Since the last time I wrote, I competed at the USA National Champs in Eugene, Oregon. I won with a jump of 15' 3" (4.65m). Nationals is always a meet that I get VERY nervous for. This year, we were qualifying for the World Championships in Berlin in August so it was very important for me to place in the top 3. Also, the field size is always larger at Nationals and the wait time from my warm-up until I compete is about 1 1/2 hours longer than I am used to. However, this year I was a little banged up with an injured Achilles and hip flexor. I received a lot of physio treatment while I was in Eugene and everyone helped piece me back together long enough to get the job done (phew). I am very grateful to have won my 8th US Championship title.
Technically speaking, I have improved so much since indoor and even from my first couple of outdoor competitions. My speed times (measuring how fast I come down the runway) were very good at Nationals which is proof of the all-around gains I have made.With my speed, strength, and technical adjustments improving, I can’t wait to see how high I can go. All I need to do is get 100% healthy! That has been pretty frustrating for me but I am dealing with it day by day and trying to keep a positive attitude.
Although my outdoor 2009 season has had some setbacks, I have enjoyed the summer months here in western New York. I went home for July 4th and had an awesome time with my family. We went to the pier in Dunkirk where the fireworks display takes place. My entire family was there (parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law, nieces) and family friends. We sat in the same spot with the same families that we have sat with for over a decade. Some things never change and I love it!
I decided to re-do my bedroom since we haven’t been travelling this month…a task that sounded so much easier in my head! A friend taught me how to spackle, sand, and paint so I figured…how much work could it be? The first two were pretty easy but painting is an art. I always figured, dip the roller and go but now I know there is plenty more to it. There is taping off, edging, tackling corners that the roller can't get to, paint dripping to deal with…yeah, a lot more to it than I thought of! I painted the room a very light cream/rose color that turned out even better than I thought. I have all white dressers and the hues of my curtains, valence, and duvet cover all blend so well and look very pleasant. I am all girl! I love designing and redoing rooms but in the future I will definitely leave the painting to someone else!
Another tradition that I continued since I’ve stayed home this July was attending the Chautauqua County Fair. I told Rick he hasn’t lived until he has been to the Chautauqua County Fair so yesterday (Thursday) we packed up and headed to Fredonia for the night. The 4H barns are my favorite place. I must have petted more than 20 cows, a dozen pigs and a handful of sheep… but I never pet the roosters or chickens, I am afraid of them! I did allow myself one non-healthy type of carnival food…Cotton Candy. It is my absolute favorite but the hardest decision was to decide between the pink or the blue. I will let you guess what one I chose, it shouldn't be too hard
As for now, I am going to continue to stay focused on my efforts to get ready for the World Championships. I am continuing with adapted training around my injury and have been very disciplined with it. I appreciate all your support and am looking forward to competing again.
So, I started off my morning by flipping through the September 2007 issue of Track & Field News magazine. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all four of our Nutrilite-sponsored athletes are featured with photographs in this month's issue!
A little tour of the publication:
pg. 37 – Jenn Stuczynski, American-Record Holder Pole Vault. Jenn's shown in the recap from the US Track & Field Championships, where she was "the very model of efficiency, needing only a single attempt to win."
pg. 41 – Liu Xiang, World-Record Holder 110-meter Hurdles. There's a full-page photo of Liu as a part of the article "Who's Going to Osaka?"
pg. 43 – Sanya Richards, American-Record Holder 400-meter sprint. This article, "Richards Bounces Back," recaps Sanya's performance at the Paris Golden League.
pg. 44 - Liu. A really cool picture of Liu as the crowd is cheering for him at the Lausanne Grand Prix.
pg. 45 – Asafa Powell, World-Record Holder 100-meter Sprint. This article, "Powell Back on Track," recaps Asafa's gold medal performance at the Rom Golden League.
I love this mag. Especially seeings how our Nutrilite athletes are consistently featured in it.
If you don't already get it, you may want to check out www.trackandfieldnews.com. The magazine is published 12 times a year, including an "Annual Edition," which wraps up the whole year in one spot with World Rankings and Top 40 Lists. One of the sweet perks to having a subscription is the free eTrack service you also get. It includes an eTrack Newsletter, an extensive results publication which is produced more than 40 times a year (weekly during the peak season) and sends all the latest results directly to your e-mail address. During the Olympics and World Championships, special daily reports are issued. (Something worth keeping in mind as the '08 Olympics near.)
Unfortunately, Nutrilite-sponsored athlete Jenn Stuczynski had to bow out of the women's pole vault at the World Championships due to a foot injury. I received an email from her agent this morning saying Jenn just had an MRI and that even though her foot is really swollen, they're trying to be optimistic.
Jenn had high hopes going into the World Championships. She set U.S. records for the women's pole vault in May and June to become the second highest vaulter ever.
Quote from Jenn in the media right now:
"It got to the point that I really couldn't push off anymore off my left foot. Before the competition, I tried everything in order to be able to go. I tried taping it tighter. Between jumps, I was talking to my coach on moving and adjusting my marks, but it wasn't doing any good. It came to a point where I didn't want to risk hurting it any further."
Nutrilite™ brand powers Sanya Richards, the fastest 400m woman in U.S. history
Nutrilite, the world’s leading brand of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements, is the proud sponsor of elite runner Sanya Richards, the youngest woman ever – at age 20 – to break the elusive 49-second barrier at 400 meters.
Richards was named the World Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 – the same year she became the American Outdoor 400m record holder at 48.70 seconds.
In her 22 years, Richards has made an international name for herself representing the United States around the world in elite track and field events.
– She is a three-time U.S. Outdoor National Champion at 400m.
– She was a Gold Medalist in the 4×400m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
– She is ranked Number One in the world (2006) by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) at 200m and 400m.
– She was undefeated at 400m in 2006.
– In 2005, she won the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, Switzerland, running the 400m in 48.92 seconds – 0.38 hundreds of a second faster than the world and Olympic champion at the time.
Competing everywhere from Stuttgart to Stockholm, and from Indianapolis to Austin, Sanya Richards has distinguished herself as a veteran competitor. “When people believe they can run faster, times just get faster and faster,” she says.Truth is, she doesn’t have to say much – her feet tell the story on tracks around the world.
A 2006 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Richards holds a degree in management information systems. She lettered in basketball in high school, and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.
“Sanya’s dedication to her sport and to winning makes her a natural for Nutrilite products,” says John Dykhouse, Global Brand Manager for Nutrilite. “We take great pride in the fact that Sanya trusts Nutrilite to insure that her nutritional requirements are met during her strenuous training schedule.”
Dykhouse adds, “Sanya is an inspiration to athletes everywhere – and to the rest of us as well. She’s managed to not only excel in athletics and academics. It’s a rare combination that is also a real motivator. We wish her continued success in the coming seasons.”
The Nutrilite brand and Sanya Richards have a lot in common: Both Nutrilite and Richards are on top of their game – and they know the dedication it takes to stay there. Based on 2006 sales, Nutrilite is the world’s leading global brand of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements – and has held this position for more than five years.
Nutrilite products are sold around the world, through Amway and Quixtar independent business owners.
About Nutrilite
NUTRILITE is the world's leading brand of vitamin, mineral, and dietary supplements, based on 2006 sales. The company is so committed to total quality control of its plant concentrates from seed to tablet, it is the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest, and process plants on its own certified organic farms,* located in California, Washington, Mexico, and Brazil.
*Based on a survey of global vitamin and dietary supplement brands conducted by Euromonitor International.
