Monday, April 16, 2012

Remembering the FUN


When I started out in this sport years and years ago, I chose what events I did based on one important thing. Was it fun? Fun for me does not involve pain so that cut out any events over 200 meters, and left me with the sprints and the events where you sprinted and jumped at the end. The funnest event of all though, was always the relay. Your sprinting with teammates. If you do a sport where you have teammates you work with all the time, you might not quite understand the rarity of this and what a nice added dimension it can add to your experience, but believe me it does.

All these years later I still love what I do, but there are times when I forget to have fun. When I go through slumps… or have a string of bad competitions that make me start to worry how I'm going to make ends meet… or start putting ridiculous pressure on myself based on outcomes, it makes it a little difficult to remember to enjoy what I'm doing. I forget to have my fun. I've started this season off doing my best to hold on to that feeling. I mostly make my living in the sandpit now, but once upon a time I was a decent sprinter. More importantly though, sprinting was fun to me. And truth be told, I find it easier to have fun doing things that don't determine whether I have rent money or not sometimes. So this year I've started off my season running two 4x100 relays and a 100 meter race just for fun. It's been great.

The following video is from our 4x1 relay at Florida Relays. My team is in lane 5, team BoogieFast (don't ask). I am the second leg, in all black. It's a little difficult to pick me out which I think is more reason to make sure I wear my socks this season. Blending in is no fun. :) We came in 2nd, but I really think we would have won if our third leg hadn't slowed down half way thru her turn because of a hamstring problem.

Watch more video of 2012 Florida Relays on flotrack.org

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was great, you killed that. Go Brianna!

Kara Winger said...

Awesome!! I love your modesty: "decent sprinter." Miss ya!

Allen W said...

Yes, you do need to have fun. I totally agree that blending in is no fun. You know what to do. Good Luck with everything.

Anonymous said...

Years past Brianna was more than a decent sprinter, and guess what you are continuing to perform well. It seems that your change in training venue maybe serving you well. Must be the Florida grapefruit oh god they taste so good there. When you get the change drive over to the bay side for the sea food. I don't know if the BP oil spill infected the sea life off the Florida coast, but the Oysters are absolutely delicioussssss.

Training in Florida served me better than California so I hope you achieve the results you are searching for.

Bianca said...

Yeeeaaahhhh!!! I love you. I'm so proud of you!

All this reminds me our LMHS track years. I was SO awesome, remember?

A said...

Happy Birthday

Allen W said...

I am going to try this again

Happy Birthday

jcastaneda1974@twitter.com said...

Hello,
I ran onto you with the Frog on the track comment. I understand slumps in Track. I never competed at your level, but I did have those dreams and had come close. I let a few abrriers come between me and the love of my life. Track! At my age now, I have decided to try one last time. I started getting back in shape and looking forward to competing at the Masters level. Yes im old in your eveys, but not to much older. I'm 38 and look 28, so im going to take advantage and give that 400/ 200 one last time. Its something that never goes away, so I'm starting that love afair i had with her since I was in third grade. I love you Track and Field.

Im glad your doing what you love and seen you prevail. Keep with the love you have take it till the wheels fall off.
Jimmy Castaneda