Tuesday, June 5, 2012

London Fever

I got chills! They're multiplying and I'm losing control. 'Cause the power you're supplying...it's eletricfying! You're the one that I want!

I know some of you know where those lyrics come from. They come from the movie 'Grease' when Sandy and Danny finally confess their love to each other.

That's how I feel about the 2012 Olympics. Every time I see NBC commercials I get chills all over my body. I get this feeling from deep within that is so powerful it causes tears to form in my eyes. I can't shake it!

My first Olympic team my mindset was "let's see what I can do". This time I am going for it, the one thing that every athlete dreams of, I'm going for GOLD! There can't be a greater feeling than standing on top of the podium with the gold medal around your neck and the national anthem playing in the background! Being a track and field athlete, what greater honor is there?

In everything I do I hold that picture in my mind. I have my eyes fixed on the prize. For some people it may be hard to see. They may even ask if it's a tangible goal. Yes it is! If you shoot for the moon the least you will do is land amongst the stars, right? Plus, I know with all of my heart I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13) !

Faith, patience, hard work, and consistency can take you far. Whatever you want to do, like good old Nike says, "JUST DO IT"!

Yours truly,
Michelle Carter

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Indoor is here!

I woke up 6:00am with a loud knock at my door. When I heard the sound I already knew who it was. USADA! For those who don't know USADA is The United States of America Doping Agency. They do random drug tests for those athletes who compete in the USA. So, today was my day for them to come and collect my urine.

Since I was wide awake, I was flipping through my DVR and realized that the US Open Indoor Track meet at Madison Square Garden was recorded so I had to watch it. Wake up, Drug test, watch track meet, and go to practice. That's how you start your day!

I have eleven days until my first indoor track meet. I am super excited! Usually, I am never excited about indoor but this year is different. I open up at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Feb 11th. Then I will be competing At the US Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico in anticipation of competing for the United States at the Indoor World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. That's the end of my indoor season. Short and sweet! Just like this post! LOL!

Until next time

Michelle Carter

2012 Nuff Said!

2012 is here. I can't believe how fast 2011 has came and gone!

2011 was a learning year for me. I have learned so much through the great teacher "experience" and his twin brothers "trial and error". 2011 was a great year and I threw a personal best of 19.87m = 65ft 2in. I finished second in the USA and ninth in the world rankings. I was able to see what hard work can get you!

My expectations for 2012 are high as well! I am so excited for the new year and have a new outlook on life! I have a God that provides for me and has given me special gifts and talents. I have the best coaches and friends that that have always been supportive in their own way!

What more can I ask for.

Truly Grateful,

Michelle

Something you don't know about me...

I went to my sisters school for a ground breaking ceremony for the new athletic complex they are building and it made me reflect.

Focus Learning Academy is a school that focuses on kids that have learning disabilities. At Focus, kids get a chance to make it through school without getting labled or told that they can not make it because they learn differently. Kids with ADD, ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia are capable of learning. They just see things differently and it may take a little longer.

I was one of those kids growing up. I was diagnosed at a young age with ADHD and Dyslexia. They told my mom that I would not be able to make it through school without medication. My mom refused to believe that to be true. She knew how smart I was. I scored very high on my IQ test. My mom spent countless hours going over things with me figuring out how I learned best.

In 3rd-6th grade I left school to go to tutoring 2 hours per day, 4 days a week. I didn't know that I was different than everyone else. My mom always told me that I can do it. I just need to focus and work hard.

I made it through elementary and now it was time for Jr High. I didn't go to tutoring anymore. School wasn't hard and I made good grades. I made it through High School easily took AP English in the 11th and 12th grade. After I signed to go to Texas and they said I didn't need to have the class so I dropped it. I graduated High school with no problems!

As I prepared for college they told me that I had to be tested again. Once you have been tested and it is on your transcript and they have to do it again before you enter college so they can know where you are. I got tested again and it went well. My IQ score was high but they were really confused on how I was able to make it through high school without medication.

They told me that there was no way that I would make it through college without medication. The doctor gave me a prescription and told me to think about it and encouraged me try it for a week and see if it makes things easier for me.

I went home and thought about it. I told my mom I would give it an honest effort. I took the medicine and the next thing I knew, I was cleaning my whole bathroom with with a tooth brush. I spent about 5-6 hours scrubbing. My mom came and checked on me a few times. The last time she came in and checked on me she told me to just stop, the bathroom was clean enough and I need to go to bed. We realized that the medication was not for me.

I felt like I was not myself I was so focused on that bathroom I don't even think I stopped to eat or drink. I felt like I was in a trance. That is not me at all. I never took those meds again. When I struggled in college they suggested that I should take something. I was too determined to show them that I can do it without help. I was just ready to be done with school. Between the demands of trying to graduate and the demands from track and field, I was overwhelmed. I just wanted to be finished. I continued to press forward and I made it! I graduated college without medication!

