VCB reflects on her early season outings – IAAF Online Diaries
Published May 6th, 2013
Veronica Campbell Brown had a great run at the Jamaica International Invitational meeting on Saturday, an IAAF World Challenge meeting, beating a classy field and winning her debut 100m race of the year in 11.01.
Her latest diary was written en-route to that meeting.
“I joined you via video for my March diary and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience. I am now back with you in the more familiar written version of my activities for the month of April.
“The month saw a full slate of competitions for me as I competed in the Bahamas and in the place where I live, Florida in the United States.
“Fellow professional athlete, Chris Brown hosted us at the inaugural running of his Bahamas Invitational and what a meet it was. The hospitality was awesome, the weather was predictably pleasant and the crowd very engaging.
“I competed in my first 200m for the season, finishing in second place, and I join fellow stakeholders in our sport by offering big congratulations to Chris for this welcomed addition to our calendar. I’m already looking forward to returning next season!
“While in the Bahamas, The Hummingbirds Association, a Jamaican benevolent group surprised me with a beautiful trophy which read: ‘In recognition of my long, dedicated and outstanding representation of Jamaica’. The gesture was highly appreciated and of course it has been sheer joy representing my wonderful country all these years, going back to when I ran in the inaugural World Youth Championships in 1999.
“After the Bahamas, I competed at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Florida where I ran another 200m.
“If memory serves me right it was my first time running back-to-back 200m so early in the season. The day started out rainy and I was quite worried as last year the meet was also suffered from the rain and I had to cancel running there, just to be on the safe side so early in the season.
“Thankfully, this time, the rain held off and I was able to get the race in.
“I took part in a few media activities during the month. I did some promotional work for the adidas Grand Prix in New York on 25 May, which is an IAAF Diamond League meeting, I was interviewed by Eurosport and I did an IAAF Diamond League conference call with Allyson Felix, who has been one of my main rivals over the years.
“The interaction with Allyson, the media and myself was quite engaging and I thank the IAAF for this thrust, not just highlight its signature annual series but also for having us women at the fore.
“I did some shopping, which is, of course, always therapeutic for me. I have my eyes on a few additional things. However, those will be on hold and serve as a treat if I accomplish certain goals I have set for myself.
“The last thing to tell you is that my training is going well.
“As always, thanks for reading, VCB.”
