Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Happy New Year!

I am writing in from Flagstaff, Arizona where I have been staying since Christmas. Ryan and I came here to support our good friend Alicia Shay, and thus my projects in Mammoth Lakes and Big Bear have been temporarily put on hold. Tomorrow I will be heading out to the east coast for 3 races on 3 consecutive weekends- New Balance Indoor Games at the Armory, Reebok Indoor Games in Boston, and the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden. I am excited to begin racing and start of the Olympic year! I have been training hard for a few months now, and I am ready for a chance to see where I am at fitness-wise! When I return, I am looking forward to catching up with my friends from the track team and library in Chula Vista, where I will be living for the month of February. Lots of traveling as usual, but I am enjoying being where I am at and maximizing what I am doing no matter where it is!
My coach, Terrence, sent our team a quote the other day to keep in mind as we begin 2008 (the Olympic Year!) "Human greatness begins where submission to fear ends. You cannot become wealthy like Bill Gates without first casting aside the fear that you will fail, without risking capital and prestige. You cannot become a Winston Churchill if you are intimidated by the evil power that you must fight. You can’t get a college degree if you’re afraid of taking tests, and you can’t win an Olympic gold medal if you’re afraid of losing a race. It is courage, not caution that leads to great success.” I hope that everyone has been able to use the turn of the year to reflect on where they are heading, and what may be holding them back from pursuing it whole-heartedly! I am ready to put these good intentions to practice this weekend at the Armory!
Until next time....