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Message: Triple jumper Sheila Hudson writes about her training.
One More Season: Long hours in training also can be lonely ones
By Sheila Hudson
Bee Staff Writer
(Published March 29, 2001)
As the sun pierced drifting clouds onto scattered spectators, a meet announcer's voice
bellowed over loudspeakers, and the aroma of Ben-Gay wafted in the mild spring breeze
that swirled about Hughes Stadium. Nearly 1,000 athletes turned out to compete in the
Panther Invitational last Saturday.
It was a good, old-fashioned track meet -- the perfect remedy for my preseason
funk -- and I was thrilled to be among the competitors. But then, competing
alongside other athletes has always had that effect on me. Particularly since I've
been a professional track athlete.
Why?
Well, to put it plainly, day-to-day training for a pro track athlete can get rather
lonely at times. Actually, downright solitary. Particularly when you're in an event as
technical as the triple jump. Believe it or not, there just aren't that many people
out there interested in performing a hop, step and jump into a sand pit better than
most in the world.
Go figure.
You can see the remainder of this story at:
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/news/sports11_20010329.html
