A unique experience and some randomness!!!

I have always felt like my name fits me, even if it was somewhat of a common name. I'm pretty sure that in jr. High there was at least 1 Jennifer in everyone of my classes, sometimes 2. 

Today while eating lunch with my teammates someone said "Antonio", which is our trainers name. He looked around to see who was calling his name. Turns out they weren't talking to him, someone else with the same name in the cafeteria was who they were referring to. As I sat there I just had to smile to my self because even though my name is common in the States, here in Italy it is unique and if my name is called, chances are they are referring to me, and not someone else with the same name.

..... Lots of random thoughts ....

So before leaving for Italy Kyle had converted me to American-Mexican food. I know what real Mexican food is like and that is not what we eat in America, so I refer to it as American-Mexican food which I find to be very good. So when this picture was sent to me...

I thought my mouth would just start to salivate and I would just start craving that good food, however my tongue must have found home, because I was just fine with my real Italian pasta here in Italy. 

One of the Italians on the team trains in America down in Florida and I asked him: "What do you think of the Italian food in America?" I will edit his response "it's crap!, unless a real Italian owns the store and makes the food. The cheese is awful unless you pay a fortune for the really good stuff". And for all of you Olive Garden lovers out there he even named Olive Garden as being one of the worse offenders. So I guess just like the American-Mexican food we refer to as Mexican food the same is probably true of all ethnic food out there, it's defiantly true of Italian food. And I will say this its true of American food found in other countries. I am not a big McDonnell's fan but after being in China for 2 weeks Kyle and I got desperate for something American so that is where we went. And I can tell you it was not the same, not even close.

         .....more randomness....

Well Colter made it home and there was a reversal of roles when he arrived. Usually the mother is waiting for the missionary to come down the stairs but because my moms airplane in Atlanta was struck by lightning before the passengers boarded they had to find a new plane which delayed them by 2 hours. Because of this delay my mom instead of arriving an hour before colter she arrived an hour after colter. So the missionary was waiting for the mom to arrive.

  I'm sure that everyone was just happy that everyone arrived safely and the wait was worth it. Welcome home Colter, but not officially just in case he can go back out after the surgery.

And one last random thought... Or maybe it's more of a statement!!!!!

Look closely at typical parking here in Rome. Mom said something about renting a car when she first arrived in Rome, I did my best to dissuade her from doing that. Once she got to ride around in the city from the back seat of the cab she was very glad she didn't rent a car. It's not just the typical city driving but the streets are just crazy and it's easy to get lost in the spaghetti bowl of Rome.

Medical evaluation European style

There are many differences I have found between Europe and America. Not necessarily good or bad but differences. Driving, food, outlets, etc.

Think back to when you were in high school and you wanted to participate in dance, sports, something physical and one of the requirements to participate was that you needed to get a physical. 

Mom probably made an appointment, you spent maybe an hour out of your day from the time you checked in, sat in the waiting room and saw the doctor. He probably asked a few questions about your history as far as injuries, allergies, surgeries, etc. A few questions about family history, checked your lungs, checked your heart rate, tapped your knee to check reflexes. Does this sound familiar? But like I said start to finish depending on the waiting room about 1 hour out of your day. 

Well I didn't get a physical before I left the states and I think the last time I had one was when I was in college (6 years ago). However to participle for the national team you MUST have a physical so I am getting my physical here in Rome, Italy. 

So far they have asked about my history, family and personal as far as general physical problems. 

I had one doctor check my alignment, another took my blood and urine. Another doctor checked my lungs through a series of breathing tests where I blow air through a tube. I had my fat mass tested, I had an ultrasound done of my heart which was really cool to see on the screen, I had another do the usual breath in and out while I listen. She also asked me about my body weight and height cycles all of that. Another asked about my diet. Next I hopped on a bike and peddled for 12 minutes while i was hooked to about 8-10 electrodes monitoring my heart rate (I think). I took a mental evaluation and I am currently waiting for my eyes to be checked. 

I did wonder how thuro of an evaluation they did when I was in high school, but here if there is anything even slightly wrong with anything in or on my body I think the Italians will know after all of this. And just incase you might be wondering, yes every new test was a different doctor.

So if you ever find your self needing a physical in Italy make sure to plan your day around your visit because you will be there for quite some time.   

