My year of firsts, seconds, and thirds...
Wow...time flies when you're having fun, or at least that's what they say. Either way you slice it, this has been quite an eventful year. Here's what you've missed over the last few months.
First...
I celebrated my first Father's Day this June. My wife and I welcomed our daughter, Dakota Rae Patton into the world on June 10 - a whole month ahead of schedule. She was a healthy 6lbs 2oz and a whopping 19 inches long. After experiencing my daughter's arrival, I'll just say that I have a newfound respect for childbirth and women in general. My wife is my hero and I'm glad that bringing our daughter into the world was HER job...I'm going to stick to running. But on a more serious note, I’m living life with a new understanding of happiness. I can’t really explain the feeling…the word happy just doesn’t get to the heart of it, but being a father is a phenomenal feeling. And I’ve learned so much...like how to operate on a modified sleep schedule. It is definitely a work in progress, but it feels similar to jet lag. And, I’m a pro at warming up bottles, changing diapers, burping the baby, and all kinds of other things. It’s good stuff…really. Yep, being a Dad is definitely my biggest accomplishment, and my Kodie Bear is the pride and joy of my life. What I do now, I do it all for her. Period.
Secondly…
I finished second at the 2009 USA Track and Field Championships in the 100M. And, if you ask me, making the Team USA track squad is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Why? Well, maybe I’m a little biased toward my compatriots, but I think we’ve got THE best, most talented sprinters in the world right here in the USA. So, making my sixth national team in the most coveted, highly contested event in track and field for the first time in my career is a bit of a big deal. At least that’s how I see it. Plus, when you consider that I’m 31-years old and an “old man” (according to some) in the sport, I feel doubly good about making the team. And, don’t get it twisted. I’m not soggy about being the 31-year old veteran on the track. The way I see it is, my wheels aren’t squeaking, so I’m still rolling. Anyway, with this year’s achievement I can honestly say that I know what it feels like to stand on the U.S. Championship podium as a first, second and third place finisher. I’ve been a national champion, runner-up and bronze medalist, and each experience has its own special place in my history book.
Thirdly…
I’m in Berlin, Germany preparing to compete in the IAAF World Outdoor Championships for the third time in my career, and I’m excited about it for a couple of reasons. For one, this is my third World Championship team, but it is a first of sorts for Team USA. You see, we have not competed in Berlin at a major international championship since 1936 when Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympic Games. How’s that for history…and I’m a part of it. Needless to say, we have to bring our best effort to the track in honor of Jesse’s legacy. And then, when you think about where we were as a nation – as a world – in 1936, and where we are now? We’ve come a LONG way. Now that’s not to say we don’t have a long way to go, but we’ve definitely made progress. And, as an African American athlete, I’m proud to represent the change we’ve made and the change that is yet to come. Plus, I’ll be lining up next to the most talented 100-meter sprinters in the world. It’s a tremendous blessing to be counted among such accomplished athletes. And, yeah it’s my third time around, but competing on this level never gets old. Those guys bring out the best in me, and the adrenaline rush I get always keeps things interesting. Trust me. The 100-meter race will definitely be the race to watch. Anyway, they say the third time’s a charm. I guess we shall see.
- TAGS:
- Track and Field
cowboysfan1 said August 10, 2009
Keeeeb said August 10, 2009
lindamo said August 11, 2009
tdsingleton said August 11, 2009