tag:www.cbc.ca,2011-09-27:/sports/trackandfield/opinion//804 2012-06-27T17:59:01Z Movable Type Enterprise 4.37 tag:www.cbc.ca,2012:/sports/trackandfield/opinion//804.227757 2012-06-27T16:10:47Z 2012-06-27T17:59:01Z

Phylicia George http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/opinion/author/phylicia-george ]]>
The second box, qualifying in the 100m hurdles on Saturday, may be just a little tougher.]]> Canadian Olympic Trials all the way at the end of June.

Now it seems bizarre to answer the same question by saying I'll know this Saturday if I'm going to the Olympics.

In a few days, I'll be competing for an Olympic spot at the Trials in Calgary. This is the meet that every Canadian track and field athlete has been training for. It's finally time for all the hard work to pay off in an attempt to punch a ticket to London.

I've gone into a few races this year with a feeling of calm indifference. No nerves, no anxiety, just... blah. It actually kind of worried me, because I knew something was missing. But this week, I've felt my fire and spark slowly build back. The thought of making my first Olympic team creates an excitement I can barely contain.

I've made the decision to attempt both the 100 metres and the 100-metre hurdles at nationals and subsequently at the Olympics. I've always been a sprinter at heart, and I knew with a little fine tuning I would be able to run a great 100m. I love lining up in the blocks with my training partners that run the 100m and showing them what a lil' ol' hurdler can do.

My coach and I had decided that I would definitely run more 100s this year, but it proved a little more difficult to fit them into my schedule than we anticipated. I ran my first 100 of the year in Trinidad in May and clocked a personal best of 11.25 seconds, which met the Olympic "A" standard. I truly believe that with more races under my belt, I'll see even more improvement in my 100 times, making me very competitive at the Olympics.

On Friday, I look forward to placing in the top three in the 100 and checking off the first box on my to-do list for this weekend. The second box, qualifying in the 100m hurdles on Saturday, may be just a little tougher.

'Be where you are'

With five other ladies who have met the qualifying standards, the 100m hurdles figures to be the most competitive event at the Trials. It's the race that everyone is waiting to see and I'm excited to be a part of it. While a walk in the park to qualify perhaps may be better for my blood pressure and my coach's fingernails, there's something thrilling about battling five other world class athletes to earn a spot on the Olympic team. I've never been one to back down from a race, especially if one of my biggest dreams is waiting for me at the finish line.

It's been a long journey up to this point. I've matured as an athlete both physically and mentally.

It's funny the life lessons the sport of track and field can teach you. In April, while sitting on the track after a frustrating hurdles workout, I had an epiphany - be where you are. I spent the whole workout stressing because I wasn't executing the way I wanted to. My mind kept focusing on the fact that the Olympics were coming up and I have to be ready, and I have to be perfect, and I have to run fast, and every other pressure-inducing thing I could think of.

As I sat there after practice, I thought to myself, "What's the point of putting all this extra stress on myself, worrying about what may or may not happen in the future?" How could I expect to fix something in the here and now if my mind was somewhere else? What's the point of having all these great plans if I don't enjoy the day to day?

We live in a society that puts great focus on the future. We work so hard and we're always planning for something that is yet to come. We go through school with thoughts of how we need to prepare for the working world, then we get jobs and we spend our time worrying about being prepared for retirement. Don't get me wrong - it's essential to have goals and plans for the future, but too often in all the hustle and bustle people rarely take time to stop and enjoy the moment. We rarely immerse ourselves in what we're doing in that very moment, to allow all of our senses to take in our surroundings.

After that hurdles practice I promised myself to make a better attempt to "be where I am." So when I step out on that track on Friday and Saturday, my focus will not be on the future. I want to embrace every step I take, listen to my heartbeat as I stand at the start line, and immerse myself in the exhilaration of competing. I want to focus on the process and execution of my races as a guide to my ultimate goal.

I want to encourage all of you to take some time to live in the moment and truly enjoy it. I know I will.
]]> tag:www.cbc.ca,2012:/sports/trackandfield/opinion//804.218665 2012-05-22T16:05:41Z 2012-06-20T17:45:00Z

Placing third in a cream-of-the-crop Diamond League meet for the second time in my career earlier this month in Dohah was a great step for me towards making my name known amongst the best hurdlers.With an "A+" Olympic standard in...

