Zurich & Brussels (2007)

After leaving Japan I was suppose to head home to Cincinnati, but instead went off to run in some more meetings. I hopped on a plane from Osaka and headed to Switzerland where I would compete in the famous Zurich meeting. I have come to notice in Europe they don't call these events track meets, instead they are meetings. Once I arrived in Switzerland, there was an extreme difference in temperature from Japan. I had left 100 degree weather and now I would be in 55 degree weather. I wasn't prepared for this shocker, but it was nice to have at least one pair of long pants and a jacket with me.
My body was extremely tired from what it went through in Japan, and I ended up two days before the meet with extreme back pain/tightness. I tried to get some treatment and prepare for the meet. The crowd at Zurich was wonderful, even with the weather being quite chilly, nothing would have stopped them from coming. Seriously people had on leather coats, scarves, gloves and winter coats. I was told that this is how the weather is n Europe in September. The end result of the race was me placing sixth with a time of 51.54. I was disappointed but also realized I wasn't feeling at a 100 percent. I decided not to run at the next meet in Italy and rest my body for the next meet in Brussels.

I had never been to Belgium before and sort of had mixed notions about it. What the area would be like, the people and even the food. I wanted to make sure that I tried a Belgium Waffle. Hey did you know that french fries come from Belgium....hahah not France. From what I was able to see Belgium was a great city. The people were so excited to see all the athletes there and the meeting was sold out. It is always amazing to me to see how many people support track and field in Europe. It's kind of like attending a Bengals game. I step out into the stadium and look into the crowd in amazement. So many people.....so many faces.
Wow!!!! I wanted to do better at this meet, since the last performance was not what I expected. I came into the meet more focused and I was going to give my all. I got 4th at this meet which was a Golden League meet, almost got third. I was unable to hold on the last 30 meter of the race, my body started to fatigue but my time as back down, 50.76. These experiences are quite nice. I get a chance to see different cultures, other athletes from around the world and of course race against the best. I have 1 race left and then it is home sweet home...wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!

2007 4X400 Relay- Osaka, Japan

Hello everyone,

It is officially the last day of competition here at the IAAF World Championships. I must say that my experience here was very rewarding. I was able to come and represent my country and at the same time become more acquainted with many team members. The ladies that I ran with both on the prelim and final, are great individuals. It was truly an honor and pleasure to become teammates and friends. I am walking away from this experience with a new sense of being. I am walking away also with a Gold Medal. I would like to acknowledge the hard work that each person did and say thank you....because without you all...there would have been no team or medal. Thanks Natasha Hastings, Monique Hennegan, DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, and Sanya Richards.....you ladies are the best!!!!!

Whenever you think of the relays you get a rush feeling of adrenaline, the relays often make or break a meet. What also helped out was that the USA Team took Gold in all the relays, both men and women. That night before we ladies lined up to go into the call room we prayed as a team. What got us here, would definitely keep us here, reminded out Relay's Coach. I personally knew that even though I was nervous, I would use it as positive energy in the race. I wanted to get out there and give my best and help my team to a victory....

With the help of my other five teammates we were able to accomplish our mission. When our last leg crossed the line, we all ran out onto the track screaming!!! USA, USA, USA is all that I could hear from the crowd, the cameras began to flash and at the moment we were on top of the world!!!! The men would be up next on the track and accomplish a victory. During the awards ceremony it was just wonderful standing on the podium as my national anthem was played. What honour.... I held myself back from shedding tears of joy, but all I could imagine is...man this is just like the Olympics. I pray that my success continues, so that I may be on the TEAM Beijing 2008.

It was sad to leave Japan, I felt as if I just started to get comfortable in a new country. I admired the many fans that came out to support the track meet. The volunteers were all very friendly and enjoyed supporting us. My Japanese wasn't the greatest but I was able to say Arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you)


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