Inspiration

There are so many stories that inspire me during the Olympics. The athletes are all so amazing! This year the para-olympians inspire me the most. Seeing the Wounded Warriors compete here in the Springs in May set the stage for para-olympic athletes to be my 2012 heros. While the Para-Olympic games will not begin until Aug 29, 2012, there was one para-olympian who competed this week. I'm sure we are all acquainted with South Africa's Oscar Pistorius. I watched in awe as he raced the 400M semifinals, finishing 8th. The winner of the heat, Grenadan Kirani James, proceeded to exchange name badges wih Oscar. In the interview after the race, Oscar said he aimed to make the semi-finals. I hope next time he goes for the gold. It was awesome to see him compete and I'm looking forward to seeing him race th 4x4 Mens 400M relay. Then there are the seemingly super-human athletes like Usain Bolt of Jamaica. He blows my mind! All the other men look like they are totally busting a gut and Usain is taking a jog in the park! Amazing! Of course, I am always most proud and inspired by the American athletes. I am always proud of America during the Olympics. As we lead the medal count I look back on some of the great American athletes that earned my attention this year. Gabby Douglas, The 8 woman rowing team, Sanya Richards Ross, and Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Traenor. After watching Misty and Kerri take Gold over their American teammates on Tuesday night, I awoke Wednesday morning inspired. I wanted to go for Gold. So I pulled my hair into a ponytail, gave it a braid, in the Misty and Kerri way, and took the kids for a jog. Of course, I'm sure that my mile and a half jog didn't compare to the workouts of an Olympian, but it was a start. The Olympics always provide inspiration and I hope to carry the Olympic spirit of friendly competition, excellence and sacrifice far beyond these two weeks. Hoping you are inspired to do the same.

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