One Down One to Go...Home!

Zurich was fun times, it was nice to compete without the heaviness of a major championship. I think all the athletes felt more relaxed, we were no longer holding our breathes and were free to exhale.

 

Zurich turned out to be a two woman race between Brigitte and Dawn. I managed to snag third place from lane 2 after a slow first three hurdles. I liked that I kept fighting and competing for a spot despite feeling out of it, though it's never good to be that far off the leaders. Still 12.61 is my third best time this season (I've had over 17 races this year) and I felt there was more left to give.



*Click it to View Zurich Results

I race Monday afternoon in Gateshead for the Aviva British Grandprix and then head home after 6 weeks in Europe. It's a short turnaround because I still have 3 more meets in Greece, China and Japan in mid September. But I'm so looking forward to seeing my peoples for the first time since June!

Thanks for the Birthday wishes,

Pdiddi

Happy Per-Day to Me

Yeee haw its my Champagne Birthday!!  

(Technically its 1:21am in Zurich on August 29 and still the 28th in Oshawa, ON where I was born. But Im gonna make my day 30 hours and not the customary 24, just to be clear).

I waited all my life to have this day and alas it's here, I'm praising God for that! And how lucky am I that I get to spend most of it traveling by charter to New Castle, England. How did I get so lucky?!

Being an August baby and having my job means I very rarely spend P-day in my home country or even with a loved one. Last year was rare in that I was injured and not racing for the first time in 12 years. So to take advantage I threw myself an all out "Perdita's Favorite Things" 28th party and partied like a track star (on pause)!

But somehow flying to the wet and rain of Northern England on my 29 birthday to race for mere seconds just feels like the way I was born to spend it. Here's to another 12 summers without one off!

Leaving you with my favorite and a most powerful quote. Have a blessed and wonderful 29th edition of P-day!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 
-A brilliant mind...right?!

Weltklasse Zurich 2009

The biggest track meet on the annual circuit is upon us this Friday. Above is a shot from 2 years ago and the last time I was at this meet. I am glad to be back and looking forward to the stiff competition. Pop this hatch to visit the meet website. See below for the CBC schedule on TV and online. The hurdles will be run at 9:30pm local time, which is 3:30 in the afternoon in the T.dot.

Cheusse!

P

Zurich Golden League on CBC

Friday August 28 on cbcsports.ca

01:50 PM ET

CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK AND FIELD ON CBC: (Streaming) - Golden League Zurich Location: Zurich, Switzerland Live on CBCSports.ca 1

2 hours

Saturday August 29 on cbcsports.ca

01:50 PM ET

CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK AND FIELD ON CBC: (Streaming) - Golden League Zurich Location: Zurich, Switzerland Live on CBCSports.ca 1

1.5 hours

*Saturday August 29 on Television

02:00 PM ET

CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK AND FIELD ON CBC: Golden League Zurich Location: Zurich, Switzerland CBC Television

1.5 hours

*Repeated Monday August 31 @ 12:30am

Berlin First Round Shots

Un merci très spécial à Yannick pour m`avoir envoyé ces photos!

-P

And then there was one...

My crew is gone and I'm left to fend for myself. I was really sad to see them go after being together for so long. But there is lots of season left and some 5 to 7 more races that are still valuable parts of my journey back. With my personality I want instant results. Everything now, never tomorrow.  But the gospel according to the BF is I need to stop demanding it all in one day. It's a process and it takes time. It's good to be disappointed, this shows how well I expected to do. However to allow my experience in Berlin to tether my goals for this season or ambitions for my overall career is not gonna happen, at least not on his watch.

You go, my St. Luke the second!

So i've had the blues and will feel disappointed because I know how hard we've worked. And how many had put their faith in me. Yet no one can deny me the truth that I was ready to compete, and face that moment head on. Nervous? yes, to not be meant I was dead. But fearfu?l no. So most of what I feel is my own personal blues that things were already over before they began, as I walked to the blocks like a lamb to the slaughter. 

