Well I am here! Departed my home at 8:15 this morning and made my way to the airport  for a 10am flight. Unfortunately, where we were delayed 40mins but I had no need to worry because after my 6.5hr flight I had a 3hr layover waiting for me. Thanks goodness for Terrance Trammell and Ashley Kidd I had someone to keep me company.  It was a short one hour flight to Eugene which put me on the ground 8:50pm. Lovely 12hrs of travel….I cant wait till the Championships move back to the East Coast!
Still I am happy to be here once again. I compete Thurs-Sun so you probably won’t hear from me until I know the verdict. Hope that everyone is praying for my health, speed and positive impact on the sport, world and those who admire me. Love you all.
This Sunday was Fathers Day and my father’s birthday. Instead of moping around missing him my siblings and I were celebrating him. Myself, three of my sisters and my two brothers met up in Atlanta for a quick 24hr trip. Residing in 5 different states, getting everyone in the same place is no easy feat, but 6 out of 7 is not bad! Each one of us possesses a different but undeniable characteristic that assures we are all from the same blood line. In meeting the 7 of us you would definitely get a feel for who my father was.  I really believe it brought joy to my Fathers heart as he looked down and saw his children in one place spending time together.  I am sure he is proud to see that all of us are doing ok and we are looking after each other. I miss him so much but am glad he left me with so many reminders of him thru them.
Speaking of family I want to give a shot out to a family who has adopted me as their own and has been Godsend since I have met them and especially during the rough times. The Humphrey’s have kept me grounded and made my life as easy as possible however they can. Whether it be helping pack for a trip, looking after Atheena while I am away, fixing up around the house, making airport runs or just keeping us company on holidays my mother and I would otherwise spend alone they are ALWAYS there when I need them. For group of people to make such an effort when they have so much going on in their own lives mean the world to me. So Calvin, Deborah, Talib, Kashata, Khayla, Keyonne, Jakiya, Jalen and Taniyah. Thanks!
Thursday I traveled to the Myron Rolle Leadership Academy in Jacksonville Florida to speak. I was to close out a week which had speakers like Rudy (Notre Dame football inspiration) , Judge Faye Allen and Coach Herman Boone (from Remember the Titans’) among others. Knowing Myron’s speaking ability and having heard about the other acts I had to follow I was a nervous wreck! I had to step my game up but somehow I got through it and seemed to do one of my better jobs as speaking is NOT my strong point.
The camp was phenomenal and once again this guy has amazed me! Myron’s foundation brought 86 foster children from all over Florida to spend a week learning the importance of leadership and good character no matter what hand life has dealt you. Myron was present each day and even lead morning calisthenics. So often you find athletes set up these sort of events with good intentions but seldom participate beyond a guest appearance. It was nice to meet his brother and closest friend Mckinley along with is parents Beverly and Whitney. With such a quality support group it is plain to see how he became such a stand out person.
Hopefully I can attend again next year as a mentor. I would love to participate in all the weeks events without the pressure of the speech giving. I think I am much more useful in a conversational environment.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. I know that this was a good opportunity for my to continue to sharpen my delivery as I am sure this won’t be the last speech I give. Thanks Myron
Just a few words i hope you think about at your future races. When you run you feel free. Winning races are important but the task of completing the race is what makes me happy. The thought that you have strived your hardest and the feeling of exhilaration after you have finished what seems like a mile long 100-meter dash. Deep in your mind as you look at the track you think: I’m here, i made it and i am a kick -but runner. I hope you feel that you have experienced your happiest moment while doing what you do best and keep on making every one proud that we have a strong woman who has to take two steps for every one step the other runners take yet still finishes strong. I wish you the best in all races.
It has been awhile…. Guess I have been suffering from a bit of writers
block. Here is a quick update:
Adidas track Classic 2 weeks ago didn’t go so well. No excuses though I
just need to step it up a notch and quickly because my competitors are
bringing it each and every week. My event has been smoking the last few
years but no one person has been able to claim dominance . I am training
well and long overdue for a good race.
