August 28th, 2008
Wow! Patience is indeed a virtue.
Words cannot explain the level of joy I felt by virtue of successfully defending my 200m Olympic title. It’s truly a blessing! Since I ran 22.05 seconds in 2004 to capture Olympic Gold, I have struggled in my 200m performances:
At the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, I accidentally ran out of my lane and ended up finishing fourth in that 200m final.
Unfortunately, in 2006, I suffered a devastating squad injury that terminated my season. After taking the entire summer to rehab and patiently pray for healing, I resumed training for the 2007 season with some level of fear in the back of my mind. In that same year, I found myself without the presence of my coach. I work as hard as I could with the help and support of my husband, I went to the World Championship in Osaka thinking I was ready, but to my surprise I was wrong. I earned a distant silver medal in the 200m and miraculously earned gold in the 100m in an extremely tight photo-finish race.
For the Beijing Olympic Games I was preparing to win the double. It was devastating when I finished fourth place at my national trials. I couldn’t fathom not running both the 100m and the 200m in Beijing. Not long after I realized it was not my destiny to run the 100m at the 2008 Olympics Games. Defending my 200m title was more important, winning would make me only the second person to defend the 200m title. Today, I can say that the disappointment and sadness of not running the 100m has being erased. I cherished every moment of my victory and again words cannot express how happy I am to successfully defend my 200m title.
All the obstacles I have faced over the past few years was worth it. God has a plan for everyone’s life and whether I succeed or fail I am grateful for my life because everything happens for a reason. At times I don’t quite understand, but I try to be patient and refrain from questioning His will.
I am currently back at home in Florida but for a short while as I have a few more races before my 2008 season come to it’s conclusion.
PS: I want to thank all my loyal fans for their support, their kind wishes, and their prayers. You guys give me strength when I read your kind words of encouragements.
“God Bless”
Veronica
June 20th, 2008
On Pace
It has been more than a month since I posted in my dairy in which I have expressed faith after a disappointing performance. This time, I am writing with a great deal of satisfaction in my performances since then. I am truly thankful for my blessings. The 10.88 I ran recently is the fastest time I have ever run in June. Despite being wind-assisted, my 22.22 is the fastest 200m I have run since I ran 22.05 to win Olympic gold in 2004. These performances show that I am right on track as the seaon progresses.
My next competition will be the Jamaican National Championships which will also serve as our Olympic Trials. It will be held on June 27th through the 29th, it will be fun, I have always looked forward to competing at home.
Veronica
May 7th, 2008
I Am Good To Go
It has been a few days since I ran my worse race in eight (8) years. What makes it even more disappointing was the fact that I was at home in our National Stadium. Anyway, it was one of those days. When I reminisce on all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me, I quickly realize that everything happen for a reason. Besides, I don’t have the power to change the past so why beat myself up over it. There are no reason to panic; training has been going exceptionally well, coach Brauman just recently began to incorporate absolute speed work in trainng. We have been focusing on setting the foundation for this summer especially the Oympics.
As part of my training preparation, I will compete this weekend just to work on a few things we have been doing in training as I get ready to compete at the Adidas and the Reebok Track classics.
Below are some postive comments from my fans that I feel compel to share with others, I have excellent fans and I want them to know that I appreciate them all.
From my fans:
Veronica this is dedicated to you
The heights by great men reach and kept were not attained by sudden flights, but they while their companion slept were upward toiling through the night. Veronica you have demonstrated the above, which have served as a timely reminder for many young Jamaicans, that to attain sucess you have to be courageous, go beyond the call of our duty, determined and never give up. Veronica you have seen beyond the the invisible, reached beyond the unreachable and dream beyond the impossible. Keep on shining; you are a shinning example for all. God’s continued blessings.
From Fabian: Mrs. Campbell-Brown this is a small part of a gospel song “Don’t be dismay cause God will take care of you.” The whole Jamaica was shocked by your defeat, but girl, we all have faith in you, because we all know you gonna bounce back. Lauryn and the others are training harder for you, so every morning I wake up I’m gonna pray for you. Just continue to train hard and be healthy beacuse the Lord is always be your side. Veronica you are our warrior and the entire Jamaica ove you whether you win or lose.
March 24th, 2008
New Environment
Hi Everyone,
Many of you may already know that I relocated from Arkansas to Florida to resume my coaching relationship with Lance Brauman. Although I miss my “Razorback” family, I find Florida quiet nice and I am loving it; the weather is great!
Training has being going well; It feels good to be able to practice outdoors during the fall. I am ecstatic about this season, I am very much anticipating 2008 especially with it been an Olympic year!
I had the pleasure of visiting Beijing earlier this year for some Adidas work, I did not get a chance to see the inside of the stadium, however, I got close enough to realize that it is a wonderful structure that will come alive this summer.
