The Thoughts Of...

Breaking Down the 400m Hurdles

2011-10-12T17:25:00.006-04:00

I thought about helping those that wanted to be helped in this event because there seems to be a lot of people confused as to how you are suppose to run this race. I am not the best to ever run it but I was one of the best. This is not a sprint race. This should always be a race based off rhythm and technique...should be. I have used my crafty drawing skills (please dont judge me) and came up with what is my best diagram freestyle hand sketched drawing of one lane on the track. I have marked off each hurdle (numbered 1-10) along with the finish (F) I have also put in a green line in the the lane which you should know what it is for. If not you will figure it out while reading. Sit back, read and learn something...Hopefully I can teach some people a few things. You're welcome in advance if something I write below sets off a light bulb in your head...Here we go

**Setting Your Blocks**

What I have found that most people do when setting their blocks is they set them angled to the turn. This is correct but some go as far as to angle them incorrectly. When setting you blocks, first lay your blocks down "Perpendicular" to the start line. Once you have done that you can lift the back of the blocks up off the grown and move the blocks to the right about 60-70 degrees. (meaning very little of a move) You dont want to angle them straight to the inside of the curb because once you get to the turn you will have to A: work hard to keep hugging that turn or B: swing to the outside of the lane which will cause you to run a longer race and slower time. By setting the blocks perpendicular and moving the back of the blocks to the right slightly, gives you a great angle that will gradually move you to the inside of the lane making for an easier run around the first turn onward to the first hurdle. This will allow you to run smoother, save a little bit of energy and control your race better. Control is very important in any race. If you can control the first hurdle, normally the rest of your race comes easier.

**Hurdle 1 and 2**

From the gun you should be focused on building up your speed and concentrating on your steps to the first hurdle. As a post collegiate, most men should be somewhere from 20-22 steps to the first hurdle and women 22-25. For all the right lead hurdlers, the time is now for you to drill over and over that left lead leg. Learn to use it and run faster! Going over the first hurdle with you right leg will almost every time land you on the outside of your lane. In this event angles and straight lines are important as well. QUESTION: Whats the shortest distance between two points? Yes...a straight line! So does going around a turn on the outside of the turn make any sense? I dont think so. Now there are some that do it and they have been very successful so I cant say it doesnt work, however, I will say that whatever time they ran in that race should have been faster. Hurdling with your right leg over the first hurdle will also slow you down slightly. Its almost like you have to land and make your way back to the inside or you just going to run a longer race altogether. I figured out that hurdling left lead for the first part of your race allows you to handle "Centripetal Force" a whole lot better. You should be able to hurdle with the same leg for both of these hurdles if done correctly. **Practice over the first 2 hurdles at race pace to get this down**

**Hurdle 3-4-5**

Now if you have run the first two hurdles correctly then you have your step pattern down, moving through each hurdle without chopping steps and the speed that you have built up you can now control down the back stretch without having to press. If you are a technician and can hurdle (I dont mean jump the hurdles and clear them I mean you can actually hurdle) this is where you can conserve energy for the latter part of your race. Your speed is up and you are moving. Once you clear hurdle 3, you should focus on relaxing, knee lift, proper running form and hurdle technique. If you can do these things correctly while moving down the back stretch you dont have to worry about trying to run fast because you are controlling your speed. You should have built up all the speed you will need for the first 200m of this race by the time you clear the first couple hurdles. At worst you may come through the 200m mark a few tenths of a second slower than before but remember...you still have 200m to go! By the way you should still be going over these hurdles with the same lead leg as the first two. Most men try to do 13 in between. Some switch and alternate to do 14 or drop down to 15 and thats too many steps for men but for women, 15 is good. **From the blocks practice going over 3,4 or 5 hurdles working on your step pattern**

**Hurdle 6**

This is where the race starts to get tricky. For those that alternate this is that hurdle that you begin to switch at. Well if you have done what I have said through 1-5 you may be able to clear hurdle 6 with the same leg as you have the first five. Remember you are not pressing at this point. You are relaxing and letting that speed you built up carry you along in this race while doing the proper things listed above in the section "Hurdles 3-4-5" (relaxing, knee lift, proper running form and hurdle technique) **While at practice working out, 3x 6 hurdles at race pace is a good workout to practice your step pattern up to this point.**

**Hurdle 7**

If you are lucky enough to have run the first 6 hurdles with the same leg its about that time we switch. Why? Well there is this thing called "Fatigue" that is starting to set in. You cant fight it, its there...Now this is how you deal with it.

Take a look at the drawing that I have sketched. Notice anything different from the first turn. The green line if you havent guessed by now should be the path you take while running and hurdling. You know I did say to hurdle around the turn with your left leg earlier right? To handle what better? Well that is true but when you have fatigue setting in, you still want to concentrate on relaxing, knee lift, proper running form and hurdle technique. I know people are asking, "Why would you run on the outside of the lane? Why would we..." Hey...hush, listen and learn. I ran this race for 10 years and through a lot of trial and error, I figured out that swinging to the outside of the lane going into hurdle 7 helps you keep your step pattern transition smooth. If this is where you are switching you shoudnt have to worry about chopping steps if you swing outside correctly. The last few steps before you go over this hurdle should be set up steps which will set you up to go over this hurdle so that you land right in the middle of your lane. Remember, we are trying to handle "Centripetal Force" as best we can. So now you are leading with your right leg which should be going over the center of the hurdle which should land in the center of the lane.

**Hurdle 8**

Guess what...your left leg should land on where off of hurdle 7? Thats right closer to the inside of the lane. If this is the case and you still are concentrating on relaxing, knee lift, proper running form and hurdle technique...then you are still alternating and now taking hurdle 8 with your left leg which is keeping you on the inside of the turn sending you to the final stretch. **Set up hurdles 6-7-8 and back up to about the 250 mark on the track. Start out picking up decent speed and focus on clearing the hurdles with the correct legs that you want to clear in your race. Also 2x 8 hurdles at race pace is a great workout as well**

**Hurdle 9-10**

Now, while you are still concentrating on relaxing, knee lift, proper running form and hurdle technique, you should be turning over them legs as best as possible. Once again, fatigue is setting in but at this point even more. Yes it will be difficult to focus on those things because the hurdles are starting to look a little bit higher. This is where being a "hurdler" comes in. *Most 400 hurdlers are not good hurdlers.* Focus on clearing the last two hurdles as best you can with proper technique. Steps are important and messing up on either of these hurdles will make or break your race for sure. If you clear them without any chopping or hitting hurdles you have 40m to the finish. Stay tall, relax and drive to the finish line. **set up hurdles 9-10 and go over to the 300m mark. Run a race pace 300m while clearing the last 2 hurdles. You can also set up 6 through 10, go back to the 250 mark and do that workout. Make sure you are always focusing on your step pattern.**

Of course all this depends on factors like height. Some people might not be able to run that pattern. If not, thats OK. Figure out a step pattern that works for you. Something that is fitting for you that will get you through your first 200m as fast yet comfortable as possible. I see way too many people get out fast and die coming home. Control your race better. If you cant finish strong going out fast, back off the first part of your race some. Figure out how many steps you can take on a regular basis in the race. When you practice run that same pattern. You should know how many steps you are taking from the blocks to the first hurdle and in between each hurdle. Once you figure that out, take those same steps while at practice. Why? Because practice makes perfect or at least close to it. The more familiar you become with your step pattern, the easier the race will become to you.

2011 Daegu Prediction (Revisited)

2011-08-26T11:39:00.001-04:00

OK...I made a few changes due to some last minute insight but for the most part there they are before they start. S/O to www.Letrun.com

2011 Worlds Predictions (Relays)

2011-08-23T09:57:00.002-04:00

Mens 4x100

G - JAM

S - USA

B - TRI

Womens 4x100

G - JAM

S - USA

B - NIG

Mens 4x400

G - USA

S - BAH

B - TRI

Womens 4x400

G - USA

S - JAM

B - RUS

2011 Worlds Predictions (400 hurdles)

2011-08-23T09:43:00.002-04:00

Mens 400H

(refer to earlier post)

Womens 400H

G - Spencer

S - Demus

B - Hejnova

2011 Worlds Predictions (100 & 110 hurdles)

2011-08-23T09:37:00.001-04:00

Mens 110HH

G - Robles

S - Oliver

B - Liu

Womens 100H

G - Pearson

S - Wells

B - Harper

2011 Worlds Predictions (400m)

2011-08-23T09:27:00.002-04:00

Mens 400m

G - James

S - Brown

B - Merritt

Womens 400m

G - Felix

S - Montsho

B - McCorory

2011 Worlds Predictions (200m)

2011-08-23T08:45:00.002-04:00

Mens 200m

G - Bolt

S - Dix

B - Patton

Womens 200m

G - Felix

S - VCB

B - Jetter

2011 Worlds Predictions (100m)

2011-08-23T08:27:00.003-04:00

Mens 100m

G - Asafa

S - Gatlin

B - Bolt

(I think 7 people will go 9.9 and faster in this race)

Womens 100m

G - VCB

S - Meyers

B - Jeter

2011 Daegu Prediction (400 Hurdles)

2011-08-22T14:31:00.003-04:00

Dare I take this dive...

400 Hurdles

I see this event being effected by two things but however neither of those two things makes me believe that we will see a 1-2-3 USA sweep...even with 4 of the best in the world entered into the meet. I have payed a little attention to this race this year and I see a bunch of things happening. Angelo Taylor is getting better and better as the season goes on. LJ Van Zyl having the best year of his life. David Greene, Bershawn Jackson and Javier Culson have been running pretty consistent. I also see Kerron Clement way off the map as well as welcoming Jeshua Anderson to the sub 48 club. What does this drive me to believe? Well as stated before, two things I believe will show in this event. Experience and Youth...thats right a combo of the two will be the deciding factor. I think we will see this happen:

G - Taylor

S - Anderson

B - Culson

G - Anderson

S - Culson

B - Greene

As always...Its nothing personal, just my thoughts and opinion. As always, prove me wrong if you dont like it.

**SIDE NOTE**

Keep an eye on the youngster from Trinidad Jehue Gordon.

More Drug Talk In Track & Field

2011-08-14T09:01:00.004-04:00

M. Rodgers, real talk...even if it was a mistake and it's in your system then it doesn't matter, you're fucked! Very unfortunate it is. I aint writing to say guilty or not but a few things came to mind so here I go...

People always laughed at me for eating so much McDonalds over in Europe...I won some races, had a happy stomach and all clean test. I wonder what Trell Kimmons is thinking right now? Its more likely that the IAAF will not & I repeat WILL NOT make a decision before worlds which means USATF may tell Rodgers not to run. If he does run and they rule him suspended because of this test...whatever he runs in will get DQ'd. 100m & 4x100. USATF aint having it! If & I do mean "IF" it was an "honest mistake", still sucks to be him cause IAAF dont care about "honest mistakes" ...ask Lashawn Merritt.

Here is a thought...Anyone besides me ever notice that when someone gets a failed test that they claim innocence on that they know exactly how it happen though? Hmm

Remember this one..."I have never taken drugs! It must have been that masseuse rubbing stuff on me."

How about this one... "Modafinil?! Ummm...Oh yeah, I was taking that because I have a sleeping disorder."

And my personal favorite... "I failed this test because of this dental medication I was taking." (Its my favorite because it actually worked)

Question...If you know what it is that fast, shouldnt you sons of bitches have known to pay attention before it got in your system? Maybe USADA stopped giving out the little card that has all the legal & prohibited drugs on it when I stopped running...Maybe?

For the record, This alleged masseuse worked on me for years and I never had a failed test nor any allegations about failing anything. If you having trouble sleeping...go buy some Tylenol PM's or some Melatonin. They both legal. Thats what I used. If you tired but thinking about going to the club try one of these...

1. Fuck the club...go to bed.

2. Drink numerous Mountain Dews

The game dont change just the players in it...

2011 USA Championship predictions

2011-06-18T14:00:00.001-04:00

Men's Races

100m

Gay, Rodgers, Gatlin

200m

Dix, Gay, Spearmon

400m

Wariner, Nixon, Neville

110H

Oliver, Trammell, Merritt

400H

Taylor, Jackson, Dutch

Women's Races

100m

Jeter, Myers, E. Gardner

200m

Duncan, Knight, Tarmoh

400m

Felix, McCorory, Dunn

100H

Harper, Wells, Crawford

400H

Demus, Williams, Harrison

You Can Have It Back

2011-05-13T13:17:00.002-04:00

I sat down and thought carefully about what I wanted to write for the past two days and actually just typed out everything that I thought I would want to share but then 1,218 characters later I figured out exactly what I wanted to share this time…and that was absolutely nothing at all.

I figured why share information with so called friends (yes some of you are so called friends) and followers who think that what I might say and type comes from built up anger and just might be fictional bullshit? If they aren’t listening and taking what I am saying for what it is, well then I guess 100% of track and field athletes that have complained what’s so wrong on the professional side of track and field are just that full of shit or maybe content with whats going on. Either way why waste my time?

