Blogs : Destiny Woodbury

Sometimes You Just Have To Ask Yourself, Is IT Really Worth It?

Teaching is going really well. I love my students! I mean, yes everyday is a challenge, but it’s all worth it. I have seen my students grow up so much and they are becoming more responsible individuals. Many of them are very prepared to start high school next year. I’m still working very hard with the students who are on the verge of not going to high school. Everyday, I try my best to push them and inspire them. I really love teaching and just being around my students all the time. I must say that when I’m not in the classroom, I’m missing them.

Here is where things are becoming hard…

Track is something that you must have your HEART into. You must have PASSION for the sport to continue running after college. I always had passion for this sport. I love it more than anything and I can’t picture my life without it. Right now, I seriously don’t believe I have that drive anymore. Mainly because I’m so frustrated and embarrassed about how I am performing lately. On December 17^th, the relationship with my previous coach was ended. Things weren’t going the way I thought they would. I came to practice frustrated and stressed out because of our relationship. I felt like Ihad to walk on pins and needles and just do what I was told. Track wasn’t fun anymore. I worked out every morning at 5am at Rice or UH, which I loved! The workouts challenged me every single day. I always used to think to myself… will I survive this workout today? My coach was amazing. I never had someone challenge me physically and mentally every day. This type of training was different from what I had in college because I was never challenged at all. I remember last year, I didn't do anything over 150m in practice and I'm a 400m runner. I just knew that working with my new coach would help me become the athlete I know I could become. But sometimes, what you think is good, isn’t good at all. Therefore, things had to end.

After we went our separate ways, I found myself asking if I really wanted to continue running. My answer was obviously yes. So, being the person that I am, I began training myself. It was so difficult not having a coach there, but I knew that I had to do what I have to do until I found another coach. After the help of my friends, on January 10^th, I found a training group that I now currently with. I’m so much happier and I found my passion for track again. BUT, I’m not performing well. I guess it’s because I have a new coach, the training is different, and I just have to get my mind refocused again. After racing the past three weeks, I’ve noticed that I lost all of my speed, but I'm in shape. In practice, I can run the same pace the whole way and run what I’m supposed to run, BUT I have no gears or anything. I never had this problem where I had no speed. In college it was the opposite, I had speed, but I didn’t have the strength to finish my 400s. So, right now I’m just really frustrated on why it’s so hard for me to break 60. I found myself being so embarrassed after I run each week. I never ran so many 60’s in my life. I always try to think of something positive after I run, but this time, I’m running out of things to say to myself.

I understand that in life you have to take things one day at a time, but I just find myself lost. I find myself wondering, is it really worth it anymore? I never ever thought I would feel this way. I never ever thought I would doubt myself. I always been the person to be determined and do whatever I need to do to achieve my goals. I find myself just crying about it and wondering, why did I even move to Texas? Then, I think of my mother. If she was alive, what would she say to me? She would most likely tell me to refocus myself and just keep praying. She would tell me that giving up is NOT an option. She would tell me that everything isn’t going to be easy and I’m going to continue going through struggles throughout my life. That doesn’t mean that I should start doubting myself or even THINK about giving up.

Currently, I’m trying to get DESTINY together, so I can be prepared for outdoor. I guess I’m so frustrated because I want to see results now. I just changed coaches and I’m still adapting to the new training. Therefore, I just have to be patient. For now, I’ll continue working hard and praying.

"Put on your spikes"... My Spikes???

Those were the words of my new coach in TX on October 15th. I picked up my spikes and I just looked at them. All I could think of was my last race in them... ECAC's. I remember my teammates and I praying before we ran. I usually led the prayer before every relay, but that day, I was so sad that my college running career was about to end, that I couldn't finish it without breaking down. So, my best friend Amber decided to do it. They all begin to say that this race was for me and telling me that any relay after this year wouldn't be the same without me. I ran with Amber for 4 years and also in high school, I ran with Ashley for 2 years, and Kris for 3 years. I had the most experience with Amber. We were training partners and we ran on every 4x4 together. We ran together when our team would win all the time to running on relay teams where we couldn't even break 3:50.