I wish that people would take a little more time to find out why these kids struggle the way they do. Some of the kids at Focus learning academy have some extreme situations at home that makes things at school hard. They may be hungry or their parents are sick. They may be raising themselves because their parents work so hard that they hardly see them. Why shouldn't these kids have a chance to improve their lives with a quality education. A chance to have someone that cares enough to tell them they can do it that they are not dumb or incapable. Someone to tell them that they can go to college and that they should go to college. As well as someone that will give them a chance to dream and provide an opportunity for them to be successful.

Never underestimate a child that learns differently. You never know what they may become or what they are capable of doing. Great athletes, singers, musicians, writers, scientists, artists, and inventors have struggled with learning disabilities but they did not let it stop them from being successful.

What I would tell a kid that struggles with anything in life is, when you put your mind to it you can do anything. It may not be easy but you can do it. It may take a long time but you can do it. Learning disabilities do not go away, you learn how to adapt. To figure out what works best for you. Find out how you learn... Work with it and work it out!

If you believe you can achieve

Keep pushing

Michelle

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Off-Season Training



It's off-season training time! Most of the time I dread this part of the year. This year I am excited to set the tone for the season. The picture shows my "Im not in the mood to play" face. Lol! Thats going to be my new look to all of my distractions! I am not in the mood. Not today! Leave me alone! Rolling of the eyes! Yada yada yada!

Big goals require a plan. A plan requires a goal. To reach you goals you have to have work hard! Lets get it!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Blogging

I'm not so good at this blogging thing... I'm not consistent :( ..... But I do enjoy it :D.... I have so much to talk about that has happened this year.... I will have plenty of stories to tell about this coming year... It's going to be My Olympic Journey to London 2012.... I have big goals and dreams this year. I want to be able to let you in on my journey! Sooooo! I will try my hardest to keep up with my blogs and keep you informed.... I will be talking not just about track but about all the things that I enjoy... If there is anything you want to ask or something you want to talk about send me your ideas... Ill see what I can do!

Until Next Time

Michelle

Saturday, June 25, 2011

2011 US Nationals/Season

I know it's been a long time since I've last blogged. Let me give you a recap on what has been going on.

This year I have been focusing on getting stronger and getting fit. Looking at what I did last year my dad and I decided to try something new. The reverse... For those who have no idea what the reverse is, its at the end of my throw I switch my feet to help me stay in the ring.

I worked it and worked it but it was improving. In the middle of all of that I had injured my shoulder and missed the indoor season. I felt that I was falling behind. When I was finally cleared to train I felt like I was starting over.

I kept trying the reverse and one day we came to the conclusion that the reverse was not for me. We decided to go back to what I know.

To be honest, I was worried that It was too late to make another change. My dad told me that it was going to be fine. I worked and worked and worked.

My marks this year were not my best. I wanted to do well at Nationals. I started to put pressure and stress on myself. To calm all of the extra nonsense that was going in my head, I told myself that my goal was to make the team. That's all I wanted to do. Make it to World Championships.

Before the meet my Dad and Jon told me that I was ready if I believed it or not. I chose to believe what they have told me. I knew that I was capable of doing well. Then I remembered the most important piece to my puzzle, Jesus. Philippians 4:13 says "That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I wasn't just limiting myself but I was limiting God.

I knew that God already worked it out all I had to do was trust him. So I went out and competed.

My first throw in the competition surprised me I threw 19.16 62ft 10.5in. I came back with my second throw 19.86m 65ft 2in. when I heard that I could not believe it. I was not expecting that! I thought to my self just keep your composure you still have 4 more throws. My last 4 throws were all over 60ft. It was the first series I have had all of my throws over 60ft.

Lets rewind a little.

The day before I was distracted by looking and comparing what I had to what others had. I prayed about it. Woke up the next morning and read an email that I normally wouldn't read. It talked about being humble and patient. All I could do was laugh because it felt like God had just checked me. It was like He said "Girl shut up! Do what you know to do. I got you. I'm glad you took time to listen to me today!". After the meet is when I realized how close I was to missing a blessing. Negative thoughts flooded my mind. Pride was rising up in me. I had to check myself. I think if I had not prayed about what I was thinking and feeling the results would have been different.

After the competition all I could do was tell Him thank you. I was not expecting to throw that far but He succeeded all of my expectations. I am so grateful!

As for the rest of the season....

I finished 6th at every single Diamond League meet. :/ It was a little frustrating. The I placed 9th at worlds... Disappointed there too!

Having the break through throw at Nationals showed me that I have so much more in me. I have to learn how to get it out!

I will to continue to work hard, after that work harder, then work even harder!