I’m here!!! Finally. It has been a very long process, but I have finally arrived in Beijing. I first had to go to San Jose, which seemed like it would be easy. Boy, was I wrong! We took off from LAX and got about half-way to San Jose when the plane had to turn around and go back to LA because of an Amber Alert. After that, our flight was cancelled and we all had to be placed on different flights. I finally made it to San Jose that night and went through our team processing. When you arrive, you get a shopping cart and you enter something that resembles a warehouse, you go around to all these different stations where they give you more stuff than you can imagine. I also had to get fitted for my Olympic ring, leather jacket, opening ceremonies suit and take pictures. When I was all done with the processing I ate and went to sleep.  

Our journey to Beijing began early the next day. The flight actually wasn’t that bad. It was 11 hours. Once we landed the flight attendant announced that it  was 3pm. I was very confused because when I looked out the window it looked like a heavy fog was everywhere and I just knew it was early in the morning.  Well…what I thought was fog was actually smog and my eyes started burning as soon as I got off the plane. It didn’t last long enough though, they must have adjusted quickly.  

The Olympic village is amazing, it is a little city. I will post pictures soon. There is everything you could imagine there. The cafeteria has food from all over the world and of course a McDonald’s. My room in the village is small, but I’m blessed not to have a room mate. I think it is a little bigger than my closet this time. All world champions and olympic champions get their own room!Yeah!

After spending a night in the village, we left bright and early the next morning to go to Dalian, China. This is where our USA track and field team will have training camp. We will work on relay hand-offs and have our normal workouts. The accommodations are much different then the village. I’m staying in a suite which is way too big for just me. I wish I had some company! There is also a bowling alley, movie theatre, golf course, swimming pool, and beach all at our hotel. The air is supposed to be better here and we get away from some of the noise of the village.  

Well…I go back to the village on the 10th. Unfortunately, this time around I won’t be taking part in the opening ceremonies. We will stay here in Dalian and continue our training and preparing for the relays. I’m blessed to have experienced it in 2004. Now I’m off to take a nap and I’ll update everyone with more later! 

Thanks for your prayers and support! 

Allyson

Well, it’s finally official, I’m going to Beijing! The Olympic trials felt like an eternity and were filled with lots of ups and downs. Behind every person is an individual struggle and journey that is very personal and it was an emotional couple of weeks. I had my own highs and lows. I ran 10.96 and didn’t make the team in the 100. I don’t know when the last time was that America had this much depth, but it’s very exciting. After I put the 100 behind me I couldn’t wait to run my signature event, the 200m. I hadn’t run one all year so my nerves were up waiting to get the race started. I was pleased with running 21.82w for my first full 200m and thrilled to have made my second Olympic team. Now…it’s back to work to fine-tune different aspects of my race and also take part in a few competitions.

It was great to have my family with me in Eugene. They are truly amazing. I love when they come anywhere I compete because it is like bringing a little piece of home with me. My mom recently had spinal surgery and has to wear a brace on her neck, but she was determined to come and support me and she did just that. I am so blessed that they will be coming with me to Beijing.

I also have to thank everyone for their continued support and many prayers. It has been a long journey for me to get to the Olympics and it definitely was not done alone. So many people have encouraged me along the way and let me know that they are cheering me on and countless times it has lifted my spirits and motivated me. So please continue to pray as I head to Beijing!

I’m really happy with where I am at this point of the year. I started off well in Doha running a personal best in the 100 (10.93) which was a long time coming. I also ran the 400 (49.84) which showed me my strength was good. After Doha, I ran at the Adidas Track Classic where I got 4th (11.21) and the Reebok Grand Prix where I got 5th (11.13) in the 100 meters. I absolutely hate to lose and both races were disappointing by my own standards. I’m still encouraged going into trials because I know what I need to fix and I’m excited to start working on it. With every loss I make it a point to learn from it and let it fuel me to be better. Bobby Kersee is a phenomenal coach and I know that he will have me ready.