At the start of the 4x4 at ECAC's, I remember my teammate Ashley and I holding hands as Amber and Kris was running. Ashley knew how hard this was for me and I've been trying to avoid this day all year. It was Ash's time to run and all I could do now is wait to run the last leg of the 4x400m Relay. As Ashley was running, I was praying that the whole world would stop so I didn't have to end my college track career. The more and more I prayed, the faster my teammate was moving around the track. She gave me the baton and said, "go des, this is your last race, make it count." I took the baton with tears in my eyes and I focused my attention to the teams that were in front of us. All I could think about was passing them one by one and making sure my teammates and I ran a good time. I passed a couple of ladies and before I knew it, it was now the last 100 meters of the relay. I saw the finish line and my teammates waiting and cheering. I didn't want to stop running. I didn't want my career at URI to be over. 60... 50... 40 meters to go. I began thinking, why is the 400 so short today? Why can't it be longer? 20... 10... 5 meters to go. Before I could get in another thought, I crossed the finish line. I T W A S O V E R. I never knew that years could fly by so fast. No matter how much I wanted time to slow down, it just kept going. I remember my teammates hugging me and wishing I could stay an extra year, but I had no more red shirt years and it was now time for me to move on. I took off my spikes, walked away from the track, and my life as a post-collegiate track runner was finally here.

Atlantic 10 Championships!

Maybe It's All Coming Together At The Right Time...

Don't Quit!

So we arrived in Charlotte at 2:30pm on Friday. I was so excited to get to the track because I haven't had the opportunity to see it yet. We went to the hotel and changed into our practice clothes for pre-meet. We get on the bus and all I can think about is running a great 400 in nice weather on a beautiful track.

We get there and I run to the track. I was so excited because it had long curves. I love running on curves. To me, mentally, it makes the 400 shorter. So, my team warmed up and all I can think about it how nice the 400 is going to feel. We stretched, we did drills, and then I did baton passes with the 4x100 relay team. They all went well and we were all excited. After that, I did block starts. So while my team was winding down and was about to leave, I decided to take a walk around the track and visualized my race. Thinking of my start, how fast I should be going at a certain part, where my arms should be, telling myself to stay relaxed and to run my race. I felt really good.

Then, we went back to the hotel, had a full team meeting, showered, and went to the Macaroni Grill. Probably the worse choice I made because the next morning my stomach was a mess. I just prayed to God and just hoped and wish I felt better by the start of the meet. We arrived to the meet and my stomach still didn't feel too well. We warmed up for the 4x100 and I began to feel a lil dizzy because I was dehydrated and there was nothing in me. I mean I ate breakfast, but ya know, it was gone already. So, we ran the 4x100 and I'm 3rd leg. My team did ok. We ran 47.14. My leg was good. I caught up and had us in 1st or 2nd. Then, I think we got 5th or 6th, overall. After that race, my body was done. I was light-headed, my body was weak, I couldn't go to the bathroom anymore. I was so upset because I had the opportunity to run a great race and be pushed by Shareese Woods (who ran a great race), but my body was dead. I tried to get pumped up and act like I wasn't feeling well, but it didn't work at all. I was in the seeded heat and in lane 2. When the official said on you marks, all I can think was God just let me get through this race. I didn't care how I ran anymore and I knew that I could possibly not finish the race because my body was so dehydrated from the sun. I jogged the whole race and ran a 57.4, which is no where near my best time. I was very upset, but I knew I was sick and there wasn't really anything that could change that. It was my fault I ate what I ate last night and it was my fault I didn't hydrate well. These are all lessons I learned from and won't forget when I race at A10s in Charotte in May. The 200, I ran 25.3, which was eh considering I was still sick and dehydrated. The 4x400 was just the icing on the cake. We were last in our heat. My teammate dropped the baton before she handed it off to me. I wasn't upset at all. I mean things happened and I told her that I wasn't mad at her. I gave her a big hug, told her I loved her and told her to smile. It's just something that I'm happy that happened now and not later. I told our 4x400 team that we will run much better. We were all tired and our bodies were pushed to the limit. We just have to re-focus and do the little things so we can do big things at the rest of our meets. I end up splitting 56. The meet was over. I officially got my worse meet of the year out of the way.

