MEMORIES FROM THE ESTREL HOTEL

Me and "In The Arena" teammate Javelin thrower, Mike Hazle.

Answering an anti-doping survey.

Reception Area: It was the place to interact with other athletes. Here you would find athetes from different nationalities playing foosball, ping pong, and the wii.





The day USAIN BOLT broke the 100m record many of us gatherd in different places at the hotel to watch the most anticipated race of the games.





The Dinning room This is the place where we ate, watched our teammates compete and also connected with new and old friends.


My good friend,Adrienne HERZOG,1500m specialist from the Netherlands. We have not seen eachother since we met back in 2003. Cool ah?


Here is where I witnessed USAIN BOLT break the 100m World Record.



The reactions during and after the race at the Cafeteria :)

THE VIDEO


A NEW WORLD RECORD!

GREETIGS FROM BERLIN!

Life is full of surprises and wonderful experiences. I remember many years ago talking to my sisters before going to bed about one day going to Europe. We traveled along our favorite actors to Europe through the tv shows and we often wondered if one day we would ever make it there in real life. After many years, here I am. I am in Berlin for the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. I am getting adjusted for what will be the biggest race of the year, the World Marathon Championships next Sunday, August 23rd at 11:15a.m Berlin time.

For the second time, I will have the honor to don on the USA uniform. Being able to represent my adopted country for the second time is a true blessing and my only goal is to represent it to the best of my abilities. I am aware there are thousands of athletes back home who would die to be in my shoes and I will not take this opportunity lightly. Being around the best athletes in the world has me inspired and very motivated. Also, being here proves me once again that hard work, patience, determination, and endless persistence can take you far. As far as the continent I only dreamed to visit one day.

Thank you so much to all the people that have inspired and helped me get here and know that without you and your endless support I would not be writing this blog tonight.

I will leave you with some pictures from the place we all athletes meet every day- Enjoy!

Welcome to the Cafeteria at ESTREL Hotel


At the Hotel 'ESTREL' Looking at the cafeteria from 2nd Floor.




Take a look at what the best athletes in the World are eating now days :)




Some ham anyone? You will find it during breakfast and lunch :)



Yes, we have fresh fruit all day long..



Dry fruit and cereals for a great start!



Salads, all day long.



Different types of bread and what about some yogurt??



More pictures coming up- stay tune!

OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER

On June 14th, 2009 most of the USA marathon athletes and their coaches that will compete at the World Championships Marathon in Berlin this coming Agust 22nd and 23rd were invited for a two day Marathon summit at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The whole experience was incredible. We did not only learned from the best sports nutritionist Dr. Dan Benardot and exercise physiologis Dr, Dave Marin, but we had the chance to learn from ourselves and the other athletes that made it to the summit.

Dr.Dave Martin going over the World Championships Marathon Course. Dr. Martin made a total of three trips to Berlin to gather as much information as possible to share it with all of us :)

Coach Martin and I left Alamosa Sunday afternoon and on the way there I was able to learn more about his journey. How he ended up at Adams and what it has been like for him to make it this far. After I heard some of his personal stories I felt very fortunate and more than ever I am so proud and happy to have a Coach like him.


Meet the best Coach in the World, my Coach, Damon Martin :)

Also, I am so glad to be able to share this jourey with you and to all the people that have been very supportive. To all of you, THANK YOU! The following are some pictures from our two days trip at the Olympic Trainig Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.. Enjoy!


This is what being IN THE ARENA is all about!


For now on, I will keep this in mind and very close to my heart.

At the end of the day all of us went downtown to get some Ice Cream..


One of my most favorite quotes. This one I learned it from Coach my very first year at Adams. 8 years later I find it at the Olympic Training Center :)

Berlin is just around the corner!!!