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Hi everyone!

I know, I know. I need to be more consistent and on time with these blogs. I’m going to try to come up with a system that forces me to write at least one entry a week. If you guys have any suggestions, I’m open to hearing them. Moving on…

I think I left off right before Boston Invitational. I traveled up to Boston for the New Balance Boston Invitational on the weekend of February 5th. I was very excited because this is a meet that since starting my professional career, I had never been invited. I was again competing in the 400M, making this my third 400 for the season. I was anxious to break 52 seconds, as I was feeling confident in my training in the past few weeks. I knew having Dee Dee, Mary, Bianca, Fawn, and Nikesha would make for a great race, and an opportunity to take a shot at it.

Going into the race, I had the same strategy as always, which was to get to the front and take control. I know Dee Dee is a strong quarter-miler so I expected her to push at the cut in. Coming through the 200 she came up on my shoulder and pushed the pace in even more. At this point I had to make the decision to stay composed and to execute a clean race plan. On the back stretch I was able to open up, and come home with the victory. I was especially excited to see my time flash on the screen, 51.88. Things seem to be just on the right track. Improvement every week is promising, and reminds me of the season I had 4 years ago as a junior at the University of South Carolina. So you can imagine my excitement at this point!

The Sunday morning after competing in Boston, I flew to Dallas to go to the Super Bowl. I flew in to support my boyfriend who plays for the Steelers. I was exhausted having run the night before and waking up for a 5 a.m. flight, but who would turn down going to the Super Bowl? It was such an amazing experience watching him compete at the championship level, and being there to share it with him. Although they fell short in the end, it was a Blessing to even have the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl, and it reminded me of what I’ve been training for since this fall…Daegu. I was excited to get back home to get back to work as usual. This was just the start of a CRAZY week for me!

I traveled back to Columbia that Monday evening. Tyson Invitational was that weekend, and also a Friday-Saturday meet. That meant I had a quick turn-around, and had to travel on Thursday after only getting back in town Monday night. I still had my usual training, laundry, unpacking and repacking to do before the weekend. As it turns out, Fayetteville had lots of snow that Tuesday and Wednesday; about 20 inches of snow fall! The airports were even closed on Wednesday. I didn’t fret though, I figured everything would be ok by Thursday morning when I was scheduled to travel. Boy was I wrong!

Thursday morning I woke up at 5 a.m. because of course I waited until the very last minute to pack my bags for the trip. Hopped in my car at about 7:30 to head up to Charlotte to catch my flight. I stopped at Starbucks for my morning cup of coffee and walked to my gate, which was the very last gate in the terminal! Just as I get to the gate, I get a phone call that my flight has been cancelled. So, I now have to walk back to special services for them to rebook me. Before I was booked on a direct flight from Charlotte to Fayetteville. I had to be rebooked through Dallas, and again, that gate was the very last gate in another terminal. When I got to Dallas I was placed on stand-by for three flights, and made none! I finally got on a flight after waiting for about six hours. When I made it to Fayetteville, I then had to catch a cab, which I had to wait 30 minutes for, and then it took about an hour and a half to get to the hotel. It was almost 2 a.m. by the time I checked-in and made it to my room. I was thankful for arriving safely, but I was frustrated to say the least considering I was supposed to have arrived at noon that day.

Friday morning I woke up and told myself nothing else could go wrong! I believed God made all those things happen the day before for a reason, and I felt whatever it was I had to be prepared to face it and try my best to pass whatever test He was giving me. I walked over to the track, and just made my mind up that it was going to be a good day, and yesterday’s long day of travel was behind me and not going to effect me. I managed to run another season’s best of 51.44! How about that? I was so excited, especially because I went through my first 200 in 23.8. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that, and not feel like someone put a ton of bricks on my back! I was so thankful and excited at the same time. I would compete in the 200 the following day. I was hoping to break 23 seconds and set a new pr, but I guess you can’t get everything you ask for, lol. I managed a 23. 34 and placed 3rd in my heat, which is not bad and still close to my indoor pr. So all in all I’d say I had a good weekend!

After Tyson, coach decided to give me a little break in terms of competing, but boy was it still a hard week of training! I went six days straight training! I don’t think I have ever done that. By the end of the week I was asking Coach Frye to give me my legs back! But it was a great week of training, and I was glad to get the time to put the work in because sometimes with racing so much you’re not able to put in as much training as you would like. Saturday morning I had practice and came home and slept for the rest of the day! I was BEAT!!

Of course the best part of being home on a weekend is being able to attend church Sunday morning. I was so happy to be able to go to church to receive God’s Word before embarking on this week.

So as I’m sure most of you know, this weekend is the USATF Indoor National Championship. I will of course be competing in the 400m. I’m so excited to see how I will finish off the indoor season! Although it’s business, I want to have a little fun with things this weekend, so look out for my super girly side this weekend!

Thanks for all your patience and support, and I hope you guys are enjoying this journey just as much as I am! Until next time, be Blessed.

Natasha

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