There is nothing like an Olympic year. I’m loving the excitement that is going on so far. Usain Bolt’s world record was absolutely amazing! It’s so impressive that he was able to set a world record with such few attempts. I thought Tyson Gay also ran a superb race and the way he handled everything was just classy. I’ve always admired Tyson as a competitor and after speaking to him after the race I know he is looking forward to working hard and being prepared for the big show. I think this is just the beginning of things….I can’t wait until the Olympics!!! I also walked in my graduation which was very special. Being a full time student while also being a professional athlete was extremely difficult. All my family was at my graduation which was great because I definitely didn’t do it alone and I was thrilled they could celebrate with me. My parents also gave me a big graduation dinner with friends and family which was a lot of fun. I can’t believe it’s all over! I’ve been enjoying what little time I have away from the track with my loved ones. Sundays that I’m not competing are the best! I love them because it is the one day that I get to completely step away from the track. I get to go to church with my family and spend quality time together. The amount of Sundays that I’m home are getting fewer and fewer so I’m making the most of them while I can. I’m also loving spoiling my 2 year old Yorkie. She is so much fun and I hate that we’ll have to spend the summer apart.

Talk to everyone later!

Allyson

My season is off to a good start.  I had a great time running with my teammates at local meets.  Penn Relays is always such a special event.  It was good to get back running relays with the girls again.  I am now looking forward to opening my season individually in Doha where I will run the 100m and 400m.  I’m anxious to get it all started. 
As usual things are busy as ever. I shot a cover for Sports Illustrated for Kids for their August issue. It’s always fun to do something different so you will have to wait and see what I did for the photo shoot, it was very cool. 

Well I have to go…practice awaits!

Allyson

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again to start competing. I’m so excited!!! Every time I think about this year I get butterflies in my stomach because I have a feeling it’s going to be real special. Next week I will make my season debut at Mt. Sac in the 4×1 and 4×4. I absolutely love this meet because I’ve been running here since high school. After Mt. Sac I’m off to Philly for the Penn Relays for another 4×1 and 4×4. I can’t wait to hook up with some of the girls and give people a taste of what they might see in Beijing.
I’ve been busy off the track as well…commercials and photo shoots are keeping me occupied. My feature in Vogue is out this month, so you should check it out. I really enjoyed checking out other athletes who were also featured. I just recently did a shoot with Glamour and got to wear some amazing dresses. I love doing shoots that let me get all dressed up…it gets boring wearing a track uniform all the time. I also did a few commercials for NBC promoting the Olympics.
I really don’t think that I could be where I am without my family and friends. Now that I have graduated and I am training full time, I think it’s important to get some quality time with them before things get to hectic. So, I have been doing just that. I gave my boyfriend a Surprise Birthday get-together with all of our friends and we had a great time. Although the bowling league I was in is over that has not stopped me from getting out to the lanes. One thing about being competitive…it crosses over…everything is a competition!
Training is going well. Bobby has been working me harder than hard as usual. Sometimes, I wonder if I will be able to make it through practice…but all of this pain will pay off. My team mates are looking impressive. It is such an ideal enviorment to train in. 2 Olympic Champions, 3 World Champions, Olympians, NCAA Champions and endless potential…talk about inspiring.

Til’ next time..

Allyson

So, I know it has been such a long time since I have been able to give an update, but I’m excited that my new site is finally up and running. So much has been going on…where do I even begin? Well…let me start with the World Championships, way back in August. I had an amazing time in Osaka, Japan. I was so happy that my family was able to come and support me because it always helps so much. The 200m final was a race I had been dreaming about for the entire year. I was so excited and determined at the same time. When I crossed the line and looked up at the clock and saw 21.81 I was elated. I can’t even describe the feeling! I remember when Pat Connolly was coaching me… she always said it takes a long time to run fast and she was definitely right! I felt I had been close to breaking 22 seconds for a long time but it was important to be patient and trust in my coach. The relays were also another unforgettable experience. They were even extra special for me because it was my very first time running relays on a world stage. Both relays were incredible and for me there is just something unique about joining your competitors, individuals that you have raced against all year and now being able to be on the same team as them - to take on the world! The experience proved to be even more memorable because the USA swept all the relays which hadn’t happened in a very long time. As soon as I got back to Los Angeles I jumped right back into school the next day. I had lugged my books to Japan with me so I was on top of things and didn’t miss too much. I had a very productive and exciting final semester. Once a week, I was in a 5th grade classroom working with a great group of kids. It was a very valuable learning experience and I really can’t wait until I have a classroom of my own. But…patience is a virtue and, as I have learned in the past, it does pay off. So, I will patiently wait for that chapter of my life to come. I finally graduated from USC this past December and I couldn’t be happier. The day I finished my last final my coach Bobby said he could already see a difference in the way I was training. I’m so excited for this year and I’m completely committed to training as hard as I can. God has truly blessed me and I can’t do anything but give Him all the glory!
I promise to keep you all updated with how things are going as I prepare for Beijing. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement and please remember me in your prayers!

Allyson