World Cup Results - 20km women

Well, I didn't get the time that I had hoped for. I walked 1 hr, 40 minutes and 22 seconds, but I needed to walk 1 hr 36 minutes or better. I felt strong through 10km and was on pace, but faltered the last 10km. I fought with other walkers for place, so that kept me motivated. It just wasn't my day today. But, in sport, you have to overcome the downfalls, learn from them, and then move on.

On the upside, I was the first American finisher and placed 56th overall out of 98 participants. I beat some women that I hadn't beaten before, which is nice too!

The event organizers are hosting a dinner and reception, so I'll be able to "shake it off," literally, by dancing the night away!

By the way - more pics are on the way...

World Racewalking Cup results...men's 20km, junior 10km men and women...

You can check out results at www.iaaf.org

My race is at 1:00 pm Russian time (11 hours ahead of west coast), so results won't be posted until about 4:00 pm.

Last stop...Cheboksary!

Well, the trip to Cheboksary from Moscow was quite amusing. So all the athletes met in the lobby of the hotel in Moscow and each country was assigned to a bus. It was hard to imagine shuttling all of us to the hotel (mind you, the hotel was about 400 meters from the airport and we could've walked there) in an efficient manner. Nevertheless, we all made it to the airport and waited in line to get into the terminal. Yes, waited to get in, as the first security point is right at the entrance door. After waiting there, we rec'd our tickets from our coaches and had to wait in another line to go through security into the terminal. After that, we had to wait in yet another line to check in our baggage. Whew! By the time the last athletes had checked their bags and waited for the gate, there was only about 20 minutes to spare before we had to board the charter plane.

So we go through the gate at the boarding time and have to get on a bus to the plane. Once the bus gets to the plane and the doors open, all the athletes swarm over to the steps to board the plane! Seat assignments didn't matter...it was a free for all! I was one of the first out of the bus, but one of the last on the plane. I managed to find a seat next Philip in what would normally be the first class area, but this was definitely not first class...the plane was a little sketchy. We were to depart at 7:50 pm. One hour later, we are all still sitting there, starving (we were given a bag "dinner" at the hotel of a cheese sandwich, an apple, and water). Finally an announcement is made and we are beginning to take off. Just then, a stewardess hands out air motion sickness bags to everyone (aka "barf bags!) That was a bit disconcerting, but we got a good laugh out of it. One of the USA junior team members sitting behind me was just commenting on how her last flight was the first where she HADN'T gotten sick, so I was glad she had a bag in hand.

Take off was smooth and finally we were given our snacks for the flight. I had already eaten my PowerBars alloted for day so I was famished. We got water or juice, then hot tea or coffee with a chocolate wafer bar. I scarfed it down in seconds!

Just over an hour later, we were to begin our landing. I had heard horror stories about this flight so I was a bit nervous. Surprisingly, the entire flight was quite smooth! We landed without event in Cheboksary and got off the plane and then rushed to the bus that took us to the terminal. At the terminal, we were corraled into this room before we were allowed to pick up our baggage. Many made their way to the water closet (the bathroom) while the rest of us were waiting for instructions. Finally, an interpreter said that anyone who didn't check baggage was allowed to go through. That meant no one, since all athletes and coaches had checked baggage! After waiting about 25 minutes in that area, we were allowed to go the baggage claim. So imagine 20+ countries, with 3-5 athletes per team, plus staff and coaches, with each team having practically the same team luggage...quite a nightmare. Needless to say, it was pretty chaotic, but it appeared that everyone received their luggage. After going through baggage claim, we were met by volunteers, each with a sign of a country. I was glad to see our USA sign held by Sasha, who is an English instructor at the university. We waited for the rest of the teams to arrive and were off to another bus to our hotels.

On the trip to our hotels, I was chatting with another volunteer and she was telling me about how beautiful her city of Cheboksary was. She said foreigners love "this city by the bay." She was very proud as she pointed out different landmarks and even the building where she lived. Much to my surprise there were huge billboards of racewalkers promoting the World Cup event!! Seriously, these billboards were all over town! You'd never see that in America! It was then that I knew we were going to be treated well here in Cheboksary, Russia.

Next stop...Moscow!

It was disappointing to have to leave Sweden, but hey, I have some work to take care of in Russia! We met up as a team in Moscow and stayed in a hotel right next to the airport. It was a nice hotel, but like everything else in Europe, it was expensive! Our meals cost about $30 just for buffet-style pasta! The only other bad thing was that many people smoke, so the entire hotel smelled of cigarette smoke. Additionally, we had to workout in the parking lot of the hotel, because we were right next to an expressway, so it wasn't safe to venture out. We did have to deal with exhaust, though, but we figured it would be good practice for Beijing :).

The next day, some athletes decided to go into downtown Moscow, but I chose not to go, especially after the long haul to Copenhagen. I just wanted to relax and make sure I was completely rested. It was going to be chaotic in the Red Square in Moscow due to a parade in honor of the new Russian president. Plus, I knew the trip to Cheboksary might be overwhelming, too.

Most of the other international teams arrived that next day as well. It was awesome to hear all the different languages and see the variety of colorful uniforms. I got to see some friends from previous races and chatted with a Polish coach, Bohdan Bolakowski, who used to train us at the Olympic Training Center. This is one of the best things I love about racewalking, just meeting new people from around the world, catching up with old friends, and being in a place that actually supports racewalking!

Next up...the trip to Cheboksary!

Training...