Catch up

Ok so I have to admit I am a little behind with my updates. It was just so great having my mom with me that I just didn't keep my blog updated, that and the Internet access in Formia at the training center is awful. I think I have designated a specific tile on the sidewalk that is my Internet spot. One step left or right and proof there goes one of my bars.

So for those of you wondering if I made the team for the European team championships. YES!!!!! I'm in and I'm loving all of my Italian gear even if it is 100% cotton.

Yesterday Kyle sent me a few pictures the first one is the girls ready for church.

What cute little angels I have! My mom and I were not dressed as cute but we made it to church never the less.

We were in Sunday dress for the meeting but changed before heading out into Rome.  The missionaries gave us great directions on where to go and even walked us to the subway station. It was so wonderful sitting in sacrament meeting I hadn't been in a few Sundays due to travel. It was so nice to take the sacrament and feel the peace the gospel gives to the weary. I defiantly felt a renewal and a recharge of my mental, emotional, and spiritual battery.

After Church Kyle sent me another picture of the girls relaxing on Sunday.

  

My mom and I also were relaxing on Sunday.

I'm glad that we were able to see a few sights in Rome before my mom had to leave. We were asked if we wanted to go on a tour of the Colosseum we said no then asked how long it would take - a few hours was the reply. 

Now my mom is quite the world traveler, I got her to take the train and the subway in Europe which I feel is a brave thing to do when you are unfamiliar with that type of public transportation systems at home. So to do it in Europe - good job mom. 

One thing to note, my mom wanted to stay longer but she had already purchased her ticket which would take her home the 17th of June, arriving in the Salt Lake airport at 7:30pm. A few days ago we got the news that Colter because of an injury would be coming home from his mission early because he needs surgery on his wrist. His flight will be landing in the Salt Lake City airport 17th of June at 8:30pm. So my mom gets a real treat, she gets to meet Colter at his gate and see him walk off the plane, just like in the "old days". Heavenly Father must just be blessing my mom with this sweet treat.

I am now in Rome again for the national team training camp for the next few days. Somehow I feel like I am just going in circles (taking only left turns- track joke), because I am back where I started when I first arrived. I loved it here when I first arrived but they must have forgotten me because as I was out running my tempo (on the same field as before with no problem), when to my surprise I was kicked off the field by an 80 year old man riding around on a golf cart. "No correre! No correre!!" (No running, no running), so after asking about the other 2 fields next to the one i was on it was very clear "no correre" anywhere. How quickly you can be forgotten. I guess I need to run well and remind then who I am ;)

Musical chairs in Turin

ITurin, Turin, Turin. So far the weather report has been rain, except at the track. Least I forget my blessings I need to make sure I record them. While in Rome it rained everyday and everyday by the time we got to the track, blue sky's and the track dried up. This happened 2 days in a row the 3rd day no rain. Then I travel to Turin, Italy we (my mom and I) go to the track for the pre meet workout. I warmed up, went over the first two hurdles twice, and started my cool down. As soon as I was done jogging and beginning my stretch, it started to dump. Everyone scampered off the track and into the covered stands. 

Because my foot had been injured I was unable to do much hurdle work and really any work of any kind. So I really needed to go over some hurdles before racing. Maybe for the first time in my life Gods timing is what I was hoping for at the time of the event. Usually you see later on that - YES, God had a lot of wisdom behind His timing.

Well after such a long explanation lets get to the games. Jen in spikes is suppose to be about me running in track meets this summer in Europe and wherever else I end up. But in Turin I played a game of musical chairs. Well I guess technically musical lanes. Riccardo (my Italian coach until Kyle arrives) told me the day before my race that I was in lane 6. So I took my practice starts from lane 6. Then the night before my race I get a phone call and I'm told that there has been a change and would I prefer lane 3 or lane 8. I told them lane 8. So I arrive at the meet and there is talk of my lane changing to lane 7. To be honest at this point I have decided to just focus on just the hurdles whatever the lane. 

Race time comes, I check in and I'm given hip number 8. So I think well I guess I'm in lane 8. They walk us down the track and as the names come up on the board they show me as being in lane 7. And the announcer says that I am in lane 7. But physically I am in lane 8. 

Gun goes off and down the track we go. I knew that if I was going to even have a shot at making the European team championships that I had to beat one specific girl in the race. 