Phylicia George http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/opinion/author/phylicia-george ]]>
With an "A+" Olympic standard in my back pocket, I definitely feel like I'm moving in the right direction toward the London Games.
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Outdoor season is what every track athlete looks forward to. After months of hard training we finally get to compete and reap the benefits of our training. I started my final prep for the outdoor season with two warm-weather training camps. My first one was a week in Phoenix, followed by two weeks in St. Kitts.

As a summer-sport athlete, training in the Great White North can be challenging. In order to prepare fully for outdoor competition, we need to be outdoors on a 400-metre track. But in the months of May and April, it's usually still too cold in Canada for sprinters to train outside.

If there's one thing sprinters are afraid of, it's cold weather. The fast speeds that we run at put great stress on our muscles, so it's imperative to make sure they're warm before we start sprinting. In cold weather, this is next to impossible.

As a 100m hurdler, I face even more issues when I'm forced to train inside. The 100m hurdles is a race that consists of 10 hurdles, but it's only possible to fit about six or seven on an indoor track's 60m straightaways. The result is that I've had my fair share of track seasons in which I wasn't prepared to run those crucial last three hurdles. Trust me, it's not a pretty sight. Hence, the great importance of warm-weather training camps in my preparation for the 2012 season. I'm able to train outdoors in great weather and put in all the necessary work, without having to compromise due to circumstances.

As you'll see, it paid off.

Life's no beach for a pro athlete

From my training in St.Kitts, I travelled directly to Guadeloupe for my season debut in the 100m hurdles. I stayed at a beautiful hotel, with the beach right on the resort. Now, while the life of a professional track and field athlete seems glamorous in terms of travelling to many exotic destinations, we rarely get to explore the countries we visit. We become well acquainted with airports, hotel rooms and the view of the city on the bus from the hotel to the track.

Typically, we arrive in a country a day or two before we compete, and we leave the day right after competition, often heading to another race. In addition, we're very limited in the activities we can do prior to competition, considering our bodies are our main equipment. We don't want to be walking around tiring out our legs. Most athletes spend their time getting ample rest in their hotel rooms to ensure they're at their best on race day.  

I ran in Guadeloupe last year, finishing with a personal best (PB), so I was looking forward to competing there. On race day, there was a torrential downpour, which is probably the one thing everyone hopes doesn't happen. But that's outdoor season for you. Sometime you have to battle the elements. Like Forrest Gump said, you never know what you're going to get: strong headwinds, thunderstorms, bright sun... it's all a part of the beauty of the sport.

Luckily, the rain stopped once it was time for me to start warming up, but the damage was already done to the grass field, leaving it muddy (so much for my brand-new sneakers). I finished a disappointing fifth in the race, running a time of 13.11. I pretty much ran the race as a spectator, aware of everything that was happening around me, instead of focusing on my 10 hurdles. I have high expectations for myself, so I wasn't pleased with the race.

After having a quick pity party for myself, I looked at the positives from the race and examined the things I needed to work on for next time. Put in perspective, last year I ran 13.22 for my season opener, and it's always great to open your season faster than the year before.

Hot, hot heat

Next, I travelled to Saint Martin, another beautiful island in the Caribbean and another opportunity to run fast.

One factor that usually makes or breaks my overall experience at a track meet is the food. The meet directors in Saint Martin strayed from the typical buffet and drove us to local restaurants. This was a great experience, and being of West Indian background it was like getting home-cooked food.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the island. This was helped by the fact that I also ran well. There were heats and finals at this meet. I ran 12.92 in the heats, feeling like I executed much better in comparison to Guadeloupe. In the finals, I felt like I didn't quite tap into my speed and I was sure that I probably ran much slower than my heat. But, to my surprise, I ran 12.86. Early in the season, I love the feeling of having an incomplete race yet still running faster than expected. It lets me know that I have a lot more in the tank, and a lot faster to run.

I travelled back home on May 6, unsure of when I would race again. When I landed in Toronto, I had a message waiting for me from my agent informing me that I'd just been confirmed for the Doha Diamond League meet, so I enjoyed my one day at home and then hopped back on a plane for a 14-hour trip to Qatar.

Diamond League meets are the cream of the crop when it comes to track and field. They're where the best of the best compete, with the best accommodations, stadiums and crowds. So no complaints from this young runner, who jumps at any chance to establish herself amongst the best.

