In Her Own Words: Timetria Mitchell
Tuesday:
We met one another and introduced ourselves and the events we run then we went to dinner. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and prepared to leave for Cuba.
Wednesday:
We went to the airport after eating breakfast where we would then began our journey to Cuba. Once our plane landed and we left the airport we were surprised to see what we saw. The way we thought everything would be was different. They were not fortunate like us and have the advantages that we had but they were happy with what that had and they did not complain. That day we all learned to appreciate what we have. Once we got to the hotel we settled down and went to dinner where we learned what races we had to run on Thursday.
Thursday:
Those who had to run that morning went to the meet while those who ran in the evening went to Old Havana after eating breakfast where we walked around and went on a mini tour where we viewed homes and stores. Later on that day I had to prepare myself to run the 100m hurdles. When we got to the meet I went to the practice track where I started to warm up. When they called "vallas" I knew it was time to check in so as I walked over I said a prayer. When I got to check in they said my name wasn't on the list so I got a little nervous and when I came back with Ms. Kristi they had me in a different age group than the other hurdlers. That was okay for me because if I want to be great I would have to run against others that are great. I ran my race thinking it was a final coming in third, but they changed it and we had to run finals 30 minutes later where I then got 4th.
Friday:
We went out to view Cuba again after breakfast but this time we went to downtown Havana. I saw plenty of stores with different varieties of items. I bought a handmade bag and a couple of bracelets that were also handmade. After shopping we walked around together where we later watched a man play a trumpet to Ms. Joy and another who played the guitar. After we took a break a elderly man came to me and read some of his romantic poems that I found lovely and when he stopped a woman came to me and handed me Cuba's old dollar coin and told me to hold it and keep it as a souvenir. After we left and went to lunch we left the hotel and went to the meet and I started to get ready for the 400m hurdles. When it was time for me to run I felt like I was good and that I just had to finish and make it to finals. After I ran and went back to the team there were a bunch of kids asking what were the names of those running so they can cheer for them and when one noticed that we had Cheerios she got them and passed them out and later on they went to share with their parents. It was so cute to see the bond they had with their parents because no matter what they got or how little it was they would share with their parents.
Saturday:
I stayed in because I had already been around where do I slept in after I ate breakfast. After I woke up it was lunch time and after I ate I sat by the pool until it was time to leave with a couple of the girls so that we can relax before we went to run even though we couldn't get in the pool. When we finally left the hotel and got to the track I headed to the practice track and got ready to run. This time someone who had a herd of cows with them was on the track sitting on his horse while the cows were on the dirt road next to the practice track. It was cool to see and I was actually shocked it was my first time seeing a cow in person. It was time to run my 400m hurdle finals and I refused to get last out of lane one. So when the gun went off I stayed strong and fought to the finish line. I ran better than I did in prelims and I was happy knowing that with a little more work I can drop my time again. After the 400m hurdles I had around 2 hours until the 4x4 so some of the other girls and I went to pass out the NSAF shirts to the Cubans and trading with them for some of their stuff. When we traded a bit we went to get ready for the 4x4 relay and checked in. We were all a little nervous but it was like once we stepped on the track it was go time and no one was left behind. We all pulled through and did what we had to. After the relay we watched the boys and after they ran we came together taking pictures with one another on the track. We also started trading again with our stuff and one man who asked for my shoes gave me a sweatshirt in return. Even though I liked the shoes it was cool knowing I helped someone with something they needed. We headed back to the hotel while some of us were barefooted and went straight to dinner. After dinner we all changed to get in the pool where we bonded together as a team playing games, singing songs, dancing, and talking about how much fun we had with one another. Afterwards we went to our rooms and packed our bags.
Sunday:
We woke up for breakfast and left to go to the a airport where we had to wait hours to leave. While we waited on our flight we passed our bags around and got everyone to sign so that we would never forget about one another it was a week to remember. When the plane landed in Miami we said our goodbyes to one another saying see you later.
Overall, I think that Cuba was a great first international meet for me. I may have not have won all my events but I know that I would have to work harder and push myself to do better. I think that my races could be better if I fix my start, but I loved the competition. After this I will be running at the New Balance track meet and will be preparing to leave to the University of Florida.