Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Well, I had my first race of the season after my “retirement” and 3 1/2 years of inactivity and I am okay with the result.  However, I am not happy nor am I satisfied because I know I could have done better!  What I am doing is not easy; coming back from such a long lay off with no training, knee surgery, and childbirth not to mention working every day of the week. 

But, I made a choice to return to the track so I need to do everything in my power to be great again!  I must be honest - for a while, I was not doing that as well as I should have.  I have not eaten as well as I should, I still do not get as much rest as I need, and I had missed many days in the weight room.   This is not because I do not want to be on top of all of this, but I've just had so many things happen over the past few months that it was hard to maintain a routine that would be beneficial to my training and success. 

However, it is not too late because I have been working very hard and been diligent this entire time with my practices and my treatment so I am healthy.  I have also been lifting weights very consistently now and feel good about my progress.  

So basically, at the end of the day for someone as busy as myself I have done a good job balancing my days.  I am excited to see what will happen next!  Speaking of which, I have another race this Saturday (tomorrow) at the Mt Sac Relays.  I am very excited and, yes, nervous as well, but not as nervous as I was last race. 

The last race I was so focused on Technique and pretty much just getting through my first race that I did not allow myself to really compete.  My coach calls it,  "Paralysis by analysis," and I have used that phrase time and again in my coaching. 

Don't get me wrong, I needed to focus on myself and my technique in that race, but it’s just that I always been a "go getter" I never ran safe races.  I am a "go hard or go home" type of athlete and I hope to bring that back this Saturday.  I have big goals for each race but none more important than the Olympic Trials, so each race is a stepping-stone to making the Olympic team. 

When I began running again I knew it would be a long shot to make the team but, the more I train, the  more believe that the shot is not so long after all.  Yes, it will be challenging because I have some major competition and these competitors are full time athletes so advantage is to them.  But, just because they have that does not mean what I am trying to do cannot be done!  Anything is possible and no matter what you can believe that I will always be giving it 100%. 

Hurdling is like  "riding a bike" so it is definitely all coming back to me but even though I know this race inside and out it's also kind of like learning to run the race all over again.  Bobby, my coach always has things for me to work on or improve during each practice and it seems that once I get something there is something new to do.  But, it's awesome because it's coming along and I know that with each race I will be getting closer to the race that I will finally put it all together at the right time!  Lord willing, that will be the final at the Olympic Trials in June! 

But, until then I have to remember to take my own advice and take it one race at a time, I am currently on my own schedule and if I always give 100% then no matter what I cannot lose!   People have told me that just by coming back and doing what I am doing that I have already won!  I am challenging myself as well as motivating others and so yes, I believe that I have won so now it is just a matter of how far can I go?  

Until next time, be healthy be happy! : )

~Jo

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Olympics
• Track & Field
• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• Inspiration
• Summer Games

This post is related to an event on our Calendar:

• Mount SAC Relays

This post is related to an ongoing story:

• 2012 NCAA & Professional Track & Field

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View JHayes's Full Profile