When I started training in the winter I was told to keep my expectations in check. Dream some--but not big.  Many people never come back from Lisfranc fractures, so rare is this one that has its own name. I was told not to google it, but I did. And what I read made me cry and cry and cry.  There hadn't been a known case in a hurdler and this made things the more curious. I would land on that foot with great force every single run. I wore tiny shoes that offered little protection. I trained on a hard surface day after day, there was no turf to save me. My training was so finite that I couldn't compete at a lower capacity like some sports, I had to be near 100% even in training. And at any moment that crucial arch ligament that ruptured itself from the metatarsal in my foot and caused them to shift permanently, could do it again.

Pop.

If I had run 12.90 seconds this entire season, that would have been a huge victory. No one would have blamed me if I hadn't made the world championship team. And after 19 months couldn't produce a time that was in the top 10 in the world. This was ok. 

That was life after Lisfranc. Not your simple run of the mill overuse stress fracture, I gladly would have traded this for one of those. But instead one so obscure, unpredictable and straight up "nasty" that doctors prepared me to never to be amongst the worlds elite again.

So instead of dwelling on the curious case of cramping calves and making myself sick. I decide to focus on the great life God has blessed me with and how rich and indelible this season has already been. Medal or not. Some people only get to watch other people live their dreams, never passionate enough to have ones of their own. Or if they do, they can't find the nerve to pursue it. So glad I don't have that problem.

 

Berlin is over and unchangeable, no more looking back, next up is Zurich. The richest and most selective Golden League track meet on the tour and guess who has a lane?!

Thanks to all my wonderful mom, friends, family and supporters who have held me down as I build. And even though I never give up on myself, I know they don't either. As my BFF reminded me after the final, this time last year we were watching how other people's seasons unfolded, this time we get to watch mine!

You know who you are and how much I love you!!

P

More shots in Berlin: on the subway, @ Nike Hospitality and the Holocaust Memorial

My stay in Berlin has come to an end, I'm heading to Zurich on Monday to race there Friday night. When I am in a city for a major championship my feelings about that city are often hinged on my experience on the track, more than what that city has to offer or encounters with its inhabitants.


For Example:

Paris, France 2003-"Loving it, Loving it!"

Athens, Greece 2004-"Ugh, never going back there!"

Osaka, Japan 007-"Sake for everyone!"

That brings us to Berlin 009...


It's post my final and I've not run a PB (personal best) but a PW...never heard of it? Me neither til Wednesday night, really. Its a personal worst. I'm not dazed or confused, the moment is very clear to me. It's not the first time I've seen the field run away from me, but this time I had the capacity to give chase and if my legs let me I was going to cross this finish line.

Customarily everyone stood around to see where they finished, and usually I would too. But it made no sense to do this, I wasn't even in the frame for one. So I said a "Congrats Ladies" to the ones that seemed to be holding out the most hope. I'm certain their silence meant they didn't hear me. No doubt transfixed by the enormity of the moment. My words must have sounded like white noise, since I wasn't the jumbotron. I've been there, so I understood and just headed for the exit.

West Side!
There I saw that the BF was waiting for me behind the rail at the mix zone. Phew. A soft place to fall...terrible word choice...make that sniffle. A fellow competitor who also had a bad day at the office came up beside me. At first the presence of our loved one was met with resistance by the steward. How could Manfred be so mean right now, can't he see how hurt we look?!

Finally the camera man nearby had seen enough and physically gestured our men onto his platform to be able to get near to us and the railing. Frankly I had to laugh at the irony and note how much the present setting felt like a scene at the Berlin wall, circa 1986, maybe. Poor Manfred just stood there, looking dry.

Goooood, I thought amidst my melancholy. We're not trying to escape Manfred...durr...just pretend this is the wailing wall!

"Berlin is In"

So Berlin is cool with me, no ill will here. I think this is a sign of growing up and not taking my results so personal like in the past. My racing has no bearing on my worth, so why should it a cities. In fact I`m currently looking for places to go for my post season vacation and what do you know, a bella might hop a plane to Santorini!

But first things first, on to Zurich...living my dream!

P

Berlin Shots

I've lost the power source for my computer, so not sure how I am to survive with out it. I may have to go door to door begging fellow Mac owners to use theirs. Anyhoo that being said I'm going to post as many shots from Berlin as I can before this baby quits...which is soon. 

