Memories

There is something that I won’t be able to part with in the move down to CT and this may sound silly. It’s the addidas bag that I use for the gym. It’s a great size because it has a two side pockets I can fit my ipod into, my building security tag, my shower shoes, etc. and then a middle pocket that has plenty of room for my running shoes, workout clothes and knee brace.

The problem with this bag? Is that the fabric flap for the main compartment that is supposed to attach to the zipper is no longer attached, thus creating a big hole. Good for airing out purposes when my stinky clothes sit in the bag after lunch, not so good for keeping stuff in the bag or keeping stuff hidden from view.

THE bag with my gray workout pants poking through the large hole, despite the fact that it is zipped up.

It’s not just any addidas bag though. It is a bag that I received for competing in the Millrose Games.

For those of you that don’t know much about track and field, the Millrose Games are a BIG DEAL. Professional track and field athletes come to the games to compete- the Games are held at Madison Square Garden in NYC. (Funny story- Michael Johnson came to the Games in 2000. I wanted a picture of him, but some security guard wouldn’t allow me to stand next to him to take the picture. So I stood back and took a picture of Michael anyway, with a teammate in the background. Jerk.)

Amazingly, I qualified to compete in both the shot put and the 20 lb. weight throw two years in a row in college. The women that I competed against? Some of them were people that went to the Olympics. In fact, the second year that I competed (2001), I had to throw against the (then) current U.S. record holder. That’s right. NO PRESSURE. Here she is on the far right- Dawn Ellerbe (holding a hammer, the outside version of the weight).

Part of a Sports Illustrated spread on Olympic athletes

I consider myself a taller person (I’m 5’9”), but compared to her 6’2” 240 pound body? I was nothing. I’m sure that she looked at my uniform from a small 5,000-person Division 1 school and had no idea where it was even located!! Dawn ended up winning the weight throw with a toss of over 72 feet. My best throw was just shy of 61 feet, but it was my best throw EVER. I even qualified for nationals with that throw. :-)

I know that keeping the bag despite its hole seems silly. I am totally holding on to the fact that I was an athlete back in college. Ummm yeah TEN YEARS AGO. But I can’t seem to give away the darn bag!! I am proud that I competed against some of the best in the world. I am proud that I stepped up to the heavy competition and not only beat people from larger schools, but also beat three women that threw for a living. Using the bag when going to the gym reminds me of working hard and taking names- just the kind of inspiration that I need when I go to the gym.

CP will have to rip the bag out of my cold, dead hands if he ever wants to get rid of it.

Do you have things from your past that you will absolutely not part with?