Indiana Open (the next meet)

Hi track fans!
Like most athletes, injuries always seem to come when you least expect them. I have been experiencng some small issues with my body. My knees have been really sore and after running at Kent State my hamstrings have been so sore. I am able to train, I just have to warm up a little longer and really get loose. I have been doing some rehab stuff and for the most part can still run. So I guess it is part of the game......the job .....the dream.
So the next meet was at IU and here I ran the 60, 400, and the 200. Chris wanted me to run these races and treat it like another day of good practice. Well again I was nervous because everyone looks at me as the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist and if I ran bad what would they think? I did go into the meet with a relaxed mind, maybe too relaxed and not really expecting much. I wanted to see where I was with my training. I had a great week of training and boy I had never done 300's until I felt like throwing up and passing out.
So I did get a little better in the 60, but I still need to work on my start and really pushing out and being quick. I have noticed that the beginning of my runs are a little slow and then I start building up. I gotta get those fast twitch muscles working ha ha, but I won the 400 and the 200. My times weren't that great but it allowed me to see where I was at. My goal for each race from now on is to attack the best way I can and continue to progress. I am going to start improving my mental, strength and physical. I want to improve my confidence and I know I will more and more as I run.
So all in all motherhood is so rewarding and the ability to train is also rewarding. As the season progresses I hope to qualify for Indoor Nationals and be in my prime shape by outdoor season. Please keep my family in your prayers and I wish you all the best!!!
BMW says Hi!!! FYI she is talking up a storm and loves to watch her momma run. UUUUMMMM I wonder if i have a little runner?????? We will see.

The Holidays

Hey everyone,
It's 2010 and man am I hoping for a good year. I hope that your Christmas and New Year's was enjoyable and a time spent with family. For Christmas we headed down to Dalton, Georgia to visit some relatives. It was a great time and Brooklyn did so well with the long drive. So what you all have been waiting for: the real deal on how my first meet of the year was!

OK here it is: Brooklyn is now 5 months old and I have been training for 4 months now. I had ran in a small meet in December and just really wanted to see where I was at. At this meet held at Kent State I ran the 60 meters, and the 300 meters. Boy was it a shock to the body ha ha, I had terrible flutters in my belly and I was sooooooooo nervous. I kept wondering what I would feel like after I was done racing and would my body be hurting so bad. Well I was very sore and in terms of the races, got dusted in the 60 meters and won the 300 in 39.4. I was ok with the progress that I had made and was even more ready to go back to training.

Once again though, no one will ever be able to tell you how hard training will be when coming back from pregnancy!!!!! Wheew if only I could be in the shape that I was in 2008. But I guess that is what I am working towards, so please please, wish me luck!!!

Girls on the Run 2009

Hey everyone,
On November 21, 2009 I was so happy to take part in an annual event that goes on in Cincinnati called Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run of Cincinnati is a life-changing, character development program for 3rd - 8th grade girls in the Greater Cincinnati area. They use exercise, positive reinforcement, and encouraging role models to provide girls with the confidence they need in those critical pre-teen years. Girls are given hour-long lessons that combine running and walking games with various life skills, including healthy eating, leadership, setting goals, cooperation and other age-appropriate topics. Please if you get a chance check out their website and feel free to get involved (www.gotrcincinnati.org)

I want to thank Erin and all the helpers who made this day special. Everyone was so nice and you could see the sparkle in the girls eyes and they completed the race and realized what they had accomplished. One reason why I do this event is because I see myself as a role model for the girls and I also enjoy meeting so many of them. These girls all hold a special place in my heart because they come with determination and have a desire to run and set goals. The invitation to help out also included the UC Women's Track Team and like always the ladies did an AWESOME job. They definitely helped to motivate the girls and provide support.
I look forward to the next event in May and hey maybe I will see some of you there or maybe you will take part in some other way. Until then please try to go out in your community and do

Month 4 of Motherhood, Month 3 of Training

Hi track fans!!!
I hope that you were able to enjoy your Thanksgiving and like me are looking forward to the arrival of Christmas. Here in Cincinnati we have cold weather that will be approaching soon and man I hope that it doesn't snow. So far thing are coming around in training, I am not where I was a year ago but I have made GREAT progession. I knew that it would be hard coming back after having a baby but man I didn't think my body would have changed this way. My back hurts so bad and I forgot what it was like to feel lactic acid ha ha. So far I am back into my Olympic Lifts, and sprinting. The running workouts are increasing and I am dropping time, my goal is to compete in meets in January. I do remind myself everyday when I train that I have to work hard because I have something to prove.
"When things are hard and rough you must never ever quit"
As I am training and a stay at home mom, I realize that my daughter will be my motivation. She smiles at me at practice and reminds me that I am doing this for her. I have had some downs lately in regards to a sponsor who has made things difficult for me. I often ask this question, "Why is it when you are doing well the sponsor wants to support you and when things aren't going well or you had a child and are back in training they want to make you feel as if you aren't worth their time. I wish that sponsors took in regards that everyone should be given a chance to prove themselves. I guess that is what I must do and what I am determined to do.

Let's see what is new with BMW, she is laughing more and loves to grab things. I am excited to see when I can start to give her rice cereal. She loves to watch her mommy and daddy eat. She stares at our food and watches us put it in our mouth. She is very attentive and explores things that are going on around her. She has begun to come back to practice with me and I think it is a learning experience for her. She watches me run around the trak and plays in her Exersaucer. I look forward to her starting to sit up and crawl. We took Christmas pictures and we could not get her to smile but she was curious to what we were doing. Chris is really enjoying watching her grow. Well she goes to her 4 month check up and we will see her weight and length and oh no more shots. So please take care and catch u with me soon.