Hurdler Lolo Jones tells WH all about her Olympic dreams, the video game she can't resist, and the quote that keeps her going every day
By Amy Van Deusen
What are your goals for the Olympics?
The ultimate dream requires the ultimate goal. Would you like me to say silver? Because I can guarantee that if I say silver I’ll probably end up with the bronze. So gold is a good color.
What's a normal training day for you?
This is a really hard question for me to answer. My coach (Dennis Shaver) works in cycles so depending on what part of the year it is, it can really fluctuate. In the fall we do longer tempo stuff, where we include Pilates-type exercises. Then in the spring we begin to concentrate more on our sprinting so we move away from running on the grass to running on the track. We lift weights every day except Sunday and Friday.
Are there eating rules that you follow?
I am training at such a high level that I actually could eat anything and get by. But as my coach always says, your body is like a car, and food is like your fuel. I am a race car so I can’t just put unleaded fuel in my car. I need that good premium fuel.
Tell us the five foods that you couldn't live without.
Crawfish. Dark chocolate. Baby carrots and dip. Steak. Fruit.
Do you have any guilty pleasure foods?
I usually treat myself to wings once a week. In the off-season I want to go for the record of eating 70 super spicy wings.
How do you keep yourself going on tough days?
I count my blessings. This job can be rough: the non-stop travel, the challenging workouts. I turn the negatives to positive.
So I live out of a bag? I turn that around by saying, I also get to see countries that people dream about.
So I have to run a long workout? I think well, I get paid to work out and keep a nice body.
I am also a big fan of this quote by Frederick Douglass, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
What do you do to cope with stress?
I listen to a lot of Christian music, and reading my Bible calms me down immensely. But when I'm standing in a stadium packed with 80,000 screaming fans, I can’t just whip out my Bible before I run. That’s when I start praying! It's so loud that I can’t even hear what I'm saying, but it always helps.
You were a track star at LSU. What made you decide to keep going after you graduated?
I did not want to quit on my dream just yet. I didn't have a big-time contract out of college like most athletes. In fact I had no contract at all. When I didn't make my first Olympic team in 2004 I was crushed. I had my college degree and knew I could make a decent living with that, but I chose to work part-time jobs so that I could train. I didn't give up because I didn't want my dream to stay a dream. I wanted it to be reality.
Will you continue after the Olympics?
Yes. Most hurdlers peak from the ages of 28 to 33. I'm only 25. Even the great American hero Allen Johnson is still running strong at 35!
What's your favorite part of being a hurdler?
The rhythm I achieve when I am running so fast that I can no longer see the hurdles, but only feel them.
Your least favorite part?
When I fall. It happens to the best of us. Not only is it hard to get off the track that day, it's even harder not to have a little anxiety for your next race.
If you could choose an Olympic sport other than any track and field events, which would you pick?
I love gymnastics. I am too tall to be a gymnast but that won’t stop me from cheering for my fellow American and Iowan Shawn Johnson.
Do you ever get a chance to relax? What do you do?
It's quite embarrassing but I love a game of Dance Dance Revolution. And it’s a good workout. I also enjoy rock climbing, and buying a new book at the bookstore.
We have an ongoing discussion with readers about their favorite body part. What's your favorite part of your body? My legs. They make all my money! They are the most valuable part and I work hard for them to look and run good.
What's the one piece of clothing you live in?
Tank tops. They are easy to pack.
If you could go on a date with any celebrity, who would it be?
Actually this question is quite hard to answer, because there are just too few. Everyone I think of is either married or has just come out of rehab. So if you guys wanna set me up on a blind date, check for those two requirements first and then make it happen! I am single!
Source: Women's Health
Lolo Jones from the U.S. celebrates after she won the 100 meters hurdles competition during the IAAF "Weltklasse Zurich" Golden League meeting at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
Lolo Jones, of the U.S., 100 meter hurdles athlete, talks, during a press conference ahead of the track and field meeting 'Weltklasse in Zuerich', in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008.
Media Talk in Zürich (in Swiss dialect):
World Indoor champion Lolo Jones reflects on her Olympic 100m Hurdles final and looks forward to the end of the Grand Prix season.
“Hi again,
“Okay, so we’ll get the hard part out of the way first. Everyone has been asking what went wrong? Why did I trip over hurdle nine when leading the Olympic final?
