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June 24, 2009, 8:13pm
This Sunday was Fathers Day and my father’s birthday. Instead of moping around missing him my siblings and I were celebrating him. Myself, three of my sisters and my two brothers met up in Atlanta for a quick 24hr trip. Residing in 5 different states, getting everyone in the same place is no easy feat, but 6 out of 7 is not bad! Each one of us possesses a different but undeniable characteristic that assures we are all from the same blood line. In meeting the 7 of us you would definitely get a feel for who my father was. I really believe it brought joy to my Fathers heart as he looked down and saw his children in one place spending time together. I am sure he is proud to see that all of us are doing ok and we are looking after each other. I miss him so much but am glad he left me with so many reminders of him thru them.
Speaking of family I want to give a shot out to a family who has adopted me as their own and has been Godsend since I have met them and especially during the rough times. The Humphrey’s have kept me grounded and made my life as easy as possible however they can. Whether it be helping pack for a trip, looking after Atheena while I am away, fixing up around the house, making airport runs or just keeping us company on holidays my mother and I would otherwise spend alone they are ALWAYS there when I need them. For group of people to make such an effort when they have so much going on in their own lives mean the world to me. So Calvin, Deborah, Talib, Kashata, Khayla, Keyonne, Jakiya, Jalen and Taniyah. Thanks!
June 24, 2009, 8:05pm
Thursday I traveled to the Myron Rolle Leadership Academy in
Jacksonville Florida to speak. I was to close out a week which had
speakers like Rudy (Notre Dame football inspiration) , Judge Faye Allen
and Coach Herman Boone (from Remember the Titans') among others. Knowing
Myron's speaking ability and having heard about the other acts I had to
follow I was a nervous wreck! I had to step my game up but somehow I got
through it and seemed to do one of my better jobs as speaking is NOT my
strong point.
The camp was phenomenal and once again this guy has amazed me! Myron's
foundation brought 86 foster children from all over Florida to spend a
week learning the importance of leadership and good character no matter
what hand life has dealt you. Myron was present each day and even lead
morning calisthenics. So often you find athletes set up these sort of
events with good intentions but seldom participate beyond a guest
appearance. It was nice to meet his brother and closest friend Mckinley
along with is parents Beverly and Whitney. With such a quality support
group it is plain to see how he became such a stand out person.
Hopefully I can attend again next year as a mentor. I would love to
participate in all the weeks events without the pressure of the speech
giving. I think I am much more useful in a conversational environment.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. I know that this was
a good opportunity for my to continue to sharpen my delivery as I am
sure this won't be the last speech I give. Thanks Myron ;-)
June 17, 2009, 9:09am
Arkansas – United States’ 2005 Helsinki World 100m champion, Lauryn Williams, says she is looking forward to apart of her country’s initiative to regain their sprint dominance over Jamaica.
At last year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Jamaica led by Usain Bolt’s stunning world record runs of 9.69 and 19.30 in the 100 and 200 metres respectively, rocked the sprint world.
“The media made a big deal of the US vs Jamaica rivalry … yes right now Jamaica is doing well in the sprints, but I a looking to be one of the people that takes back the crown for the US,” Williams said.
Full Article
June 16, 2009, 12:36pm
NCAA Championships for Track and Field are in Fayetteville Arkansas this
week. Started yesterday actually. It is down to the wire and there was
no way Coach Deem was leaving me in Miami un-supervised 2 weeks before
US nationals. It has been our ritual since I have become a professional
to join her and the team at nationals and it isn't isn't broke don't fix
it right? I think it keeps me grounded while motivating me by being able
to watch the competition knowing how intense it is and remember myself
there just a few years ago. It is so exciting to get wrapped up in the
spirit if the sport while enjoying life as a spectator! Just one thing
though....
Who is in charge of this schedule???? Last night there was a rain delay
which cause the meet to finish up around 1am. With three days of
competition remaining was there no better alternative? Couldn't they
have come up with a schedule that wouldn't have required the athletes
to wait, stay loose and remain focused for 3 or 4 hrs before having to
warmup and compete again? Why is the competition on a evening schedule
anyway? The two possible reasons I came up with are it is hot during the
day and spectators are working until 5pm on a weekday.
