Art- The Start of My Woman

Who is this Woman?  

What will I call her when she is finished?

I set out on a challenge.  A challenge to create a piece of art that I have had in my mind for a very long time.

  She will be constructed in several stages.  

This is the first stage.  

I wanted to experiment with the colors and the 

flowers that I will be using in the final project. 

 For a long time after my accident,

 I saw most of life in very dull, grey hues.  

Over time, I began to find small amounts of peace.  

With the realization of peace, 

came an appreciation for the color 

that was slowly coming back 

into my perspective.

Missed Olympics Vol.7

Mile after Mile

Scott, Mariah, Russell and Laura - Disneyland '05

 Family Support is Everything

Scott knew I was serious about wanting to do everything possible to fulfill my goal of competing in the Olympics. 

He is the voice of reason and helped me put into perspective what would be required.  We discussed each aspect of how it would happen and how it might effect the family. 

Scott said he would support and encourage me but we needed to be realistic.  He knows me so well.....   Without a coach he said it might be rather difficult but he had seen so many changes in me that he knew I was serious and determined. 

I knew all things would come into place at the right time. 

Within a few weeks (under 11) I was walking about 5-6 miles a day, lifting weights and I now weighed about 113 pounds (total weight loss 27 pounds).

I had learned how to eat correctly, hydrate and rest.   I learned to listen to my body. I had more energy and enthusiasm than I had felt in many years.

I called my brother, John,  and shared by goal with him.  He said he would talk with his coach to see if he would be willing to help me as well.  

John Nunn & Laura Carngie (Brother and Sister)

Coach Enrique Pena said he was willing but the distance between Utah and California would create difficulties.


Our Plan:  Coach would email me my workouts and I would email him my times and reports.   I made several trips to California and I worked with him in person.

I was excited.  I was greatly thankful for the support I was blessed with.  Family and friends began to encourage and support me.  

I loved what I was doing.  I was very disciplined.  I had a strict schedule and I stuck to it.  

Salt Lake, 2006

I spent 2 - 3  hours a day completing my physical workouts.  On occasion I would video my workouts and compare them to the world's best athlete's.  I made notes, worked on drills and spent an additional hour each day on visualizing and mental training.  Twice a day I would repeat my personal positive affirmations.

Some of my favorite work outs were the speed days when I would listen to the Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack and push my self as hard as I physically could to increase turn over of the  rotation of my hips and to lengthen my stride length. 

Amazing feelings happen when you are on a very long workout.  In reality it is your mind against your body.  I was forced to experience so many emotions and physical feelings.  There were countless times when I felt  physically spent, ready to quit. 

I was  able to "erase" one element of my physical existence at a time.  Leaving me with only my mental faculties to control my body, instead of allowing my body to control my mind.   I was more focused.   


Scott, Russell and Mariah were willing to combine my races with some of our family vacations.
California, Florida, Nevada.... I was always blessed to have them by my side cheering me on and sometimes even as my aid support.

Russell and Mariah - Great Support!

I found I enjoyed my time with my family even more because I was gaining a clear mind.  I relished  each moment with them.  This time felt inclusive of love, acceptance and mutual appreciation, instead of feeling all of my existence muddled up and crammed into one singular act.  I truly felt I was on a divine path. 

Missed Olympics Vol. 5

The Power to Motivate

John Nunn US Army WCAP Photo

 A hearts desire becomes the motivation .......

Surprisingly it was my younger brother, John Nunn, who really took off with Race Walking.   He was the one that helped me revisit my childhood dream of competing in the Olympics. 

He was a runner thru high school but was given the opportunity to race walk in college for a scholarship. He took the opportunity and has never looked back!  

 

Wining race after race nationally and competing internationally, he earned the right to compete as a United States Athlete in the 2004 Olympics in Greece. 

My husband, Scott, pampered me with a trip  to Greece to watch my brother compete. 

And that is when it happened ..... I realized the desire to challenge myself in race walking was still alive and  screaming  inside to be tested....