After the meet, I was so disappointed in myself. Yea, I had a valid excuse, but still. That Monday after the meet, I was really bummed out. I wanted to cry, my eyes were watering, but I couldn't let those tears fall down my face. I just felt like I sat out for a year and I come back to run my 1st 400 in 2 years and I was sick. I'm always so hard on myself and I was really hard on myself after this past weekend. I know that I can't change what happened this weekend. I know that I can run faster, but I just have to do the little things first. That means eating well before a meet and hydrating myself much better. I feel like I have so much pressure to run four events perfectly every single week just because I'm one of the captain's and I'm a senior.  I feel like I have to be strong all the time and lead this team. Sometimes I feel that even though I have these roles, I need someone to talk to me and make me feel good just like I do when my teammates don't perform well. I just feel like everyone just expects that I don't need words of encouragement because I've been running since I was nine years old. But the truth is, I need words of encouragement just like everyone else. This week at practice, I really tried to re-focus and think of my goals for the year. Many of my teammates were proud of how I ran this weekend, but I wasn't. I was so embarrassed and just... I can't even explain. BUT, that's all over with and now I have to prepare for my four races tomorrow at UCONN. Here is the entry list: http://www.plattsys.com/results/res2007/conn47.htm It's suppose to be 43 degrees and it may snow. That doesn't matter to me at all. I'm ready to go out there and just run with my heart. I ran my best time on this track in the pouring rain in 40 degree weather before. I know that the weather isn't the issue. Everyone is going to be complaining about the cold, but the person who focuses is going to win and run a good time.

Other than the track, this week has been a mess! I worked everyday, I volunteered some hours at a local middle school to tutor and mentor 7th and 8th graders. Those students always brighten up my day : ) I've been working on stuff for Texas such as getting my jeep shipped, storage space, reading books that Teach For America sent me, studying for the teacher certification exam, looking at apartments, getting a coach (YAY) so I could continue competing after college : ) , getting graduation stuff finished... just so much to do in so lil time. I graduate in 44 days : ) I also been dealing with a lot of team issues. Just trying to get my team motivated and focused. I feel like I need a vacation.. HAHA. Despite all of these things I'm currently going through, I always keep a smile on my face. I'm just happy to live another day.

On Easter Sunday, I'm going to volunteer some time at a homeless shelter. I'm so excited. I love giving back to the community in any way I can. After I volunteer, I'm going to spend some time with my family. I'm leaving them soon so I want to spend as much time as I can. My lil sister wants to come up and stay a couple of days with me during her spring break. I'm so happy. This is the first time in 5 years she has ever come up to stay with me. YAY!

I just wanted to thank everyone for the e-mails you have sent me. I loved reading every single one of them. Keep sending them : ) Thanks to everyone that is willing to help me out when I move to Texas. I'm so blessed and grateful to have many people wanting to help me out. I can't thank yall enough.

I hope everyone has a GREAT Friday and I hope yall are S M I L I N G. Good Luck to everyone competing this weekend. Til next time...

-Des

***Quote of the week***

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want smile but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about, when you might have won had you stuck it out.

Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow­­­…You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out…the silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are; it may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit…It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Less Than 24 Hours...

One Week!!!

So, I'm at home right now working on the URI Student-Athlete Handbook on a Saturday night... Loves It! Ya, I really don't do too much as you can see. Haha. Well, the handbook is my internship for the semester. I did it last year too. I have to create the handbook, type all the NCAA Rules in it, URI rules, academic info, tutoring, student services on campus, leadership opportunities, and anything else that has to do with student-athletes. It’s a lot of work, but I do enjoy doing it.

Its spring break this week!!! I was supposed to go to North Carolina with my teammates, but, unfortunately, that didn’t happen. BOOOO. I was already to go, had my clothes packed, and negative : ( I told them to go without me. My best friend wasn’t too happy because I told her I would go, but I needed to wait on some things. I felt really bad because now I wished I went with her and my other teammate. They’re having a blast though. I’m happy they are!  I guess everything happens for a reason. I decided to stay and prepare myself for my first meet on Saturday, March 24^th! It’s my first meet since Outdoor 2005. That sounds so long ago! I’m just so thankful to have the opportunity to compete another season. I’ll be running the 4x100, 200m, and 4x400. Can’t wait! I never ran a fresh 200 ever. I always ran the 400 before it. So, I’m super excited!

Today, I went shopping to buy some teacher clothes for Texas. YAY!!! Oh man, it was fun. I have to buy some pant suits and some pretty shirts, but that didn’t happen today. I think when I went shopping, I realized that I was actually about to become a teacher and teach my own real classroom. I was really excited, but so nervous because I really want to do well. So, I just brought a cute brown button down shirt and just looked at everything else. I decided to continue shopping another day.