Why did I even start?

Well…

Here is one thing you might not know about me…

My road to becoming a professional track athlete was nowhere as easy as some. When I made the Olympic team in 2000 I didn’t have my own place…I didn’t have my own car…I didn’t have a phone…I didn’t have a contract from a sponsor. I had my balls and my word. Yet I was 22 years old, a 2 time NCAA All-American who pretty much trained himself while in college and fresh off of a PR of 48.46 at the biggest track meet that year in my country. How did I do all that? I had help from friends and family that believed in me and what it was that I said I could do. And for all those that helped me I am very grateful….They have heard me say it on numerous occasions but again, Thank you!

Making it to where I wanted to go was the results of having people “help me.” If you don’t know me, ask someone that does know me if I am a helpful person. The answer should be a resounding “YES!” The reason that I am the way that I am, is because of how I was able to do the things that I did…with help. I learned because I listened and trusted whether right or wrong. No matter good or bad if I learned from a situation I took it as help for the future.

Maybe some of you who follow me on Twitter or are friends of mine on Facebook think that I am just pissed off or angry but the fact is this…All that I say and have done I thought would be looked at as help. Of course what I say comes off with some anger, aggression and frustration. That is because of my passion for the sport. I personally don’t think anyone has been more passionate then me. (I said personally) I got knocked down plenty of times and each time I got up stronger, more focused and determined ready to go again. Yeah that’s how I feel…

So everything that you saw or heard you should have taken it for what it was…Help. So at this point I figure why help those that don’t want it? Let them be and when their careers are over or coming to an end maybe then they will understand some of the things that me and a few others who stood up taking a stand tried to shed light on. Or maybe some of you will become a world famous star in track and field that will retired at some point then come back to the sport and help improve what’s wrong and make it better like Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson did…Yeah right! LOL

Now when I say that I am done…I mean that. No more comments on who doping, cheating and clowning…I am done giving any and everything where it’s not deserved. I am not the most spiritual person on Earth but I have prayed just one last time for the sport that I grew up loving. I am who I am and I will not stop being the silly fun loving comical fool that I am but no more wasted energy.

Im gone…

My Workout Playlist

2011-02-27T20:49:00.013-05:00

Just for fun I thought I would give some people a look into what I listen to while warming up or working out. 225 songs worth...Enjoy!

Today in James Carter history...

2011-02-27T08:59:00.004-05:00

The 20th year Anniversary of this story...

Myasthenia Gravis - an autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. It is an autoimmune disorder, in which weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the stimulative effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

May 1989

At age 11 I started participating in the sport of track and field for a rec center in Baltimore called Walter P. Carter which was also my elementary school for 2 years. At my first meet I had no idea as to what I was getting into. I showed up with a neon green tank top, some Jam shorts (who remember those) and a pair of Le Coq Sportif tennis shoes on. My first race was the the 100m and got 6th in my heat. I have never liked losing and my coach told me to try the 200m & 400m later in the day. Well I ended up winning both those races and I feeling better about my first meet. My coach looked at my mom and was speechless. All he could do was shake his head and smile. He had always told me and my mom that I was talented but at age 11 I wasn't really paying attention to all that...I was just having fun. I ended up making the city wide traveling team that summer and for the first time got a chance to compete with kids from different parts of the country. I made new friends, got to see other parts of the country, had my first girlfriend and first date (going to the movies to watch Batman and holding hands) but ended the summer at the last meet (The Youth Games) with a pulled hamstring. I was unable to do anything fun for about a month and I was miserable. Once I healed up, I was happy and ready to go play as much as possible!!!

Apr 1990

I noticed that something was wrong when trying to be active. I was getting tired more often and had to rest more. There were times that I would feel my legs get weak and had to sit down for a few minutes just to make it down the block. Things would get really bad as time went on though. I had an eye lid that at times would only be halfway open, I would drop to one knee when walking, sit down when going down steps...I had no clue what was going on. A lot of stuff I never shared with my mom until my aunt noticed. She spoke to my mom about it and my mom then started paying attention. I remember one night she made dinner and I was at the table so weak that I couldnt chew my food. I literally had to push my jaw up with my arm to attempt to eat my food. Once she saw that she helped me get dressed and took me to the hospital and told them to find out what was wrong. Test after test and thought after thought, I had doctors baffled. They had no idea what was going on. Felt like forever before they figured it out and when they did figured it out it was January of 1991.

The doctor sat down with me and my mom and told us that I had a tumor which was causing all of my problems. Surgery was an option but not 100%. Most people that had the surgery were fine after but a small number of people would still have issues. I may have been 12 & about to turn 13 years old at the time but it was simple for me.

Surgery = Back to normal

I asked the doctor how fast could we get it done. They set a date and I said OK.

February 26, 1991

I went to the hospital to prepare for surgery the next day. They told me that at 12:00am the next day (February 27th) I couldn't eat anything else until after the surgery but even after I would probably be throwing up anything I ate after. My mom and dad asked if I had any request and I swear I ate so much junk and unnecessary food that day LOL! I had some twister donuts in a bag on the side of my bed but I fell asleep watching TV and woke up at 2am and was mad but I went back to sleep. The next day I remember them putting me on the table and rolling me to the surgery room. Once inside the doctor was laughing and joking with me as to make me feel a little more comfortable. He told me, "OK we are going to put this mask over your face and the gas will put you to sleep. I want you to count to 5." I laughed at him and in my own 12 year old ignorant mind said, "Its going to take more then that to put me to sleep but OK...1.......2......ZZZZzzz

I wake up and feel like a damn zombie. I had blurry vision, a spinning head and slowly getting more and more pissed at how sore my damn chest was. I had an IV in my arm, machines hook up all over me...and I stayed this way for about a week in the hospital. I was trying to eat but I would throw everything up. I couldn't even eat ice chips without throwing up. My mom had to wash me up in the bed everyday cause I refused to let the nurses in there see me naked LOL! I had my walkman in the hospital with me and one tape that I listened to and memorized from start to finish and I still know the words to date...EPMD - Business as Usual

After a week I was able to go home but not to school. I had to stay home for almost a month. Once I got over all the being sore stuff I noticed that I was feeling pretty normal. Wasn't weak, could move and do as I pleased, just my chest was sore from being cut on. I went back to school and finished up the rest of the year and they passed me to the 8th grade but my mom told them that I missed so much time that she thought I should stay back in the 7th grade again. I looked at her like she was crazy as hell...Stay back in the same grade? Oh no, I looked for any other option then that. So the people at my middle school (Winston Middle School) told her that they would keep me in the 7th grade class but give me 8th grade work and if after the first 1/4 of the year if I kept up I would be officially an 8th grader. Please believe I worked my ass off to not be in the 7th grade again and was an 8th grader when the time came.

I had check ups almost every month after my surgery and my question to my doctor was always the same..."When can I do whatever I want to do physically again?" He told me not yet almost every time until that one day in 1992 when he said, "You are in remission now." I looked at him like, "Huh, what that mean?" I was almost 14 I had no clue as to what that meant but when he broke it down into laymen terms I was think, "Why didn't you just say that?!" I went back to my rec center and my coach was happy to see me. I started running and training again but I noticed something again...I was faster! Now it may have been that I got older and you get better as you get older sometimes but I went from fast to held back to struggling to holy shit Im faster then everybody at my rec center now! Then I showed up at my summer track teams meet and ran and they all were like, "Well damn where you been?!" I was back to traveling and competing again never looking back. I stayed at it from that point on and here I am today with all my athletic achievements from age group nation champ to one of the best ever 400 hurdlers ever in the world. Take that Gail Devers ha ha ha, OK Im just kidding LOL!

My 2011 Milrose Picks

2011-01-28T08:45:00.004-05:00

I feel like since I always talk about what I know about track and field that I should throw out a few predictions, so here we go...

Visa Mens 60m - Nester Carter

Visa Womens 60m - Veronica Cambell-Brown

**Thats right! Jamaica is not finish kicking the US ass just yet**

Mel Sheppard 600yd - If K. Williams can get to the front early I think he can hold everyone else off. If not, R. Quow wins on a late kick.

Howard Schmertz 400 - Natasha Hastings all the way or Angee Henry with an upset.

Wanamaker Mile - Lagat with his 1 millionth win in a row LOL

Fred Lebow 1500m - Sara Hall in a close finish

60m Hurdles - Queen Harrison is about to start her dominance

Multi Challenge - Ashton Eaton

Visa Shot Put - Reese Hoffa

**NYRR 2 Mile & Schmertz Pole Vault - I dont care about LMAO!**

Happy B-Day to the Greatest

2011-01-17T10:21:00.002-05:00

Today is also the day the the greatest to ever step into a boxing ring was born. Muhammad Ali

Every time his name is mentioned I think back to all the fights that I watched of him, all the trash talking he did, all the obstacles that he had to over come & then I think about when I went to the Olympic games in 2000 and he walked in the dining hall & I didnt have my camera. I got a picture with Vince Carter, Venus, Serena but missed out on Ali...Damn. I still have the memory in my head of actually seeing him in person though & thats good enough for me. Anyway, hope you all dont forget to celebrate his life today as well.

M.L.K.

2011-01-17T10:13:00.002-05:00

Today we celebrate the life of the great Martin Luther King Jr. If you dont know you need read a book, youtube, google or something. If there are any parents out there who have kids that do not know who he is and what he meant in black history, it is safe to say you arent being a very good parent.

My top 6 favorite races I participated in:

2011-01-05T17:41:00.005-05:00

#6 -USATF Age Group Nationals 4x400 1996 Houston TX

This race was and has always been one of my favorites for years for a few reasons. My team was was real good but our lead off leg had a strained hamstring. Usually he would have run 47 lead off but all he had to give us on this day was 50. That pretty much put us out the race. We did have a 48 and 47 to follow him though. I was running 45-46 splits all year and just happen to lay down a 45 again for my last race of the summer. The thing that stood out to me the most is that looking back...that race had some outstanding athletes and some later became great on the college and pro level. Before the race the hype was Obea Moore who was then and still now a legend in T&F and his team LA Jets. They had a damn good team but the race begun when Dwight Philips who was then a 400m runner was running for East Atlanta on 2nd leg. From the 3 turn break the, at that point I dont think I had heard a crowd that loud EVER! He put down an amazing leg on 2nd and gave his team the lead. 3rd leg went around and I was about to get the stick. I watched Angelo Taylor take the stick first...Then Obea after him...The Brandon Couts who was running for I believe Wings out of Texas...then 3 others and then finally me. I was in 7th place running and trying to watch the race at the same time. Angelo has a couple meters on Obea & the whole stadium you can hear chanting Obea's name. In my own ignorance I was thinking that Obea would catch him as well. I had no idea who Angelo was or what he was capable of doing at that point. East Atlanta ran 3:06 with Angelo running a 44 on anchor with Obea chasing also running 44. Couts team was 3rd. My team finished 4th but thats because I realized I had to stop watching the race and try to catch the 3 people in front of me which I did...LMAO! An unconscious 45 split.

#5 - Olympic trials 2000

My first Olympic team...How could this not be a favorite. I had never run 48 seconds before and leading up to this meet I had run 4 races prior to and they were 49.11, 49.09, 49.07, 49.03. I was getting frustrated as hell! A good friend of mine told me to keep pushing and it will come when the time is right. After the first round, I ran 49 and I was mad that I got 2nd in my heat and ran sloppy as hell. My coach at the time told me that I should go see the chiropractor there. I had never seen one before. All I knew was, "put some ice on it." I go see Dr. Rich and he ask how I am doing and all. He then ask me when was the last time I saw a chiro...I said never. He looked at me like what?! I told him what I ran and what I was trying to do and he laughed, then told me to lay down on the table. he popped my neck, back, checked my legs and then as he helped me up off the table he said, "Now you ready to go PR tomorrow." I laughed and said, "I hope so." He knew more then me cause when I got to the track the next day and ran my semi race that is what I did. I kept telling myself to run my race, dont think about time and place in the top 4 to make the final. I came off the last hurdle beside Joey Woody and took 2nd. First thought was, "Yes I made the final." Eric Thomas and Angelo Taylor were at the finish and both were saying look at your time! I looked up and saw 48.86...I said, "OH SHIT!" I grabbed my clothes, threw them on so fast, jumped on the bus to go back to the hotel and ran down to where Dr. Rich was. Told him I finally ran 48 and he looked at me like, "yeah I knew you would." I told him do exactly what he did yesterday LMAO! He adjusted me again and I walked back upstairs and ran into Brian Lewis. He congratulated me on my race and making the final. Told me I should take an ice bath. I was like a what?! All I had in my room was a shower so he let me come to his room and use his tub. He and my coach filled it with water and ice and I looked at them like they were out of they damn mind. "Sit in what for how long?!" However at that point I was listening to what people that were at a point that I wanted to get to were saying. Took the ice bath and went to my room, ate a sandwich and went to sleep. Got up the next morning and watch my race from the day before. Talked it over with my coach and got my game plan. Walking back to the hotel I see Angelo and he asked, "So how you feeling?" I said, "Im a little tired but OK I guess." He then said something to me that I dont think he understands probably made me realize that I was making that team once he said it. He looked at me and said, "Everbody is tired." I thought to myself..."He right. Everybody had to run so they must be feeling like me." I got on that track and all I could think about was beating 5 other people at least. I got out good, or so I thought I did cause I went over the first hurdle with the wrong lead leg. Damn it I said. Right after that I said, "Too late to fix it keep going." I ran the whole race going over each hurdle with the wrong lead leg. Came off of hurdle 9 with Angelo in the lead, Eric Thomas in 2nd and me and Joey Woody close for 3rd. I remember saying to myself, "Oh hell no!" and I picked it up over 10 separating a little and crossing the line in 3rd place with another PR of 48.46.

