I want to feel sorry for myself but then I thought about three people that made me change my mind.
You know I am a people watcher. I watch and listen. I believe that you have a goal you are trying to accomplish watch those who are doing it or have done it.
There are 3 people I admire in my sport: Chante Howard-Lowe, David Oliver, and Lolo Jones.
The first person was Chante Howard-Lowe. She has had a great season this year in the high jump. She set the American Record at 2'05m. When I saw her at Nationals I can look at her body and could tell that she had put some work in. She look really fit! Her ABS OMG! Are great!
When she broke the AR to see her reaction! I wanted to cry with her. It was a celebration paired with a sigh of relief. You work so hard for something then to finally get it! I love to see people in that moment! All of those days, months, and years, of HARD WORK! Finally paid off!
I meet her in Beijing 2008. I remember her saying that she warms up and stretch for 30 min everyday! I asked her why? She said that she has to stay flexible to jump and it helps prevent injury. 2009 in Berlin she was in the airport doing ABS!
Man come on! Who does abs in the airport. She said that she had to finish her work out. I guess you can say hard work pays off! 2010 she makes it look so easy to jump over that bar. She didn't win this last meet. She knows she can beat the girl who had beat her. She has already jumped higher than her this year. I can't wait to see her jump again! I know she already knows what she needs to do!
What I love about Chante is that she is dedicated. She sticks to what she needs to do. Going that extra mile!
The next person I just really got to know this year is David Oliver!
What I love about him is his confidence. I have never felt a since of doubt from him. Some people may say he's cocky! I don't think so! I believe that people who know that they are the best have to have confidence about everything they do!
When you step on that line, ring, or runway, its just you. Your voice is the last voice you hear! You have to be sure of yourself. When you leave room for doubt, it shows!
David knows what he needs to do, how to do it, and when to do it! I talk to his coach Brooks and I see why David is so sure of himself. His coach has that same feel to him. He has been coaching for so long and been around the sport he knows what kind of mind set you need to execute!
Last but not least LoLo Jones. I remember when Lolo went down in the 100m hurdles 2009 at Drake relays! She was so upset. I think her feelings was more hurt than her leg. That injury had her miss the rest of the 2009 season.
Lolo went to work! She wanted to prove a point in 2010. She showed up in indoor ready to bust some heads. When she won Indoor Worlds she celebrated so hard. People say that she overreacted. I don't think so. I almost cried watching her because I knew what it meant to her. It wasn't just a win. It was a message Lolo sent to Lolo. She worked so hard to come back from an injury people wasn't sure how would she come back from. She had put all she had into that one moment and hope for a great outcome! She got what she was looking for. In that short 60m meant the world to her.
From these three people I see things in them that I have to work on. Well not work that I need to get!
Dedication- Do the little things everyday! They separate who's great from who's good!
Confidence- Not just in me and my ability. Confidence in my coaches. My Dad and Jon!
Heart-Put everything I have into what I do. Don't save nothing! Put it all out on the table!
I never told any of them what I thought about them. I appreciate what they do! They just do them thats the best thing anyone can do!
Yea my season may not be what I want it to be. I have to keep pushing, believe it, and do it whole heartedly! It may takes days, it may take months, or years! But Im tired of just barely making it! I believe that I am the best! Now its time to act like it! Im not a baby anymore. I've been a professional for 3 years now.
I know what it takes to be great but just been scared to put myself out there. I have to make some major changes! Let some things go. When its all said and done the only person stopping me is ME!
4 comments:
Thank you. I am passing this on to my hurdler who will enter college and college track this year.
Good for you! Spoken like a champion on the rise. Honest. Heart felt. You inspire as others have inspired you. Go get it!!
Michelle, I appreciate the words on your blog. Didn't know I was a minor sense of inspiration for you.
You are right, confidence is a major part of what we do, but more importantly, it's competence.
I know I am competent enough to carry out the task laid before me by my coach. You know how it is when you're around him briefly, so imagine, I've been around him for six professional seasons!
Once you become that extension of your coach and buy in 100% to the system, you will be great. Learning new things takes time, but it's called progress.
Thanks again and see you in Monaco!
Nice post, Michelle. Very inspiring! I was feeling sorry for myself after tearing my right anterior delt for the second time in 2 months, but now I'm just going to buckle down and work on what I can. Thanks for reminding me why we do this stuff!
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