First Step

It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was packing up a truck and moving from Seattle to San Luis Obispo in order to train to make the 2008 Olympic Team. I sit here now two years older and with the same goal.

I am starting this blog for all those who love and support me and who want to see me achieve my goal. To all of those out there that send their support I will be writing to keep you updated on the day to day task of what it takes to be an Olympic level decathlete.

Since the last post on my previous blog I placed 10th at the Olympic Trials in 2008. Even though I was very disappointed with my finish I had a personal best two weeks earlier and was the 64th American in history to score over 8000 points. As the 2008 year ended I went into high expectations of what I would be able to achieve the next season. Since I had previously used all my financial resources that year in hopes of picking up sponsorship I found myself desperately searching for work. Graciously the chiropractor I had been seeing offered me a job to work full time doing office work and patient care at SLO Wellness Center. My 2009 season was a big learning experience. I struggled off and on with injuries and wasn't able to spend as much time on the track as I would have liked to. Working became a priority when I realized I wasn't making enough money to support myself and train full time. Through the injuries I still competed at USA Nationals and placed 4th, one spot away from making the World Championship Team in Berlin. Again I finished up a season without sponsorship and went back to work to support myself and my Olympic dreams. 2010 season came fast a left fast as me and my coach, Jack, realized that if I was going to be able to compete at my best I would need to not work and train full time again. That meant that if I ever had a dream to make the Olympics in 2012 it was clear that I was going to have to make some major money. I went to work full time in 2010 and didn't compete in hopes of making enough money that I could support myself.

Now it is 2011 and I sit in front of this computer a sponsored athlete. SLO Wellness Center has seen my hard work and has fallen in love with my Olympic dreams just like I have. It is just under two years until the next Olympic trials and with the support of SLO Wellness Center, family, friends and everyone in between who wants to experience this journey with me, I believe that I can finaly achieve my goal.

This blog is set up for YOU! Now lets get to work!!