Mariners first pitch ceremony
September 24, 2008
Washington Olympians were honored last night at the Mariners game with a first pitch ceremony. There eight of us from different sports track and field, rowing and soccer. As we were each introduced they had cool videos playing on the jumbo tron. They had 4 of us throw simultaneously and 4 stand behind cheering. It was pretty cool.
We got to meet the Mariner’s Moose and take pictures with him. We all watched the game together which was awesome. The best part of the night was the Mariner’s won and beat the Los Angeles Angels. I also ran into a few friends who work for the Mariners and it was great seeing them.
My son also had a blast. He got a lot of cool Mariner stuff and one of the players game him a baseball.
Happy Birthday in Beijing
August 15, 2008
One of the best things about competing in a summer sport and having a summer birthday is I get to celebrate around the world. With a 14 hour timezone difference I was able to celebrate for 2 days. While it was August 14th Beijing it was still August 13th back home. I have told some teammates that I am going to celebrate all week because I have my 1st round of competition on the 15th and then the 2nd round on the 18th.
When I got back to my room from practice I was surprised with a beautiful bouquet a roses and a bath and body works bath set, from my friend Kristin Heaston. Now my room looks good and I smell good too. Lots of athletes and staff sang happy birthday songs through out the day. Watch the video of Amber Campbell (USA Hammer Throw) we were jammin’ on that one. I was later surprised with cupcakes from two of our team doctors Ross Flowers and Monique Burton and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better I got another bouquet of flowers from BOCOG (The Beijing Olympic Committee Organization Government).
When I checked my email I had birthday wishes from family and friends back home. I feel like this is the birthday that never ends. One of the Olympic coaches said it best, “you are blessed”.
USA Track and Field Training Camp
August 7, 2008
Our Training camp has been awesome. Our staff has worked hard to make us feel at home. We have an American Chef here who is fantastic. He is mixing our favorites in with Chinese cuisine. Breakfast has your choice of ready to order omelets, toast from freshly baked bread, bacon, an array of fresh fruits, cereals and my favorite coffee. The best dish I have had so far is the sweet and sour shrimp, butterflied prawns in a tempura batter with the best sauce I have ever tasted, mmm good.
The athlete lounge has wireless Internet, table tennis (ping pong), bowling alley, lounge area, dominoes, playing cards, a variety of board games and of course snacks. I have been playing a lot of dominoes and spades. Trying my best not to hurt anyone’s feelings, the games can get intense. But not as intense as the ping pong games those have been fierce. Check out latest video of a ping-pong war.
We even have a movie theater lounge with lazy boy style chairs and movies playing all day long. Tonight we are going to have an opening ceremonies viewing party for those of us not marching in the ceremony.
The medical training room is top notch. We have a great team of athletic trainers, massage therapist and chiropractors keeping us healthy and ready to go each day. And of course every-one’s favorite a giant ICE Bath for recovery. There is a nice indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.
I know you saw the video of our awesome training facility. My training has been going really well and I am excited to start competing next week. Here are some pictures of our adventures so far. We went on an outing one day this week and found a Starbucks, MMM GOOD!
Journey to China
August 1, 2008
There has been a lot of bright spots in my travel to China. While we were in California processing for 2 days I was able to see 2 of my close friends from College(University of Washington), Soozie McDonald and Monique Hollowell. It was nice to be able to have some face to face time with friends, we don’t get hang out very often. We got to catch up on life and share baby stories as we are all first time moms.
My training partner Kristin Heaston is from the area and I was able to meet and hang out with her family as well. Her Mom(Marsha) cooked a great meal of tacos and strawberry shortcake. Heaston tacos with ketchup is Kristin’s favorite meal. I met her Grandparents, Uncle & Aunt, cousins, sister, brother in law, and nephew Steven, who is adorable.
Steven who is only 2 years old. Helped me make a Build-A-Bear for my son Theo to have while I am out of town for the Olympics. We picked out a bear and I made some voice recordings for each of the paws, so Theo can hear my voice whenever he wants. Then we had the bear stuffed, after the stuffing the bears heart has to be put in. Steven was very kind to help pick out the heart and warm it up with love with for his buddy baby Theo. At Build-A-Bear each of the kids are encouraged to warm up a heart for each bear made there. Then we had to take to bear to the wash station at which time, Steven was so excited to clean the bear up. The made sure his armpits, and feet were especially clean.
After all of the travel I am finally in China and made it to training camp. Here are a few pictures from the trip so far.
An Exciting Send Off
July 27, 2008
We had another fun send off on Friday here in Opelika, AL. Kristin’s neighbors all got together and planned a great farewell. They made some great salads and a beautiful cake with the Olympics rings on it. We brought our implements for some up close and with a shot put and discus. It’s great to know we have such great support here in Opelika as well as around the country. The neighbors have been supportive all season wishing good luck on various trips and following our progress. Here are some pictures of our exciting send off.
