America’s Next Top Model… Ok, Maybe not.
I may not be a hit on the runway, but on the track I’m undefeated
I was quite the busy body getting ready for the Pepsi Florida Relays last weekend. For these last few weeks, my three closest girlfriends from childhood have been gracing me with their presence. Devan was here for my race in Miami on March 22. That evening we went to the Mary J Blige and Jay-Z concert and sat in the third row!!! I have to give a shot out to Victor, who always comes through with the best seats to all the premiere events. Even though we got in late, we still got up at 5:30 a.m. for the Easter Sunday sunrise service. If you have time to party, then you have to have time for the Lord.
It was really good to see Devan. She even helped me with my sign language homework!!! (Her brother Chad is deaf.) After Devan left early Monday, things returned to business as usual until Thursday, when Stephanie my girlfriend from Rochester Pa., came into town. Stephanie now lives in Baltimore Md. If you know anything about me, you know that I am Raven fan. I am lucky Stephanie and her family open up their home to me during my off-season, so I twirl in and out of town for football games. This off-season, I also traveled to Baltimore for physical therapy on my left hamstring. I went to Melvyn, who works with Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins. Stephanie and her family have been a Godsend. They help me keep down the cost of making multiple trips to the Baltimore/D.C. area. Some of Stephanie’s friends were also in Miami, so she was mostly just my houseguest. But it was good to catch up with her when we were both home.
March 29 was my big debut in the Jockstarzz Fashion Show to benefit the Kevin Everett Foundation, which raises money for spinal cord research. It was so nice to be able to support a fellow Hurricane alumnus and Kevin’s fiancée, Wiande, who is my good friend, in anyway I can. Kevin is a living miracle and a true testament that you can’t take a single moment of life for granted and that you need to be appreciative of what you have, because in seconds your world can shatter.
I was sooo nervous about being in the fashion show. First of all, I was scheduled to wear a PINK dress and very high heels, which would make me about one foot taller. I have to tell you that I am not a good example of how a female should walk in heels. I am truly an athlete. Second, I am very shy. I am not at all good with being on stage in front of an audience. Even though I was terrified, I was determined to do my best. But halfway down the runway, my shoes, which were too big, started to slip off. I didn’t’ want to ruin the show by bending down and fixing them, so I slowed down my walk, which was already awkward, and took my time.
I was so sad; I felt like I had failed my first test as a fashion model. I still had another ensemble to model, so I got in competition mode and decided I was going to redeem myself the second time around. And I did do much better. But, I must say, I am NOT America’s Next Top Model. After another late night, I was up at 6 a.m. the next morning for a celebrity 5K walk to benefit homeless people in Miami. I couldn’t believe I walked 3.1 miles! What a way to round out the weekend.
Last week flew by. Since it was spring break, I didn’t have classes on Monday and Wednesday. So I spent my time getting all geared up for the Florida Relays this weekend. Thursday I got up bright and early and headed to one of Iron Arrow’s ceremonies called a tapping. Iron Arrow [http://www.ironarrow.com/] is an organization at the University of Miami. Being a member is the highest honor you can attain at the university. I was sorry I couldn’t stick around longer because the school’s athletic director, Paul Dee, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. But I had to get on the road to Gainesville with my training group. We all piled into one of my training partner’s big Expedition and off we went.
I am usually the designated driver because I am a speed demon and I don’t mind driving. So I was the driver Thursday. Well, at least, it started out that way. About half way there, I got snagged by a state trooper for going 91 in a 70-m.p.h. zone. What can I say? I like to do everything fast! A speeding ticket was a sure thing and I wasn’t going to argue. But much to my surprise the officer returned to the vehicle to tell me that my license was suspended! WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!!!! I want to clear the air before you all start thinking I am a bad driver. I have had only one ticket in my whole life!!! I got it and paid it the same day. Apparently, I also had to send some sort receipt to someone. But I didn’t, so my license got suspended. Thank God I know people who work in this field and was able to immediately take care of it. But for the rest of the weekend, I had to turn over the driving to the others.
We safely arrived in Gainesville Thursday night and met our former training partner Dominique who now trains there. It was so great for everyone to be together and have “girl talk.” Friday morning, we went to the track for a pre-meet meeting, then we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I ran the 4×2 at 7:55 p.m. and we WON!!!! Saturday the sprint medley was at noon. And guess what?? WE WON!!!! The 4×1 was the grand finale for me. AND WE WON!!!! That means so far this season I am undefeated!! I know I have just run relays, but every race counts.
When I wasn’t in a race, I was excited about sitting back and watching the rest of the meet, especially the 4×4, which is the only way to close out a real track meet. Shortly after my race ended, it started to rain, so the rest of the meet was canceled. It was a sad to close to a great weekend, but it was a great weekend just the same. I can’t wait to see what my first open race this Saturday has in store for me. After that race, I won’t have to wonder anymore. Until then BYE!!!
–sub11