August 2nd Coaching Tip: A Full Day.
Today was my final day competing at the 2025 National Senior Games. At 11:40am, I ran the 200m and finished 17th overall, after being seeded 38th out of 41 entrants. Most proud that I ran the 200m approx. 2.4 seconds faster than I had run it in June 2025 and more than 4 seconds faster than June 2024.
Then it was on to the basketball shooting competition. 31 women in my 60-64 age group entered the free throw shooting contest; I was able to make 22 out of 25 for a silver medal, and the local Iowa gold medal winner shot 23 of 25. In the three-point shooting contest, I was able to make nine of the 15 attempts, which landed me a bronze medal. Silver also made nine, but the tie breaker was that she hit more in a row than me. The gold medal went to the women who drained 10 of 15 three pointers.
For two months, I’ve been wearing two rubber bracelets on my right wrist that reminded me of this phrase: nothing is impossible. Exceed your own expectations. These two bracelets had been in my jewelry drawer for a few years, but something made me grab them, wear them, and because it was two of them, to double down on my effort to do well at these NSG. I’m beyond thrilled in how this journey has gone, especially meeting some new people, refining my wellness, doing new and hard things, and having part of my “fam bam” there to see me compete today. Out of 12,500 senior athletes in 30 different sports (and many events in the track & field), I’m so happy to bringing home two medals and setting three new personal records/new lower times in the 100m, 200m and 400m runs. It was a full day; full of fun, competition, and yes, throw in some nerves and anxiety.
August 3rd Coaching Tip: One of 12,500 Senior Athletes.
12,500 senior athletes qualified and registered for the 2025 National Senior Games. And, I was one of the lucky 12,500! Central Iowa did a superb job of hosting over 30 sports in over 20 locations across the towns of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, Grimes, Altoona, Polk City, Johnston, and Pleasant Hill. These 12,500 senior athletes came from all 50 USA states and 11 countries; helping us athletes were volunteers everywhere, friendly and helpful.
As of this evening, the state of Florida leads the way with their senior athletes or teams receiving a total of 293 medals (123 gold, 83 silver, 87 bronze). Ohio has 246 total medals, Texas has 229, and Tennessee has raked in 214. Indiana has 65 medals (24 gold, 22 silver, and 19 bronze). I’m proud to be the recipient of one silver and one bronze to help represent Indiana’s 65 medals.
August 4th Coaching Tip: Prioritize YOU.
Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that a number of friends and colleagues had wonderful careers going. Then, adult care giving role turned their life upside down. The career goes, the care giving consumes them. And then the career is damaged, and some were laid off, others retired or simply quit. Through all of this, I’ve noticed that the ones (mostly all are women) who focus on care giving to a loved one also focus on their own health and overall wellbeing. In my opinion, it’s hard to care for others and be a role model if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Please prioritize you, if you get asked to care for others urgently or for the long haul. Care giving is tasking; it might even cost you your job. Take care of you and prioritize you, so that you can be at your best for others.