So to set up the race as far as the importance goes.... The top 4 Italian 400m hurdlers were in the race. One holds the national record at 54, another has run faster than me but not by much (she ran a high 56, I have a low 57) and she is being considered for the national team ahead of me. The record holder is really Cuban but had married an Italian and will be eligible to represent Italy starting in December, but right now cannot represent Italy in championship type meets. So she's not being considered. 

This meet in Turin turned into the unofficial/ official Italian championships/ trials.

As we came down the home stretch I just thought I have to beat her to even have a chance (the girl with a 56) so I just ran my little heart out all the way down the last straightaway and passed a few people before crossing the finish line. 

I ended up not only passing the girl with the 56 but all of the Italians in the race including the record holder. 

I wish I could say that I set a new record but the record holder had a bad race and I a good one. 

The most important thing was my time. I ended up running 56.61! And the cherry on top was the Italian federation national coach was in attendance at the meet (he makes the decision who will go). So we will see what will happen who will be chosen for the team championships.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Oh and I almost forgot!!!! And I can't believe I almost forgot but I put on my uniform, warm ups, checked my bag for my spikes, rain jacket, bib number, any thing else I forgot????? Oh yea I need to stop my the Turin pride parade that is Gay, lesbian, pride parade. 

If you look very close you will see a pecocok prancing through the street. This thing was just crazy and it was right outside our hotel. We had to cross the street to get to the van that was going to take us to the meeting. So because I had to step in the street does that mean that techanally I walked in a gay pride parade? I guess I need to throw it out again "when in Turin, do as the.... What would you call people from Turin??? turineans??? I really have no clue but you know what I mean :)

The airport

What could be better than sitting in the Turin, Italy airport at 6:00am? I mean could there be anything better after laying in bed for 2 hours trying to fall asleep but not being able to, then getting  out of bed at 3:30 to catch your ride to the airport. 

Well let me tell you! there is.  Listening to the beach boys over the loud speaker while Sitting in the Turin airport at 6:00am. Once I took the time to realize what I was hearing, it just put a big smile on my face and took me back to my child hood when my mom would turn on the beach boys on Saturday to get us motivated to do our Saturday morning chores.

Just when I thought you couldn't top the beach boys in the airport, I am greeted by Michael Jackson on the plane. Well not Michael in person but his music greeted our ears as we located our seats.   I'll tell you what these Turin airport workers have great taste in music! And you can't beat the gloves the flight attendants are adorn with, the most awesome blue gloves ever. I love Europe today!

The naked men

For the past few days I had been talking about all my adoring fans that waited eagerly for my arrival for practice everyday in Rome. And would stand guard anticipating bit baited breath my return the next practice session. I believe that to this day the are still standing there waiting for me to return. 

For those of you who know my mom well you know that her standards are very high and that modesty is very important to her as it should be to all of us. Knowing this I knew I just had to get her picture with one of the statues of the naked men. What a good sport!

If you zoom in or look very close we stood by one of the most modestly dressed men there. 

The girls

Not that I want my children to be miserable with out me and I'm sure they do miss me... but they seem to be doing ok with out me. Ahh who am I kidding they are having a blast with grandma and grandpa!!!

     Makayla with Rosie at Popo's

    Cambree loving dinner at Popo's 

    Makayla and Cambree cooling off in 

    the back yard.

    The waitresses McKenna, Makayla, 

    and Cambree 

How do you make a 9:30am flight?

To begin make sure your hotel is at least 40 minutes away from the airport. 

Plan on leaving at 7:00 am but your ride will arrive 1 hour and 15 minutes late because of a bad car accident on route to pick you up. So you will not depart until 8:15.

During this hour of waiting, discuss with your companion alternative routes to the airport. Also wonder just how far away your ride is really even though they say they will be there soon. 

One you have stood there for 1 hour start discussing what you will do WHEN you don't make your flight. Include possible tickets you will need to purchase, flight credits, changing airlines, exc.   

Once in the car, zip along the road to the airport until you are about 15 minutes away from the airport then hit a traffic jam because at large truck has rolled over and is now blocking 2 of the 4 lanes of traffic.

Arrive at the airport at 8:55 run to the ticket counter check in at the kiosk (don't forget to check in your driver who has just dropped you off and is now parking), grab your ticket and head for the security line. 

Make sure that when you go through security (even though you don't need to remove your shoes because Europe is awesome that way) make sure you are wearing your shoes that have a steel shank in them, so the metal detector will for sure go off. Now you must not forget to forget about you shoes, walk through the medal detector - the machine alarm will go off so now you will get to participate in the 3 ring circus act where you have to take your shoes off, walk through again, take your iPad out of your back pack have that scanned again, have your back pack scanned again and now you are done. Please get dressed repack your bag, Take a bow and run for your gate. 