Spectators are very important and of course I am all about rebuilding
the interest in our sport. I was excited when I heard that more people
stayed to watch the remainder of the track meet last night than did to
the delayed baseball game in Cincinnati but how much is too much when it
comes to being able to compete to the best of your ability? Should you
inconvenience the athletes in the interest of the fans or should you do
what makes sense and run the meet earlier in the day! I train at 12 noon
everyday in Miami so surely the athletes could properly hydrate
themselves to handle it for just a few days but what do I know afterall,
I am just a spectator. :-)
Competition stars at 5pm again this evening...here's hoping there
weather cooperates and the athletes are able to perform to their full
potential.
June 2, 2009, 7:38pm
Just a few words i hope you think about at your future races. When you run you feel free. Winning races are important but the task of completing the race is what makes me happy. The thought that you have strived your hardest and the feeling of exhileration after you have finished what seems like a mile long 100-meter dash. Deep in your mind as you look at the track you think: i'm here, i made it and i am a kick -but runner. I hope you feel that you have experienced your happiest moment while doing what you do best and keep on making every one proud that we have a strong woman who has to take two steps for every one step the other runners take yet still finishes strong. I wish you the best in all races.
June 1, 2009, 3:31pm
One Love! One Heart! Let's get together and feel all right.
The weekend turned out lovely!! There was such good energy in the air that you could not help but be happy. So many gathered for the purpose of supporting the sport was an amazing thing to see. See me posing with some Jamaican Lauryn Williams supporters? This is what is is all about, enjoying Spirit of the sport and what we all symbolize while still being proud to represent for your home team.
I ran well in the 100, got out well but pressed a little at the finish instead keeping my form. 10.94 got me 5th in a very fast race where thought it was wind aided you could tell that we all brought our A game to line up against such an accomplished field. I have got some work to do but I am glad to have reaffirmed that I am not a 11.40 sprinter. Besides I finished with a bang winning the 200m in 22.35. Sholanda Solomon who I've known since we were on a world junior team in 2002 was hot on my heels and had a great day with a PR in the 100. Although this would have been a great opportunity for ESPN to highlight us on sportscenter as was penn relays, we still didnt make the cut. I just think it is unfair that they get to choose to cover us only when reporting on a negative. We need them to think that the positive is worth covering in order for us to regain public interest and bulid the sport the way it should be!!
My youngest sister, Leighandra and friend Devan were in town and it was great to have some familiar faces in the crowd. At penn relays we started a new ritual of getting a doggy bag when we go out to eat taking it to a homeless person. I believe in random acts of kindness to make the world a better place one step at a time and think this is good way to show my younger sister that. She really loves it and so firday night we set about the task of finding someone in need of our care package. Easy enough task right??? NOT!!! There arent any homeless people in downtown NYC!! Now granted I realize this is a good thing but i must say i was surprised when after 40mins of walking around we hadnt found a single less fortunate person. We ended up asking the concierge about about it and he was able to shed somee light on the situation. There was an initaiv  e to get the homeless off the streets and taken care of that went really well so there are quite a few options for a person who made need a meal and a place to sleep. we did manage to find someone Saturday evenign that was greatful for the Thai food we shared with him. Hats off to NY for making a difference in the lives of those less forntuate!
June 1, 2009, 3:27pm
It has been awhile.... Guess I have been suffering from a bit of writers
block. Here is a quick update:
Adidas track Classic 2 weeks ago didn't go so well. No excuses though I
just need to step it up a notch and quickly because my competitors are
bringing it each and every week. My event has been smoking the last few
years but no one person has been able to claim dominance . I am training
well and long overdue for a good race.
Tomorrow I run the 100m and 200m here in NY at Reebok Grand Prix. I
arrives Wednesday evening had a press conference Thursday AM which went
great. Afterward I was feeling touristy so I hopped on a tour bus and
checked out downtown. I have been to NY quite a few times but you can
never cover it all. I was also lucky enough to nab a ticket to wicked
last night, it was great!
As I type I am headed to the track for a Pre meet/ shake out. My baby
sister and best friend are in town so will probably catch up with them
when I finish then just hang around my room. I need to preserve my
energy because I want to be fast tomorrow!
