The Fat Lady Sang

So the indoor season is done. To say the last few weeks have been compact would be an understatement.  I have enjoyed every minute of it. Ironically I stared with an Aviva meet and ended with one. Nice!!!


Yesterday was my last race in Birmingham.  My preparation for the event was nil. I mean really nothing. I was sick all week.  I was invited to the Fulham v Chelsea meet last Monday. I caught a could sitting out on the balcony watching the 1st half. (That will teach me to be out there trying to look cute).  Pepper soup from my mum and lots of sleep and laying up in the bed is what my week consisted of.


I did a pre meet warm up on Friday night and basically turned up at the meet Saturday morning.


I finished off with a seasons best in the 200m  and a 3rd place positioning. I also ran in the 60m. That was not so good. I was extremely dehydrated after my 200m. The dry atmosphere in Birmingham Indoor Arena is no joke. I cramped in my hip in the blocks and that was pretty much it. The short turn around between the 2 events meant I could not guzzle down litres of fluid. 


Hey Ive had a great indoor season. 


Next week I am going to wear one of my other many hats. I'm going to be Auntie Joice as its half term.  My 5 year old nephew has it in his head I'm taking him to Euro Disney. Thanks sis.  I hate to break it to him but Disney Channel will as far as I stretching next week.  lol


I love him like he was my own son so I can assure you there will be lots of spoiling. As Im due to head back to the USA soon after to prepare for the outdoor season.


I got some news I can't share right now as always but you will have to keep popping back to the blog to find out what I'm up to.


Take care


Jx

34 National Medals.

So I'm sitting on the 18.32 headed back to London from Sheffield. Reflecting on the weekend.

What a wonderful weekend I've had. 60m finalist 5th place. Season best in the heat  and 200m champion.  The 200 meant a lot to me this weekend. It was great having guidance and support from Ron Roddan  (Linford Christies one and only coach) my coach of many years ago. It was like old times. lol.  He kept me calm and relaxed in his Roddan joker way.

While sitting in the final call room it dawned on me that I probably will not run an indoor season next year. With it being Olympic year I have to lessen the withdrawals race wise.  So this run would officially be my last senior title.

I promised myself I would enjoy the experience. Every step of that race was a pleasure. I thank my body for allowing me to race everyday.

I had a wobbly run in the heats to say the least. Check out the video below. Yeah I know TERRIBLE.  Lol

So I had to come back in the final with positive definite steps. I always say to myself in practice 'make every step count'

It was pretty emotional being interviewed by one of my best friends in track and field Tasha Danvers, announcing that the run was probably my last National Championships.  The accolades on the podium made me cringe a little. Especially the part about my having 34 national medals. But I've been in this sport along time and I should celebrate that I was told.


I have to thank all my coaches who helped me achieve these medals. Here they are in order I hope I dont miss anyone out. lol


Mike McFarlane
Ron Roddan
Thomas Johnson
Brooks Johnson
Loren Seagrave


Thanks you guys.

So hopefully this crowded train will reach London eventually.  Then I can hit the sack and rest up. I will probably have a skype call with my coach so we can plan next weeks workouts.

A rest well needed considering this week I have been in Moscow, Brussels, Paris, London, Sheffield and back to London.

I have the 200m again this weekend coming at the Birmingham indoor Grand Prix. I'm looking forward to it.

Whirl Wind Stop Gap

So here's the update for the week.  This has been an on going piece which I have been adding too as the days went by)

Russian Winter 2011 (Moscow).
(Update 5 Feb 2011 5.45pm)

This was my 1st 60m of the season. In a 60m there is no margin for error. My start was terrible. No other word to describe it. I don't know if it was nerves or dipping out mentally. But, I stumbled and that was pretty much me out of the race.

The 2nd part of the run once I got going was good. But that's by the by.  The time was 7.43 which I'm not happy about. But hey hoe. There is no room for a pity party.

The 1st 60m race is out of the way.  Its hard to have any emotion about what happened cause there is not too much I can do about it.

Tomorrow I'm off to Paris. 6.30am departure from the hotel.  As the song goes. 'Onto the next one'

48 hours to get back on the race horse.  : )

Meeting Pas de Calais (Lievin)
Updated 9 Feb 2011 11.40am)

Last night was not too bad. A seasons best in the heats (7.40) but a crap run in the final. The gap between both races was too short. I just about had 15mins to fart after finding my clothes and figuring out if I was actually in the final. Hey hoe its all good. Onto the next one which is nationals in Sheffield. 


I needed these races before trial just to get back into the swing of things. I call it catching my race rhythm.  I have NEVER gone to nationals cold. I have to get the shaky runs out the way prior.


I had a major disappointment in Russia I left all my MAC make up behind. Some chick in Moscow is having a field day with all my brushes, eye shadows and bronzers. Lucky for me there are more than enough black chicks on the circuit. So I got hooked up for the race. Shame on me for nearly crying over a damn makeup bag. It wasn't until my friend Ameerah pointed out she has never seen me that emotional over a man that I had to crack a laugh. lol


So I'm looking for friends at MAC so I can use their discount to replenish.  lol (joke)


Below are a few pics from this weeks travels

Russian Visa 2011

You would think it got easier as the years went on. But, on no this week I starred in the Russian  Visa saga. (No that is not my passport in the image above)

Filled in form online. Check.  Trotted down to the processing office. Check. Handed in passport payment and forms. Check.

Pick up passport next day. The computer says no.

Apparently I need a letter of invitation. The lady who took my papers yesterday forgot to tell me this vital piece of info. She puts on a good act of 'I've never seen you before'   Lady it was less than 24 hours ago. You have got to be kidding.

So I'm making frantic calls to my agent because I have actually turned up 30mins too early. I'm still in the submissions window or its back the next day.

Clocks ticking no pressure.  Shrug

Its amazing what a smile and a calm voice can do. The lady behind the counter gave me a 45min extension on my submission of the invitation letter.  : )

The clock ticks on and finally the a letter is emailed over. Result


I picked up my visa yesterday and I am officially off to Moscow to race this weekend. The last time I raced here it was a disaster. So I have a point to prove. Plus I'm trying desperately not to get sick. I still have flash backs of 'Calling Earl' last year after 3 days in Moscow. Emergen-C at the ready.

Jx