These ones are from practice and post practice in Berlin. I'd love to write some captions but time is of essence....ya dig!

P

August 19 2009-A Very Mixed Bag

World Championship Semi final

Three heats and only top two are guaranteed to the final and the next two fastest times. A much harder way to make the final, which is usually two heats and top four from each advance to the final. I am in heat two at about 2:20.

The Final

Track Side post Final w/ my favs Flotrack.org

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

So You Want The Good, The Bad, The Ugly?

The Good

I made it to the finals after running a solid 12.58 in the semi!

Yeah Canada is on the medal stands, silver for Priscilla, Congrats!

The Bad

Still haven't seen official results but I vaguely remember a number "15. something" beside my name...eek....please tell me that was my bib number?

The Ugly

My form, yikes...and the cry afterwards too Im sure.

What's a bella to do, but count her blessings and keep it moving. Obviously I am sad, not the result I wanted or worked for.

What Had Happened Was...

I am not injured, I am totally fine, minus some deep calf soreness and bruises from clipping hurdles. The long and short of it is my calves held a very bad cramp before the gun went up, I was in distress the entire time I was setting my blocks and preparing to race. Every vigorous action got progressively harder and made it worse. So I ceased everything and resorted to hitting my legs and rubbing my calves to get the tightness to let go.

During the intros I walked as much as I could back and forth, pleading to my rebelling limbs: Please stop your moaning and protesting for a good sub 12.5 seconds then you can cramp all you want at 101 metres. You aren't the only pair of grastrocs working the double today...I mean are ya'll kidding me right now?!.

Nope. Perhaps it was my tone.

The cramping subsided enough for me to get into the blocks but I knew any forceful contraction would send them both seizing again. Mainly the left one.....Grrr... I could have easily not started the race, I know my body enough to know what was coming. There wasn't anything I could do and no one to help.

I Had Two Options:

1. The rapture

2. Fake a cardiac arrest...thereby the race would be delayed somewhat...in the frenzy one of my people would race from the stands, give my calves a good 45 seconds of ART while faning CPR... they would slip me a a shot of Pedialyte....after which I would suddenly jump to my feet and explain to the chief judge and starter that I had actually just choked on a huge German fly...but I swallowed it...so it's all good Bubba, now go and get your gun!

Nope and nope.

Instead:

Starter: "On your marks"

Me: Umm...right now?

Starter: "Set"

Me: Hot dyam...This is not a drill!!

Starters Gun: "Bang"...

As I exited the blocks forcefully my calves and everyother part of my being were deadlocked. It felt like someone took a taser and shot them at just my calves. I smacked hurdles left and right and literally felt paralyzed. I thought about stopping mid race because I started to feel ridiculous the field was leaning for the line and here I am at hurdle 7 hobbling over it. But I worked hard to be in that final and I was going to finish what I started. Pride, tenacity and attitude willing me on...man I shoulda leaned at the tape for emphasis....take that ladies...what? They're doing victory laps.

Oh.

Season Moves On...

Bad timing, and what I had was just not good enough for today. But it's done and unchangeable and the truth is I am still in some great shape, so I'll keep racing. I will continue on my road back and forging momentum for the years to come. For a chick who opened up with 13.38 seconds, eighth at worlds in15 seconds of slow splendor is still a step in the right direction. Albeit a cramping and painful one.

I'm still digging the journey and a fun and enjoyable season. I love this job more than anything, and I'm so glad it allows me to show my worth and mettle...andI'm not talking on the track. That stone cold confidence in myself and patience in waiting for the race of my life holds strong. Even more grateful and convinced God is too good to me!

A Big Congrats To The Medalists!

Perdita Felicien- A proud 2009 World Championship Finalist...incase you didn't know! ;-)

Into The Semi!

One down and two to go! Feeling good after I got the first race jitters out. It was shakier than I would have liked, but definetly my normal having not raced in a few weeks.

Once again thanks for the prayers and everyone reaching out to say they have my back no matter what! I feel so loved and blessed to have so many people in my corner. Its 1020pm in Berlin and time to take my semi-finalist tail to bed...going hard tommorow!