Talk to you soon, hopefully with all good news.
May 13, 2009, 11:56am
It is cool to want and even to try to save the world; cool but not
realistic... I do believe, however, that biting off more than you can
chew often causes you to be very productive as you have to work harder
and inturn you
accomplish a great deal along the way, somtimes even achieving
your end goal.
My mentoring program closed out for the year last Saturday. This was
the 2nd year it has run and I am excited we were able to expand. This
year
there was more involvement with the University of Miami
Athletic department which made life a whole lot easier in moving
forward
and setting forth a building block to make this program a success for
years to come. We have a long way
to go but starting and continuing on is half the battle when it comes to
pursuing
your dream. The program isn't perfect but perfection is something that
you
work at one day, one week and one year at a time.
In reality if we encouraged one child to do better or to strive to
achieve
more than before they entered the program, then I feel like it was all
worth it. Progress was made.
Special thanks the Flemings Prime Steakhouse. How lucky we are to have
a
restaurant of this caliber willing to give back to the community and
share a taste of the idea of top quality and prestige with the young
adults in this program. I know experiencing similar things at that age
encouraged me to keep focused, so that I would one day be able to
obtain
nice things for myself.
Also I must give a huge thank you to Nike, who has gone above and beyond
by choosing to support my
community endeavors and not just my professional career. For the
second year, Nike has contributed by providing shoes and t-shirts to
each of the children in the program. These weren't just any shoes,
these were top-of-the-line stylish air max sneakers.
I am looking forward to next year!
May 13, 2009, 11:53am
People always ask me what drives me to keep going. Well just as
complacency starts to creep in God intervenes with an opportunity that
reminds me that I have not even begun to reach my potential.
Myron Rolle is the most recent example of what I mean. Friday night I
had the privilege of attending the Orange Bowl Committee Field of Dreams
Scholarship Benefit. A fellow Hurricane and current University of Miami
Head Football Coach Randy Shannon was receiving the Keith Tribble
Trailblazer award and I was lucky enough to get a seat at his table. The
luck didn’t stop there though. Myron’s speech was short and straight
to the point but delivered in a way words do not describe. I am not in
the habit of complimenting Seminole’s but hearing this very gifted and
articulate young man speak and represent what a true class act is
stirred the whole room up. Well dressed, educated, healthy, respectful
and a huge heart for service, there seems to be a shortage of Myron’s
in the world today. For someone to exude such confidence and do it
effortlessly reminds me that I surely couldn’t have reached my full
potential yet. If he can manage a 3.7 and a degree in 2.5 years while
achieving All-American status in your sport surely there is something
more I can do with my life besides just train each day. Young men this
is what you should aspire to! Young women this should be what you desire
to meet. No I'm not hitting on Myron, just wanted to give props where
props are due and say thanks for leading by example.
May 11, 2009, 3:38pm
15 test in 5 seasons...
Manny Ramirez wanted to make sure the public was aware of this, why I am
not quite sure. In track we take about 15 per season!! All this does is
make clear that baseball has a long way to go in cleaning itself up.
I stay away from posting my opinion on other peoples behavior because
everyone makes mistakes. Also, I believe we are not meant to be judged
by anyone but God and finally because I know a story presented by the
media is one sided and bias ALWAYS.
Still after holding out for an Alex Rodriguez like contract then to see
A Rod get crucified for banned substance use Manny's mistake and
statement about his banned substance are a tough pill for me to swallow
without choking. To make such a careless decision after the example has
been set and clarification of expectation has been made crystal clear
baffles me.
Surely someone told him that when a doctor gives you something that you
should have it cleared by someone who knows whats what and that if it is
a banned substance you can obtain a TUE to be allowed to take it. To be
fair I would have liked the media to have an expert explain what kind of
illness may require a man to take womens fertility drugs.
Just when you think it is over and we can move on from this cloud that
performance enhancing substances has created over many sports something
or someone else that matters greatly to the persona of professional
sports is unveiled casting yet another shadow of doubt on all of us. We
have to find a way to imprint the importance of character in public
figures. Sooner than later...
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