#4 - World Championships 2005

This race had so much leading into it. For me it started in 2004 at the Olympic games. A huge misunderstanding turned into motivation for me. The famous words of Felix Sanchez when asked about his bracelet that he wore for 4 years, "James Carter can have it." Prior to hearing those words I was ready to leave, go home and leave track alone. 2 times placing 4th in the games...I felt like doing something else. Woke up the next morning and saw the internet blowing up from what he said and I was furious. I vowed then that the next time I stepped on the track with him I was kicking his ass and making him eat those words. Prefontaine meet came around in 2005 and I felt this was my chance to get what I called my revenge. Felix pulls out of the meet with an injury. I was pissed. Me and Bershawn Jackson ran down to the wire both running 47.9 with me losing by.04 in that race. One reporter asked me after the race what I thought about Felix not running and I said, "He scared to race us right now. He know he will lose if he races us right now." I meant every word of that too. So before I went to Europe I get a Yahoo IM message from Felix about what I said. We had a few words on there and he assured me that he was not scared to race but really injured. I made it clear I was ready for whatever he was bringing and that I was going to beat him. So now I am at the World Championships and I run the first round and I go through easy enough. I watched Felix run and he seemed just fine. I was happy because I knew if nothing else I would see him in the finals. There was a 3 heat semi final and I knew they wouldnt put us 3 americans in the same heat so I knew we would get one a piece. I sat back and said, "I wonder if Felix will be in my semi?" I saw the heat sheets right before I went to bed and what do you know...James Carter & Felix Sanchez in the same semi. I didnt care about the final round at that point. I said to myself, "He will not cross that line before me." Got on the track, the gun goes off and so did I. I made up ground on him and everyone else early. Came off the 9th and 10th hurdle in the lead with Bayano Kamani in 2nd and Felix 3rd. I turned and looked at Felix coming off the 10 hurdle and jogged into the finish. I crossed the line and kept jogging all the way to where the press was. Lewis Johnson looked at me with that, "You know you wrong" look but laughing. Then he says, "So James Carter...47.7 in the semi you got to be feeling great. Tell me about the race?" I said, "Huh, what?! 47.7?!" I had not idea I was going that fast but all I knew was on that day I was going to do what I had waited almost a year to do. Two days later we had the final. It starts pouring down raining. I mean rain like I have never been in ever in my life! Kept telling myself just stay focused on why you here. Make it to that podium. The rain stopped just enough for me to get half a warm up in. I got on the track to run and the rain came down even harder. I said then, "Everyone has to run and its rain in all 8 lanes." As I made my way around the track I felt myself wanting to just pick it up and go but I had to hold back so that I didnt make the same mistake I did a year before. (Go out to fast) Down to the line again with Bershawn just edged out getting 2nd with a new PR of 47.43

#3 - Olympic Trials 2004

They year before I had a knee injury which kept me off the US world team...Not to mention later finding out that Eric Thomas was involved in some Balco nonsense. But I got my knee together and had one hell of a fall season. I ran cross country and laid down a 4:52 mile as well in the fall. I was strong as hell and I knew it. I was going to make my second Olympic team but this time around I was going to be a factor. running 21.0 and 46 indoors all off of my fall training strength, I knew all I had to do was stay healthy. A week or so before the trials my coach had me do a workout on the track with Rickey Harris and Jerome Mathis. We had to run an all out 500m. I went thru the 400m at 47 and kept going to a 60.0 for that run. I was just building confidence! I however had it out with my coach at that time about how I should run my race. I wanted to run the first 5 hurdles easy and finish strong. He wanted me to get out fast, rest in the middle and then finish as fast as I could holding on. I said to hell with it and ran the way I wanted to run. The first round went easy and the second round was a little tested with Bennie Brazell running me to the line. I wanted to win my heat no matter what to make sure I was in one of the preferred lanes. I got lane 6 with Brazell, Angelo Taylor and Bershawn Jackson behind me. DAMN IT! I said. All of them behind me I know they going to run off me. I said to myself that I had to stay within myself. When that race started I felt Angelo slowly creeping up on me in lane 5. I kept at my pace and by the 6th hurdle I was in 3rd. I was still waiting. After I landed off of hurdle 8 I said OK Im in 4th its time to move. Every step I took I felt the people in front coming back and me building speed. I went over hurdle 9 and I was in 3rd. I went over hurdle 10 and was a step or two in the lead and all I could think was get to the f---ing finish!!! I pounded my chest and then when I saw my 47.68 on the screen pumped a fist. World leader, first Olympic trials victory, 2nd US championship and a plane ticket to Greece for my 2nd Olympics.

#2 - USA Championships 2007

At the end of 2006 I had this conversation with my then manager. "What you mean its too early to talk about getting me a new contract with Nike? Its October...WTF?!" Soon after that I fired him and hired a new one. I had another injury season but was still doing enough to be ranked 8th in the world and 3rd in the USA. Nike indeed didnt want to resign me because they thought I was getting old. 29 years old is getting old? Really? I said, "OK...Im going to show you what old is." I trained my ass off and told my manger that I wanted a new contract that was better then the ones I had previously. He told me that he agreed thats what I should have. I was pissed and said hell with Nike. I was ready to run for someone else if I had to. I ran a few good races prior to the nationals that year including the Reebok INV in New York where I beat damn near everyone in the USA that year that would be at the nationals. Nike sent my manager an offer about 2 weeks before the nationals for 10K that would go to 30K if I made the national team. Before I could say anything he told me "I already told them no." I said, "OK cause thats some bulls--t!" They wouldnt budge and he told me that later on. There was decent money for bonuses but I wanted a better base. I knew that I could make the team but 30K...Kiss my a--! I asked my manager at the nationals before I ran "What would happen if I went out here and ran a world leading time winning this meet?" He said, "You would probably be able to call your own shot with your contract." I said "OK well thats what I am going to do then and make them pay me." He made it clear that if anything went wrong that I would pretty much be assed out but I was willing to take that chance. After the first two rounds and drawing lane 8 twice I got pissed and called some people and asked why in the hell I was in lane 8 twice?! I guess they got the message cause I got lane 5 in the final LMAO! My biggest competition in that race was Kerron Clement. I figured him out that year. Pressure him by hurdle 7. If he chops his steps...you got him, simple. Thats exactly what happen. I pulled up on him at 7 and kept going. He chopped the last hurdle and tried to close but I crossed the line first with a world leading time. And about a month later Nike got the contract right...well almost but it was way better then some freaking 10K

#1 - Lasaunne, Switz 2007

Couldnt believe it was the middle of summer and the temp. for race day was going to be like 40 degrees. This race had all the top runners in the event at this meet. I get to the track and I am setting my blocks. I thought I heard someone calling my name but wasnt sure. By the time I took off my sweats and stood behind my blocks I heard my name again. I had on sunglasses and I just looked over without turning my head and saw this girl holding up a sign that said "Go James Carter" on it. That was the first time that I had ever saw that and I wanted to win that race just because of that and thats what I did. It was a close one however because Kerron Clement closed on me at the line. When I saw that I won I went over to the young lady that had the sign, took it from her, turned around and took a picture while she hugged me. Thats also my favorite track pic ever too. As many things I have done in my life with running fast times, many countries, races, faces...that was the first and only time that happened and I still love it today

Know How Important You Are...

2010-12-03T08:05:00.002-05:00

This blog is going out to a very select few that do not know what "I'm taking some me time for a few days" means. When post on facebook and twitter that I will be unavailable, it doesnt mean for all kinds of people that I dont talk to on a regular basis to start sending me messages asking me what I am doing, where I am going, who I am with...That aint none of your damn business.

Know your role & position. I take that back, know how important you are to me; which probably aint important at all. Now I dont mind people asking if everything is ok and if something is wrong; that I can deal with. However its the nosey asses that want to be up in your business when they think there is something juicy going on so that they can talk about it and spread the word. Also the people that think they can send a message and I will answer just cause they think they special...you're not.

I talked to my mom once in the last two days and that was for less then 5 mins. She asked how I was doing and was I getting rest. I said yes and that was pretty much the end of the conversation. She knew what the deal was and that is by far the only and I mean "ONLY" person that I even would have thought about answering the phone for if she called. Anyone else that I answered I just felt like talking to you, no problem there. Facebook & Twitter messages...all that slick gossip seeking nonsense trying to act like something is more then what it is, save that.

"Know you role and shut your mouth!" -The Rock

"So what" ...goes a long way

2010-11-26T10:45:00.005-05:00

I sat and had a few thoughts after talking to a friend of mine about similar situations that we had. He told me he was interested in a young lady but she didnt like the fact that he traveled for work so much. She said she needed someone that had more time to spend with her and explore life. His reply was, "Well when I do have free time I can do whatever but at least I am doing something with my life which is more then some people."

I asked if she knew what he did for a living. He told me he lied about his job and all he told her was that he travels for work. He didnt want her to know he was a pro track athlete because he felt she would judge him based on the whole "being an athlete thing." I agreed with him but hell she still judged him anyway when all he wanted from her was to like him for him and not his status or what he did for a living. I mean its a lot of people out here that dont know how to simply say "So what."

I then expressed to him that there was a young lady that I had a crush on for a while but realized early on that it was going no further then us as just friends. There may have been a slim chance if certain things were different but I pretty much knew what the deal was. Now everyone that knows me knows that I flirt from time to time...it is what it is but nothing more. So I told him about a conversation I had with this one young lady and told him that in the mist of me flirting she came out and basically told me I would never get with her like that. I was prepared for that and laughed it off as I always did.

However, I guess on this day she felt like she wanted to tell me how she really felt. Told me that we would never be because of my life prior to meeting her...baby mom and kids, why she felt she would never be number one in my life because of that and how I express myself verbally. Now I am one for honesty but I was like, "well damn, say it with your chest why dont you? I then thought, "so because I actually loved someone and wanted to spend my life with an individual, I get that? Wow...like I have no balance and time management skills." Why dont people just say "So what?"

So we both ask the same question..."So she basically told you how you would treat her huh?" ...and then we laughed a very healthy laugh. I said, if thats her outlook on me then thank you very much, now I know. I didnt even get mad. I was more disappointed that someone that I thought highly about even looked at me in that light. I started to think about what I said "So what" to about with her and all I could do was shake my head. I have seen this too many times. Men do the same thing as well. Dont think this is woman bashing. I know plenty of men that see a woman that has her own and get intimidated thinking they cant keep up when all that woman really wants is for a man to just play his role and treat her right.

Ladies & Gents...No one on Earth is perfect by no means. We all have our faults of course but to judge people before you even give that person a chance to show and prove is quite shallow of any man or woman. Learn to say "So what" sometimes. You never know you may find.

SIDE NOTE: My job had people out for the thanksgiving holiday and I said I would work 12 straight days. People looking at me like "You going to be tired as hell?" I said, "So what?" I did it just cause. Missed going home to see my family and getting some of that good home cooking. I briefly shared that with a young lady at my job and out of nowhere she said she would bring me a plate of food from home when she comes in. How thoughtful she was and how appreciative I am for something so simple. Found out that not only is she smart, a hard worker and attractive...but she's kind, nice and a pretty good cook as well. A good catch for someone indeed but guess what? I found all that out because I said "So what"

Marion...You are not a victim

2010-11-16T20:16:00.010-05:00

SEPT 2000
As I sat on the practice track in Sydney Australia waiting for the women's 4x100 team to finish working on hand offs, I sit and think to myself, "Wow I am amongst a hell of a lot of people that I admire." One of those people was Marion Jones. From my freshman year in college to about 30 minutes after I had this thought I thought she was a Goddess! Attractive in her own right, marketable, talented and without a doubt to me one of the best athletes in any arena all time.

Now I had this thought like I said 30 minutes prior to all that changing or at least coming into question. I saw the relay team finishing up so I began to prepare myself for my workout. I cut off my CD player which had the Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP in it and switched to my special "warm up" CD that had all my favorite songs at the time on it. I get up jog 3 laps on the grass and then back to where my stuff and most of the other athletes stuff was next to the pole vault mats to get a drink of water and start to stretch.

