As some of you may have already heard (or seen, in the case of my amazingly supportive family), I finished third in the Olympic Trials event this past Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While only the first woman across the line, Julie Swail, made the Olympic Team, I still have a chance to make the team at the Hy-Vee World Cup in June. In order to do so, I must be the first American overall. Although this is not an easy task, as the other women will certainly be geared up to take home a chunk of the impressive prize purse, making the Olympic Team is still a possibility. In the meantime, I have some serious work to do!
Overall, the race went well and gave me an indication of the great things to come this season. While I may have done some things differently (as my friend says, hindsight plays too big of a role in ITU racing), I am buoyed by the progress that I have made. After all, my greatest goal a few years ago was to qualify for Olympic Trials. Not only have I qualified for Trials, but I have developed into a contender! Sometimes we are too blinded in our disappointment in what we have not accomplished to fully embrace and acknowledge the achievements that we have made. Luckily for me, I had my family and friends present (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Adam, Lauren (with baby in utero), Clay, Aunt Denise, Uncle Howie, Uncle Kirk, Todd, Kyly, Katie (also w/ baby in utero) Doug, Mary, Siri, Nikki and others) to celebrate with me and to remind me of how far I've come in the sport. While my group may not have been as large as the Haskins/ Kortuem contingent, the Groff fan club presence was definitely felt with their exuberance and awesome t-shirts. My family is the best for coming from all over the US to stand out in the heat and cheer me on!
Thanks to everyone who has given me their support leading up to and at this race! Keep it comin'- we still have another chance to make the team!
With love,
Sarah
Overall, the race went well and gave me an indication of the great things to come this season. While I may have done some things differently (as my friend says, hindsight plays too big of a role in ITU racing), I am buoyed by the progress that I have made. After all, my greatest goal a few years ago was to qualify for Olympic Trials. Not only have I qualified for Trials, but I have developed into a contender! Sometimes we are too blinded in our disappointment in what we have not accomplished to fully embrace and acknowledge the achievements that we have made. Luckily for me, I had my family and friends present (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Adam, Lauren (with baby in utero), Clay, Aunt Denise, Uncle Howie, Uncle Kirk, Todd, Kyly, Katie (also w/ baby in utero) Doug, Mary, Siri, Nikki and others) to celebrate with me and to remind me of how far I've come in the sport. While my group may not have been as large as the Haskins/ Kortuem contingent, the Groff fan club presence was definitely felt with their exuberance and awesome t-shirts. My family is the best for coming from all over the US to stand out in the heat and cheer me on!
Thanks to everyone who has given me their support leading up to and at this race! Keep it comin'- we still have another chance to make the team!
With love,
Sarah
1 comment:
Way to go Sarah! Wouldn't our printmaking teacher be proud now.
I was in a Yoga class on Tuesday and the teacher was saying something about how the pain is what pushes us, the vision is what pulls (or something like that).
See yourself doing it and being there. I believe! Go get 'um girl!
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