Tomorrow I run the 100m and 200m here in NY at Reebok Grand Prix. I
arrives Wednesday evening had a press conference Thursday AM which went
great. Afterward I was feeling touristy so I hopped on a tour bus and
checked out downtown. I have been to NY quite a few times but you can
never cover it all. I was also lucky enough to nab a ticket to wicked
last night, it was great!
As I type I am headed to the track for a Pre meet/ shake out. My baby
sister and best friend are in town so will probably catch up with them
when I finish then just hang around my room. I need to preserve my
energy because I want to be fast tomorrow!
One Love! One Heart! Let’s get together and feel all right.
The weekend turned out lovely!! There was such good energy in the air that you could not help but be happy. So many gathered for the purpose of supporting the sport was an amazing thing to see. See me posing with some Jamaican Lauryn Williams supporters? This is what is is all about, enjoying Spirit of the sport and what we all symbolize while still being proud to represent for your home team.
I ran well in the 100, got out well but pressed a little at the finish instead keeping my form. 10.94 got me 5th in a very fast race where thought it was wind aided you could tell that we all brought our A game to line up against such an accomplished field. I have got some work to do but I am glad to have reaffirmed that I am not a 11.40 sprinter. Besides I finished with a bang winning the 200m in 22.35. Sholanda Solomon who I’ve known since we were on a world junior team in 2002 was hot on my heels and had a great day with a PR in the 100. Although this would have been a great opportunity for ESPN to highlight us on sportscenter as was penn relays, we still didn’t make the cut. I just think it is unfair that they get to choose to cover us only when reporting on a negative. We need them to think that the positive is worth covering in order for us to regain public interest and build the sport the way it should be!!
My youngest sister, Leighandra and friend Devan were in town and it was great to have some familiar faces in the crowd. At penn relays we started a new ritual of getting a doggy bag when we go out to eat taking it to a homeless person. I believe in random acts of kindness to make the world a better place one step at a time and think this is good way to show my younger sister that. She really loves it and so Friday night we set about the task of finding someone in need of our care package. Easy enough task right??? NOT!!! There aren’t any homeless people in downtown NYC!! Now granted I realize this is a good thing but i must say i was surprised when after 40mins of walking around we hadn’t found a single less fortunate person. We ended up asking the concierge about about it and he was able to shed some light on the situation. There was an initaive to get the homeless off the streets and taken care of that went really well so there are quite a few options for a person who made need a meal and a place to sleep. we did manage to find someone Saturday evening that was grateful for the Thai food we shared with him. Hats off to NY for making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate!
Tony Dungy has a saying, no excuses no explanations. I think he is on to something with this. I am not one to make excuses but I love to explain what happened not realizing that explaining is 95% of the time you making an excuse just verbalizing it differently.So I offer this short account;-) to summarize last year then I will look forward to this year.
Last year in a race that I was just as capable of winning as everyone else on the line, I lost. There could only be one winner so there is no way I can take anything away from those who did better than me. Bottom line is you can’t win them all and when you don’t you have to try and figure out why fix it and move forward.
At the end of the day it is all about how you adapt and recover. There is going to be bumps and potholes but you must move forward and to be quite frank if you knew what your competitor was going thru you would probably hush up and work harder because what’s on your plate is nothing compared to them.
That is all I plan to offer up about 2008 and anyway there are far more important things than that one race. Like the fact that my father will be unable to watch me make my comeback in 2009. October 26th my father died and suddenly I gained a tremendous amount of perspective.It is so easy to pass judgment of those who have changed as a result of some major crisis in life until it happens to you. I took for granted the fact that he would always be here and convinced myself that his different ailments were all only temporary. Although we were close I didnt spend nearly enough time with him since I have become an adult. I have had severe I can do it by myself syndrome and was so caught up in making him proud by showing him how busy and productive I was being that I forgot to spend time with him. Now I am left wondering who is going to approve of my next boyfriend. Who will this boyfriend ask to marry me, and who will walk me down the aisle once the first two orders of business are taken care of.As trivial an example as my love life is in the big scheme of things the point I am trying to convey is how much I need him yet he isnt here anymore.