When I stepped off the plane in Doha, it was like opening a hot oven. I felt a blast of hot air. I had been warned that it was hot there, but no descriptions could have prepared me for that. It's a picturesque city with breathtaking architecture. When the bus rolled up to a hotel shaped like a pyramid, I couldn't wait to see the inside, and it definitely didn't disappoint.

On race day, despite running in the evening, the heat was still very high. When I arrived at the track I sought a spot with some AC to chill out, relax and collect my thoughts. I had a great warmup. I felt fast and my coach's cues were clicking. I have this eerie sense of focus and confidence that comes over me every once in a while, and when it's there I know I'm ready to run.

Big step forward

I ran 12.79, a season best, and finished third. My university coach once told me the only places that matter are the top three, and after awhile in the track world you realize how true that is. Placing third in a Diamond League meet for the second time in my career was a great step for me towards making my name known amongst the best hurdlers.

I was pleased with the time and some parts of my execution of the race. I had a very strong finish, which was lacking in my previous races. However, there were a lot of things that I did in the race that I could have improved upon. I'm well aware that it takes me awhile to get this 5-foot-10 frame moving and to race sharp. I'm the type of athlete that gets progressively better with every race, so running a time close to my personal best in only my third race is a good sign.

In the same way that I don't let myself feel too bad after a bad race, I don't like to get overly excited after a good race. I take the positives from the race and look for what I can improve upon. In track and field, there's always more to do, and satisfaction is a recipe for disaster. But with an "A+" Olympic standard in my back pocket, I definitely feel like I'm moving in the right direction.
]]> tag:www.cbc.ca,2012:/sports/trackandfield/opinion//804.211847 2012-04-18T00:37:19Z 2012-06-20T17:39:21Z

I didn't really consider myself a professional athlete until Nike began sponsoring me. In track and field, other than the Olympics, being sponsored by a big shoe company is one of the biggest things athletes look forward to. It's like...

Phylicia George http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/opinion/author/phylicia-george ]]> I didn't really consider myself a professional athlete until Nike began sponsoring me. In track and field, other than the Olympics, being sponsored by a big shoe company is one of the biggest things athletes look forward to. It's like the equivalent of being drafted into the NBA or NHL. You've arrived.
I remember looking at professional Nike athletes with great envy. They would always come to the track and competitions looking so well put together: the brightest t-shirts, fly sneakers, funky tights... you couldn't help but stare. One of my personal mantras is "Look good , feel good. Feel good, run fast." I consider every time I step out on the track to be a performance, much like a dancer at a dance recital. I have all eyes on me, from my warmup right to the end of my race.

We all know what it's like to get all dressed up and look in the mirror one last time before leaving the house, thinking to yourself, "Man, I look good." Your confidence is at an all-time high. I'm able to strictly focus on my task at hand.

I consider myself truly blessed to have the opportunity to represent such a great company. Many athletes struggle for many years to get a shoe sponsorship, despite running relatively fast. I'm grateful that Nike recognized my potential. I am able to do what I love as my job.

The sport of track and field deals with hundredths and thousandths of a second. With such small increments of time being the difference between first and fourth place, everything single thing counts. I truly believe that, to be a world class track athlete, track has to be your full-time job. It's not impossible, but it's very difficult to try to balance working a part-time job with the long hours needed to practice. Think about an athlete practicing for five hours and then rushing to a five-hour shift at work while your competition heads home for much-needed rest and recovery. They'll be better prepared for practice the next day with fresh legs, in comparison to the athlete who was on her feet all day.

The support that we receive from shoe companies, Canada and fundraising organizations plays an integral role in our success by allowing us to focus all of our energy on training. I am now in an even better position to focus on my main goal of winning a medal at the Olympics.

The perks of being a professional athlete don't end at getting all your gear provided for you. Since signing with Nike I have had the opportunity to meet many interesting people and attend lots of fun events. For the most part, the Nike events that I attend have me as a special guest speaker.

I can recall my first Nike event that I did with veterens Simon Whitfield and Priscilla Lopes-Schliep. I remember sitting on stage with them in awe of how they commanded the audience's attention and the confidence they portrayed. I was so nervous. My heart had all but leapt right out of my chest.

However, I'm getting a little better with each public speaking engagement. Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Nike store in the Toronto Eaton Center. My audience was a group of very brave souls, the Nike Running Club, who are currently prepping to run the Sporting Life 10K.