God is Good!
P

**Click below to see my post round 1 video interview on Flotrack.org.

** Perdita Felicien 1st round 100 hurdles IAAF Berlin World Championships IAAF World Championships in Athletics 2009 on Flotrack

Posted using ShareThis

Ahoy Captains

Gary Reed and myself were named captains of the team, a role I gladly accepted. Yes, it did make me feel a bit old. But when I looked around at our team it is a very young one, and we are two of the more experienced.  Despite the team being young, it's very strong and it's members will no doubt be the faces of 2012.

In a sit down with head coach Alex Gardiner and the first timers we talked to them about how we each prepare and control distractions, etc. We also painted the very real picture that this meet is a big deal, and yet at the end our team we will all go back home to Canada and continue to live well.  However for others this is a matter of survival, an opportunity to change their lives and they will ploy right through you to get there. And to never lose sight of how intense and critical this is for many. It's time we adopt that attitude, and not star gaze and just be happy to be here. Hopefully we injected some inspiration laced with good fear into those that needed it.

So on this first day of competition let me loudly and proudly say:

GO CANADA!!!!!

It's Go Time

It's funny how you work all year for one big goal and before you know it, it's time.  The entire season for me was never realistically going to be my winningest one. Rather it was a season to give chase. To plug away at things, take my lumps and be with the lead pack when things really matter. 

And I feel we have done that.

On this eve of the world champs there is not much else I can do physically in the next four days to be ready. But things can easily become too at ease and care free because the time is now. So in the eagerness to get this party started, I am reminding myself to keep that steel eyed focus until the final hour. Not a whole heap can be gained, but important bits can be lost.

2009 Season

Every step of the way I have savored the challenge that this season presented. I loved feeling my body change back, seeing my training results improve by precious milliseconds and experiencing the rebirth of that stone cold confidence in myself. 


More than anything this year has been really really fun, and guess who needed that the most?!

Quote # 5

My good girlfriend has been sending me a different quote everyday as a 10 day countdown to my race. This was today's: 

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. -Robert Collier

You go Robbie!  Because if my middle name hasn't been repetition for like ever!!.  I love this quote and my girl Al Boogie even more for supporting me in this way. And want to thank every one of my friends and family and fans that have reached out to say they got my back.

No one loves ya more,

P

Updated CBC Broadcast Schedule

I just got some more up to date information about CBC broadcast of the World's.  See below for TV and online.

CBC Main TV Broadcast Schedule:
Sat. Aug. 15 @ 14:00-15:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC

Sun. Aug. 16 @ 16:00-17:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC

Sat. Aug. 22 @ 13:00-15:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 12:30-13:30 ET (Manitoba East only)/16:00-17:00 ET (Saskatchewan West Only)
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 00:30-02:30 Local
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC

www.cbcsports.ca Online Schedule

Sat. Aug 15 @ 03:55-08:30 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day One Session One

Sat. Aug. 15 @ 11:35-15:55 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day One Session Two

Sat. Aug. 15 @ 14:00-15:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Berlin

Sun. Aug. 16 @ 03:55-08:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Two Session One

Sun. Aug. 16 @ 11:55-16:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Two Session Two

Sun. Aug. 16 @ 16:00-17:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Berlin

Mon. Aug. 17 @ 11:45-16:00 ET Live:
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Three

Tues. Aug. 18 @ 03:55-06:30 ET Live:
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Four Session One

Tues. Aug. 18 @ 11:45-15:00 ET Live: 100m hurdle heats 12:10pm T.O Time
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Four Session Two

Wed. Aug. 19 @ 03:55-07:50 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Five Session One

Wed. Aug. 19 @ 11:55-16:00 ET Live: 100mh Semi & Final 12:45pm & 3:15pm T.O Time
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Five Session Two

Thurs. Aug. 20 @ 03:55-11:20 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Six Session One

Thurs. Aug. 20 @ 11:45-16:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Six Session Two

Fri. Aug. 21 @ 03:00-07:50 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Men's 50KM Walk

Fri. Aug. 21 @ 10:25-16:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Seven

Sat. Aug. 22 @ 05:35-08:55 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Men's Marathon

Sat. Aug. 22 @ 11:45-15:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day Eight

Sat. Aug. 22 @ 13:00-15:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Berlin

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 05:05-09:00 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Women's Marathon

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 09:25-13:15 ET Live
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Day  Nine

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 12:30-13:30 ET
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Berlin

Sun. Aug. 23 @ 16:00-17:00 ET
2009 WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON CBC: Berlin

Ode to 22

I have left Kamen and am now in Berlin. 