As so as you get through security try not to fall asleep because at this point amazingly enough you have made it to your gate on time and you can begin the boarding process. 

Just one last little note though - with all of this hustle and bustle in getting to the airport once you place your carry on in the overhead compartment and take your seat.... Wait for the announcement that all flights out of the airport have been delayed until further notice.

One hour latter your 9:30 flight that you were sure you were going to miss only moments ago will depart at 10:29 have a nice day!

All I can say is Turin I hope you are worth it:)

One thing I must say is originally I thought my mom and I were on different flights with different airlines and so we were worried about what would happen if we both missed our  flights, how would we meet up and find each other in the chaos of missing a flight, but after closer inspection on the way to the airport Heavenly Father looked down on us and smiled. We found to our surprise that a ticked my mom booked days ago and the ticket someone else bought me were with the same airline company at the same time. All I can say is we are all blessed even in the midst of our troubles if we but take a moment and consider and sometimes search we will find that God does not leave us to ourselves if we seek for His help!

The family

Well I've been running across the globe but my family I left behind in the states are no different. It seems when one takes off everyone scatters. 

Kyle is currently holding down the fort in Orem- working with Football getting them ready for their season coming up. 

Makayla and Cambree both are down in Arizona with Grandma who is at Trent and Regina's house helping take care Hayden and Mckenna while Trent and Regina are on trek. 

Makayla and her favorite waitress

Cambree at Popo's

Vernon is making sure they are taking care of the local golf courses down in Avondale. 

Grandma Rockwell is in Rome with me. 

Grandpa Rockwell is keeping the garden in pristine condition back in Tooele.

Presenting Jennifer

ACSI (my Italian club team) has a web sight that I have been promoted on so thanks to google translate I can share in a rough translation to English what they have said about me.

Here is the web address

http://www.acsitaliatletica.it/benvenuta-jennifer

Yesterday finally arrived, tired from a long journey 36 hours but happy to finally compete in Italy! Her name is Jennifer Rockwell (from Grossarth married), 30 years old, two delightful children of two and seven years (Cambree and Makayla) and a husband who is also her coach.

And 'Italian citizen because of his maternal grandfather's original Caserta and chose Cambree-now that has grown the right-to try the experience of a first season in his home country with family in tow. Thursday will arrive the mother that will make his debut on Saturday at the Meeting of Turin 400h and then, in late June, will be the turn of the husband / coach. In short, the whole family will soon be close to Jennifer to help grow this great dream and one hand, to that effect, has already started to give it to him Riccardo Pisani in the meantime follows in the field.

Jennifer arrives in good physical condition.Certainly Saturdays, the performance will not be significant, pay for travel and many hours of time zone (comes from Utah), but its goals are ambitious because he wants to compete with the best at the individual level (end of July, the Italian Championship) and finally wants to experience the thrill of having teammates to be part of a club, living in a Championship Company, she who for years has tesserata as an independent because the clubs in the U.S. (University separately) are few and far where the city has always lived, a city that is forty minutes from Salt Lake City.

Came prepared, with full awareness of the environment where he chose to spend the entire summer. Then we'll see. He knows very well the state of the art in Italy of the specialties that interest you, and we know our history, the value of the team and for some time following us on the site. Rate fantastic performance on Sunday Veronica Borsi and not hide his ambition to focus (it will take a few weeks of settling in, of course!) Results in significant technical and improving his PB which are not really negligible ...! Jennifer specializes in 400h (55 "51), but has since returned to training after the birth of Cambree has dedicated itself was also interested in plans where it holds a 400 PB 53" 58. Notation interesting, first of motherhood, in 2010, Jennifer was also running the 800m in 2'06 "63.

For the moment is everything. Jennifer is with us and we are happy because it appears to be a calendar girl, always smiling and determined in pursuing its objectives which are of course our own. In short, welcome Jennifer!

  

When in Rome

Yesterday as i was waling out the door for practice there was a loud crack that split the air followed my a very loud boom! The storm was so close that I felt like I was up in the mountains camping when a thunder storm moves in. Leaving my room I was greeted with a shower of water.