A Great Media Day
July 19, 2008
A special thank you to Toomer’s coffee for hosting an Olympic send off for Kristin Heaston and myself yesterday. It was fun spending time with the family, friends and the community. I had a great time and the support of others is awsome. So keep the great vibes coming especially on our competition days. I throw on Aug. 15th and 18th and Kristin throws on Aug. 16th.
Also one of my sponsors, Advocare, came out to practice yesterday to get some new footage and freshen up my advocare video. I am excited to see the new one when they have it finished. I know they have a few more athletes to shoot, Advocare had a number of endorsers make the 2008 Olympic Team.
Meet 2008 Beijing Olympians at Toomer’s Coffee
July 17, 2008
On Friday July 18th from 10am-12pm, 3 Time Olympian Aretha Thurmond and 2 Time Olympian Kristin Heaston will be available for a meet and greet with local businesses and the community of Auburn and Opelika, AL at Tommer’s Coffee. Come join us for an exciting Olympic send off of 2 great athletes, who have been training right here in our community. Kristin is a resident of Opelika, AL.
GO Mommy GO!!!
June 30, 2008
Making my 3rd Olympic Team today was more exciting than ever. I had my number ONE fan cheering me on today, as you can see in the picture. I am truly enjoying motherhood and feel very blessed to have great support from family and friends. After giving birth last year to my son, I wasn’t sure if a comeback was possible. But with all of you believing in me, it gave me the will power to try. I was super excited after finishing in 1st place today, but I was even more excited when taking the victory lap and getting High 5’s and Hugs from everyone. It was great knowing everyone was cheering me on.
I told the media today that this possible because of the strong team of family and friends I have behind me. So let’s keep the momentum going and start preparing for Beijing. Visit this website for the track and field Olympic Schedule, http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicGames/schedule.asp
Up Next USA Olympic Trials 2008
June 15, 2008
June 27 - July 6, 2008
Hayward Field, University of Oregon - Eugene, Ore.
Returning to one of the most hallowed sites in the sport, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials will return in 2008 to Hayward Field, site of the ‘72, ‘76 and ‘80 Olympic Trials. The country’s most prestigious pre-Olympic event, the Olympic Trials is where the roster for Team USA will be selected for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Eugene has long been dubbed “Track Town, USA” for its rich track and field history and the community’s appreciation of the sport. The Nike Prefontaine Classic regularly draws standing-room-only crowds, while athletes consistently rate Hayward Field as having one of the most compelling atmospheres of any stadium in the world.
The largest national championship track meet in the world, the U.S. Olympic Trials hosts more than 1,000 athletes as they compete for the right to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games. More than 350,000 fans attended the last two Olympic Trials in Sacramento, and at each edition of the meet, more than 1,000 members of the media from around the world covered the event while thousands of volunteers and officials provided support.
TV Schedule
All times are Eastern; subject to change; check local listings
| Date | Times | Network |
| June 28 | 12:00-1:00 a.m. | USA |
| June 28 | 8:00-9:00 p.m. | NBC |
| June 29 | 7:00-8:00 p.m. | NBC |
| June 30 | 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. | USA |
| July 3 | 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. | USA |
| July 4 | 11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. | USA |
| July 5 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | NBC |
| July 6 | 7:00-9:00 p.m. | NBC |
Up Next Prefontaine Classic 2008
June 3, 2008
The Reebok Grand Prix in NewYork was exciting and now it’s time for the 2nd Grand Prix meet in the US, The Prefontaine Classic. The women discus throwers will be battling it out again this Sunday in Eugne, OR. We had an awesome competition last weekend with everyone throwing over 60meters. This should be another exciting meet as we gear up for the Olympic Trials.
The Prefontaine Classic is the premiere track & field meet in the United States, and the only stop in North America on the prestigious World Athletics Tour. Since 2000, it has been ranked first among all annual track & field meets outside of Europe by the IAAF, the international governing body for the sport.
Athletes must be ranked in the Top 50 in the world in their events to be eligible to compete in this elite track & field showcase.
The meet is named for the legendary Steve Prefontaine, America’s greatest distance runner at the time of his death in 1975 at age 24. Pre’s remarkable life was the subject of two major motion pictures, “Prefontaine”, released by Disney in January 1997 (two “thumbs up” from Siskel & Ebert), and “Without Limits”, released by Warner Bros. in September 1998 (and picked in the Top 10 films of 1998 by Time magazine and the New York Times).
The 2007 meet on Sunday, June 10th, was the 33rd annual Prefontaine Classic, with NIKE providing title sponsorship since 1978.
Each year, the meet has featured some of the greatest athletes in the world.
Attendance at the meet, held each year at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, has traditionally been the largest in the United States. Each of the meets for the past ten years has seen standing-room-only sell-out crowds.
The Prefontaine Classic has been carried on television for ten consecutive years. This year’s telecast will be aired live on NBC for two hours.
The meet will be on TV this year so be sure to watch the Broadcast. The meet website and tv times are posted below.
For meet info visit, http://www.preclassic.com/
TELEVISED BY:
NBC, Live, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Flying over New York
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