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Young's Final Relay Pool Experience

Watch Jessica Young run the leadoff leg of the women's 4x100 relay in London.

Jessica Young

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July 27, 2009

Fort Worth, Texas - GoFrogs.com gives fans an exclusive view of Jessica Young running leadoff for the USA women's 4x100 over the weekend in Young's final journal from overseas.

Video of Young Running Leadoff
Universal Sports Video of 4x100 Relay

Young, a four-time All-American, helped the United State's 4x100 B unit place third overall last Friday at the Aviva London Grand Prix.

Young's Final Journal
I don't know where to start. Today was a great day for me. I started it off on the right foot. I got up and ate at a decent time. I was trying to eat lunch as late as possible, but 2 p.m. was the longest I could hold off until. Sitting in my room all day, I was actually surprised that I had not thought too much about the race that was ahead of me. I was relaxed and chilled. I pretty much just slept the entire afternoon.

At 4:30 p.m. when we left to go to the track, I got a quick snack, which consisted of a piece of bread and a banana.

I was amazed at how full Crystal Palace was. I don't believe that there was one empty seat. At this point, I began to get nervous and anxious to get on the track. I was also determined to not let the fact that it was very chilly outside affect my performance.

As far as preparations for the race, I felt that I did a good job warming up and staying loose. I also did a few starts and accelerations. As time got closer to race, the more excited I became. The fact that Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt were in the same facility might have also had something to do with that excitement. During my warm-up, I didn't know whether to stretch or ask them to take a picture. It was a struggle the whole time between being professional and a fan.

Before going out on the track, the atmosphere of the other ladies running was great and we were very talkative. No one seemed nervous, so it sort of rubbed off on me and I began to talk and enjoy the moment.

Going out on the track I was relaxed and comfortable. It was cold, but again I tried not to think about it and just stay loose.

So, the gun goes off and I'm out like a bat thinking to myself, "wow, I'm really running fast here." When I get to Alexandria Anderson, I am clearly in the lead as I place the baton in her hand, but it doesn't stay. So, we ran a couple of steps before I could actually get the baton in her hand and we were still leading. The only thing I can remember from that point on was that we ended up getting third overall.

This was such an amazing experience and I wish I could do it all over again tomorrow just to relive it.

After the race we were all excited and congratulated the other U.S.A. team that had came in first place. I felt really good when the other ladies and the coaches said how well I did and that I was a beast on the turn. This is not something I am used to hearing about myself on the turn considering I don't see myself as a turn runner. I will definitely be exploring this more often as I travel to Germany in a couple of weeks.

I once again can't express how great this was and how excited I was to wear the U.S.A gear. I felt like I went out there and did my job today and for that I am proud. I can also have a good night's sleep and that I will do.

Thanks for reading,
Jessica Young