SOOOO…. Tomorrow, I’ll continue shopping. HAHA. I decided to go to Wrentham Outlets and buy some clothes. It’s much cheaper than the mall. Plus, I get to go to NIKE & PUMA!!!! Gotta buy some more track clothes, even though my team could testify that I definitely don’t need anymore. I could spend money on track clothes everyday. I just loves them!

How am I spending my spring break…?

Well, I’ll be working everyday and volunteering at the middle school I tutor and mentor at. I love those students!!! Also, I’m going to volunteer some of my time in the soup kitchen in my community. I love giving back anyway I can. It always brings a smile to my face when I’m helping others. I know if I was in their position, I would want the same thing. Actually, I was in their position when I was younger. My mom, my brother and I lived in a shelter and we had to eat in soup kitchens in the area. I remember how nice the people were, who worked there, was to us. Therefore, every time I volunteer, I’m just so happy to be there and I love having convos with everyone who comes. It’s such a great experience. Hopefully, they realize that just because you had a rough past or a hard present, doesn’t mean you can't have a better future. They’re regular people just like us and I really dislike when people treat them like they aren’t. I hope and pray they get themselves together one day because it’s possible : )

Also, I’ll be working out everyday and preparing myself for SATURDAY. I can’t believe it’s almost here!

Well, I just wanted to make a lil entry before I laid my head down and rested my lil eyes. If anyone has any questions for me, e-mail me at xkewlrunnings42x@aim.com and I’ll have like a blog entry of answers to your questions.

It could be called, ASK DES A QUESTION DAY! Haha :  ) I loves questions. So you can ask me ANYTHING!

I'll def tell yall a lil about my training last week. I kinda shocked myself... Stay tuned!

Ok, I’m definitely tireeeeed. Haha. So, EVERYONE be safe tonight and sleep well. Sweet Dreams!

K E E P S M I L I N G : )

**Quote of the Week**

When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two and I know it was not that blow that did it - but all that had gone before.

Ya knooo...

Thanks to everyone for your the comments and suggestions so far. I really listened to them and will use each of your suggestions. Thanks so much!

Outdoor Track & Field is about to begin... Oh am I so excited. I just have been practicing everyday, working on the little things, and getting pumped up to run!  Our first meet is on March 24^th at Northeastern University. It will most likely be cold like it always is. I think everyone dreads going to that meet. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to run. YAY!

Wednesday at practice, we did baton passes for the 4x100 Relay. I haven’t ran it in 2 years because I red-shirted. So, it felt really go to just have the opportunity to run on the team again. My passes to my teammate went really well. We didn't have any issues at all. Very happy about the first day of baton passes.

The 400... I love this race. Outdoor especially. I'm so anxious to run it. I’m so nervous that I won’t know how to run it because I haven’t ran it in so long. Haha. I know Ill probably be ok. I’ll most likely run the 400 at Charlotte at our 2^nd meet on March 31^st.

I just want to have a great outdoor season and end my collegiate season off right. Everyday when I go to practice, I think to myself, I have to stay focused and make every practice count. I’m so ready!

What’s been going on with me since I last wrote... 

Well, I've been getting things ready for my big move to Houston, Texas! I'm very nervous, but I’m very excited. I've never been to Texas before in my life. I'm moving there to teach Middle school Science and to continue competing. I’m very happy to run in hot weather, because I'm so sick of this Rhode Island weather... DANG! It’s been so cold here. Like 20 Degrees. It was 7 degrees yesterday with a wind chill... not cool at all. I will not miss this weather when I move.

Ok so back to Texas. I applied to Teach For America and I got accepted!!! I'm very excited. Being a teacher is like being a coach of a sports team. A caring coach sees the strengths and weaknesses of each player and tries to build those strengths and lessen those weaknesses. In practice, coaches stand back and watch the action, giving advice on what the players should do next, but knowing that the players make their own game-time decisions. Coaches honestly point out things that can be done better and praise things that are done well. Coaches listen to their players and earn players' trust. They give their players a place to turn when things get tough. Teachers do the same things: develop a child's strengths, share a child's interests, offer advice and support, give praise, listen and be a friend.  As a future teacher, I plan to do the same. I believe that I can contribute to the students that this program targets because I have been through the same issues that are currently going through. Being taken away from my mother at the age of six by DCYF, not having a father around, coping with the death of my mother before entering high school, taking care of my brother and sister at the age of six, living in a shelter and eating at soup kitchens are obstacles that I went through as a child. There were two paths for me to take: to give up or to use all those trials and tribulations to push me to reach my goals and help inspire others. I took the positive route and I believe that I can now help other teenagers achieve their goals as well.

