Updates from Lauryn Williams' world

Lauryn Williams admits that an update from her world has been a long time coming. Here is a brief look at what she has been up to over the last three months, including getting to meet one of the sport's all-time greats.

By Lauryn Williams, Special to Universal Sports | Posted: Jun 29, 6:10a ET | Updated: Jun 29, 6:10a ET

I am way overdue for a brief update on what is going on in my world!

It is hard to be brief when covering the goings on of my life the last 3 months since I've blogged so I have put together some short updates with pictures.

I left off fund raising for Fun4kidz by selling my previous sponsors workout clothes. I am delighted to report that we made close to $2,000!!!

I am grateful to all those who participated. The remainder of the clothes were donated to various track and field athletes.

With that I guess it is time for me to announce my new sponsor...drum roll please....SAUCONY!!!!

Pronounced Saw-cun-nee. I really look forward to seeing what opportunities will arise from our partnership of the next four years. I think this company is interested on making an impact in track and field and society as a whole.

***
I met Evelyn Ashford!!!

Those who know me personally will tell you that I need to do far better in the area of being a fan of my sport.

Yet when at an Ambassadors for Clean sport orientation in Colorado Springs someone mentioned to me that Evelyn Ashford would be flying in the next day just as I was supposed to be flying out not meeting her was NOT an option. I rearranged the morning and risked being late to the airport just to lay eyes on the greatest 100m runner ever!!

Though choosing not to be an active participant in the track world she assured me she still loves tuning in and provided me with such wisdom and encouragement in the few minutes we got to talk to her.

It was AMAZING!!
***

One of the perks of taking a step back from a heavy competition schedule is the opportunity to see family events that I would usually have to miss because of important training that cant be missed due to upcoming high level competition.

One weekend I went to Washington D.C. to watch my cousin Jessica graduate from law school (view photo). My mother just met her sister (view photo) for the first time two years ago and so I had no idea until then that I had five cousins, two of which are twins my age. It has been neat getting to know them and was really great to be able to travel to support such a huge accomplishment.

***

On June 3rd my great dane and best friend ever passed away. I am still not sure how things went so terribly wrong. I took an otherwise healthy dog in for ACL surgery and six weeks later she was dead.

I have never felt like I have let someone down they way I did Atheena. They say no one is perfect and that may be true of people but God created a perfect dog and gave her to me. Dealing with her absence SUCKS there is just no other way to put it. She will be missed.

***

If you want to be a part of something that has the ability to change your life, check out Ultimate Training Camp. I am so glad that I took time out and go and have this experience.

If you're a Christian athlete this is a MUST. It will take your spirituality to a whole new level!! If you're an athlete who is interested in finding out what Christianity is all about this is the BEST place to go. This camp has taken sports and God and meshed them perfectly!!!

You will challenge your mind and body in a way that wouldn't believe possible. If you're looking for a way to invest in yourself I would say you have to try this. I could go on about all the things we did all week long but it words won't do it justice.

***

The Jefferson Award for public service has the same clout as The Noble peace prize. Recently they made a division specifically for athletes.

The process started with 32 of us then was reduced to 10 and finally Nnamdi Asomugha and Tyrus Thomas were named the winners this past Tuesday June 22nd in Washington D.C.

I made the top 10, and although I didn't win I feel like I did. I won the opportunity attend the ceremony and to meet so many amazing people (view photo). I don't have my own foundation, the funds to get it going or the name that draw the kind of attention to draw the funds to keep it going but there are already enough efforts in existence to find something you are passionate about and attach yourself to it so you can aid in its growth and outreach.

Attending these sort of events serves as a great reminder that no matter how much you think your doing you can always challenge yourself to do more. It also lets you know that your not alone.

There are so many doing so much good in this world and it is so uplifting to see such big hearts in action. There various media outlets would have you believe that there isn't anything positive going on but a room full of people investing in other people in order to impact this world certainly does change that perspective.


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(universalsports.com)
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