Sunday, April 20, 2008

ALL THINGS IN DUE TIME.....

So, I had another hard day at the office!!! Track and field is certainly a lesson in patience and humility...even when you've been doing it as long as I have. My preparation was sound and mentally I was ready, but where I failed was in the execution and the technical aspects of my event.

Long jumping for all intents and purposes, is not that complicated, especially when you are a spectator. You run up to a white board at full speed and take off into the air, chest up, eyes forward, then legs extended and that's it. Unfortunately, when you are actually doing it, sometimes it becomes much more complex and your body can do some CRAZY things and let's just say my body did NOT listen to me this past weekend.

My coach told me that I should not be too discouraged because regardless of the actual result, we are still headed in the right direction and so in spite of what my own inner voice is screaming, I choose to block that out and listen to the man who has had an athlete compete in every Olympics since 1968. He certainly knows more than I!

I finished 2nd, with a very mediocre distance and until the next time I compete in the long jump, I'm just going to have to buckle down some more until I get the job done!! Some of my training partners on the other hand, had some outstanding performances, one in particular. David Oliver ran both a personal best and a world leading time of 13.08 seconds in the men's 110 hurdles!! I was extremely happy for and proud of him. If things continue as they have so far already this season, we'll both be on our respective Olympic teams come August. Congrats - D.O. The King, Do Your Thing!:) LOL. Aubrey Herring also had a PR as well in the same event and any time someone can do a personal best, you have to raise your hat to them!! Big Aub, I see you!! Here's a pic of the two of them showing off their medals (with another training partner, Anne in the background) - haha!

Anyway, we're back in Orlando as of early this morning and it's back to the grindstone tomorrow. I will take today to just regroup and get it going again. I had a nice time in Greensboro aside from my own issues and I guess it's in time like these where you have to see the success and progress that others are making and pray and believe and trust that your time too will come. You know the saying...Good things come to those who wait! Well, here I am, I'm waiting.....

PS. Oh yeah, me, Joice and Dave did get presented with keys to the city of Greensboro, so I guess that was kinda cool too.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know that you did not place where you would have liked, but what is a reward without progression?

You are definitely putting in the work, growing, becoming the best you that you can be. When you get your gold in Beijing, you will look back over all of your past disappointments and do them all over again just because it was that much worth it.

I saw D.O. and Aub tearing it up! Congrats to them.

Mizrepresent said...

I think it is so cool you journaling your experience...i am so pulling for you, and it will be a great rejoice when you achieve all that you want and desire!

Bodies By Joice said...

Jack you know its coming.
Its all there in practice just put the puzzle together.
This season is gonna be awesome when all the parts fit together.

Eb the Celeb said...

Glad my old stomping grounds were good to ya... Oh how I miss the G'boro so!

Good luck with everything... know that you have nowhere to go but up!

Dana said...

CONGRATULATIONS woman!! Second place is as good as any above not placing at all right?? =) I know you're striving for better and you'll surely get it!! Just needed to get the jitters out on this one! =)

Just an FYI - to the public--NONE of it looks easy!! =) It actually looks painful when I see the long jump competition so KUDOS to you hun!! =) Thank you for sharing!!

Unknown said...

My first time visiting your blog. I wish you nothing but success in your goal of competing and winning in Beijing later this year. I hope to come by often in the future to see how things are going for you...

peace, Villager

Jackie E. said...

Thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me. I know the best is yet to come!!!!

Villager - thanks for stopping by.

anonymousnupe said...

I see you're gonna cause me the same problems as your girl Bri. Get thee behind me!!!

Bookmarked you. Track and Field rule!!!

Jackie E. said...

Anonymousnupe, you are too funny!! Thanks for checking me out over here. Hope you'll come back.

anonymousnupe said...

I shall. I have lurked here in the past. Thanks for the invite.

Anonymous said...

Second place is definitely better than last Jackie. You obviously have the winner's spirit, so I understand that anything less than first is a kicker for you, but progress is in the works sis. You have all of us behind you and we are looking for you to continue to successfully continue on this journey. Stay strong sis!

Marcus LANGFORD of MLDTees.com