My experiences with working with students have given me insight to responsibilities, hard work, and devotion that are necessary to successfully take on a role in working with children and successfully acquiring relationships build upon respect with the parents and guardians of the children and the children themselves. I believe that my experiences have provided me with such a valuable opportunity to see into many of the important and necessary aspects that one must attain in becoming a successful educator and positive role model for children. I believe that all of my experiences correspond well with the Teach For America Program because it demonstrates my responsibilities that I have developed and enhanced in working with children. I believe that my experiences in working with children additionally display my personal commitment to my passion for developing professional growth in the career as a future educator. I wanted to join the Teach For America program because I want to feel that feeling that you get when you help a child. It’s rewarding and it’s a feeling that you will never forget. Being able to apply to participate in this program is an honor. Hopefully, I will impact another teenager’s life by showing them that just because you had a rough past or you have a rough present, doesn’t mean you can’t have a bright future. I could just work at a chemistry company and make lots of money, but that's not what I want to do right now. I believe that helping students out and being a role model to them is more important than money. I could work at a chemistry company later on in life. Right now, I feel that I can relate to students better because we are close in age. Plus, if I could help someone out by teaching, I would rather go for that. This experience would be so much more rewarding and its a feeling that no one will ever take away from me.

The one thing that I will never fail to remember about my experience is when I taught a girl named Memorie the alphabet. She struggled the whole time because she had a speech problem, where you could not hear what she said clearly. So I took it upon myself and challenged myself that I will help this little girl learn the alphabet. Each day, I would teach her a new letter and have some words that started with that letter and, at the end of the day, I would have her enumerate how much of the alphabet she knew. This process took the whole year, but I knew that I couldn't give up on her. One day, she came up to me and said, “Miss Destiny, Can I show you something?” I replied, “Sure, show me Memorie.” She sung the whole alphabet to me. When she sung it to me, I cried because I realized that I not only accomplish my goal of teaching her the alphabet, but I became an influence in her life. This is one of the many reason why I want to become a teacher.

Some of the things I’m trying to figure out are if I should drive all the way to Texas or get my jeep shipped. I’m thinking about shipping it. There is NO way I could drive to Texas. I definitely wouldn’t make it. Haha. Also, I have to look for apartments. I have no idea what area I want to live in. Therefore, if anyone have any suggestions, comments, or if you know anything about Houston, Texas, let me know!!!

Well, it’s NCAA weekend!!! YAY! Can’t wait to see all the results! One of my teammates qualified for the  Men's 200. I'm praying that he does well. GOOO RHODY!!! Also, good luck to all my Trackshark Fam who have qualified. I'm so proud of all of you : ) Kick some BOOTYCHEEKS!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

**Quote of the Week**

Sometimes you have to forget what you [WANT] && Remember what you [DESERVE]

I Neeeeeed Outdoor Track & Field... Like Now!

Missing A Piece Of Me.

Good Evening Everyone!

Well, this week what did I do...

Throughout my life, I have been faced with many obstacles that have not stopped me from achieving the goals that I want to accomplish in my lifetime. Being taken away from my mother at the age of six by DCYF, not having a father around, and coping with the death of my mother before entering high school are obstacles that were, and are currently, part of my life; these obstacles have made me a stronger person, and have made it possible for me to reach the point where I am in life today.

Years passed, and my mother was still a drug addict. I figured that if she lost us, which she did, she would get herself some help to get us back. That never happened. I can remember when she gave a little birthday party for my brother, on Sunday, July 13, 1998. We watched “Dr. Doolittle”, and we ate cake and ice cream. That was the happiest day I had with my mother in a long time, and as it turned out, the last day I would ever get to spend with her.

On July 19, 1998, my mother passed away. She died from an overdose of cocaine. I never expected that someone I loved so much could be gone so suddenly.  It did not have an effect on me until I saw her in a casket at her funeral. Seeing her lying there, motionless, I knew she was gone. I looked at her in shock, and tears began to flow down my cheeks. I touched her hands and then her face and felt nothing but cold skin. I wanted to hold her in my arms to make her tepid and maybe she would awaken and I could see her smile again. Then I realize that there was nothing I could do to make her come back. I could snivel, scream, bellow, or pray, but I knew nothing could bring my mother back.

