OREGON TWILIGHT

I really enjoyed competing in the Oregon Twilight on Friday May 9th at Hayward Field. There was a great field of women hammer throwers and I had a great opening mark of 65.38 (214'7"), which is the farthest I've opened up to date and also ended up being my farthest throw for the competition. I had some foot fouls out of the ring during the competition but am working on getting my technique that will ultimately allow me to throw far. My next meet is in Tucson, Arizona and I am excited to start seeing my throw come together!

OREGON RELAYS

We were really lucky and had great weather for the Oregon Relays on April 25th and 26th. I won the competition and opened up with almost 64 meters (209'10") and then got my best throw of the day on my last throw with 65.42 meters (214'7") This was my first time competing in the new hammer cage that was made for the Olympic Trials. I was exited to open up with a far throw, because that is exactly what I will need to do for the Trials. I'm looking forward to my next meet in May at the Oregon Twilight!

SPONSORSHIP

My first year out of college I was able to fund my throwing career through many small personal donations by friends, family, and local contacts. Now in my second outdoor season, Lochmead Farms has become my first business/corporate sponsor and I am thrilled to represent them on and off the track. Lochmead's financial sponsorship and support will allow me to grow and improve as a post-collegiate professional athlete. With the help of Lochmead, I am able to financially pay for travel and board to out of state competitions, throwing equipment, and coaching fees. In return for their sponsorship, I will be advertising and promoting their company by wearing their logo during meets and travel, presenting and participating at business functions, and promoting their company in all track related events/articles. I feel so lucky to not only have the opportunity to support a local family owned business, but to be a part of a company that is owned and run by such wonderful people. I can't wait to wear Lochmead on my jersey at the 2008 Olympic Trials!!

Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational

I have now officially begun the outdoor season of 2008. I opened up at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational hosted by UCLA in Los Angeles, CA. After coming off of a mild neck injury, I was hoping to open up my season with 64 meters or more. With the help of perfect weather and a dry ring, I accomplished this on my fourth throw with a toss of 64.29 meters (210'11"). This is the farthest I have ever thrown for my opening meet and a great start to my journey towards the Olympic Trials. I was very excited to reach my personal goal for the meet but was disappointed with my lack of consistency. My throw series:

62.98m FOUL FOUL 64.29m FOUL FOUL

I definitely have kinks to work out in my technique and am really looking forward to my next opportunity to improve upon my opening marks. I really enjoyed the experience of traveling and competing as a post-collegiate thrower. One of my teammates, on Team XO, and I had a day after the meet to check out L.A. and had a great time playing on the rings at Santa Monica Beach. My next meet is a home meet here in Eugene, OR at the Oregon Relays. I can't wait to throw at Hayward Field!

Hayward Field's New Hammer Cage

For the 2008 Track and Field Olympic Trials, Hayward Field has made many renovations and added new top of the line facilites. Two of which are: a brand new hammer cage and a brand new video score board donated by Nike. The new cage is in the same field and directly across from the old cage (right next to Agate Street). The new cage will allow more seating for spectators and fans and was designed by Lance Deal. The new, state of the art, video score board and display has a 30 X 17 foot screen and stands five stories high. For more infomation on the Nike scoreboard you can visit the following site: http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2007/11/02_haywardfield.html
Not only is Hayward Field one of the best track and field facilities in the country, but arguably one of the best in the world. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, I highly recommend taking a look for yourself.

University of Washington Husky Classic

I had another solid Indoor performance at the Husky Classic this past weekend. Unfortunately I was hoping for another PR (personal record) but ended with being less than a foot off of my new PR from a couple of weeks ago. My series were as follows:

17.86 meters, 18.35 meters, 19.44 meters, 19.15 meters, 19.13 meters, 19.12 meters Best: 19.44 meters/63'10"

The University of Washington put on, yet another, terrific meet and I enjoyed my first place finish for my last indoor meet of 2008. I am really looking forward to the outdoor season and will be opening up at two outdoor meets in California. I'll keep you posted on how my training is going (with any luck, in good weather) these next few months.

University of Washington Indoor Invitational

I had a great first indoor meet in Seattle, WA at the University of Washington Indoor Invitational on February 2nd. My first throw of the day was a new PR (personal record), from last years mark of 61'10" to 64'5", and I continued to improve on several other throws as well. My series was as follows:

19.13m, 19.59m, 19.17m, 19.47m, FOUL, 19.63m,

19.63/ 64 feet 05.00 inches

The University of Washington put on an excellent meet and ran it very efficiently. It is really nice to have such a wonderful indoor facility to compete at that is close to home. Growing up in Olympia, WA, these indoor UW meets allow many of my friends and family to make the short drive to watch and cheer me on. I really enjoy having the people in my life see the results of my hard work and passion that goes into my throwing. I have one more indoor meet in Seattle on the 16th and am looking forward to another PR!

Tentative 2008 Indoor and Outdoor Schedule

-2008 Indoor Schedule-


University of Washington Invitational - Saturday Feb 2nd, Seattle, WA

Husky Classic - Saturday Feb 16th, Seattle, WA


-2008 Outdoor Schedule-


Stanford Invitational - Saturday April 5th, Stanford, CA

Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational- March 10th-12th, Los Angeles, CA

Oregon Relays - Friday and Saturday April 25th and 26th, Eugene, OR

Oregon Twilight - Friday May 9th, Eugene, OR

Prefontaine Classic- Sunday June 8th, Eugene, OR

U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifying - Thursday July 3rd, Eugene, OR

U.S. Olympic Team Trials Finals - Saturday July 5th, Eugene, OR

WORKOUT JOURNALING

Gone are the days of Fall training! It seems to have gone by really quickly for me. I do feel that I have built up a great base for my indoor and outdoor seasons. By putting more energy into the weight room and preventative injury exercises, I feel that I have produced the "edge" to be as successful in throwing as I want to be. I've also started keeping a workout journal for the first time this year. I do daily entry logs for all the following: Warm up exercises, throws, lifting, cool downs, sprint/jump workouts. I also keep a section in my entries to write down ideas and comments from my coach, how I feel that day, what did/didn't work for me, and what I can improve on. Though I am very busy with athletics and holding two jobs, taking the five or ten minutes to write down workouts and ideas has really helped me stay focused and I feel that it has been very beneficial to mentally go over and reflect on my training a second time. I gain emmense satisfaction in being able to visually see all the work I have put into my sport. These joural books will be a great resource for me in the future when I decide to transition from athlete to coach. I highly recommend keeping a workout journal for any type of athlete, at any age, and any level.