As I am beginning to stretch Marion walks over with her things along with a chaperon from drug testing. I had my head phones on my head but not on my ears so I could hear the music but also my surroundings. As I am stretching I hear the drug tester ask Marion for her information to fill out the forms. Address, phone number, ID the usual things that they ask. What made me do a double take is when she asked Marion "So do you want to declare any supplements, vitamins or medication?" Marion replied, "No...Nothing at all."

Now I was fresh on the scene so I thought you had to tell them everything so I looked up like, "What...did she just say nothing? Not even a multi-vitamin or protein shake?" Pretty immature thoughts at that time because I didnt know that you did not have to tell them everything but at least medication if nothing else.

Fast forward...

NOV 2000
I get home in November and I am talking to a friend of mine that was the head of a college biology dept. and I am talking with him about everything. I just happen to bring up that story. He looked at me and said, "Man Marion Jones on using some next level shit. I can look at her and tell she is on some super shit." I said, "Wait, you can tell that by looking at her?" He replied, "Yeah its easy if you know what to look for." He then told me that he watched the games and then named everyone that he thought was using PED's and guess what...Everyone he named later on got busted for drugs. Imagine that...

Fast forward again...

SEPT 2002
I am sitting in the stands at the grand prix finals and the men's 100m is about to go off. I am sitting next to Michelle Collins and talking about nothing really important. The gun goes off and Tim Montgomery gets a hell of a start and crosses the line in a new WR 9.78. Now I am like "Oh shit, he did it!" I have known Tim for a few years. He ran for Norfolk state and I ran for HU...Not at the same time but thats how I knew him. I however met him through my coach at the time and he was from day one a cool down to earth dude. I had mad respect for him. I was happy for him. In the middle of my excitement and his victory lap Michelle asked me what I though about the race and if I thought it was legit. I replied, "Hell yeah with a damn near perfect start of like .107 and a perfect wind of 2.0. She looked at me with the what I call now the "wow he really believed it" look.

A few minutes later I am walking around the stadium and she mentions a few people names and that she was going to ask them where they get there supplements from. At that time mainly the 400m female from Mexico. Not even 10 minutes later I run into coach George Williams who heard Michelle talking and when I mentioned it he replied, "I already know who the guy is they getting stuff from." (all while laughing, shaking his head and looking disgusted)

All this made sense to me later on but I look back now and just go wow! All this was in my face and I never paid serious attention to it.

Fast Forward once again...

APR 2003
At Penn relays. I am there to run the 4x400 and I put my stuff down in my hotel room and I go back to the lobby to kick it with everyone I hadn't seen in a few months. I roll up on a good friend of mine Kelli White at that and the first thing that I think to myself was, "Damn Kelli done got thick in all the right place my God!" Now I am a little more knowledgeable of what may be going on in the sport now so I pulled her to the side and asked her straight up, "What the hell you been doing?" She looked at me smiling and said, "What are you talking about? I ain't been doing nothing." I knew better cause I always "liked" her but never, well you know...but lets just say knew enough about her body to know that it had changed.

Forward...

AUG 2003
I am sitting at home nursing a knee injury and watching the world championships I see that Kelli White failed a drug test. I jumped up and went, I fucking knew it!" but not happy that I knew though. So then it hits me..."Its some next level shit going on like my friend told me for real!" In my own arrogance I say to myself, "I'm going to get this knee right and train my ass off cause I dont care who is on what...I'm going to kick they ass."

...Rewind

AUG 2002
I am fresh off a PR in Zurich of 47.57...First time I ever cracked 48 seconds and I am happy as hell. I trained my ass off during the break while the European Championships were going on and it paid off. However I was tired as all to be damned. I leave Zurich and go to Glasgow for a US/GBR type of dual meet and I walk in the hotel and I run into Angelo Taylor who I have been racing since I was 18 years old. He congratulates me on my race and then ask me how the race felt. "I told him it felt no different then any other 48 low race." He then asked me how I felt now? I said, "Like shit!" all while laughing. He then says, "Ok now tell me your boy doing that shit every weekend?" Still dumbfounded I go man I dont know shoulders raised and everything.

5 Days later...
Im in London and after getting massages everyday since, very little practice (if I did it was very easy) and being named athlete of the week by USATF I am starting to feel pretty damn good again. I get that feeling like I am ready to roll out again.

The Next Day...
I am running the 400 hurdles. Me and Felix Sanchez are in the race and we run neck and neck to the finish line. 48.08 & 48.09 Him first & me second. I instantly thought, man someone check the photo on the finish. I wanted that win so bad cause it was 20G's for first place and 12G's for second place. Not to mention I was that close to beating the guy that was the best in the world. After the race I am sitting down and watching the rest of the meet and Felix is about to run the flat 400m. It was about 2 hours of a break so it was enough time to recover at least I thought. He races one of the Harrison twins Michael Blackwood & Leonard Byrd and beats them all with a 45.1 for the win. Now as I am watching this standing next to Chryste Gaines and she looks at me and says, "You better tell your boy to chill out." I said, "Huh, what you mean?" She goes, "Your boy is telling on himself. They going to get him." And then she walks off...

So when Marion Jones name came up with drug allegations I was by no means surprised. I was like well I guess its all coming out now. I cant lie I was on the internet everyday looking to see who was next to this list of drug cheats.

Skipping along...

NOV 2004
I made a move from VA to NC to train with Antonio Pettigrew because I felt my career needed a change. I was just finishing up a workout and me and him were talking as we always did. I later learned that he talked to me through out practice to test my recovery. So on this day we got to talking about Marion because she was in the news again and I asked him if he thought she did it and he replied, "Man hell yeah! Marion knew what she was doing. They all knew." Now this wasn't the first convo of this type that we had because we had quite a few but I thought to myself damn he knows a lot of whats going on...or does he? Well in 2008 I got my answer. Unlike most of these people though when he got caught up he straight up told me..."I did it, I was wrong and I have nothing else to hide now. I'm moving on."

It was at that point that I just knew that everything that he had told me in relation to drugs and the sport were true. I'm talking from NOV 04 - My last race in JUN of 2009 we had a good amount of convos about this stuff.

Now back to Marion...
Why is it so hard for her to just say "I did it and I was wrong?" Mater fact Antonio said he started in 1997 with the PED's. Wasn't that the same year that Marion burst on the scene as the new world champion and worlds fastest woman? Didn't she run her fastest ever time the next year of 10.6 in 98? Yet she says that she was "given" these PED's in 2000 and didn't know what they were...BULLSHIT! Not to mention she came back for a few months in 2006 and ran a few 11 lows looking like the Marion of old with yet another drug allegation. I believe it was Marion that sat down at the dinner table with me in Italy and asked, "Hey James, how is Grew doing?" He knew a hell of a lot about her and when she asked how he was doing it all made sense that what he was saying some how without a doubt all made sense.

Presently...
I have now seen Marion Jones on TV twice in the past month telling a portion of her life story and making herself look like a victim. What?! Someone key Ed Lover..."C'Mon Son!" I know you have a degree in journalism so you know exactly what to do in the media. You can sell it but I aint buying. And Marion you are not a victim by no stretch of the imagination! Some of the people you raced and beat...those are the victims. The meet promoters who were paying you around 80G's a race...those are the victims. The fans that believed in you like my sister that got your autograph at Penn relays one year because she believed you were just so awesome, yeah those are victims. Me and a bunch of other hard working natural athletes are victims to people like you in the T&F world but you, get the hell out of here!

What you are is a drug cheat that made millions, got caught and now you on the verge of making money again with a book that I am sure is full of more shit then a dirty diaper. What you should be doing is telling the entire truth to everyone you speaking to and writing it in that book. So lets take a look at her story very carefully and ask yourself...Who wouldnt cheat if they had a chance to live the life she living? She cheated through her career, fell from glory and is now getting paid to talk about it but not tell the truth about it? Not to mention she still world famous and loved by many. Is this the message that we want our youth to be taught?

What Would You Like To Hear From Me?

2010-11-05T14:30:00.001-04:00

I'm going to start and blog about some interesting things. Catch is I want input from everyone but me on what to talk about. Ask me anything from current events, personal (but not too personal) sports, music, politics and whatever else you might think about. In a week or so after I get a decent amount of responses I will start either with a simple blog, podcast and maybe even a video blog. Send me your thoughts.

thelifeofjcarter@gmail.com

Just How Much Can You Hate Me?

2010-09-15T10:14:00.003-04:00

Seems as though people in certain countries didnt take kindly to my comments about Usain Bolt. Well let me make this clear...I dont really give a rats ass about him or anyone else in the sport and the decisions that they make. I find it hilarious though. Throughout my career, there was only one person that I gave a damn about when it came time to compete and that was me! That is the only person that I knew that I could control 100%. I can wake up and go to bed knowing that I never EVER have to worry about someone coming to me years later and saying I cheated the sport that I gave 10 years as a professional. Love me or hate me I did everything in my career the correct way with integrity and honesty. But here is a question that most people dont realize never gets an answer: Why is PED use looked at now as OK? So when I was speaking on the possibilities of what could be, I never meant to piss off anyone. I was just speaking what I felt and know to be true. The 100m is the only race on the track that everyone wants to see. So when I spoke about PED's, I spoke on the race that is most paid attention to.

However...since people seem to have got a little upset, allow me to give you a reason to really get pissed, OK?

There are plenty of sprinters in my country (USA) that have been dirty or I am sure they were at some point in their career. Two out of the last four people from the USA that have run 9.7 something have been found to be using PED's. Not to mention they were both with the same coach. So it seemed at that point 9.7 was a goal of many people. Breaking the WR was what most people aimed for but seemed to fall short of because of not having the talent to get there or using and hiding PED's to help get you there. Now all of a sudden in less then 5 years since the last person tried and got caught there have been 4 people to run faster then the WR at that time and I am suppose to believe that all of them are legit? (1 person from the USA & 3 people from JAM)

Get the hell out of here!

Is my homework correct so far?

I want people to forget who I am for a second...Act like you dont know anything about me and that I just posted this and you read it with an open mind. There is no way in hell you can read this and go "He is not making any sense at all."

Go ahead and tell me I am just saying all this because I didnt do better with my career. Is that the best you can do? I havent even talked about my event yet. Oh I am just getting started. To be honest, I know for a "FACT" that every time someone beat me at a major championship and I placed 4th, that there was someone in front of me that was using PED's. Yes thats right, I said it. If the shoe fits, wear it! If anyone doesnt like what I say about PED use in T&F, slap me in my mouth when you see me. Stop hiding behind message board with no real proof as to who you are. You are about as tough as the white people that call me a nigger when I play xbox online. My frustration comes from the hate I have from these punk ass athletes and coaches who cheat the talented hard working people out of what they could have had in this sport.

And here is a special shot out to all the people that I have sat and talked with about PED, who is doing what, how much you dont like them and who they suspect but yet they go back shaking hands, taking pictues and kissing ass. Yall just as bad as they are for being fake as hell. The crazy thing is, the sport needs PED's for it to stay alive and keep making money. And the reason is because at some point someone said it was OK to let one person have what is called a "green light" to do what they wanted. After that and seeing the results, now a bunch of people have that light to go ahead and just excite the T&F world. However you better not over do it.

Ever wonder why more and more athletes are starting to look at the clock when they running a race now? Are they just that excited about what they running to look at the clock 20m out from the finish line? Dont know about anyone else but I have seen plenty of people slow down a bit before they get to that line. ASAFA vs. GATLIN @ Prefontaine (anyone remember that) Hmmm what was that about? I actually told a friend of mine to stop doing that because of how it looked. Not that I think that of this person but just saying...

Let me get to my point...

T&F is no longer a sport. It is an entertainment business just like the WWE. Some people are hand picked to be stars. Some coaches are in good with people high up and can do what they want and know what not to do. Some managers/agents know exactly whats going on but all they want is their 15-20% of the earnings. Last but not least...These shoe companies know whats going on too and it is for that reason why someone that is ranked #1 can get $500,000 a year and #2 in the world will get $50,000 a year. Big difference huh?

Think about this too...Michael Jordan said it wasnt the shoes, it was his hard work. Well if that is true, why have most athletes that have been caught on drugs wearing Nike spikes? Why are most coaches that are coaching these dirty athletes getting a Nike pay check as well? I cant really speak on any other company but I am sure its not too much different. Why is there a new doctor coming out that has some type of suspicious acts going on with athletes? I heard about Dr. Galea and what he was doing a month before worlds in 2009. Knew his entire operation and everything.