Still there is only a certain amount of dwelling you can do before you realize it is your duty to continue to live life hopefully not making the same mistakes with the loved ones who remain. What am I doing different is focusing on what is really important to me, my family. I have realigned what being the best me I can be really means. It isnt being a Olympic Gold medalist or World Champion, acquiring titles and riches or fame. Yes I am still a professional athlete and I still want to the best 100m sprinter in the world but track doesnt define me
My first race is tomorrow on my home track at the University of Miami. I am running the 4×1 and the 200. I am looking forward to getting a feel for how much work I need to do before my first 100m in May. The season is upon us yet again. Praying for a healthy 2009. Check back with you all soon.
This week during a period of continuous downtime I finally had the opportunity to address the hundreds of emails that awaited me from my website regarding the Olympic Games. It was very disturbing to find numerous emails from people who are very unhappy with me as that they feel I have insulted the Jamaican culture and am a sore loser. I just want those who misunderstood or were unsure by what I meant to accept this clarification directly from me. I am not sure where it was published or how it was actually written but what I said was not directed toward Jamaican people or toward any culture or religion for that matter. I am not aware of the voodoo doll I spoke of being a part of any Jamaican tradition or from where the word originates and I should not have used a word I am not perfectly sure about myself. I only meant the word to mean the same thing as jinx, or karma, and should have chosen my words more carefully.
The question I was asked was, how do I explain the misfortune of so many American favorites thus far? Knowing that I couldn’t answer on the behalf of these other “American favorites” I wanted to make a general statement explaining that the events were unexplainable from my point of view. It was not specific to my races so nor did it make any mention of anything regarding my Jamaican competitors so I was surprised to find so many feeling as if it were an act of poor sportsmanship to discredit my competitors. I am not envious or bitter toward any of my competitors and accept my place knowing that I put my best foot forward. When 8 people line up for a race each plans on winning however it is inevitable that 7 will not be winners and to be able to make it to this level you have to understand that. I Hope this has given those upset or uncertain a clearer representation of my thoughts and intentions.
Well this is it! It is race day. I have made it thru the first day without any real drama now it is time to leave it ALL on the track. I am full of nervousness!! I race at 7:45pm. It is 3:11pm and my heart is racing like I have already completed the warm-up. It is hard but I am trying to keep things in perspective. I cannot tell the future and as much as I like to be able to there is no need because we will all know the result in a few hours.These things I do know.
That for one to be the winner there has to be 7 other losers so one persons joy will inevitably result in many others pain. Life is about both joy and pain and when things don’t go the way you would like them to how you choose to deal with that is what becomes the most important next move. No one likes a sore loser and if takes far more character to hold your head up and conduct yourself in a manner that respectful of others despite how much pain you are in than to celebrate (I don’t know anyone who isn’t good at celebrating).
A loser is going to wonder why it seems they have done everything right and still come up short. They may even begin to believe that they are being punished for somehow not having done enough. This is a crucial moment when you either decide to wallow in self pity or keep on living because life is far from over.
My theme for this games is living. I am dedicating this performance to those who don’t have that privilege anymore mainly my God mother Dr. Sophie Womack who passed earlier this year suddenly. She crammed so much into her time here and I have her example to remind me that no matter how much you think you’re doing or hard you think your working there is always room for more. You only live once so don’t waste time pouting, complaining, whining or making excuses take advantage of each moment and focus on all things wonderful, pleasant and positive.
Tonight I am getting on that track knowing that I am capable of winning. But win lose or draw I am already at peace with myself. I know how far I have come. I know I am going to run my heart out so no matter what happens when I cross that line there is no reason to think the world is going to end. I may not be the happiest person in the stadium but I choose not to be the saddest either.
I have accepted that God has a plan for me and if getting across the finish line first is in it I will be overjoyed. If not, I will hold my head high be grateful for the experience of being here not once but twice in the same lifetime. If you are a fan of mine surely it isn’t just because I run fast. You know that I have some many other hopes dreams and desires that I am capable of great things. I am dedicated to education and helping others. I have far from reached my full potential in any area of life and will continue to grow with the help of those around me.
I know I have told you before but if you see me please don’t wish me luck. Luck is for those who have not prepared their going to need luck to be more successful than me I have worked too hard to depend on luck. I depend on GOD. Hard work and GOD is all I need so when it is time for my races make sure you say a prayer for me and I will be just fine.
