The 2013 IPC World Championships: Lyon, France

I was so excited to be able to continue my track career and represent the United States as a member of the 2013 USA team. I had a great time preparing and competing in France. 

They announced the World Championship team a few days after the USA National Championships.  I was watching twitter like a hawk to make sure I made the team.  When it was posted I skimmed through it and didn't see my name.  I was a little disappointing but after looking again I saw it.  It was very excited and relieving.  Gear Day WAS AWESOME!!!

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The flight to France was about 24 hours after all the connections and layovers.  It was a LONG trip.  I am so thankful for the little TVs on the plan or I would have gone crazy.  The plane itself was HUGE.  The hardest part about the trip was the time change.  After being awake for about 24 hours I got to France at 1 pm.  For anyone who plans to travel across time zones.  You DO NOT want go to sleep right when you get to your destination.  If you do, you will be screwed up for days.  So I forced myself to stay awake until that night so I could get used to sleeping and nights.  It was hard but worth it because I adjusted in about two days.

It is hard to tell but this plane is HUGE

I practiced every day for a week.  It was a good chance to get used to the hot and humid weather, as well as the track surface.  The humidity was very deceiving.  It didn't feel humid but you would be wet on your arms and legs from sweat.  I drank a gallon and a half of water each day.  It was hard to stay hydrated, but very important.  I was lucky to have a great water bottle made by Camelbak.  

Practice Track

The view from my Hotel Room

My Bed for Two Weeks

The stadium we were competing in had about 3000 seats.  There were a morning competition session, and an evening competition session for 7 straight days.  The seats where sold out for each session.  I was so amazed how much people in Europe loved the Para Sport track and field.  There was media from 85 different counties, and the meet was broadcast live on TV in several of those countries.  Everywhere we would go in Lyon people were talking about the track meet.

I had never competed in from of that may people before.  It was a lot of fun.  I don't feel like it had any affect on my performance.  I know that that many people could get into peoples head, but I was enjoying every minute of it.

I got a chance to get out and see the city a little bit.  It was a very pretty place.  I have included some pictures below.  If you have any questions about my trip feel free to ask through a comment.