Also found out who Conte was back in 2003 when Remi ha da talk with my coach at the time and asked me if I wanted to use him as a vitamin source. Claiming that Conte had "more potent" vitamins. I replied with a no thank you I will stick with GNC and Vitamin shop. When I joked about running the 100m a while back I had a coach tell me he was good at turning 400m runners into 100m runners. I turned my head to all these things and found a new coach at a point in my career when I needed a fresh start. So yes Antonio Pettigrew was my coach and if anyone ever says I said anything negative about him you's a damn lie! I have much respect for what he helped me do in reaching an awards stand at a major championship in 2005. He never ever EVER spoke to me about PED use. He knew how I felt from day one about it. To find out later on that he went that route hurt me because I never thought he would have but at the end of the day what did that have to do with me? What he did with his career was just that, his career. I controlled me from the first time you saw me shock the world at the Olympic trials in 2000 until I said "I am tired of racing drugs."

Instead of hating me and claiming I dont know what I am talking about you would be better off paying attention to what I'm saying. I keep saying I need a reality show but my show might be too much of what it should be and that is REAL. Seems as though fake is the new real these days...

"I'm lazy... but I will run 100m in 9.4seconds"

2010-09-12T08:07:00.004-04:00

Now if there had ever been a more RIDICULOUS quote for someone to allow to come out of their mouth...this was it!

Come on Usain Bolt. No one on Earth believes that you would ever be lazy. I mean yeah maybe off the track during vacation time but while you are working on being the fastest to ever do it, not possible!

OK let me take that back it is possible with performance enhancing drugs but Bolt is a clean athlete right? I mean its not like he has run fast and been caught doping. He hasnt failed a drug test that I have heard of. Yet then again...most of the people in the Balco scandal never failed a test. Matter fact I know personally that some of the people involved got off and names never came up.

Everyone thats a fan of track and field that I meet loves him. First track and field athlete that I have seen that needs security. I mean I have been around some of the best to ever do it and they never needed body guards yet this guy has that and more. This guy walking around looking like the president damn near. Women are throwing they panties all on the track when he trying to run causing all kinds of false starts.......OK I am joking about that one :) LMAO!

Let me just say that 9.4 seconds in the 100m is just damn crazy. When I saw 9.78 by Tim Montgomery I thought that time was legit because of everything that happen. The weather was great, he had a .10 and some change start and the wind was exactly +2.0 on the wind gauge. I thought it was legit. Found out it was not and what was going on, damn. So now when I watch T&F I watch with a different perspective. I remember history and what I have seen. Then I look at whats going on currently. I have always said that history will tell on you. The track game will never change just the players in it. (Doesnt Carmelita Jeter almost look like Chryste Gaines)

So right now we have Usain Bolt as the worlds fastest man. I just dont see how he can run so fast. I am not accusing him of anything...I just dont see it or believe it. I mean I believe in evolution and that people grow, get faster and all that but when I break it down into a different perspective it just doesnt make sense. Here is why...

He says that he is lazy...

Anyone a comic book fan???

Lets take Batman and Robin???

For years Usain seemed to be in the role of Robin. He was always in the mix but never the stand out super star. Had potential of course but never had what it took to step up in that role of Batman. Every time he tried to challenge the best in the world he more times then none came up short.

In the comics Robin would always try to go out on his own and save the day. What happen? He ended up getting his ass kicked and Batman would have to come and save him and the damn day. Batman would always tell Robin its a team I am me you are you. Robin never wanted to just play his role. He wanted to be the best and every time he tried he ended up being reminded of who and what he was...A sidekick

Now back to Usain...

After the 2007 season and playing this role of sidekick (meaning that he was taking 2nd & 3rd more often) he all of a sudden becomes Superman one year later. How in the hell can you go from being a mere mortal with a utility belt, to surpassing being the skilled and genius super hero Batman which was a goal, to being the freaking man of steel?!

Strange anyone???

In 2008 season he was unbeatable, the new world record holder and a house hold name all over the world. His dad said its the yams and Usain says now that he is lazy. Where is Ed Lover with a "C'Mon Son" when you need him! Not to mention he "allegedly" hurt his back doing some type of freak ass position with a chick that ended his season this year.

I have to shake my head on this one. Truth of the matter is...He could probably do what he wants to do right now. If he goes down the sport dies point blank. If he continues to run well and amaze people the sport excels. You do the math...

Full Article of Story

Facebook Back in the Day...

2010-09-10T08:06:00.012-04:00

ETIQUETTE

2010-09-06T09:28:00.002-04:00

(pronounced [,eti'ket]) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

I have been seeing many different people talking about proper "etiquette" when it comes to certain things like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and many other social sites and businesses. Now I have never been one to tell anyone how to live they life. I will most likely always comment on something that may seem strange and might go, "what in the hell..." or I may even laugh at something but never one to just be like, "ok everyone you need to start living your life like this..."

I neven have a problem with people that try to tell you what to believe in as far as religious beliefs, how to pray, who to pray to and all that. I am the first to tell you I am not the most holy person on Earth & I know some people are going to have a problem with what I am about to type but bare with me...I think some religious people need to take a step back on how they praise their beliefs towards other people. Who are you to tell me how I should praise? I honestly think that someones beliefs should not be any of my business unless they share it with me. Now after they share that is something different but I am still not one to judge.

Example:
Person 1 - Hey miss how are you doing?
Person 2 - Oh I am just so blessed this morning. Jesus woke me up and he is just so wonderful...(and then follows a 10 minute conversation)
Sometimes people just seem to take it too far to me...I dont know maybe its just me

Now I am straight forward when it comes to most things that go down in life with religious beliefs, how you carry yourself, what you do for a living, sexual preference and things like that. This is what I always say..."Respect me & I will respect you." Its just that simple to me. I have always believed that if you want something you first have to give something. So if I give respect then I expect it back and if you show it to me then you will sure enough get it back.

Back to my original point...Etiquette. If you have a business and you running it the way you want and you are being successful, then that is just great! If you have a business and its going well and you see someone else with a similar business that isnt going as well as yours is...Mind your damn business! (pun is intended) The last thing someone wants to hear is how someone else doing what they doing is doing so much better. However...if they come to you and ask you a question or two about how they could improve then thats different. That is someone in search of improvement. By all means lend a hand. Now that doesnt mean if you see someone doing something that might be harmful to themselves that you shouldnt go to them. All my true friends know and I tell them...If you see me messing up or doing something that might seem a bit off or harmful to me (cause sometimes I do go a little to far) pull me to the side and say something. If we on that level then by all means you have the right to slap me upside the head and say get it together fool!

I just have an issue with people that just voluntarily try to tell random people how they should be doing something. I have had it happen to me on numerous times and I look at people with that "Who in the f--- are you?!" Not to say people arent trying to help because I know sometimes thats most of the time all it is. Some people just have a way of coming off like they so much better then you when they explaining something. If I was approached by Bill Gates & a regular person off the streets who you think I am listening to first?

Quite simple people...have your stuff in order for you first and foremost. Sometimes its not quite proper "etiquette" its just someone trying to act like they no every damn thing.

C'MON SON 17

2010-09-02T18:51:00.002-04:00

Ed Lover once again doing his thing...Hilarious!

When Keeping It Professional Goes Wrong

2010-08-18T18:56:00.002-04:00

I saw an Ex-girlfriend of mine post something on Facebook that made me laugh and shake my head at the same time. However it was interesting at the same time because she always tried to make me out to be such a Facebook heathen. It was in reference to what people have on their Facebook pages and if they cared about what people thought of them based on that.

Well for me its real simple and has always been. It depends on what you using Facebook for. For example:

1) If you use it to chat with friends and to have a good time well then cool. Put up all the silly youtube links, photos, quotes and etc. Say what you want and live it up.

2) If you use it to do networking and business type things then by all means keep it business like. Nothing personal in your life should be used on that page just strictly business.

It is and has always been funny to see someone that always thinks they know more then the next person but yet make no sense at all sometimes. Notice how I said this person is an "Ex-Girlfriend right? She actually dumped me which turned out to be the best thing that she could have done me because it was going to happen anyway just in due time. She saved me time in my life, THANK YOU MUCH!

But I am getting away from my point...

And the point I wanted to touch though was it seems to me there are a lot of people out there that are always quick to judge someone else before looking at themselves. Now I know that there are some people that tell me I always judge people when it comes to performance enhancing drugs. Indeed I do talk all kinds of stuff about people that take drugs to enhance performance illegally and that is because I never went that route. I am not perfect in life but I am perfect on that topic. So on that topic I am without sin & casting stones all over the place! John 8:7

My Talent + Haters = Broken Collar Bone

2010-08-09T08:51:00.005-04:00

Seems as though you can't be better then regular people anymore and just try to enjoy some recreational activities. I have been playing flag football for years and never have I been hated on more then I was yesterday.

Sports for me now are just a way to get away from the everyday stresses of life and I just like to have fun from time to time. Before when I was getting paid to perform on the track it was about business. Seems as though some people take flag football a little more serious then it should be.

Here is the run down of what happen...

My team was playing a game and we were on offense. I am spread out wide and my route was a "Go Route" straight down the side line. I was being covered by a guy who I knew that I could run by. He was about 7 yards off the line and when the ball was snapped I took off on my route. He started back pedaling and when I got next to him he turned to run with me. My QB knows that if he sees me running at full speed no one should be able to keep up with me so let the ball go! He did just that and when he did the defense yelled "ball" so the defender would know to look for the ball. He obviously knew he was beat so he stepped on my heals not once but "TWICE" to try and keep me from catching the ball. So at about my full speed I hit the grown and tried to turn and land on my back but didnt quite make it. Oh and let me not leave out that I didnt even get the penalty. Referee took out the flag and thought about it for about 5 seconds and then put it back.

Haters are truly everywhere...

1 Year & Some Change Later

2010-08-05T10:12:00.002-04:00

About a little over a year ago I ran in a race that may have looked to be my last race ever. Not the way I wanted to end my career but I said to myself then that I was satisfied because of what I had accomplished pretty quietly as an athlete in an event that I was always a contender in. However, although I accomplished a lot there were things that I just didn't get the chance to do that I wanted to. For instance...run sub 46 in the open 400m (which I know is a surprise that I didn't) yet I split 44 high on lead off leg of a few 4x400 relays and show my short sprint speed. I did run 6.7 for 60m with no speed work and oh yeah in 2001 I was part of a 38 second 4x100.

With all the things that I did and didn't do, there are many more things that I feel define me more then anything. I enjoyed many more things in life then track and field even when I was performing on an outstanding level. Things like flag football, basketball, playing video games, spending time with my kids, advising and coaching all seemed to give me a better feeling inside then running track ever did. Is that a bad thing?

I guess I looked at track and field as a job and not something to have fun doing. I took it serious as anyone with a "job" should. I honestly feel like taking a year off from track helped me understand ME quite a bit better. Imagine having to base everything you do around what it is you are doing for a living. There is plenty that you would miss out on. I now have had the chance to see what it feels like to know that I can go to work, make a living and then when I am done...Do whatever the hell I feel like doing and no worry about anything. It's such a lovely feeling!

I will compete in track and field again in the future but to me there is no feeling like feeling free to do whatever you have interest in doing at the time it comes to mind. I have no regrets on anything that I did cause I learn from everything and what I have learned in the past 10 years is this...Live today & worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

The Series is 0-0

2010-06-13T21:26:00.002-04:00

And I say lets go Celtics. I use to be a go hard Laker fan. Being that I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and not having a team from my town to cheer for, I started to like the team I saw the most of and that was the Lakers. From the time I little in the single digit ages I like them and everything thing about them. Magic Johnson is still one of my favorite players all time!

The year that the Lakers started having issues and Shaq & Kobe couldn't get along to the point that they traded Shaq...I stopped being a fan. My team was being disassembled because of the greed of one player. Not to mention that this same player got into some off the court troubles and started to "snitch" on other people to try and get out of trouble. That's just a punk move! I can not be a fan of a team with a leader that has power that shouldn't not. It is that simple. So now I cheer for whoever is playing the Lakers. So dont call me a Laker hater, call me a hater of punk leaders.