So Jolene Moore, another US World Cup team member, came to Gothenburg and joined Philip and me. Jolene is also chasing the A or B time standard, the time we need to achieve in order to be eligible to make the Olympic team. The “A” Standard (1 hr, 33 minutes and 30 seconds for 20km) would pretty much automatically qualify us to make the Olympic Team, as long as we finish the race at Olympic Trials, of course, there are other specifics that I won’t bore you with. No American women have the A standard as of yet. Our best shot is at the World Cup race. The B standard is 1 hr. 36 mins. If no one gets the A standard, then the winner of the Olympic Trials will be the only one allowed to go to Beijing, as long as she has the B standard. Complicated, I know. We should at least reach this time in Cheboksary. Jolene will be my roomie in Russia as well… 

Training w/Jolene (another WC team member)


wow...we were going so fast...are we really chicks?


With Philip (50km team member) after the workout...

In Gothenburg, Sweden

Walk in the park where we'd train...

The park where I trained was beautiful, as you can see...so lush and green! On Sunday, it was buzzing with people picnicking, walking, and playing outdoor games. Everyone seemed to be out enjoying the sun and spending time with loved ones. It was awesome to see, because it just seemed like a way of life here, being active and taking full advantage of the park. It would be great if our parks were utilized in the same way. Unless it is a holiday, you just don’t see as many people using our parks.

bikes, bikes, everywhere! Everyone rode their bikes, walked, or used the trolly system.

Gothenburg is VERY bike and pedestrian-friendly. There are bike and pedestrian paths all over the city and as you can see, the streets are lined with parked bikes. Many residents use their bikes as a means of transportation. The public trolly system is also very popular…very accessible and affordable. Gothenburg is definitely doing its part in being an eco-friendly city!

The founder of the city, pointing to where the city should be built. I think it should've been over there! Finally...a little sightseeing!

Adreas' cousins featured in the Hard Rock Cafe in Gothenburg. They were a band, "The Herreys" that were comparable to The Osmonds in America!!

Our last supper with Andreas and Molly on "the boulevard" before heading out to Russia

more pics coming soon!

Sorry about not posting lately...lots o'stuff going on and technical issues with the pics. will try to post in the morning (Wed. morning Sweden time). Sweden is 9 hours away from the west coast, but Philip, Jolene (another USA World Cup team member), and I will be heading out to Moscow in the morning. There, we will meet up with the rest of the US team members and staff. We all stay the night in Moscow and then take a charter flight (yikes!) to Cheboksary, which is 11 hours from the west coast. A HUUUUGE thanks to Andreas and Molly for their wonderful hospitality in their home in Gothenburg. Can't wait to meet up with them again in Cheboksary! Stay tuned...

50 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley!

I forgot to mention....

I was recently nominated as one of the 50 Top Most Influential Latinos in the Silicon Valley in the athletics category. The Latina Coalition nominated me for my work with BAWSI's Salud por Vida program and Zumba por Vida! It's a huge honor! There will be a formal awards ceremony in June and the winner in each catagory will be named and all nominees will be honored. Decsions for the top nominee in each category will be based on 90% of the selection committee and 10% of public voting. Sooooo, if you'd like to vote for your favorite Latina who happens to be a racewalker and enjoys working with BAWI girls and Salud por Vida women, cast your vote on http://www.redcarpetgala.com/nominate_athletics.htm. For more information on the event and MASCA, the organization hosting the event, go to www.macsa.org. They are a great organization and a huge partner of BAWSI!

By the way....

...comment! comment! comment! I would love to hear from you! You can comment about anything (family-friendly, of course! :) ) You can ask or comment about racewalking or BAWSI or pizza and chocolate (my other loves!)...the infinite question - Clinton or Obama??...or whatever!

Copenhagen trip...

What a day! I just spent a total of about 8 hours on a bus with 40+ kids to attend a racewalking race just outside of Copenhagen. Fun, but exhausting at the same time. I happened to compete in the women’s 10km race, but just did it as a workout. There were only 4 other women in my race. My friend, Philip Dunn, who is also on the World Cup Team and staying with Andreas, raced in the 20km race. He placed 2^nd to Andreas after walking together for 12km. In my race, Monica (the 50km world record-holder) needed to walk a fast time in order to be considered for the World Cup Team for Sweden. She walked 46:41, compared to my 55:10. She'll most likely be in Russia with the rest of us!

So these kids are part of Andreas' club which was organized by his father, who is also a racewalker (past Olympian!) They come from the underserved areas in Gothenburg. The club provides uniforms, food for the races, transportation, water bottles....everything, so that the parents have no excuse not to let them participate. The kids had so much energy and were so excited about racewalking! Being with them reminded me of being our BAWSI girls. They were so inquisitive about Philip and me and being from the USA thrilled them! And when I was racing, they would cheer me on and cheer "U-S-A! U-S-A!" So cute! But even cuter was seeing them race :)!! By the end of the day, we were giving each other hugs and high-5's. It was awesome!

Welcome to my Blog!!

Hello! Wow, I can't believe it has been 3 days since arriving here in Sweden! I thought I'd have plenty of time to recover from my travel and post messages, especially since I'm not busy doing my BAWSI duties at our programs, but I've been on the go since getting here! As you may know, I'm getting ready to race in Cheboksary, Russia next Sunday, May 11, and in doing so, I getting a head start on my travels. Traveling internationally can take its toll on a person, especially athletes who need to perform at optimum level. I am staying with my friend and old training partner from the Olympic Training Center, Andreas Gustavson, who is also competing in the World Cup and trying to make the Olympic Team in the 50km racewalk. He and his wife have a beautiful 2nd level flat in downtown Gothenburg and they've also opened their home to other Swedish athletes that are members of Andreas' racewalking club. They happen to be hosting a conference this week. So I'm rooming with Monica, who happens to be the world-record holder in the women's 50km. I am the American record-holder at that distance, but she happened to walk 4:10:55, just about 30 minutes faster than my 4:39:39!!! Amazing!

Anyway, so much to talk about, but I have to get ready to head out with the Swedes to a race in Copenhagen. Will post more later today...