March 11, 2005

SHARING A MOMENT

Have you ever seen an event that causes you to remember exactly where you were, what you were wearing, who you were with, what you were eating? Some have told me that that moment for them was the Women's World Cup in 1999. That moment for me was in 1980.

Some of you may be too young to even know 1980, but that's okay, because I will share the moment. I was a mere 12 years old, living in south San Jose. I was a sports enthusiast, not just soccer, so on this very day, I found myself in front of the television, eating my favorite sandwich at the time (tomato, cheddar cheese and mayo), wearing my ever-so-fashionable red dittos flared- bottom pants and a red and white striped shirt. I was around the corner at my friend's house, although I was watching TV alone.

It just so happened that the Olympics were on, and even though I had never laced up a pair of skates, I was glued to the hockey game that would go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, moment in USA Olympic history. It was the second time the US would play the Russians in a very short time, and the last was a complete blow out, 15-3 at Madison Square Garden. But this time would be different. Little known guys from college championship teams and ponds around the Northeast would gather together to beat the mighty Russians, creating what we all know as the Miracle on Ice.

From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be an Olympian. I didn't have a plan, or know what sport (at that time soccer wasn't even an option -- remember, the first Olympic Games for women's soccer was 1996 in Atlanta), but that afternoon changed my life forever. It has stuck with me as a reminder that no matter how difficult the situation, how good the opponent, how others may think you are finished, there is always hope!

So, this week, I got to do something that I never thought I would. I met the goalkeeper from that very 1980's hockey team, Jim Craig. We were both fortunate enough to be at a dinner hosted by PowerBar at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The setting couldn't have been any better, for that was the first OTC that I had ever visited, training with my youth regional team.

As I entered the facility, seeing the posters of all the Olympians present at the dinner, the likes of Andy Potts (triathlon) or Josh Cox (marathon), then seeing Jim Craig (JIM CRAIG!!!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes) seated at the table I would join, brought back all the emotions of why I wanted to be an Olympian. I immediately said, "Mr. Craig, I am sure you have heard this a million times, well probably a gazillion (is that an actual number?) times, but you were the first ever Olympic memory I had, and though I never played hockey, you gave me the inspiration to push hard in training, want to be privileged enough to wear the red, white and blue, and always, always, always give my best no matter how difficult the challenge."

He was very gracious, thanked me and shared with me how awesome my moment was in 99. I couldn't believe he would even know about that, and I shook my head and said thanks and chuckled. What I realized in that moment was that the women's national team doesn't just touch young girls and women playing soccer, but everyone who appreciates the process, the dedication, the energy and time it takes to be the best, and in that moment, a person that I admired greatly shared with me how we shared the same affect on those lucky enough to have been in the stadium, watching on TV or listening on the radio. We are all forever connected, whether we have met or not. But, hopefully, every day will give us another opportunity to meet and share the where's, why's, who's and what's you were doing on that great day, July 10, 1999.

The photos with this blog are of the view of Pike's Peak in Colorado from the middle of the Olympic Training Center. Isn't that incredibly beautiful? The athletes that live and train at that facility are really lucky. The second is Jim Craig and I after the dinner, holding my '04 Athens Gold Medal. And the other is Josh Cox, super marathoner, who one day I want to be like. He said he would help me train to run 26.2 miles. (I told him I just want to survive and cross the finish line.)

So I will leave you with this final thought that occurred to me in remembering '80 and meeting Jim Craig.....

Never assume greatness is for someone else. Imagine every day that you too can do great things. Have the courage to take the challenge, make the mistakes, and move forward. Who knows, maybe one day someone will be sharing your moment with you. ;-)