I have the utmost respect for anyone willing to even try running those long distances. My fast-twitch muscles and I consider anything over 400 metres extremely long. The few long runs (about 30 minutes) I've been on have taught me that I definitely chose the right track event. The endurance and willpower needed to run a 10K is impressive.

I hope I provided some insightful words for them as they continue to train towards their goal. I was very worried going to this event because I was the only guest speaker: no more veterans shadows to hide behind. Surprisingly, I was very comfortable speaking in front of them. It was almost like talking to a group of friends.

I guess experience really is the best teacher.  Hopefully, I become better and better as my career progresses.]]> tag:www.cbc.ca,2012:/sports/trackandfield/opinion//804.204523 2012-03-15T15:27:13Z 2012-06-20T17:35:46Z

We all have something in our lives that we are passionate about. We use these passions to drive us towards greatness and to help us find happiness in life. For me, track and field has taken a strong hold on...

Phylicia George http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/opinion/author/phylicia-george ]]>
For me first entry for CBC Sports, allow me to detail my journey from a child racing her father in the parking lot to being an Olympic medal hopeful in the 100-metre hurdles.]]> "When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible."
-Nancy Coey

We all have something in our lives that we are passionate about. We use these passions to drive us towards greatness and to help us find happiness in life. For me, track and field has taken a strong hold on my heart.

For me first entry for CBC Sports, allow me to detail my journey from a child racing her father in the parking lot to being an Olympic medal hopeful in the 100-metre hurdles.

Most people would say I was a little late at joining the world of track and field. Grade 10 was the first year that I began training. This was when the spark was ignited in my heart that still burns to this day. In high school I wouldn't say I was the most talented runner. At best I would describe myself as slightly above average but not much to write home about. But I got it into my head that one day I would compete in the Olympics.

Three years, multiple injuries, wins and loses later, I was recruited to run for the University of Connecticut. I went away to school and had my eyes opened to what it truly means to be "fast." There is nothing like being in a race and seeing girls opening huge gaps on you to give you perspective. The NCAA system is one of the most competitive in the world, and for a young girl from Canada it was overwhelming. But it was a blessing in disguise, as I learned how to work hard, be mentally tough and how to compete aggressively.

I saw great improvements throughout my four years at U-Conn, but it always seemed like I was right outside of being elite. I felt like a little kid with my nose pressed against the window of a candy store: my goals seemed so close yet so far all at the same time. It seemed like I was the only person who believed in my potential. Nobody looks at the person coming fourth in a race and says " Wow, she can be an Olympian one day."

Even though some people may have seen it as a waste of time, I decided to continue running after I graduated in August 2010, with the Olympics as my driving force. The fact that I am a 100m hurdler didn't make my task any easier. Canada has a rich tradition of female sprint hurdlers. There was no doubt that making the Canadian team would be a challenge, with three Olympians already on it and only three Olympic spots available on the Canadian team. However, I believed with all my heart that if I had the opportunity to dedicate 100 per cent of my time to my sport, that people would finally see the Phylicia on the track that I knew was inside of me.

I moved back to Toronto to work with coaches Anthony McCleary and Desai Williams. I was welcomed into a great training environment with talented training partners. I began by writing down my goals for 2011: running 12.7 seconds in the 100m hurdles and being a finalist at the world championships in South Korea in August. These were lofty goals and I'm sure if anyone saw them they probably would have thought I was crazy. But I kept track as my No. 1 priority, trained five days a week and tried to make sure I did all the little things to get better.

In the middle of the outdoor season, I finally broke the magical barrier for 100m hurdlers of 13 seconds, which is considered world class. I ran 12.91, which was also the "A" standard for the world championships. And that was just the beginning to my breakout year. I went on to qualify for world championships, where I ran 12.73 in the semifinals to qualify for the finals and finished seventh overall.

I'm living my dream. I'm a professional track and field athlete. I'm given the opportunity to travel around the world to compete against the best in the world. This year is an Olympic year, and I'm hoping to make the dreams of a young 10th grader come true. Last year was the perfect stepping stone towards my goals of being on the podium.

I'm excited to be blogging about my journey towards London. I hope to keep everyone updated on my training, competitions, and to provide some insight into what it's like to be a professional track athlete. My target is to provide some knowledge about my sport to the track uninitiated, but also to delve into some interesting issues for the track fanatic.

Welcome to my world.]]>