- Michael

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Last night was the first time I was able to feel the track underneath me. The runway feels great. The weather is still nice. It was about 54-55 degrees today. A little cool, but overall no complaints. 

I went through my dynamic warm-up. My first few laps felt a little sluggish because of the environment adjustment; however, after I finished my dynamic warm-up, I felt great. My body responded very well to the change in altitude and climate. I started on my drills and soon after I was warm, loose and ready for accelerations. 

Was it me or was I getting looks from everyone there? I was a bit nervous. Guys are doing simulation runs, block starts and accelerations. Here I am, right next to them. It was an overwhelming feeling of...accomplishment. I am the under-dog. No one knows who I am, what even I am doing, I am just there in the mix. I lace up my spikes and do accelerations. Then I head to the runway. 

I find my mark and ask a random guy near the pole vault runway to watch my board. My first one, Whoa! I have never felt so powerful and fast down the runway before. This is insane. First initial thought was oh-man I am about to do some damage if I hit these angle right tomorrow! My runway was so fast; it felt as though I needed more runway.  I hit the board and I was on with half the board to spare. Good, I like that. Make the adjustment for the next one and go again. The second run-through, same spot, was even better. My last attempt, I backed up a few inches and boom. I did a pop-up and glided through my first phase and ran out. Felt like I covered half the runway with my first phase. Unfortunately, I was over about a toe and some. I just marked the adjustment, shut it down and did my cool down and stretch.

This is unbelievable! I love track and field. It is such a wonderful feeling to set your mind to something, regardless of the obstacles that may present themselves, and still be able to do what you love. This has been a wonderful journey for me. But the road is still long and I am still climbing that mountain of success.

- Michael

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This is beautiful day. The sun is high and shining bright. New Mexico is a beautiful place. Earlier this morning I woke for breakfast and went on a little drive. First off I needed music, even though the radio stations play good music. Sometime, you just want to hear your mix. I stopped at the Dollar store and picked up an mp3 cable cord to play my iPod while I drove.

As I mentioned before, I have a great view. There are mountains right behind our hotel and I drove about 5 minutes or so to a trail I found near there. I walked to the Sandia Foothills. I think I needed this little walk or mini hike. I had the chance to clear my head of the pressure of jumping. The scenery was spectacular. I was excited to go walking, until I saw the sign for Rattlesnakes....umm...yes...hmmm. After seeing that I was on the lookout for everything! Every noise...which I made scared me. Ha-ha, just kidding. I climbed a few feet up the mountain just to get a better view. Ahh, it was wonderful! It was so soothing to the spirit and calming to my nerves. I actually felt better. I had to control myself. I tend to wander. I actually got in trouble many of times as a young boy for wandering everywhere. I just like to sight see and I love to explore. I'm no Man vs. Wild. But I can appreciate wilderness and Mother Nature.

Right now it is just me in the hotel. Later on today I will see my hotel mate Kyle Heath. I prayed that he had safe and stable travels. Glad he left Rochester on time and with no troubles. I wish him the best this weekend as he competes. 

Everything is so spread out here! It is ridiculous! There are like a million hotels/motels on Menaul Blvd! No lie! I have yet to see a Wal-Mart or grocery store. It's crazy! 

When you are by yourself, especially for an event or something as such, time goes by slow. I am so antsy to do stuff, but I must control my urges to explore. Work first, play later! I feel like I have too one too many naps. There is nothing else to do. I have not gone searching for the mall, yet. It's just too much walking right now. I just want to get my pre-meet in and get it over with! I just want to get the feel of the runway. I saw the runway when I first entered into the Convention center. It is raised. I am not a big fan of raised runways depending on how it is structured. Some aren't the best underneath you during your jump, and some are perfect. Regardless, I am here and ready to lay it down. Just like many of coach’s say, 'leave nothing on the track!’ That I came to do! 

My body feels good I trying to stay somewhat active and not lay around all day, at the same time not wanting to waste energy. But, this is a working-vacation for me. I just want to enjoy the experience!

- Michael

As I sit in my bed looking back to where I came from, where I am today, and how far I have to go, I can truly say that I have been blessed. I am just happy I have this opportunity. I can never say it enough. It is crazy how I was just struggling and stressing about this meet and Kevin Lucas and the USATF Niagara Association stepped in and let me know that everything would be okay and things would be taken care of. It really took a lot of weight off my shoulders and now I am more than able, more than ready to compete.

Training is tough; I am not going to lie. My coach is fantastic. Since I arrived to UAlbany, I have made a 3-4ft gain in my jumps. It took a while because of injury and surgery, but now I feel that my breakout meet is coming.

I feel good. After the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, I went back to the drawing board. I watched tons of film over and over and over again. My coach and I discussed my weaknesses and these past few weeks, I have dedicated my time and energy to making sure I correct them. I have spent countless hours watching clips of the best jumpers in the world and comparing and contrasting their technique against mines. I want to be the best. My coach always told me I had to become a student at my craft. He has never steered me wrong, so 'if it's not broke, don't fix it'.

