It feels like I’ve been sooo close many times. For 9 years now I’ve been competing at U.S. Nationals with the hope of making a World Championship or Olympic team. I’ve had my good years and not so good years, top 3 finishes a couple of times without having the standard to actually go to World’s, and a trip to the World Championships as part of a relay pool. But this will be my first time on the team in an individual event and when I tell you that I am thrilled beyond words, I am only just scratching the surface of the exhilaration I am experiencing. It is not just the opportunity to go to Berlin, although that in and of itself is a huge honor and accomplishment, it is the personal journey that has brought me to this particular point of triumph, and the ability to look back on everything that brought me to this point and know that none of it was in vain.
I believe that my story is one of perseverance. I’d love to tell you that there was never a moment when the doubt and uncertainty got to me, but we all know that would be a BIG FAT LIE, seeing as how my struggles and disappointments are thoroughly documented right here on this blog! But I found the strength and the determination to not give up just yet and listen to my heart. I know that much of that encouragement came from you guys…my close friends and family who always stand behind me and support me, as well as all the rest of the people I’ve met along my journey who somehow found a reason to believe in me, to cheer for me, and who continue to have confidence in a person they don’t even know personally. That’s huge to me. There have been many times when I read your words and realize that the faith you have in me is the faith I need to have in myself.
The competition on Sunday probably deserves a post of it’s own for anybody who is even interested in knowing how it all unfolded. But for now I just wanted to make sure I let everyone know that I appreciate the thoughts and prayers and right now I’m one very happy girl. I am pretty sure there will be nobody at the airport that thinks I am mean today because the smile on my face isn’t going anywhere!
