Ericka improved her 400m performance from last week by putting down a new Indoor SB of 57.49 (PR 57.46), this early in the season. Her training has not tapped into speed work. Ericka’s training model has consisted of strength and endurance work. Tomorrow, Ericka will contest her first 800m of the Indoor season. #GottaKeepGrinding
Ericka ran her first “rust-buster” track race of the 2020 Indoor track season at the Dick Taylor Carolina Challenge, Eddie Smith Field House at UNC-Chapel Hill. As Ericka states, “with a hard training week and my body still in long distance mode, I pulled off a 58.87 in the 400m and a 26.45 in the 200m. My closing speed in the 400m was great”. She finished a close 3rd in the quarter-mile and top 10 in the 200m. Not a bad way to kick off her season. Up next, the Gamecock Opener on January 17 -18 in South Carolina. Ericka will contest the 400m again, and her first 800m of the season.
As Ericka says, “gotta keep grinding”
Ericka had quite a few highlights and happiest moments in 2019. Truth, she had two rough seasons, and, at times, found it difficult to maintain her passion for the competition. I believe every athlete has times when they question whether to quit or keep grinding. Ericka made the decision to keep going.
Her finest moments of 2019 was the opportunity to travel and compete in several high-performance races such as Festival of Miles, Ed Murphey Classic, Florida Relays, etc. Additionally, Ericka qualified for the 2019 Toyota USATF Indoor Nationals in the 600m and setting PRs three times in this event during the Indoor season.
Ericka became a member of New Balance RDU and found a comfortable position as the only girl on the team of cool guys. They bonded and had fun racing on the roads and XC races such as the Mill Chill 4-miler, Raleigh City Cross Country Championships, and the New Balance Turkey Trot.
Fun events like the Sir Walter Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile and Sir Walter Miler helped reignite Ericka’s love for competition. Ericka set a new road Mile PR of 4:46.50 and clinched the win. She represented the Bond Brothers Beer run group for the Brewery Throwdown at the Mill Chill 4 Miler while running a new 4-mile road PR; as well as winning the Sir Walter Miler Run Club 4x400m mixed relay for the 2nd year in a row.
2020 is going to be Ericka’s most exciting season! She is preparing to return to Albuquerque for the 2020 Toyota USATF Indoor Nationals in February, and, the 2020 Olympic Trials this summer.
October is Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month. Being on the Autism Spectrum growing up, I was constantly bullied in school and taken advantage of. Thanks to Coach Cheryl Bowden, Durham School of the Arts, for insisting; as well as encouraging me to join her track team in middle school, “running” saved me from the constant bullying I faced everyday. I was respected by everyone who mistreated me. My small advice for dealing with bullies – hold your head up high and perform really well in your extracurricular activities or other talents you have😎
Dunbar High School, Washington, D.C. ~ Saturday, July 13, 2019, ~ Ericka continues to improve her season’s best performances at 800m. She achieved a new SB 2:08.25. Unfortunately, she did not achieve the National Outdoor Qualifying Standard in time and will skip the competition at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA. However, in the spirit of competition, her season is not over!!! That’s right, Ericka has quite a few more chances to improve her time and close out the 2019 Outdoor season on a high note. Next up, Sir Walter Miler, 8/2/2019 at Meredith. Ericka will join her friends on the mixed 4×4 relay. Also, we have big news to share, so please subscribe to our site.
