Wow...I haven't blogged since the end of June & I got alot to say but in my last entry I said I was going to tell you about my experience at my first summer games for Special Olympics & that is what I am going to write about in this blog entry.
For those that don't know...I train & compete in swimming. I love swimming...I always have. I feel so free & in another world in the water. It's who I am & I love it. I feel like a dolphin when I'm in the water...maybe that's why dolphins are my favorite aquatic animal!! I might add that it's so fun to win medals...just icing on the cake!!
On to the 2008 SO Summer State Games...they were held in Long Beach, California @ Long Beach State University on father's day weekend. Being able to compete on this particular weekend was cool cuz I was determined to win a gold medal for my father who passed away in 2002...I wanted to honor my father on father's day. It meant so much to me to do this for my dad. In my last entry...I said that the meet in Antelope Valley was setting me up for state games & God taught me something through the weekend at the games.
On Friday...I arrived at LBSU & found my dorm I would be staying in all weekend. My room mate was Lindsay. I always thought dorm rooms were a little nicer but these ones were ok. We had a chance to unpack & stuff before we had to all meet up to go to dinner at the cafeteria. The food was alright. After dinner..we all headed to the pyramid for the opening ceremonies of the games!!! We were all waiting for quite awhile to get our group photo taken for some of the newspapers that were there reporting on the games over the weekend. Here are a few pics while waiting....
Jim my swim coach & I!!
Coach Chris & his wife Lorna
Coach Chris & his wife Lorna
My team mates: Danielle & Regan
Coach Chris & I
Jamie, Coach Karen, Coach Kathy, Amanda & her boyfriend
So after waiting around...I got a little bored so I spotted a reporter from Channel 9 news!!! I went up to her & said I never seen her before on the news. We started to chat a little bit. Then when I was about to leave she asked me if she could interview me & I said sure!!! I was on the news that evening!!!! Here is a pic of her & the camera man...
Then after we had our group picture taken we had to go out to the softball field & wait to walk into the pyramid for the opening ceremony. Since we are hosting the games...Long Beach was the last team to walk in. It was amazing because they had the band playing the Olympic song as we walked in...felt like I was in for more then I thought it would be. The ceremony was so cool...my favorite part was when the SO torch was lit up because it made the state games so much more real to me...like this wasn't a dream-it was real & I was a part of it. I don't think I have ever been part of something so important besides accepting Christ a few months ago-letting Christ into my heart was the biggest decision I'd ever made!!! Ok back to the opening ceremonies...here is a pic of the flame that was lit by my coach's son-Dave Saunders...
The torch was the most important part of the ceremony for me!! So, now I'm moving on to Saturday-the first day of competition. The way they do it is that they do time trials for freestyle only but I did compete in the 25 meter backstroke for medals. There were 8 people in my race. I felt pretty good that I could win the gold. Soon as I heard the beep...I was off the wall in no time. I kept myself focused on my race & not worry about anyone else. I made great time up until the end...I started drifting & basically ran into the divider. Had to move away & get back on track. When I finished...I came away with a silver medal. I was 2nd best. I was a little disappointed & to hear from my mom who was the stands that I was in the lead until I drifted. She said you were like a hair ahead of her & when you drifted she was able to edge ahead of you. So...I felt a little angry at myself. I know I needed to learn how to control myself so I don't drift. It was a good day. Saturday evening was the dance...so here are a couple of pics from that...
Coach Ashley & I
Me, Regan, Lindsay, Lorna, Debbie, & Jamie at the dance
Dave & Regan at the dance....I think they are a cute couple!!!
Lindsay & Coach Kasey at the dance
The next day was father's day & the final day of competition. I was going to compete the 25/50 meter freestyle. I just tried to have a positive attitude & go into the bubble so I kept my ipod on. Listening to music always helps me to prepare for my races. I also prayed at certain times too. I prayed just for God to be there with me & let me feel His presence...which I did. The bible teaches that everything happens for a reason so what happened that day...there was a reason for it.
So my first race was the 25 m freestyle. There were 8 other swimmers in my race. I knew I was up against the best of the best from the state. This was huge for me. I did my best & I came in 5th place. I was very upset as you can imagine!!! I wanted to do so much better. I had one more chance to prove it to myself in my next race.
After some time to relax...I had to get ready for my next & final race-the 50 meter freestyle. I had to prepare myself & went into the bubble. In the back of my mind...I had one shot left to win a gold medal for my father because it was father's day. My dad is no longer on this earth but I still wanted to honor my dad with a gold medal. I had prepared myself & was as ready as I could be for this race. I just had to remember not to worry about others just focus on what I needed to do. So, when the race was done...I came in 4th. I think that if I did a flip turn-I would have came in 3rd but I didn't do that because I didn't feel comfortable for some reason & my coach said only do it if you feel ok with it. I did my best & I had to be ok with that.
I believe God was trying to teach me something through all this. I learned something about pride & humility. I learned that I shouldn't think I would win all the races I was in that weekend. That the competition would be so easy. I know this more then anyone that it's hard. It takes hard work to be on top of that podium with the gold medal. Through out the season...I was mostly on top of the podium so when state games came I thought that's where I would be once again. That was being prideful & wrong in God's eyes. I needed to humble myself before God & with the new competitive season coming up that's what I'm going to remember. Just do my best & not worry so much about the outcome.
So for it being father's day that day & wanting so much to win a gold medal for my dad. I also came to realization that my dad would have been happy...no matter where I placed. I looked at it as I wanted to win a gold medal to honor him but I didn't. I got a silver medal which my dad would have been very proud of. So, I know now that I did honor my dad with my silver medal & just being there competing. Making it to state games isn't easy...you have to prove that you want to go bad enough & your willing to work hard to get there. So, I know God wanted me to learn that too. It didn't matter which color medal I received or even where I placed....I still honored my father just by making it to the games...
Peace, Love, & Jesus,
~*Kelly*~