I ran for the car and had to avoid a small lake in the parking lot before I was able to jump in the car. Off we drove to the Olympic stadium warm up track which is about 2 miles away. As we arrived the rain had stopped and everything was wet but the sun made its appearance so everything started to dry out. 

Walking into the track this little old Italian man in a solid red, full body track suit approached us and started taking to Riccardo, a little annoyed Riccardo asked me if I minded having my picture taken with this man. I agreed, so fumbling this vecchio italiano finally got his batteries in his camera and gave it to my coach and our picture was taken. As we walked away Riccardo apologized, commented in Rome people are interested in athletes. It made me feel like a true pro athlete, now of course the Italian didn't know my name or what event I compete in - but never the less he still wanted my picture and for me that was awesome enough.

I again had my usual fans standing guard around the track and practice went well. I mean how can you not get up and preform well when you have such bold fans just awaiting your arrival. 

After finishing my workout I started to stretch while waiting for the massage therapist to arrive (I am really pampered here). Riccardo my coach asked me if I wanted to get my picture with Bolt. I looked up and said YES! Then he pointed directly behind me and said there he is. 

I really hope I was not too annoying- but as you can see...

I asked for a photo with him.

So I guess I'm no different than my fellow italians in being star struck by the amazing track athletes in town. But as they say WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO!

Today's Practice

I had one of the best practices today. I not only had the entire track to myself but I had my own personal fans around the entire track in the form of contrapposto. If you have no idea what contrapposto are you have probably seen them before and just didn't know what they were called. Below is an example of contrapposto. I felt today like I was in a topless club but instead it was a bottomless club, hahaha. All joking a side this has been a really great trip and all of the italian coaches and others have taken very good care of me. And they are helping me work on my italian.

Today's Practice

The contrapposto lined the entire practice track and while I have never been to a topless club I must say this felt a little similar so the same thing except this was a bottomless club. Hahaha. But all joking a side there is so much history here in Rome and I am so impressed at how much effort people put into their crafts to beautify their surroundings. So many of the buildings have so many little details and when I think of the tools that we have today that they did not have hundreds of years ago when construction took place its even more amazing.

Behind me is the Rome Olympic stadium.

P.s. I missed Bolt by about 2 hours, he was coming to the stadium to do something with the kids before he races on Thursday.

On my way

Slc airport 6/1/2013 getting ready to leave the gate.

Today I officially begin my trip to Rome Italy. Of course I won't arrive in Italy until the 3rd, due to a crazy travel plan. I guess when you are given a free ticket to Italy you do not look a gift horse in the mouth. 

So far my only hiccup happened in Salt Lake City where I was just not amused with this little trick a security bag screener played on me. 

As I went to drop off my checked luggage he asked me if my bag was locked. I told him no. He then proceeded to inform me that my bag is required to be locked, so if they need to get into my bag for security reasons they have something to break, or saw in half. 

Confused I said but my bag is unlocked. His reply was I'm sorry you must have a lock on your bag. 

Frustrated at this point I asked "where am I suppose to get a lock for my bag?"

Finally he let me in on his little joke - I didn't really need a lock on my bag, it's suppose to be unlocked. Ha ha ha. 

Holding my frustration back a bit I smiled and told him "you have no idea, I usually have problems when I travel". 

He took my bag with out another word and we parted ways. 

All I can say is - I'm all for a good joke here and there, but I feel traveling is not the time or place. There are things that I have dealt with that at the time I wish they were just a joke. I hope this trip is much better. 

San Fran lived up to its location on the coast, even in the airport I had some really good clam chowder in a bread bowl for dinner.

3rd leg

I arrived in Newark this morning and I have the best story we'll I'm not so sure it's a story but it is funny. If you have ever flown before you will have noticed the golf cart vehicles that drive people to their gates. Usually these vehicles have flashing lights or make a beeping noise. Well here in Newark they don't have all the bells and whistles so as the drivers make their way through the terminals they make they own beeping sound. So as they drive they say "beep beep beep" it was awesome. 

Second story - I don't like to use the bathroom on the air planes because its too much like using the bathroom in the old motorhome and I have some very found memories of throwing up in there on the way to the river. Anyway I ran into the women's bathroom just before we started boarding. As I was exiting I came face to face with a younger guy who upon looking at me snapped bace into reality out of his daze and realized he was about to walk into the women's restroom. So I felt like I did him a favor. I wish se one would have done me the same when we were at Air Force this last February.

 On the plane to Rome!