Whether, I lose by a lot or a little or if I even win, my mentality stays the same. I'm hungry. Sometimes, being so hungry you forget food is on your plate lol if that makes any sense. I always think of myself as the underdog, the one no one expects anything out of, it keeps me humble. So, I tend to be hard on myself, and sometimes others around me, but it's all love. Maybe because I expect a lot from myself and others and I don't like to settle for mediocrity. I personally believe track is about 1. mentality, 2. timing and then 3. training or becoming technically efficient , if one can perfect those, then they will be a beast.

Sometimes, by thinking of myself as an underdog I forget that people look up to me, especially from back home, a lot of people are glad I'm out here doing well in sports and a lot of girls want to develop into a track athlete like myself. I guess because I really don't have a role model and I never really had one, I forget that I am one, at least to somebody (especially my little niece). I've realized this more and more this year (2009) and I've started giving back and doing more as a person. I realize sometimes people think I advertise not working hard or slacking, mainly because they don't know my background or what is going on when they aren't looking, hence the quote. I do a lot of things that people don't know about. Like for example, doing the season, I eat really healthy, I shop at whole foods and buy only healthy things, bet you didn't know that did you lol ;o). But I can't let all my secrets out. Lol. Anyways, that's all I have to say, thanks for reading and remember mentality is everything, in whatever you do... ttyl =)

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

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