I willingly admit that I have not been the best about updating my blog on my website. . . I am going to go ahead and blame it on the fact that I don't always have my computer with me, which was the only way I was able to get on and make changes.  By changing to Blogger I am now able to update it from my phone, and I tend to ALWAYS have my phone on me!!! I will start competing starting in January, and I plan on doing very well this season! My New Years Resolution is to be more consistent at posting more about both competing and training.

Training has been going amazing so far.  I am just finishing up Block 3 (A block consists of 4 weeks of training) Week 3, and I am pleased to say that my testing has increased every single block.  For instance, we have been recording the power output of my behind the neck jerks for the past 2 blocks, and Thursdays weights I recorded my highest numbers BY FAR!!!  This increase in power is showing up both in my vertical jumps testing, as well as in my actual pole vault practices.  I am loving the confidence I am gaining from this progress, and look forward to feeling that confidence carry over to my competitions!!!

Here is my practice from Yesterday. . . My second practice from 6 lefts! (You will have to be a little patient, as it was filmed in slow motion :)

Thought Provoking Statements

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

There is great need for a sarcasm font.

How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

Was learning cursive really necessary?

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the Person died.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired. Bad decisions make good stories.

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this- ever.

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?Darn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

Even when opportunity knocks, you still have to get off your hindquarters and open the door.

Shop With A Jock

Last night I had the amazing opportunity to join up with other athletes in the San Diego area and make a difference.  We had the honor of taking over two hundred underprivileged children from Boys and Girls Clubs and provided them with the opportunity to shop for gifts for their families and loved ones. The athletes were comprised of players from the San Diego Chargers, NFL Alumni, San Diego Padres, US Olympic Athletes, SDSU, USD, and many other local colleges.

After a dinner, and one heck of a dance competition, each athlete was then paired up with one child and set free in Target with a $100 gift card. My little Guys name was Julio, and and was a riot!!! As soon as I met him, I tried to ask him lots of questions about school, and sports, and his family.  However, Julio had different plans.  He was all business :) He wanted a game plan, mapped out what he wanted to get his whole family, and where he had to go to get it. So as long as I was on his heals, and he could hear the questions I was firing at him, he would answer.

My Hometown is the BEST!

I would like to take this opportunity to give the community of Polson my heartfelt thanks for the amazing happenings at the Live Locally Fun Run, last Saturday morning.  I have had some incredible experiences in growing up in Polson, but nothing will compare to what happened to me on Saturday.   I was already honored to have the race organizers name me as the benefactor of the fundraiser; little did I know how much more there was in store for me.  Racers and supporters continued to appear and said wonderful and encouraging things to me.  Many folks did not even enter the race, yet contributed financially. 

When I thought it could not get any better, at the conclusion of the race, Fred and Amy Kellogg of Country Pasta announced that they would make a donation of $10,000.  This gift and all of the racer support and donations are going to make life so much easier for me in the coming year.  I give the community of Polson my promise to do everything I can to make the next Olympic team and represent not just the United States, but the community I love the most.

Thanks Health Care Plus and Country Pasta for making me your benefactor, to the Polson High School volleyball team for monitoring the course, to Kelly and Timothy Bagnell for your very generous donation, and special thanks to Heather Knutson and Sara Hartsoch Bird for all of your hard work.

You can see pictures of the race under the “My Albums” tab and clicking on the “Live Locally 5K Run” album!

Country Pasta!

As of Saturday, I have picked up my biggest sponsorship of my career.  A local company called Country Pasta has so graciously donated $10,000 to aid in the pursuit of my Olympic Dream.  This money could not have come at a better time.  This year is a very important one in my competition because the season ends with a World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.  The financial help that Country Pasta, as well as the Live Locally 5K Run, has rendered will allow me to make it to every track meet I need to this year. This will allow me the opportunities to compete against the top athletes thus preparing myself to make this years World US Team!!!  I hope that Fred and Amy Kellogg, as well as all of the people that signed up and donated to the Run, know how much this means to me.  I am forever grateful to them all, and I look forward to representing Country Pasta in this years competitions!!! 

Grant Recipient

I just had a coach email me saying congratulations for receiving the USATF Foundation Grant. . . I had no idea. But sure enough when I went onto their website, they announced 11 new recipients yesterday. I WAS ONE OF THEM!!! I cannot even explain how excited I am for this!

We are exactly one month away from the Fun Run my hometown of Polson in putting on for me.  And I have been bracing myself to  be able to live this year off of what is raised.  I have become a very frugal person, so I know that somehow I would manage.  But I believe, now, between the grant and the fundraiser I WILL MAKE IT TO THE MEETS I NEED TO GO TO!!!

I hope that all the people who sign up for the Live Locally Fun Run, as well as the members of the USATF Foundation Board, know how thankful I am tot hem for helping me get closer to my dream of the 2012 Olympic Games.