GSTC WINS GOLD IN SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY @ US OPEN

One of the most exciting weekends in my racing career has come to an end. I can't even begin to be thankful for the opportunities that continue to be bestowed upon me. Forget all that for now, lets get right to the brunt of it. For those of you that know me, track and field, or Garden State Track Club, you know this weekend   was the U.S Open of Track and Field hosted at Madison Square Garden. Initially I bought tickets to this event as a spectator, just to have fun with some friends watching a few of the greatest and fastest runners in the world. Well, I sold those tickets and packed up my spike bag. What started as a joke with my coach about the opportunity to run at this event, shortly thereafter became a reality. Saturday night we competed inside the famed arena in a Club Sprint Medley event that kicked off the whole meet. We arrived in the city hours early to pick up our race information in the Affinia hotel located at 32 and 7th. Inside we met and took pictures with Lolo Jones, David Oliver, Bershawn Jackson, Justin Gatlin, and Hazel Clark. Very accomplished decorated professionals and olympians to say the least. The excitement was mounting and the adrenaline already pumping. As we warmed up inside the Garden ready to make our appearance on the track we crossed paths with Benard Lagat. Thankfully he paused for a brief picture as well. Finally it was time to race. We toed the line with 5 other premiere clubs in the east, winning in breathtaking fashion by only .01 seconds. Watch the race and experience the thrill yourself because its so hard to even articulate the emotions that went into those 3 minutes and 28 seconds. What I can say is this. My love for this sport continues to grow with each trial and tribulation that running brings, or for that matter, life brings. I'm extremely proud of the group of women and men we have on this team. This team is composed of nothing but runners who embody class, integrity, dignity, honor, respect, and heart. You will not find that in any other club in New Jersey. We win in this club, NO MATTER OUR TIME. When we are at our best we win on the track and in life. Therefore I will just work on being at my best.
Watch the race here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-1buA2yaXQ&feature=youtu.be

1:55 P.R for 800M. Club Record 4x400

It's funny the way things culminate in a way in which we don't always entirely understand. Such was the way the events unfolded last night. It started with almost missing the opportunity to race altogether, because my daughter Kadence was suffering from an ear infection. Once Grandma stepped in to help me, I was happy to clear the first hurdle. Getting to the Armory in NY on the other hand didn't seem as easy. We had massive traffic jams locally and then another delay heading through the tunnel. The problem is that we should have taken the George Washington bridge in the first place but GPS had its own ideas. Finally, we arrived at the Armory with a very short amount of time to warm up. After checking in and registration, it was race time. I ran a good 15 minutes around the outer halls. I stepped into the infield for some drills and stretching and waited my turn to be called to the start. I was in the innermost part of lane 1 with 11 runners toeing the line. The fast heat. Gun goes off and immediately I'm spiked on my left ankle. My only thoughts are 54-55 seconds for this first quarter and just hold on after. I jumped out to an early lead which was slightly different from my previous style of winning and racing. After 400M a Zenith Velocity runner was on my shoulder, tripping me as he tried to go by. We battled swapping leads 3 times throughout the final 400M in which in the end he held me off for the win. My first loss of the season was well worth it because I crossed the line in a personal record (P.R.) of 1:55. After a cool down and more screaming for the other members of my team winning their heats, I returned to help our 4x400 team win the relay in club record time 3:21. Overall an amazing experience and a fun meet. It can only get better from here.

It was the second track meet of the season. First meet I opened with a 4:18, 1500M. This meet was my opening 800M race. This is the race that I will be focusing on for the year. I won my heat, and overall, but it wasn't done in Chris Heibell fashion. No head to head photo finish. No extreme fast times. At this point I'm just happy to be healthy and in great shape. I continue to win and I trust in my training and coaching, so I know the fast times will come. With that said, I did run a 49.7 on the second leg of our A 4x400 team. I was stoked to say the least. The mood was slightly dampened after the race, but I'm still looking up. I don't always agree with everyone or everything, but this much I know. Team comes first but nobody can run for me. It's something you have to own personally and individually. I'm putting in work. It's visible on the track, during races, and practice. It's visible to my family and daughter when I miss dinner or have slightly less time than what would be considered the norm. It's visible to me when I can compete in any race with confidence in myself and my training. Well, I'm tired. It was a long day and the meet was running damn near a hour and change behind. So dinner is done, the Saints have beaten the Lions, and I have a 15 mile long run in store for 10 a.m tomorrow morning.  Good night. Keeping it Polite.