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| Amanda Bingson(hammer), Alyssa Hasslen (shot), and Liz Podominick in the stadium in Moscow |
For Liz Podominick the IAAF World Championships in Moscow was her first step on the international stage as a competitor. She hopes to take what she learned from the experience and apply it to get to the next level where she's not merely participating but in the thick of the competition. Below she shares her thoughts on the experience and photos from her time in Moscow
Down the
Backstretch: Moscow as your first World Championship
experience, was it what you expected or did some things surprise
you?
Liz Podominick: I
can say yes and yes. USATF, the support staff and other athletes, did an amazing
job in preparing me on what to expect. Things like the warm-up/check-in
procedures, the walk-through the day prior to the start of competition to "test"
the circle, etc. They were really well explained, and if I had a question, they made
sure to find the answer.
I understand the scope of the logistics involved for
such a huge event from my work experience with US Figure Skating, but it also
amazed me being on the athlete side this time. I cannot even begin to say how
thankful I am for what everyone did. I really did not have to focus on anything
else but my competition and getting ready for it. I felt truly
blessed.
DtB: You said one takeaway from the
competition was that you belonged in that sort of competition. Did you have
doubts doing in? If so what convinced you that you could hold your own at the
top level of the sport?
LP: While I was nervous to
compete, they were the typical performance nerves. I didn't feel wide-eyed and
unsure when I walked into the stadium. I had a sort of inner peace that this was
the start of something huge for me. This same sort of thing happened to me when
I started to compete at the national stage as a post-collegiate three years ago, I
just knew I belonged but it was going to take some time.
My marks were not indicative
of how I actually threw. My last two throws may have gotten me into the finals,
but I just couldn't quite save them. I am proud that I knew what adjustments to
make without my coach being there.
A lot of the women competing were not
throwing at their best. I was not the only one nervous to
compete. I know I am on the right track, but I also realize now that I need more
international experience. Little things like just adjusting to international
travel and a drastically different time zone, as well as my body's reaction to
jet lag and a longer season was invaluable. I made sure to note how my body was
feeling so that I can be better prepared for future international
events.
DtB: Was there anything from the
experience that stood out? Either on or off the
track?
LP: Some of it is really hard to put in
words and you have to be there to understand it. But just hanging out with the
other athletes from Team USA (and other countries) after competing is a memory
that I will have forever. The inspiration I found watching other athletes
compete for their country is addictive and the chance to be a part of it makes
me determined to be back at that stage again.
It's just a whole different level
of understanding and confidence I have gained just by going through the
experience. I truly believe it's going to carry over into next season and the
seasons to come.
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| Decathlete Gunnar Nixon, Podominick, Jeremy Taiwo(decathlon), and Hasslen in Moscow. |
DtB: You said going in that the goal
was to make the final. You didn’t do that, but did you observe what it takes to
get to the next level? What it will take for you to go one step further next
time?
LP: Mostly I realized that what I am
doing is taking me on the correct path. I just need more time to develop. Some
of it comes down to strength, which just takes time, and many of the habits that
I have been trying to break need to be fixed. It's very encouraging. I believe
that the next time I am in that situation, I will have the experience and skills
to compete with the best!
DtB: Your coach, Mac Wilkins, is
moving down to the OTC in Chula Vista. You’ve
applied to train there. How does that process go? What are the criteria? When
will you know whether you’re in or not?
LP: I am waiting to get the final
approval that I am in, but I meet all the criteria (A standard, showing
improvement, made a team, etc.). So, I am in the process of selling/donating a
lot of my stuff, squeezing a visit home (with a possible small fundraiser fit
into the tight schedule), getting an agent, and planning for the next
season.
DtB: You haven’t just been training
for the discus, but you were defending your thesis in between Nationals and the
World Championships. What’s the subject? How did that go?
LP: I definitely had a lot on my plate, which was of my
own doing, but it needed to get done. It took a bit of a toll on my training and
body. My thesis examined how physical activity is portrayed across the lifespan
in women's magazines.
t was an interesting subject to me and found some results
that will hopefully impact future research. I passed the oral defense (in July
before leaving for Worlds), and I just found out today that my final draft has
been approved, so it literally feels like a ton has been lifted off my
shoulders! I am waiting for it to sink in...
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| Brittany Borman(javelin), Hasslen, Tia Brooks(shot put) Podominick, and Inika McPherson(high jump) at the airport |
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