I had the opportunity to take my training elsewhere, but I thought to myself, why leave the place where you have made the most important change in your life? I was comfortable and stress-free being here in Albany. Even though, during my collegiate career our team had outgrown our facilities based on performances, we still made the best of what we had, when we had it. I also like the fact that I can give back to my former teammates and the new student-athletes that are on the team.

Well, another day, another dollar. Time to finish packing…or should I just leave it for tomorrow ;-). 

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Here I am...I am proud to say I have qualified again for a USATF National Championships. I had the opportunity to compete at the 2009 Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. It was a wonderful experience and a nice cap to my collegiate career. I did not come out of the meet with a crazy far jump, Honestly, I was exhausted! I was just soaking it all in. To be among the best athletes in the nation is a joyous experience. I was just happy to be there.

During my collegiate career I was suffering with severe patellar tendonitis in my left knee. My teammates and I joked around a lot because I could never go through a full day’s practice or even better, a full weeks practice. So, for the majority of my years...I was a training room athlete. I pretty much just showed up to the meet. My workouts were 'custom' as my teammates would say. In the spring of 2008, at NCAA Division I Regional’s, my knee finally had its last jump. I attempted to make it through the preliminary round; however, on my second jump, my knee had enough. That summer I decided to have surgery, which I may say was the BEST thing for me. I was very skeptical about surgery and never wanted my injury to result to that, but things happen. Surgery went great and the Doc said I would be good to go in six months. However, because I was a jumper it took FOREVER! After surgery, I worked hard. As soon as I healed enough to jog, I went straight to drills and technique and worked very hard. Even though I couldn't jump, I wanted to make sure that when I was ready, I would have the speed and technique to carry me through.

My indoor season of my senior year sucked! After about 10 months my knee still wasn't back to normal. What was even worse was that my left quad was so weak I devoted my indoor season to rebuilding the muscle. It hurts to do jumping drills because I had no muscle to assist in the bearing of weight and force of jumping. It wasn't until our indoor conference championship in mid February that I was back to jumping over 50ft again. Conference was a break-through meet for me. Even though my leg still showed signs of weakness, I pushed my body to become faster and stronger. My outdoor season went by in a flash. I can't even remember it. I had a great meet at the 2009 IC4A Outdoor Championships. I knew I was going to jump even further. I was peaking later because of the surgery. I finished strong and captured a school record. Unfortunately, I did not qualify for NCAA Nationals, never have, but I qualified for USA Outdoor Nationals, even better. 

During preseason conditioning my training was superb. I have never felt so strong, so fast and technically sound. I was on the verge to jumping better than I have ever done before. Then, life hit me. Ha-ha. I needed a job! I found a job working at a warehouse and it was great until reality hit me. This job was not the best job to have while training. I worked full time, forty hours a week, Mon-Fri, 7am-4pm and would rush to practice for our 4:15pm sessions. I was exhausted! My training started to suffer. I could barely make it past warm up. I had no strength and my technique was suffering. I felt like going into depression. After three months, I resigned from my position and found a part-time job at a fitness center as a floor trainer and receptionist. My training has picked up significantly and I feel GREAT!

I opened up my indoor season at the UAlbany Great Dane Classic at the NYC Armory Track. I love that track! I opened my season with a 52 ft jump a few feet behind the board! UUUGH! Come on!!! No worries...I have patience. After that meet, my confidence was high and I was ready to go even further. My next competition was at New Balance Collegiate Invitational , also at the NYC Armory Track. I had some great competition and pushed me to jump very consistently over 52 ft, every jump. I was please with my performance. Although, I still have a lot of technical things to work on, overall it was a great meet.  Again, struggling with jumping far behind the board messes up the psyche; however, it makes me hungrier to jump far. What was actually funny about this meet, I thought I was jumping like crap. Honestly, I thought I was about to foul out, but I never fouled one jump. That's crazy; my mind was experiencing tunnel vision. I was just worried about fixing my technique for my next jump. I pulled it together and again finished strong.

I have now qualified for the 2010 USATF Indoor Nationals in Albuquerque, NM. I am very excited about this meet. It's crazy how I will finally get the chance to jump against the idols I looked up to as a young jumper. This is surreal! Finally, I get the chance to showcase my talents against the best. Oh man! I can't forget about my friend and fellow jumper, Brandon Roulhac . I have been jumping against this guy since 2006 and ranked #1 in the US in 2009. Wow, what an opportunity.

I just want to give a special thanks to the USATF-Niagara Association. I enjoy competing and traveling and without the help of Team USATF-Niagara, this trip would not be possible. My family, friends, former teammates and coaches have all stood behind me and helped me progress spiritually, mentally and physically. I cannot thank them enough. I am going to continue to work and train harder. I know I can be one of USA's next best Triple Jumpers. Till then, rest and train, train and become the best!  

My ultimate goal is to become a part of the USA team as an Elite athlete and represent the US in domestic and international competition.