J.C. For Dolo

2010-06-10T08:06:00.004-04:00

My T&F Version of "Little Brother's - Tigallo For Dolo"

Its J.C., Oh no!
Bringing more drama, set ya blocks, get set
Haul ass when the gun go
Cause losing's a no-no
In shape and you'll see
Unattached in black
F--- you pay me
People be asking why no sponsorship
They saying "Come back Jay we you speaking'
We need J.C. to come and teach the track game
But truthfully...I don't think the sh-t need teaching
I think we got men and women that need preaching
A bunch of drug cheats & them f-ckas need Jesus
At 20 years old I stared running hurdles
But 12 years later I am not the same person
Whole new perspective, outlook done changed
And sometimes I questioned if people get the picture
Pissed off at Nike but it what it is
But not pissed at the rest of yall cause I was never wit'cha
In another universe now that I'm out & working
Laughing at all cheaters that be praising churches
Its a few in my town so clowns don't come around
And ladies with too much make-up, go and join the circus
First I did the knowledge, had the chance to purchase
But God gave me talent, I wouldnt cheat that service
Mr. Carter dirty? ….dumbest sh-t I ever heard since
Track hoes claiming that they born again virgins
Feeling like a born again version of myself
Said that I was done running back in June
Til one day I was watching my old races and thought
Well, damn I think I kinda miss that dude
I’m the same J.C. that said no to the drug movement
And some of yall people just talk but no moving
And honestly I like what some young people are doing
But when I waved my hand people got pissed and wanted me to split
Like I got on the track and chose to do it, f--- it I’m done
The track games No Country For "Clean" Men
I’ll always jog whenever I get bored see
But I’ll be damned if I will do that after 40!
And that’s not disrespect to no one else
I just came, did my job and always went hard
I’m mean…13th in the world all time currently
How about my US championships one, two and three?
Go ahead and do the math, go ahead and add it up
But All of my track sh-t is packed & stored
And I know some people mad at me
But I would rather be a lonely wolf than a sheep that's bored
So F-ck It!
Workout for myself…

2009 World Championships of T&F Predictions

2009-08-13T23:38:00.000-04:00

I really hope no one takes this personal...this is what I think will happen based off of what it is that I know and have seen.

Mens - 100m

1. Tyson Gay (just looks great right now)
2. Usain Bolt (I think is too overly confident & isnt taken competition serious)
3. Daniel Bailey (has been getting better & better)
**keep an eye on Mike Rodger... has a chance to surprise for 3rd if he runs the rounds correctly
**I do think 3rd is wide open here!

Womens - 100m

1. Kerron Stewart (seems to have found herself in this event)
2. Carmelita Jeter (should win but history isnt on her side)
3. Lauryn Williams (shows up when it matters)
**as much as I love VCB I think she comes up short :(
**Muna may surprise for 3rd

Mens - 200m

1. Usain Bolt (will regain focus and win this one)
2. Tyson Gay (will run well but come up a little short)
3. Wallace Speamon (only if he gets a good start & runs the damn turn correctly...if not Crawford will be 3rd)

Womens - 200m

1. Allyson Felix (untouchable right now I believe in this event)
2. Veronica Campbell-Brown (close battle but takes 2nd)
3. Muna Lee ( wind aided my ass...22.13 out of lane 1 is f'n flying!
**I think this may be the first time in a while if ever we see 3 ladies go sub 22
**Debbie runs great but gets 4th...I still love you!

Mens 400m -

1. Lashwan Merritt (this guy is getting older and wiser dont see him losing)
2. Jeremy Wariner (getting back to running the way he has but doesnt quite get it here)
3.Chris Brown (as long as he doesnt try to run a Pr in the first round)
**anyone else gets top 3 I will be surprised

Womens 400m

1. Shericka Williams (has got faster and faster thru the year)
2. Sanya Richards (favorite yes and should win...but what does the past show)
3. I honestly cant call this one here...sorry but where is Christine Ohuruogu?

Mens 110h

1. Terrence Trammell (if healthy, only person that can run that second half as needed to win)
2. Dayron Robles (close finish but comes up just short)
3. David Payne (until he shows me he "cant" get a medal...
**Where is the china man! LOL

Womens 100h

1. Dawn Harper (Bobby Kersey has coached the winner of each major hurdle final since 2004
2. Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (Running fast and constant)
3. Damu Cherry (Finally gets that medal...so close last year)

Mens - 400h

I honestly cant do this event...Sorry LMAO

Womens - 400h

1. Lashinda Demus (as long as she aint out of gas)
2. Melaine Walker (runs great but Demus is on a mission)
3. Williams, Danvers, Tosta, Jesien...toss it up in the air and catch a name.

Mens 4x100

1. USA (only if they run this relay in this order and dont drop the stick...Crawford, Gay, Patton, Rodgers)
2.Jamaica (whoever anchors wont catch the USA if they do what I said)
3. Trinidad (much speed but not enough to catch the others)

Womens 4x100

1. USA (only if they run this order...Williams, Felix, Lee, Jeter
2. Jamaica (only because of the lean at the tape)
3. Russia or Poland

Mens 4x400

1. USA (even if they drop the stick they win)
2. Bahamas
3. Great Britain

Womens 4x400

I will keep this short...If Russia or Jamaica put out 4 legs that are ready to roll the USA women will lose. I dont think they deep enough this time around. If they run Dunn, Felix, Hastings, Richards they have a chance and it will be close like last year. So...

1. USA
2. Russia
3. Jamaica

Drugs Again...Really? LOL

2009-07-31T09:37:00.003-04:00

Since I have stepped down I have seen on television and read in news articles that there have been more names to surface in the MLB and around 5 T&F athletes from Jamaica to come out in track and field with PED's. Is this a surprise to me...of course not! Like I have said in the past I know what I know and even though it might not be able to prove it, I still know. I have also read many message boards where people have things to say about me that make me laugh and I thank you for that. However, I have never been the type of person to say something that is false to make myself feel better about something that I just can not do. If I can not I will simply say, "I can not." If I get beat I will say, "I got beat." A few years ago I stopped shaking hands after races and sometimes even saying anything because it was hard to tell if winners were cheaters. I didn't mean any disrespect but sometimes it is hard to tell.

When someone does something "amazing" it is always exciting to see. I mean who doesn't like an amazing performance? But it is for that reason that PED's exist in not only T&F but in sports as a whole. People pay to see "amazing" People pay to see "wow" People pay to see "Oh my God!" If people went to any type of sporting event and didn't see that they would feel as though it was boring and or even a waste of there money and time. So how do you keep fans coming back? That's right...you have to create amazing, wow and oh my God! It exist everywhere and the natural athlete that has worked hard from the time they started training after they have taken a break from the previous season to the end of the next season will always suffer and miss out on what they could have had because of this.

Decision on Next Move...

2009-07-05T13:25:00.002-04:00

In this last week I have got a few phone calls and have been informed that people have interest in me in a number of different areas which is kind of shocking to me. From coaching to manager to just business itself and it makes me feel really good and better about my decision. I didn't have a plan "B" so to speak when I said what I said about being done (which still doesn't contain the word "retire") because I actually took a week to analyze what I said and if it meant what I wanted it to mean. Well of course people are not going to understand your every word. If I doctor starts speaking about surgery he just performed...I may understand some of what he is saying but not everything. That is how I feel about my last interview. If I get in front of another microphone I will try to go into detail and try to make more in depth sense of what I was saying. If not then hey I could care less what people think, what & who I am talking about.

So now I am going to start looking and entertaining some of these opportunites that have been brought to my attention. I think its great that I have been able to do something that I loved doing for the past 10 years and made a decent living out of it. Not many people can say that they have traveled the world and have seen many things that the average person may never get to see. An inner city baltimore born kid grew up to see the world and got paid doing it...LOVELY!!! Well time to make moves and start on this new chapter.

Another Day...More Of The Same

2009-07-02T08:55:00.004-04:00

These last few days have been pretty interesting. I have had people I know and people that I dont know criticize me on the decision I have made over and over. Some telling me to keep running and some that understand totally what I mean in what I say and also how I feel. To understand I think you have to first understand the sport of track and field which I don't even consider and sport anymore on the professional level. I think the sport has become more like the WWE. Now dont get me wrong I love the WWE and have been a fan since I was about 6 years old but at least the WWE doesnt front like its "real wrestling" The "E" in WWE is for entertainment. I honestly think that every sport entertains but to a certain degree. T&F like I have stated before always has someone doing something spectacular. I wish I could bet on track like the horse races. You know go to the meet...see what the odds are...see the athletes while they warm up and prepare...and then bet money on who I thought would win based on all those factors and what they have done earlier that year. I would be rich! :) I would be calling shots like an open white man in the NBA...LMAO!

**Side note...As I am writing this I am watching ESPN talk about Ron Artest may be going to the Cavs. The NBA has put so much into making LeBron the best...they are basically trying to give him a team that will be impossible to lose with. I mean can they be anymore blatent? I mean he is a great basketball player but he is no Jordan...No one is! But the NBA wants him to win so bad...cant you tell?

Lets End All The Speculation...

2009-07-01T14:24:00.002-04:00

On Sunday I did the interview with the people at Flotrack and since then I have got phone calls, emails, messages on facebook, twitter and myspace about what I said and if I was really going to retire. First things first...Who really retires from track and field? Retirement is (and this comes straight from Wikipedia) the point where a person stops employment completely. I am 31 and there is no way that I can just stop being employed completely! Secondly...where did the word retire come from? I never used that word in that interview. I said that was the last time you would see me run the 400H event. I then also said how long I had been running as well as my contract being up at the end of the year with my sponsor. Not to mention I added that I was going to be 32 years old next year and didn't think a sponsor would want to sign me because they may think that I am too old to invest enough money in me that would allow me to live and train the way I need to. I also said if a sponsor believed in me from day 1 then I would continue and or became a multi event athlete.

Look at it this way...If you have a job and your contract with the company you working with ends, would you continue to work the job and not get paid? Of course not! You would go and find something else to do to make ends meet. I don't know how to be more simple and plain about it. I also said that I was tired of competing against drugs. You know what...I think back and I should not have said that and at first I wasn't going to. If I didn't I would not be the person that I am and that is honest about everything that I do and straight to the point. That is how I feel, I know what I know and if anyone reading this thinks that track and field is getting cleaned up more then what it was then you either don't pay enough attention, don't care or just don't know any better.

"The game never changes...only the players" Yes I said that and its a true statement. Look at any other sport. First there was Dr. J...then Magic and Bird...then came Jordan...then came Lebron and Kobe. There is always going to be someone that steps up and becomes the "next hot thing" Now those players don't have anything to do with drugs (as far as I know) but its the same type of cycle in track and field. I am not calling names out but there is always someone that's great in an event for a while and then once that athlete starts to fade...here comes a new face almost out of NOWHERE to start kicking every ones ass for the most part. Are these new faces always dirty...of course not but I would bet my career and all my achievements that this sport is just as dirty as it was when Balco was up and running.

There will always be people trying to gain an advantage in sports because you have people out there that are after the big time contracts and as much money and fame as they can get. Is it really all worth it? Lets just see what happens when some of these athletes turn 45-50 years old and they start dropping dead or having a bunch of health problems. Live your life the way you want to live it but working hard everyday, fighting injuries and fatigue all the time, missing out on spending time with your family, traveling, losing out on sponsorship, money and being recognized for all of you hard work because of the dishonesty of others you have to see all the time and compete against...You can miss me with all of that...I have had enough! My life will not be justified by track and field. I am more then that.

By the way...for all the people on the message boards that have an opinion about who I am and what I have done in my life, open your bibles to John 8:1-11 and read that. After you done reading that ask yourself if James Carter really cares what you think of him? I made one mistake in my entire track career and you want to hold that over my head forever. Well I tell you what...you hold on to that and I will keep doing what I am doing and that's being the best me that I can be while waiting for the only judge that matters to judge me and that's God. To all the people that have supported me and wished me well through the ups and downs I really do appreciate it. Thank you much and please continue to support the sport of track and field especially the clean hard working athletes.

The Realist Interview I Ever Gave...

2009-06-29T03:30:00.001-04:00

Have you ever just come to a point in your life that you just feel like there is nothing more that you "want" to do with what it is that you are currently doing? Well that is how I felt after I ran this weekend. Its a dirty job and someone has to do it...but it will not be me!

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Someone In Track & Field Doesn't Like Me...AND HERE IS PROOF!!!

2009-04-30T09:18:00.004-04:00

Here is proof someone just doesn't like me...Prepare yourself!!! Now I am not saying someone at Nike doesn't like me but this sure doesn't make sense...

I asked a question years ago when I saw Felix Sanchez wearing a custom track spike while running. My question was...

James - "What does an athlete have to do to get those?"

John Doe - "You have to get a medal."

At that point I said OK I want a medal and my own shoes! So I went after a medal and didn't get it in 2004 but in 2005 I finally made the award stand at the World Championships. This is Nike I am talking about. No other athletes from other companies shall be listed...

2004 400H medalist
Felix Sanchez - Gold (custom spikes)
Naman Keita - Bronze (custom spikes)

2005 400H medalist
Bershawn Jackson - Gold (custom spikes)
James Carter - Silver (NEVER HAD A SPIKE MADE)
Dai Tamesue - Bronze (has custom spikes)

2007 400H medalist
Kerron Clement - Gold (had spike before medal was won in 2006)
Felix Sanchez - Silver (had custom spikes)

2008 400H medalist
Angelo Taylor - Gold (has his own spikes)
Kerron Clement - Silver (ref. 2007 year medalist)
Bershawn Jackson - Bronze (ref. 2005 year medalist)

Is it just me...You be the judge

Penn Relays 2009

2009-04-30T08:40:00.002-04:00

You know I have been to Penn Relays almost every year since I was a freshman in high school back in 1993. My second year I ran on 2 relays and finished 2nd in the 4x1 championships of America. I won my first Penn Relays watch in that race and then another one the following year. I had then moved on to college at Hampton Univ. where I ran the 400 hurdles and won that as well in 1999. Penn Relays to me is the biggest and most exciting track and field meet that is held in the USA with the nationals following a very close 2nd. This year I was told that I was invited to run the 4x400 relay at Penn and after 2 years of not being invited I was happy to get the chance to go back and perform there once again.