“Well, the simple answer is I just don’t have one. It is the hurdles. Stuff happens. Lots of people have been trying to put words in my mouth into why I tripped but I can’t give a clear explanation.
“All I can say is that I felt fantastic going into the final. I was so focused. Everything seemed to click in the middle of the race but those hurdles always approach quicker and quicker and you can either slow down and break or keep turning your legs over. I turned my legs over and tripped over hurdle nine.
“It is strange. I could have played it safe and just tried to win a medal, but that is what I thought in Osaka and ended up missing out and finishing sixth.
“No, I said to myself it is important and run well, run as fast as I ever have done and put on a good show for the crowd.
“It’s funny that after reflecting on what happened I feel I achieved a number of my goals. I ran a lifetime best of 12.43 in the semi-finals and I was leading the race – until at least hurdle nine.
“I also have to put the performance in perspective. Four years ago I sat watching the women’s 100m hurdles final in tears after I failed to qualify through the Olympic Trials. Now here I was crying on the track after failing to win the gold medal.
“Of course, I guess all I wanted to do was run off the track and talk to my family after the race but I had a duty to front up to the media and talk to the press guys. They had shown an interest in me during the rounds when I was the fastest it was only fair I explained myself to them as best I could.
“As you can imagine I found it hard to sleep that night. I hung out with Angela Whyte the Canadian hurdler and we played basketball in the international zone until 4.30pm in the morning. We tried to score hoops and Angela won. I joked with her ‘Damn, I can’t even win a game of basketball.’ I don’t think I got to sleep until 7.30am.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the response from people who sent me texts and emails offering their support. That last few days have been a bit rough and I truly thank them all. But it is no use looking back, I have to look forward.
“I plan to run as many races as I can in Europe starting with Zurich (on Aug 27) and I’m using Susanna Kallur as my inspiration. Susanna went into last year’s World Championships in Osaka expected to medal, but she finished fourth. She bounced back by running as well as she ever had done at the back of the season and carried that roll on into the indoor season. I hope to do the same.
“I’m certainly not giving up and my next big goal is the 2012 Olympics in London, which has a bit of a ring to it. Lolo Jones London that has three Lo’s in it. Yes, that sounds good!”
Lolo
A few weeks back, I was reading the Des Moines Register and the story of Olympic Athlete, Lolo Jones caught my eye. Lolo had won money in the Olympic trials and instead of using it for herself as many people her age would, she decided to donate it to a single mother who had been victim to the floods in Iowa. Now there are often times when athletes donate their money, but when the news described her genuine empathy for the woman as they embraced and shed tears together, I knew I was truly seeing the actions of a true star.
Needless to say, her story hooked me and I couldn't wait to watch her in the Olympics. There were several times Lolo stood out amongst the pack as a class act. First, in Olympic interviews, she always credited everyone else as the reason for her success and thanked those deserving. Second, she praised the talents of the other athletes. Third, she had a glow about her that showed her true love of her sport and awe for the fact she was at the Olympics. And fourth, she was just damn fast.
In her prelims, she smoked past the pack to an easy victory to qualify her for the finals. Unlike Dawn Harper, another US hurdler, when Lolo came off of the track, she did not gloat; she simply mentioned loving the sport and being grateful for the chance to participate. She was also quick to congratulate others and offer a winning smile. Comparing the two runners side-by-side made me appreciate one and feel a certain distaste for the other.
Then came the finals. Lolo had an amazing start and it was apparent she was going to be the easy victor. But then came that ninth hurdle. Lolo came up too fast on it, hit it with her heel, and threw her stride for the rest of the race. She did finish in 7th place, but dropped to her knees in dismay and incredulity at the finish line. My heart went out to her not just because of the fact she lost but because she had shown strength and quality in character long before taking her place at the starting line.
I believe the true test of an athlete is not just in the skill she shows, but in the feeling she inspires in those who watch her.
Dawn Harper may have won the gold, but Lolo Jones is the one with the true gold in my book.
Source: AC
hpc loves lolo!
I want to give a quick shout out to our girl Lolo Jones! We are so proud of her accomplishments and efforts. She is a star athlete with a heart that shines even brighter. These Olympic games have magnified her life of integrity and spirit of generosity.
So many friends of mine have been hooked on the games this year! So many great athletes and great competition. All I’m sayin’ is watch out Phelps! I have begun my training for the swim team. I’ll see you in London in 2012!
Source: dinorizzo.com