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.
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