Instead of giving up in life, I used the death of my mom to be a stronger person, pursue my dreams, and a role model for my brother and sister. I must say it was so hard to be so strong after my mom passed. I would always try not to cry in front of my bro and sis, but I couldn't help it. They seem to take the death of my mom a lot easier than me.  I do miss my mom everyday and yes I do get jealous when I see all my teammates mother's come to the meet and cheer them on. I do get very upset when I see anyone disrespect their mother. Yes, sometimes our mother's do make us mad, but being disrespectful isn't right. I just wish everyone would realize how lucky they are to have a mother to watch them grow each day or go to their meets. I would do anything to have that.  Even though my mother can't be there in person at my meets, I know she is there in my heart. Every race I run, I run it for her. My mother always told me to never give up on anything that I start. If I start something, I better finish it. She always told me that if someone ever told me i couldnt do something, prove them wrong. I miss her words of wisdom, but her words will never be forgotten.

Tomorrow, at my meet at BU, I will run for my mom. She would always tell me to go out there and just run. Don't think about anything because I worked so hard to be where I am today.  I'm very excited to run tomorrow : ) I just hope I run some gooood times!!!

Alright, that's probably a lot in one night. I hope everyone has a great night and GOOD LUCK to you if you're competing this weekend! Kick some bootycheeks : ) I'll let yall know how I do tomorrow. I run the 400 and 200. Good night yall.

Quote of the week:

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Just Trying To Get That Feeeeeeeling Back...

First Entry. Yippee!

Oh My Goodness! I'm finally making my first entry on T R A C K S H A R K. Loves It!

I'm very honored to be given the opportunity to represent the University of Rhode Island, my WONDERFUL team (HOOOORAHHH), my TRACKSHARK Family (A MESS!) and myself. I never thought that I would be able to do a blog because I'm not the fastest 400m runner in the college or even in the top ten, top fifty and so on. But, I realize there are many other athletes just like me and all of us are still working hard each and everyday because of our love for the sport. Yes, I wish I could be in the top ten, but I know the only way I can get there is if I continue working hard, staying motivated, staying focused and leave the rest in God's hands. I've been reading everyone's blogs and journals and l'm learning so much from everyone's experiences and just to have the opportunity to do the same is AMAZING! I hope I could do the same too : )

Well, let me tell yall a little about myself...

My name is Destiny Woodbury and I attend the University of Rhode Island. I'm also a moderator here on Trackshark in the forums ;) Some people call me Dessy, D. Wood or just D. I'm 22 years old and this is my 5th year at URI. I sat out last year so I could run an extra season with my team this year. I will be graduating in May with a Chemistry BS, Chemistry BA, Secondary Education BA, and a minor in Leadership Studies. Im very excited to graduate!!!

I was born in Providence, Rhode Island... yes it is a state! And yes it takes 45 minutes to get to one side to the other. HAHA. I was raised here and also in South Carolina and Georgia. Most of my family still lives down there. I have a sister who is 16 years old and a brother who is 19 years old. I live with my wonderful grandmother, who is my angel. I will talk more about them in my later entries.

I'm soooo excited for this track season! Even though I'm not competing with my team this indoor season, I still will be running unattached every weekend. It's so hard to go to meets where my team is competing at and run without the URI uniform. But, then I realize it's only a month and a week before outdoor starts and I'll get to put that uniform on for one more season. My goal for this indoor is to qualify for the USA Indoor Championships in Boston in the 400m. I've been working hard and just praying everyday... hopefully, I'll get there.

I have a meet tomorrow in Boston @ Boston University and I'm running the 400 and 200... Oh My! I haven't ran these two events together since last year indoor season. It's going to be sooo weird tomorrow, but it's really exciting. I thank God everyday for helping me prepare and giving me the motivation to compete indoor unattached.

Well, it's 11pm here and I have to get some rest. I'm going to go drink some gatorade, the red kind, eat a banana and stretch. After that, I usually just lay in bed and visual my race, from start to finish. Wish me luck yall and feel free to email me with questions or anything!

Have a WONDERFUL night! Sweet Dreams Yall ;)

Quote of the day: God determines who walks into your life... it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.