Stockholm Victory
I won Stockholm! My first 100m ever on the circuit, (Great trivia question right?) As excited as I am, I am also very nervous. I don’t know what to do now. I never get on the line with the intention to lose, but somehow I always seem to come up short until the major championship. It has been a major goal of mine to become more consistent and as a result - dominant. Winning against a great field in Stockholm it would seem that I am headed in the right direction. What I am fighting mentally now is if I achieve this consistency what should I expect for the major championship… a WR?? LOL! I know that is very wishful thinking.
What exactly was it that came together for me? Was it that I was warmed up from the 4×100m relay? Everyone says I am better when there are rounds. Was it something I ate? (you laugh but every since I witnessed Asafa Powell drowning his eggs in salt the morning before the world record I definitely don’t think twice about my salt intake as it is not nearly as much as he ate in one sitting) Was it the massage? Was it that my Swedish Aunt and Uncle were present? Was it a inspirational email from Chief Inspirer? Who knows, nor do I have the time to dwell on it hopefully whatever “it” is will continue to keep me FAST!
I would however like to elaborate on the Chief Inspirer I just spoke of. In 2005, I received the Runner’s World Magazine Heroes of Running award and Dottie was one of the other recipients. After hearing the stories of all the other recipients I felt incredibly unworthy of the honor but was grateful for the experience. Dottie and I kept in touch and I am so grateful to have met her she is such an inspiration. Oh I guess I should tell you who she is… Dottie Lessard-O’Connor is a two-time transplant athlete. In 1994 she underwent a 12-hour, life-saving bi-lateral lung transplant as a result of cystic fibrosis. Twice during the operation her heart stopped. In 2002, after a year and a half on dialysis, she underwent more surgery for a kidney transplant. If you met her today, you would think she could give the energizer bunny a run for its money. Her life is an adventure to say the least and so when she has time to send me an email it is usually long as a book but the message in it is always right on time. The following is an update from a recent competition of hers:
“…I won gold in 200m and took silver in 100m only losing by a really slim margin, I also got bronze for the 4 x 100 relay and that was my favorite…ok, gold was definitely my favorite since I ran a really smart and strong race and was way ahead of everyone else. For the 4 x 100 relay I had a 70-year-old, (yes 70) run the second leg on my team. She really wanted to and as captain I allowed it because the games are NOT just about winning. It was SO special. This lady ran her little heart out and although slow, she didn’t quit the whole 100meters.
My first runner handed off in first place but then she ended up handing off to my third runner last - I mentally had to stop looking during the final lengths of her run and concentrate on what I knew I had to do once that baton was on my hand. My third runner held tight but I was 7th out of 8 when I was handed the baton. I took off on anchor and just ran hard, determined to get something for this lady. I passed 3 runners and took third place!
After, she hugged me and cried and thanked me for allowing her to run and getting her a medal - THAT was the BEST part of the runs and when a mom came up to me with the cutest little 14-year-old sprinter that had a heart transplant 10 years ago saying she has watched me at all the games saying what role model I was and that she has prayed her daughter would grow up to be just like me…well that was amazing also.
It was HARD to swallow second place in the 100 but I ran the best I could with the training I had. The girl who won I was happy for she had her heart transplant and first year wedding anniversary that day. I have learned and you have also helped show me the best athlete is the one who gracefully takes her losses as well and learns from them. I stood proudly on the podium for her and raised her hand for pictures-that felt good. Anyway, I am proud of the hardware and got asked to represent Team USA as an elite athlete for the World Games in Australia next August…”
And she calls me her inspiration??? People wonder why I am still smiling even when things go super wrong for me. Well now you know I am surrounded by people like Dottie who keep me grounded and so it is hard for me to lose sight on the fact that is this at the end of the day just a game and as long as I have done the best I can who cares what everyone else thinks. I know no matter how bad I think it is there are situations that could be far worse so I am always grateful for life breath and health. It is ok to whine sometimes but I limit all negative behavior to 24hrs then I MUST move on otherwise you will spend your life being miserable.
I am really looking forward to one more great run in London before I head home for three days then depart for Beijing. I will report back with the results.