This meet isn't just about running...you get the chance to see all of your track buddies that you don't get the chance to see as much because everyone lives in different places as well as old friends that are no longer running but still involved in the sport and for some who ran in high school you get to watch your high school with the younger generation athletes take a shot at running against some of the best athletes in the USA and some from Jamaica that come to compete. Not to mention who wouldn't want a Philly cheese steak!!! OK after saying all that here is my point of writing because this is what I do to vent sometimes...

When I got to Philly I had in my mind that I was going to get bumped down off the relay and probably was going to run the DMR (distance medley relay)because last year I was hurt and there were a lot of people that were there that had recently either did well at the games or ran good this year. My coach was called before I got to Philly and he and I both were under the impression that I was running "something" and my manager was as well. 8:30pm comes around and we have a meeting and of all the people in the meeting my name is not called to participate in ANYTHING! Now like I said I was prepared to run something else but then when that not running ANYTHING hit I was so pissed off!

Now the reason wasn't that I was taken off the relay because first and for most I am a 400 hurdler "1st"...but I had other things that I could have done that weekend and since I am a Nike athlete I "HAD" to be there (its in our contracts) I have 2 kids I could have spent some time with, my great uncle had passed and funeral was Saturday, I could have trained though that week and prepared for the 400 hurdles some more, I could have went to Penn Relays and helped out with the UNC chapel hill track team that I volunteer coach for...Basically I could have just done some other sh!t instead I was jerked around and no one gave me a reason. I asked the coaches that were in on the decision and they say ask Duffy Mahoney...I asked him he said ask the people at Nike...my manager called them and they said Duffy made the final calls. Why is it that I always get screwed but no one can give me an answer as to why?

I don't think I know anyone that likes having their time wasted. And the only thing that came out of this was that I got confirmed into another meet because I couldnt run at Penn. This meet is the Nike Prefontaine Classic that is held every year in memory of the late great miler. I was already confirmed in the Adidas track meet in Carson, CA and the Reebok meet in NY. Wait a second...who sponsors me again? How could I get into those meets but not the meet that the company I am sponsored by pretty much runs?

I think I have come to a conclusion...I think that in my time as an athlete that I have pissed someone off or that someone is mad at me for something. Now I don't really have that many enemies and if I have more then I know then oh well...but someone somewhere just doesn't like me. I honestly wish I knew who this person was so I could go and ask them what exactly the problem is so I would understand why they are upset with me and then give them a "REAL" reason to be pissed off and upset at me ya punk bastards!

So much happening right now...

2009-04-02T21:53:00.002-04:00

1. Final 4! I picked the Tarheels to win it all and they still in it...GO HEELS!!!
2. I am officially 100% single with nothing...hold on...!NOTHING! That means no one in my life on that level right now and I am not looking. Just having friends right now is OK with me.
3. Outdoor track has started and I felt great until I was working out and hit a hurdle which sent me to the turf (it was raining so I ran inside) and scratched up both my kneecaps :(
4. I will be running at Penn Relays for the first time since 2006...
5. My 1996 honda accord is at 189,000 and still rolling!
6. My CPU went down and I lost a music folder with about 15GB of acapella's and quotables.
7. I have been trying to eat right. Matter fact I drove past Krispy Kreme twice last week and the hot light was on and didnt stop...I'm trying very hard to eat right during the season but WHY DOES THOU TEMPT ME!?

What is Twitter.com

2009-03-14T09:14:00.002-04:00

I saw this while P. Diddy was getting interviewed on Ellen (dont ask why I was watching) but he mentioned it and it seems like the next big thing that people will jump on like myspace and facebook. I joined and right now it seems to be just starting so for those of you who are like me that always jump for something new...check it out.

Is It Really Peace?

2009-03-11T08:54:00.004-04:00

When I first heard about the Chris Brown and Rihanna story I was not at all shocked because things like this happen unfortunately every day. What I was shocked about was the fact that after all was said and done, she actually went back to him. It made me think a little because I like most people saw the picture of her and was like DAMN HE WOOPED HER ASS! What I realized is that she must have felt responsible for why things went the way that they did and it has not been the first time. Its usually not the first and it might not be the last...hopefully it will but more then likely not. I for one can understand a woman is going to at some point get on your nerves and you thinking you wish she would just shut the f--- up and even wanting to just do something to them but to actually do it is something totally different. I don't condone it but I understand it. Got to control your inner Ike Chris LOL!

KILLZONE 2

2009-03-02T07:54:00.003-05:00

Hopefully the people that follow me on here or that know me know that I am a big video gamer. I was introduced to the game Killzone back in 2005-2006 by some track buddies and was hooked for about a year! The long awaited part 2 came out this past weekend and I have to say it is great. Not really big on PS3 at the moment but it is slowly making a move in the video game world. I am about to check out Little Big Planet as well. I was told it is a lot of fun and something even your girlfriend might enjoy playing. I was told it is the Mario Brothers type game for the PS3. By looking at this pic below...I would take a look and go "what the hell?" but if I hear it from more then one person then it usually means the reviews are true.

My Money Does Not Equal Your Money

2009-02-22T19:56:00.004-05:00

This I just had to share....

My girldfriend (well I dont know if she is anymore) offered to do a big favor for me. I had somethings to return to the store but was going to be out of town and a little busy. She told me that she would return them for me and I said ok thanks. I jokingly told her to buy me something with the money that she got back but she said, "what I look like spending money on you with your money?" I was like, "OK just give the money back to me when I get back." Her response was, "OK."

Now between us having a fight about something very silly and me spending time with my kids FINALLY (no thanks to my baby momma...shot out to the judge YESSIR) I totally forgot that she did this for me. So the money that she got back from returning the stuff to the store she held on to. A few days ago she asked me to buy something at the store for her and I was down to do that. As we walk in the I give her the money and say to her just go get it. While we are in the store it come to my attention that HEY SHE HAS THE MONEY FROM THAT STUFF STILL! So I tell her, "Hey give me that money back and just use the money from the return you did." She looked at me like huh? At first I was like, "no she didnt..." but what she said next made me damn near fall out in the middle of the store. She said, "No I dont want to use that money for this...I am saving that money." WHAT!?!? How can you save my money? I guess just because I forgot to ask she thought it was now her money. My question was why didnt she give it back when she got back?

She was upset for pretty much half the day and tried to justify that I should give her the money back. Mind you it was $220! If it were like maybe $20 I may have let it go but oh no that is way too much and just the fact that she thought it was really her money. HAHAHA I cant stop laughing about this.

Not to mention she saw that I was on myspace and sent a message to a friend of mind who is a female and had a fit...It was a hey happy b-day message. Boy I tell you...Women! Cant live with them and well you know the rest. Keep your mind on whats important people and laugh at anything funny!

Get A Broom & Lift The Rug

2009-02-10T06:46:00.006-05:00

Its a shame to me how when illegal drugs come into play with athletes that depending on who it is you may not even see any action taken toward them. In this case A-Rod was taking "ILLEGAL DRUGS" to perform as he stated in front of a camera to the nation and I really doubt that we will see anything happen to him. I think its wrong that anyone uses drugs to gain an advantage in anyway and I think that there are many "MANY" more in all sports but I do half way commend him for not fighting it and just saying "yes I did it." That doesnt make it alright however. Action should be taken against him and anyone that admits to or get caught taking performance enhancing drugs.

While I am on drugs lets talk about the human fish. This is the second time he has got into trouble. The first time was under age drinking and driving and now smoking marijuana. The first charge was well...read the title of this...and now he gets a "3 MONTH BAN" What on earth is that!? As an athlete I think this is the biggest joke of a ban that an athlete can get. It would have been better if they did nothing at all. He gets banned right up until its time to go and qualify for the world championships this year. Wow...how convenient or is it just me? Phelps is from Balitmore just as I am but I know if that were me I would have got it a whole lot worse.

Goes to show that it is still about who you are and what you have.

The 44th President...

2009-01-20T12:55:00.004-05:00

BARACK OBAMA!

What a historic and wonderful day it is. First off it is wonderful to see the name Bush get the hell out of the White House. Now we have someonethat has embrassed the whole country with a plan of improvement and CHANGE! That will step in and not only make history...but to make an attempt to get this country back running the way that millions of people want it to run. However, I know I was not the only one watching on TV that heard the crowd singing, "Na-Na-Na-Na...Hey Hey Hey...Goodbye!" When FORMER president Bush came out. I felt sorry for a second but hey then I thought about gas prices and the Tahoe that I use to drive that I miss right now and its 4 inches of snow outside...No longer am I feeling sad for anything that happens or will happen to G.W.B. The time is here and change is in effect...What a day!

OLD SCHOOL VIDEO

2009-01-11T22:55:00.002-05:00

This was one of my favorite videos back in the day. Not sure why but I played this song so much back in the day. Man the words of choice in this video take me back and make me laugh so much just to think that I use to talk like this. LOL

!!! STOP THE CAR !!!

2009-01-11T11:46:00.004-05:00

THIS IS SIGN LANGUAGE FOR:
pull over, walk in, order 12, get back in the car, start eating one before you drive off

One Week Later...

2009-01-11T07:22:00.002-05:00

...And its still the same result

RAVENS

2009-01-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Need I say anything else?

Sunday Morning Long Run...

2009-01-04T08:34:00.003-05:00

...but I wake up to get dressed to run 3 miles this morning (yes I do run that far) and as I am almost fully dressed mother nature starts to let loose the juice LOL! It just started raining so hard and I was like, "Are you kidding me!?" Well I had the thought process of laying down and playing xbox, laying down next to my girlfriend or going for a run in the rain. If you read the below that I wrote then you know exactly what I did.

THE TIME IS NOW FOR 8/18/09

New Year...Get Ready

2009-01-03T07:09:00.002-05:00

I have to admit that I spent this New Years like non other that I have ever spent. It seems as though when you do things new/different that you learn new/different things. My girlfriend asked me to go to church with her on New Years eve. Now I am not saying that I have never been to church before just not on New Years. I listened to the pastor and what he talked most about was "Dominon"

In short he told everyone to realize that you have a place and it is up to you to take your place. In every aspect of my life this fit more than perfect. Since 2005 when I got my only international championship medal, I hadnt had the success that I wanted. Everyone sets goals for themselves and most of the time we reach at least some of them. I think I had reached 1 since 2006. I had been up and down mentally, physically and emotionally since then. The list is long for things I tried to accomplish but just couldnt. I tried to fix things with my baby mom, tried to be the father I wanted to be, give my child the life I never had, work hard on the track, stay healthy, get closer to God (doesnt mean I am far away) stay away from stress, rid myself from people who are not worth my time and like I said the list goes on.

Since 2006 the only thing I did was win a USA championship again. I missed out on a medal at the world championships in 2007 and missed making the olympic team in 2008. All in one night these things came to reality for me. I was too control the things I couldnt control and not spending enough time doing what I do. My daughter knows me and I show her nothing but love...I can do no more than that in this crazy situation. Everything and everyone else that isnt positive has to go. Getting closer to God will help eliminate all the negative and I just have to pay more attention to the positive. I am not the most spiritual person on earth and I can admit that. The time is now for me and I am focused on getting back to where I was because the feeling was so good. So in my house I hung the only medal I have in a shadow box on my wall. On New Years day I went to the store and brought another one. That box is waiting for August 18th 10:50pm! Also there is band that I am wearing that says "the time is now" on one side and "2009-2011-2012' on the other side. Just know when you see me it will be the same NEW me...think about it???

...I feel the same as this kid does

2008-12-25T16:21:00.005-05:00

Once again the great Lakeema Lewis of Plainfield, NJ informs me of what I will be able to do with my kids and then changed her mind at the last minute and screwed up everything that I had planned for me, my kids and the rest of my family for the Christmas holiday. I sure wish that the court date in Feb. would come a whole lost faster. Why is it that whenever I have time to spend with my kids (because of what I do for a living) someone is sick or something is already planned? She might be right but I am sure everyone has heard of the boy that cried wolf right? OK well done deal...Hate is a strong word but I HATE THAT WOMAN! I love my kids and she just cant stand to see me happy at any time because I dont want to be with her. I will not break as your father did when he walked out on you. I never understood why a woman would give a man a hard time that volunteerly wants to do for his kids. Yet I am treated like a man that does nothing or hasnt ever. They will ask who, what, when, where and why in the future...I hope you're prepared for what will happen after they understand the truth.

Top 5 Things...