So it is now official: let these games begin! I know totally acting like I'm the IAAF president or at best Usain Bolt.

I arrived yesterday evening by bullet train, and I am so glad to be here. I have not travelled by train extensively in Europe, probably twice in 6 seasons. And while this was not an arduous journey with my teammates, let's just say I love me some planes.

This 'plaftform' and that 'platform', carrying your own luggage and the man looking to poke holes through tickets disturbing my sleep...ick.  Not how I like to roll. Usually. But I did. 

And you know what? I thoroughly enjoyed it--not everyday. But this one I did.

Day One in Berlin

Let me set the current scene for you: room 112 (only if u believe it),  a balcony view facing absolutely nothing, new Maxwell bumping on Itunes, sipping my second liter of water, I just gave the maid one less room to prim, and like Roberto Benigni says Life IS Beautiful!

I mean could a day get any better for a jumper of sticks?.  Not this one.

I have been to B-Lin a few times before but find this time around it holds a different appeal, it just feels good to be here. It could be the atmosphere or my gratefulness in being a part of things this year.  Unlike in  Beijing where I was was relegated to the sidelines, an extremely fit spec-lete forced to watch the biggest show on earth rather than be in it.

So Berlin 2009 feels much like Paris 2003 to me: new, fresh, enticing.
 

A powerful adventure that I am craving and wholly embracing, how right it is to be 28 but feel 22.

That's all for now,  heading to the track for a light session with coach.

P

So You Wanna See The World

Howdy,

so I know a lot of peeps have taken August 19th the day of my final off. Thanks & Yipee!

Just know that CBC will not be airing much on TV except on August 15 @ 2pm Eastern. But they are streaming everything live online @ www.cbcsports.ca.

So if there are any thiefs "borrowing" wireless signals, time to hook up internet for a few days, and you can always call  Bell or Rogers on August 20th to cancel...kidding.

But not.

Also www.universalsports.com is showing live coverage online but this may only be available to viewers in the States.  Click here to see Universal schedule.  

NBC will be showing television coverage on the weekends during the following:

August 
15—World Championships (1:00, NBC) 
16—World Championships (2:00, NBC) 

22—World Championships (1:00, NBC) 
23—World Championships (2:00, NBC) 

I compete Tuesday August 18 and Wednesday August 19 but there is a lot of action and great events from Berlin starting Saturday August 15.  Click here to view complete World Championship Events Timetable. I know everyone will want to watch the men's 100m final to see Tyson Gay & Usain Bolt.

Some local knowledge for those back home, Berlin is 6 hours ahead of Toronto or Eastern Standard Time. 

Hope this helps, see CBC schedule below & be sure to double check this info!

P

CBC Sports Streaming Online Daily Schedule. 
Eastern Standard Time  All Live 

IAAF World Championships Berlin

Saturday August 15

3:55-8:30 ET LIVE 
11:00-12:00 ET LIVE 
12:05-15:30 ET LIVE 

Sunday August 16

3:55-7:30 ET LIVE 
11:55-17:00 ET LIVE 

Monday August 17 

11:45-16:00 ET LIVE 

Tuesday August 18 

3:55-6:30 ET LIVE 
11:35-15:30 ET LIVE 

100mh Heats @ 12:10PM Toronto Time

Wednesday August 19

3:55-7:30 ET LIVE 
11:55-16:00 ET LIVE 

100mh Semi & Finals @ 1245 & 315PM T.O Time

Thursday August 20  

3:55-10:00 ET LIVE 
11:45-16:00 ET LIVE 

Friday August 21

3:00-7:00 ET LIVE 
10:20-16:00 ET LIVE 

Saturday August 22 

4:50-8:00 ET LIVE 
11:35-15:30 ET LIVE 

Sunday August 23

4:50-11:15 ET LIVE 
12:30-13:30 ET 
16:00-17:00 ET