2008 Review

Oh 2008 you were such a great year but also a very stressful year.

Many of you know that the beginning of 2008 signaled the end of my collegiate basketball career. I played 4 strong years for my college and helped to set many records including most wins in a season as well as post-season records. During my final year, the head coach was asked to resign and the assistant coach took over. My team almost fell a part from that disaster but we managed to make it into the post season.

I wasn't sad when my season was over - it was time to move on. I has been internally battling whether to go out for Outdoor track; the coach had wanted me to run my freshman year but when my coach threatened to not play me I stuck with bball. I felt like I had a second chance at a senior year with Track. Although I had been in the best shape of my life coming into the 2007-2008 season for basketball, I had lost much of my endurance and therefore was not able to run during the 2008 Outdoor track season. I did compete in shot put - although at the Championship meet my nerves got the best of me. I ran the 800m three times, each time knocking off a second.

Going out for track was one of the best decisions of my life! It has re-energized me and given me a chance to be a part of another team that shares a strong bond.

In the final week of my fourth year I sat down with the head track coach and asked him what I should do for training over the summer. He once again wanted me to compete in Heptathlon and this time I gave in. I always have liked a challenge and 7 events in two days seemed to fit the bill.

After more than 4 years of not competing in track I entered a meet and competed in Heptathlon, only to place third with a disappointing score and also with sore muscles that didn't allow me to run for 4 days. I took it as a starting point - I knew I had a lot of training to do. I started to push myself too far and developed knee pain in late July/early August. I scaled back on my mileage and eventually the pain went away.

Around the same time I began to train with my best friend Winkly for a half marathon! In early September on a beautiful day we completed the race in 2 hours and 19 minutes - It was the best race I have run yet because I didn't feel the pressure of having to run fast but actually enjoyed the scenery and other runners.

A few weeks later I started pre-season workouts for Indoor track and slowly saw my body change from a solid basketball body to a lean track runners. I was surprised by the muscles I never knew I had and was overcome with the idea that I could actually be good at track. I now have two new great friends from the team, Abby and Alison, and also became Captain and competed in my first indoor track meet in December.

Now lets not forget B-Rabbit - I know I would never hear the end of it if I didn't include him! I started dating him in 2008 and I couldn't have asked for a better friend or relationship! He is always supportive of my running but makes sure that I think through my decisions. I guess you could call him the voice of reason at times because I know I can get carried away! While I participate in my final year of track, he is swimming in his senior season after recovering from a bi-lateral hernia. I can't believe that in 5 short months we will both graduate from college!!

Well that pretty much sums up my 2008 year - although it doesn't cover anything. I have learned to not take things for granted and be thankful for everyday that I able to run. I know that 2009 will be just as good if not better!