2008-12-23T13:18:00.002-05:00

Have you ever went to a fast food resturant to get something and then go through the drive thru and order your food? Of course but that isnt my reason for this...I was thinking about something when I went the last time and it came to me that most people go get something to eat and it be so good that they tear into that sh!t so fast its like they starve'n!!! Somethings from different places will make you do that though. So here is my top 5 list of things that I must have right after you give me my change and I am either in my car driving out the drive thru or in my car on the way home.

#5 - Popeyes Biscuits

Man come on...are you serious?! So soft...so warm...so buttery...Jelly?!?! Man please just hand me one and watch what happens.

#4 - Boston Market Cornbread

This might be just me but when it is hot and warm that cornbread is on point!

#3 - Mcdonalds Apple Pies (Outside US Overseas Fried Edition)

If you have ever been to europe and been to a mcdonalds you know that the apple pies over there are fried like they use to make them here years ago. Man sometimes I think this is why I still run. They be so good and they sometimes make them fresh right there and when you get them you want to bite into it but cant cause its hot and you bite into anyway and burn ya damn mouth...oh my goodness.

#2 - McDonalds French Fries

No one on earth can tell me that they have went through a drive thru at mcdonalds and once you get your bag of food and your change that you make it out the parking lot and have not had at least 5 frieds...AT LEAST 5!!! Man I dont know what they put on them fries besides salt but its something else that just makes your mouth water. Matter fact my mouth watered thinking about them fries.

#1 - KRISPY KREME DONUTS

Can we have a moment of silence...........................

OK for those of you who have not ever had a donut from krispy kreme I want to just say you have something wrong with you. These are the best donuts on earth hands down and I do not care dunkin or no one else. Its like the donuts send a signal to your brain that makes sure it remembers that the hot light could possibly be on when you drive by at any point in the day. And if the hot light is on...and you drive past...It is by far your duty at that point to make that turn off the road and get a dozen...thats 12...1 and 2 thats right. No I dont know about anyone else but here in raleigh, I can order a dozen and only eleven will make it out the parking lot. That long stretch that I have to drive down capital blvd. to get to my house, man I wish I would still have 11 donuts in the box. Its more like 8 or 9. Gots to be crack in them donuts. Whatever it is...thanks you.

I Know Its Been A While...

2008-12-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

WAIT FOR IT...WAIT FOR IT...

BOUNCE !

2008-11-13T08:34:00.003-05:00

THATS RIGHT...ITS ME SNITCHES! LMAO

!!! The OBAMA's !!!

2008-11-05T08:03:00.005-05:00

All I can say really right now is "wow!" I feel blessed to see change happening in my country but happy that I am witnessing history. A new president soon to be and hopefully a new outlook for the future. OK now...President elect Obama promised his kids a new puppy and said the puppy was coming to the white house with them. Was I the only one that was thinking, "Hmmm...what kind of dog will it be?" I hope its pitbull LOL! and finally a FINE SEXY EDUCATED first lady.

All in all forget color and ethnic background...the best person for the job I believe has got the job now and that is what matters most to me. If I had to see Sarah Palin in the white house running anything I would have moved out this country. She couldnt be president of my Xbox 360 association! However I did like the speech that McCain gave. It was the type of speech he was suppose to give and I felt like he may have seriously meant every word. OK...maybe not but he made it seem that way. Its a good week for me...Q-tip album, Blackberry Bold and now waiting on thursday. Come on GEARS OF WAR HAHAHA

Die Hard (the edited version)

2008-11-02T11:01:00.004-05:00

I was watching TNT this morning while doing some school work and Die Hard was on (the one with Samuel L. Jackson) And in the scene where they were on the boat Bruce Willis hands Jackson the gun and Jackson asked how to use it. Willis was suprised and said, "you dont know how to use a gun?" Jackson then replied, "Just because I am black doesnt mean that I know how to use a gun you racist melon farmer" If I may ask for a second...WHAT THE HELL?!?! Now I know everyone knows that the correct line from the original movie was racist mutha f'er but is melon farmer the best that they could do? Wow...I had to rewind me DVR and listen a few times. It cracked me up LOL

This Is Why I Love Little Brother...

2008-10-30T16:16:00.001-04:00

Little Brother Stand Up from Real Frequency on Vimeo.

NO HOMO

2008-10-30T16:10:00.002-04:00

This is a phrase that I have grown to get really damn sick and tired of hearing guys say. I mean sometimes I dont think there is a need for you to tell me "NO HOMO" because I already understand that shit! If I say, "I love Little Brothers music" does that mean I have to say "NO HOMO" for you to figure out that I am not trying to hit phonte and big pooh lyrics from the back? I just love listening to the damn music that they make. Who came up with this nonsense? More stupid ebonic terms for black folks to use. Is it ok for me to get in a heated arguement with someone and when I have just had enough I can go, "man fuck you!...NO HOMO" I wish I would ever use this phrase. I would slap my damn self.

WASSSUUUUUPPPP!!!!!

2008-10-27T19:35:00.002-04:00

Trouble Week

2008-10-26T08:28:00.002-04:00

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a big fan a electronics. New gadgets coming out is a weekness of mine right next to krispy kreme donuts, deep fried twinkies and pretty women that are sweet(hope you know what sweet means). Anyway in a few days I will be coming up on a week of things coming out that will end me up in the house able to do nothing. Hopefully I have a friend or two that will want to see meand take me out and PAY FOR IT! Starting on halloween I will be at Hampton University for the homecoming. Not really going to spend much but I will be around friends and have a good time. I have to drive from NC to VA so gas will cost me. Then I will return home to that monday waiting for the blackberry bold which is "FINALLY" ready to be released on that tuesday, the new Q-Tip album and then GEARS OF WAR 2 thursday night at midnight. I will be unavailable once Gears is in my possesion. If you want to reach me you better have my phone number or an Xbox live account If not you are S.O.L. HAHAHA.

(I dont have a girlfriend so I dont have to worry about spending any quality time)

I'm Sorry...I Really Meant To Vote

2008-10-25T18:59:00.001-04:00

Obama vs. McCain Dance Off

2008-10-25T11:30:00.002-04:00

Unbelievable McCain Vs. Obama Dance-Off - Watch more free videos

Saw 5...And it continues

2008-10-24T23:50:00.002-04:00

Of course I had to go and see this movie tonight. I actually hit up about 5 people and none of them wanted to go or were busy doing something else. 2 females actually said they were scared LOL. Anyway the movie was great and as always full of twist and turns. Part 6 coming I believe...But why did someone have to get shot outside while I was inside watching the movie? And I called myself going to the movie in the area where its usually no trouble and I can see the movie, enjoy it and go about my busniess. Nope, I leave out and the cops are like "Go out the other door!"

*I also saw Ms. McPhee but she acted like she didnt see me cause she was there with her fiance. Whats that about??? Oh yeah I forgot LMAO!!!

GEAR OF WAR 2

2008-10-24T14:16:00.004-04:00

2 Weeks and Counting

Can I Kick It ?

2008-10-24T13:43:00.000-04:00

Cheerleader Gets Knocked Out By Bad Shot - Watch more free videos

No You Can Not Get Over...

2008-10-23T19:41:00.002-04:00

I was in traffic a few days ago and it was really stop and go. I wasnt in a rush to go anywhere just trying to get home but I was moving at like 15 MPH's. When traffic started to pick up my lane was moving pretty well and this soccer mom (I think) was trying to get over. At first I am like oh whatever let her go......Until I saw the "McCain/Palin" sticker on the car. I said oh hell no you cant get over and drove by with the icegrill looking at them like they broke the law or something. I laugh now but I wonder how many other people would have done that.

About Time

2008-10-23T18:54:00.004-04:00

Lil Big Yung - My Swag

I am so happy that someone in hip hop finally realized what is going on and just said "F--- IT! If this is what you want then here you go......now what? Are you happy now?" And I just love it! MC's in the game please take note...You need to realize that just because you ballin' doesn't really mean that you ballin', just because I might think you are wack doesnt make you wack and lastely just because you have a deal and make records......DOES NOT MAKE YOU A HOT MC!

Olympic drug inquiry launched after 300 test results from Beijing go missing

2008-10-22T18:30:00.006-04:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1078270/Olympic-drug-inquiry-launched-300-test-results-Beijing-missing.html

How in the hell does something like this happen? You cant be serious! After all of the spectactular performances that we (well not me included because I refused to watch the games for obvious reasons) are not allowed to see who is legit and who is full of crap?! Plenty of people (now include me) know that there were athletes that were using PED's and will continue. Cover up...maybe, well, more than likely. Its a shame that we cant have clean sports. My thought on the games this past year "I thought some performances were the dirtiest performances I had ever been allowed to witness." I have seen and lost plenty of times to PED's but this was ridiculous. Hopefully things will change in the future...but more than likely not.

My Presidential Views

2008-10-22T17:54:00.005-04:00

<---Its just that simple.

I am voting of course just like a lot of people but I am paying very close attention this year more than I ever have. A black candidate will make people curious as to whats really going on I guess. Now as I pay close attention to what each candidate is saying, reguardless of ethnic background, I find it easy to figure out who I am voting for. Remember I keep it simple...God forbid but if either of the two die/get killed or whatever...which vice president do I think is more fit to take over. Biden is the answer for me. I am not sexist but I seem to think Palin comes off like a groupie. I could see her saying, "Hey Bin Laden, lets end the terror threats please?!?! I'll have sex with you if you do???" She just is not ready to lead the country. And for some reason when I see McCain I just see G.W. Bush all over again. I encourage everyone to please vote...make a difference.

Table Dance Gone Wrong

2008-10-22T13:55:00.002-04:00

If you have not seen this please watch and ENJOY the laughs

Answering the Unclear

2008-10-22T12:38:00.003-04:00

When I am asked a question, I try my best to answer it as honestly as possible. I was raised by a single parent mother that always told me, "be yourself". Well being myself, I could never find a way to be anything else but honest, upfront and straight to the point. It seems that some people that I have come in contact with in my life, whether they are friends currently right now or foes, have a hard time understanding me and who I am. If I have a problem with you or something is unclear, I don't have a problem coming to you and say hey what's going on with…….It's not always positive but if I think that we are cool and I can come to you and talk to you about what I am unclear about, then why is it that when I am done asking or commenting on something what I have allowed to come out my mouth has altered? I am not the one to sugar coat anything. Let me reiterate….ANYTHING! I have been called almost anything and everything so my feelings right now as a grown man are 9 times out of 10 never hurt. Most people don't know my spots to upset me. Trust me if you do know then you know not to upset me. I am a great friend but get on my bad side and this Taurus will see you dressed in all red. I hate having to explain something more than once. I really do wish people would listen more instead of trying to gather information and try to draw their own conclusion because they don't believe what you have said to them. I have lost many friends over he say she say, people not minding their business and people doing what I just tried to make clear in the previous sentence. I rank people in 3 groups:

1.My true friends – People who I love or trust enough to be a part of my life
2.Associate friends – People who I have no problem with. But I will see you when I see you
3.Miscellaneous people – People who I have to deal with for certain reasons or people that I have learned lessons from

*Anything other than the above – I either dont know you or you mean nothing to me point blank!

Is the unclear clear yet? Maybe not but let me go farther…I am 30 years old and I am not going to ever do this again so pay close attention. If I say the sky is red then take my word for it because I have no reason to lie to you if you mean something to me. However, yes I am a clown from time to time but who isn't. Yes there are times that I joke around and times when I am serious but if you are wondering while reading this, "When is he joking and when is he serious?" then you just figured out if you are a true friend to me or not. If you know then you just know. If you come into my life and leave with questions of uncertainty, then don't try to figure me out or even yourself while using context clues in what it is that I do on a daily basis. You will only confuse yourself more than you already are. Yes you are confused if you have to wonder "why" about anything right now. I am simple. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. That's why I am single right now because my last 3 girlfriends, one being my baby momma, one being the full of issues last one I just got out my life and the middle one that made me write this made 1 of 2 mistakes:

1.Thinking too much
2.Don't think enough

I was premature on a comment to someone. My last 3 ex's I thought were the best girlfriends that I had but no I was wrong. The best is yet to come…And all three are Ex's because (this is where you should pay close attention) they were so different that they became similar in many ways. I come up with something to keep me motivated when I start training for the upcoming year every year. This year "GET BACK or GET DONE" fits pretty well. I am a HUGE Little Brother Fan and I love the Get Back album. I understand why it was titled Get Back and this year it fits me the same. I need to Get Back to me and doing what it is that I know I can do. If that doesn't happen then I will "Get Done" which should be self explanatory. I know it might seem like I went off topic but I didn't. The people I wrote about (those 3 ex's and others who this applies to) Maybe you should think about getting back to you or getting back to whatever makes you successful. I know my peace and I am all packed up on my way back there because I lost focus and I blame myself for that.

*Currently getting back to whats most important to me.

My Daughters 5th B-Day

2008-10-04T23:00:00.001-04:00

GRANDMA!She loves her Hannah Montana ! The Sweetest

Us in Ms. Shirley's (B-More Thing)

The Cake