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It’s 7:47 a.m. on Thursday, April 7th and I’ve been up since about 7. I really have no idea why I’m unable to sleep in anymore. It might be because my dogs always wake me up so they can go outside and do their morning business. It’s probably also because my body is just used to getting up but either way it’s just a blessing to be able to open my eyes to see another day full of opportunities. I arrived in Austin, Texas late last night because it’s that time of year again…TEXAS RELAYS!!! I’m really excited about this year’s meet because there will be some great match ups in just about every event. This year I will be running the 4×100 meter relay with Lauryn Williams, Shalonda Solomon, and Bianca Knight – if you had a chance to see my video blog I posted on Monday you might all so that we’re also known as the Speed Divas. We had a great time down in Florida last weekend, so we want to see what we can do here in the great state of Texas.

As a group we decided that we wanted to race in bright pink socks in order to continue to help raise breast cancer awareness. All of us have either know someone who has had breast cancer or who has been directly affected by breast cancer in some way. This cause really hit home for me because my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, so the fact that we are doing this means that much more to me. Breast cancer is real, and effects more people than we think, and the opportunity to raise awareness about it is truly an honor and pleasure.

This weekend I’ll also be opening up in the 100 meters. I haven’t run the 100 meters at Texas Relays since 2006 (my last year as a collegiate athlete), so I’m really excited about having the opportunity to run at that distance this weekend. Typically I open up in Jamaica but this year we decided to gauge where I am a little earlier in hopes of shaking out the cobwebs prior to Jamaica in May. By doing so we’ll be able to assess where I am and make any necessary changes over the next month or so. When my husband (Marcus), coach (Jon Drummond) and I got to talking it over we really couldn’t think of a better place to open up than the place that I’m so familiar with – Austin. I’ve competed in high school state championships, Texas Relays competitions and even my first NCAA National Championship at Mike A. Myers Stadium. In college it was basically my home away from home because that’s where we practiced every day so to be able to return to run an open 100m as a professional athlete really brings me full circle. It’s also special because my family, friends and numerous other people who supported me during my time at Texas have the opportunity to watch me run at a premier meet.

Marcus and I will also be attending Texas Women’s Track and Field Head Coach Beverly Kearney’s Minority Mentorship Symposium. It’s a forum designed to help inspire and motivate student-athletes by introducing them to successful people from all different walks of life. Last year, Keshia Knight Pulliam, John Carlos, Eve, Jay Anthony Brown and a host of other people spoke at the symposium and I believe Cookie Johnson, Eddie Levert and MC Lyte are just of a few of the people scheduled to be on the panel this year. It’s always a successful event that has plenty of takeaways for the community in general, not just student-athletes.

If you happen to be in the area this weekend come on out to the 84th Annual Clyde Littlefield TEXAS RELAYS!!! I run on the 4×100m relay shortly after 2pm and the 100m shortly after 4pm on Saturday. If you’re unable to watch in person there will be plenty of coverage on FloTrack. In my opinion, there really is no other track & field event like it! Be on the lookout for my video detailing the weekend. I should have plenty of good stuff for you to check out. Until next time…

-Vet

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