Blogs : Eric Simmons

Again

First of all, I’d like to congratulate my teammate Ahmad Rolle for placing 4^th and earning All-American honors in the triple jump with a leap of 49 feet, 7 inches. He’s had a great season thus far and earned it, and we only look for better things to come from him during the outdoor season.

Second of all, I’d like to thank those who posted congratulatory comments after my race at the armory. I would have liked to respond to each person, but my senior thesis kept me rather occupied.

As far as Indoor Nationals goes for yours truly, it was another forgettable event. The build up for this year for me was far different than any other year. Instead of being in good standing in early February to earn a berth, I had to run up until the very last weekend in order to make it. On the plus side, I wasn’t as nicked up as I usually tend to be, and I was making improvements and tweaks to my race on a weekly basis. Long story short, I felt more confident than ever.

Without boring you with other minute details, I’ll get straight to the race. I felt like I got out well, but later found out it was 22 seconds high through the first lap. Nonetheless, I was first to the cut line, and first through the 200. I got around to about the 250 mark when the guy from UMass-Lowell pulled up beside me and bumped me. He made the first elbow contact, so we began elbows a little bit, but everything was right where judges are posted for such things. I figured since I had the inside position, and earned it by getting to the cut first, the consistent contact he gave me would be handle by the judges., as throwing a massive bow would have most likely resulted in a disqualification, being that these types of things are frowned upon, even more so at an event of this caliber. That didn’t happen, and I saw the official throw up the white flag quickly.

The contact didn’t throw me off that bad, but it was for him to pull ahead slightly. I still had the inside position as he was on the top of the lane, so I pulled up on him and then he cut me off pretty viciously. I got spiked and it made me stumble and caused my form to go completely to Hell. I flailed the last 150 or so in a desperate attempt to catch him, but I ran out of time. I looked at my time, a disappointing 49.26, and stood there trying to figure out what just happened. Then, someone told me I was bleeding, and I looked down to see I had blood running all down my leg from where I was spiked.

After the race, I talked to coaches and other athletes who saw what happened. They all saw the bump and agreed it slowed me down considerably. I agree with them wholeheartedly. However, I also wonder about other things. How about if I had gotten through the 200 .15 seconds faster? How about if I made my move a bit earlier? I found a good strategy at the Armory that yielded a considerable drop, where I get out for 150, overstride to the 200, and then go with about 150, 175 left. Maybe I should have just gone earlier?

Either way, the race is now in the past, and outdoor is upon us. I definitely do not need the “Super Bowl Hangover” type deal. Now, I have to look forward to running the 800 to open up the season. The actual event does not bother me, it’s the training that sucks. Monday, I ran 3 1000s and had to come through the 800 at 2:15, which may or may not have happened. Today, I had to do 3 500s where I had to come through the 4 at 52. I hit the time for the first 2, but I was too deadlegged and delirious to know or care what my last time was, as evident by the way I went to the training room and got treatment on my back, hamstring, and knee simultaneously and fell asleep within 5 minutes.

This is the last season of my collegiate career, and I intend to go out in a blaze of glory. I want the kind of last season where I can say something like “I gave em’ Hell while I was there”.

a loss becomes a gain

3:41 PM, March 19, 2008 .. Posted by missbri

things we tend to look at as failures or disappointments should be seen as learning experiences and used as motivation to change our way of thinking or doing things in order to ensure future success. it sounds like you are on that path. and to be honest, i'm typing this also because it's something i like to remind myself of constantly!

The Next Step

3:42 PM, March 19, 2008 .. Posted by tr400

Too bad about indoor, but you are right outdoor is here and this is where it counts. When things like that happens its only preparing you for greatness. Learn from it, Use it, and Discard it. FYI...i have been reading your blogs for a while now and you do some great workouts. You should definitely be 46.5 or faster out of the blocks.

Do well this spring.

Edited by tr400 on March 19, 2008 at 3:44 PM

Untitled Comment

3:58 PM, March 19, 2008 .. Posted by Rome

I was there to see your prelims race, I know how aggressive that Lowell kid is. Good luck outdoors and I hope you achieve your goals. I am in the same position as you, I am trying to go out in a blaze of glory.

Untitled Comment

4:16 PM, March 19, 2008 .. Posted by ULMSpeeddemon

Knowing your a senior and you wanted to end everything on a big note. Just be patient and keep faith. Good luck opening up in the 8