It has been an exciting week. I was glad to make the move from Dalian into Beijing so that I could move around freely. I didn’t waste any time either, arriving Sunday afternoon and heading straight to Beijing Normal University (BNU) to check out the training accommodations and food that everyone has been raving about. BNU is set up for Team USA to have a place to train privately. You know me I LOVE to eat and was glad that the food held up to the hype. With an all American staff flown in the USOC outdid themselves. There are smoothies, a pasta station, salad bar and a buffet with a well balanced meal complete with nutrition information. Then there is a grill menu that you can always order from if nothing suits you and if all else fails you can ask for what you want and they will try their hardest to accommodate you. This is also where personal coaches, team alternates along with other stragglers associated directly with team USA but not on staff reside. The 24hr Fitness they have set up for us over here is better than anyone I have ever been into in the states. They definitely did great in finding out what athletes need and making sure that is was all here. It was all brand new and personalized with Olympic rings and USA. I was thoroughly impressed.
The hardest thing I had to deal with thus far in China is getting around. It takes at least 30ming to get everywhere though a cab is very cheap and there is a good chance you’re not going to end up where up want to go. ..
Monday I got to watch the US play Cuba in Volleyball well the third game anyway because my coaches cab brought her to the wrong place so by the time we met up it was almost over. I didn’t get discouraged though as I knew I had time to catch many more events before all was said and done. After a great training session in the afternoon, I grabbed a quick dinner at BNU and headed to women’s basketball. We made it reasonably close to the start of the game but were held up in security because I had a bar of soap and a tennis ball in my bag… (I had showered at BNU and come straight from there with my practice bag in tow.) Apparently I could have thrown those items at the athletes although my bad had all sorts of other contraptions that were could have just as easily gone airborne. Once inside the stadium we head to our seats only the seat on our tickets was in an area that was blocked off. I could see the area where the other athletes were seated and so tried to go sit with them only to be stopped by someone who told me this wasn’t where my seat was. Long story short it was half time before I was able to sit down. I was glad to have seen some of the game and the girls beat china by about 30 points. I thought it was nice to see men’s basket ball out and Dwayne Wade was even mingling with some other countries. So Tuesday I was at it again. Johnson and Johnson scored me some tickets to Gymnastics men’s team final so I departed the village at 9am to meet up with someone who had the tickets at 930. The gymnastics venue is about 15 minutes from the village…. I arrived at 1045!!!! The driver took me to the wrong place and by the time I realized it and we turned around we had to sit in traffic. I did however still manage to catch 4 of the 6 rotations and watch USA capture bronze. In the afternoon I went to the actual track that I would warm up on to get a feel for my surroundings and it officially set off my nervousness. Still not having got enough of attempting to support my fellow members of team USA I rushed to the village showered and ran to the bus for the Boxing competition only there was miscommunication on where we were going and we ended up Workers stadium instead of workers gymnasium!!!! Luckily we were walking distance from where we needed to b. Now late, we sprinted over hoping that we hadn’t missed it. Of course security and finding our seat was no easy feat. We sat down just to see Rau’Shee warren the American world champion who we had come to see exiting the Gym!!!! I was sooo hurt to have tried so hard and just missed him and so that ended my quest to venture out and support other members of team USA until after I have finished competing. With competition just 3 days away it was time for me to wind down anyway so Wednesday I went over and saw my mother who had just arrived Tuesday evening and we headed over to Johnson and Johnson Hospitality which is so nice that I left my mother to go and take care of my body with some much needed massage and when I checked in with her later in the evening she was still there!!
Thursday was my rest day I just milled around the village got so much needed rest and relaxation. I read decorated my room with pictures surfed the web and watched some of the sports on the television.
I am really looking forward to getting on the track and getting this show on the road the last few days leading into a big one are always very hard on me. Well until later….
       
      
e to get the homeless off the streets and taken care of that went really well so there are quite a few options for a person who made need a meal and a place to sleep. we did manage to find someone Saturday evening that was grateful for the Thai food we shared with him. Hats off to NY for making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate!