The first race of the 2016 racing season took place last weekend in Arizona where it was a very mild 104 degrees!! The competition is called Desert Challenge and is one that I have been going to every year, besides one, since I started competing in 2010. It is also a special competition for me as it is where I qualified for the 200m race for the London 2012 Paralympic Games in 2012!
It is always such a great feeling to get back on the track and race for the first time in a new season. You work so hard during the off season from competition and always anticipate how the racing will go. You also feel all the adrenaline and excitement that comes with pulling up to a start line, which is a completely different feeling from doing it in training.
This competition is always a whirlwind as we fly in, race, and leave. We got to Arizona on May 12th and raced the 13th and 14th and flew back on the 15th. My first race on the 13th was the 800m and I came away from that with a second place finish and 3 seconds off my PB time. This race isn't my strongest one yet but I definitely feel stronger in it as I get more experience racing it and training for it. I then competed in the 100m and 400m on the 14th where I placed first in the 100 and second in the 400. Overall, I was happy with how the competition went and can't wait to continue racing this season!!
My teammates also had a great competition with Isaiah and Austin coming away with PB's in their events! It is so great to watch them race because you see the amount of dedication and hard work they put in on a daily basis during training and to see it all pay off for them is awesome!
It is always such a great feeling to get back on the track and race for the first time in a new season. You work so hard during the off season from competition and always anticipate how the racing will go. You also feel all the adrenaline and excitement that comes with pulling up to a start line, which is a completely different feeling from doing it in training.
This competition is always a whirlwind as we fly in, race, and leave. We got to Arizona on May 12th and raced the 13th and 14th and flew back on the 15th. My first race on the 13th was the 800m and I came away from that with a second place finish and 3 seconds off my PB time. This race isn't my strongest one yet but I definitely feel stronger in it as I get more experience racing it and training for it. I then competed in the 100m and 400m on the 14th where I placed first in the 100 and second in the 400. Overall, I was happy with how the competition went and can't wait to continue racing this season!!
My teammates also had a great competition with Isaiah and Austin coming away with PB's in their events! It is so great to watch them race because you see the amount of dedication and hard work they put in on a daily basis during training and to see it all pay off for them is awesome!
On the 13th before the 800m race we went to the Bass Pro Shop and man what an amazing place that is!! I even found something new I could race in! Needless to say coach said no (I think it had to do with not being able to fit in a lane?...or maybe because of the motor? ;) haha)
Now the training continues (in the pink panther!) as we get ready to leave for Switzerland next week to compete in 2 competitions over 4 days. It's crazy how fast the time flies...I feel like I just left Switzerland last season. I'm so excited for this as it is always a wonderful competition with a lot of competition...and of course a lot of chocolate! :)
Jessica
- Desire, Dream, Vision -
Now the training continues (in the pink panther!) as we get ready to leave for Switzerland next week to compete in 2 competitions over 4 days. It's crazy how fast the time flies...I feel like I just left Switzerland last season. I'm so excited for this as it is always a wonderful competition with a lot of competition...and of course a lot of chocolate! :)
Jessica
- Desire, Dream, Vision -
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