Perry Louis Fields

It’s about 90 days till the Olympic Trials.  The good news is that I’m healthy and injury free.  I have some great gadgets to help with my recovery from training (from people who are sponsors in my new book).   The downside is that I’ve had to learn a lot very quickly. I’ve had to transition pretty fast from middle distance to the shorter races and that’s been pretty tough.  The truth is, at the Trials, it’s anyone’s game.  Anyone has a chance. Nobody knows whose going to have a good day and whose going to have a bad day.  That’s also good news.

I did not have the indoor season I really wanted. I seemed to be really unfocused at the start of the race. The 60m start is pretty intense and it took me forever to get comfortable. I just don’t know how else to explain training and doing so well at practice and not performing in races. I usually do well under pressure, but I think this was more of a comfort issue.  At the end of indoor, I felt like I finally was getting used to the start, but by then the season was over.  It was a bummer. I really wanted to post a 7.18.  Mentally that didn’t really put me in a good place going into outdoor, but I’ve had to move on from indoors mentally and just say the hell with it.   With 90 days, I don’t have time to sulk. I don’ t have time to do much but train.

So my book, The Tick Slayer, is finally coming back from print this week. Thank goodness! I am hoping that will help my focus as well. Once it’s out there, it’s out there.   I wanted to do such a good job on it and for some people, a book, is a life long dream that takes a lot out of you. For me, it’s the first book and not the last. But yes, it was a huge undertaking. I don’t really advise having a book come out during an Olympic year….especially one that is attempting to get thousands of people healthy from a disease!

Today, I’ll talk with my coach and start figuring out a plan for the next 90 days. I will have to revamp things and run what I’m comfortable running. I’m not saying I’m not comfortable running a 100m. Eventually, for some reason, I do believe this will be my best event.  If  eventually race, like I train. I could be on the top marks list of all time.  But it really is a skill to get good at. The start, the acceleration/drive phase, etc. etc. It’s a lot to absorb in one year.

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I’ve heard people tell me that I’m doing the wrong thing, but in my heart it feels right.  When I was young, I did what everyone else told me to do and it got me just shy of every goal I ever had.  For some reason, when I do what I FEEL is right, things just line up (eventually).  So I continue on and stay clear of the pessimistic people….and there are a lot of them out there.

Whew! I’m staying pretty busy these days.  The deadline for my book is approaching and I’m quite excited to get it out.  I’ve had people for two years now ask me about this book and as print time approaches I get more and more requests on a daily basis. I guess that shows you how bad the Lyme disease epidemic really is.

I have to say it will be quite a huge relief to have the book out.  The Olympics are right around the corner and I have been thinking about it almost daily.  I write in my new book, The Tick Slayer, about my fight with the disease and missing the 2008 Olympics because of it. It was totally crushing (not even the right words to describe the disappointment) so it’s hard to believe that it’s about that time again.  So much has changed in four years.

…..and since I’ve made such a huge change with the events I’m running, I have to stay firm in my belief of what I can do as a sprinter.  It’s a gutsy move. But I trust myself and I trust my coach.

I’M ALL IN.

Training is going really well. I’ve literally transformed my body in little over a year from a middle distance runner to the beginnings of a sprinter.  The 800m is still not out of the question, but my focus is the 100m and everything else up to the 800m will fall into place like it should. I really look forward to competing this outdoor season. This is a World Championship year, so it’s a pretty big year for track, it just gets MUCH bigger for the Olympic year.

I’m healthy, getting fitter and feel like I’m really on the right path.  I have very strong feelings for why I went through what I did and how much I’m going to be able to help everyone else who is chronically ill. I know I went through it for a reason.  I just can’t wait to get it all out there. Even being the private person I am,  I’m willing to sacrifice that comfort.

Honestly, this has got to be the strangest post.  Yes, I was captain of my Division 1 college cross country team. Yes, I went to NCAAs in the 1600m.  Yes, I’m now running the 60m. SO SURPRISE EVERYONE!

This year past year has been ripe for change.  It’s not that I’m dumping the 1500m and 800m, it’s just that I’m taking a break because I found out that I’ve got major speed, you could say a huge undeveloped talent.  It takes speed to run the 800m, but the 60m is over before I can figure out what happened. I’m okay with losing a few races to get it right, but the change has been beyond strange; however, I remain committed to the idea that I will be running the 100m outdoor and that my chances are good.

Besides probably being the most unique and unprecedented move in track and field history, I find it kind of fitting. With my book coming out soon (which is all about controlling your destiny, once you figure out you can), making my move to the 60m (as a “skinny” white girl) is hilarious.  We all know I’m not really skinny, but I often chuckle when I hear someone refer to me as “skinny,” if only they could see my lift weights ( I’m up to eight plates on my leg press).

So the good news is that I’m disciplined like a middle distance runner and I can apply that to the sprints. The other good news is my fitness level is going to be hard to beat (especially now that I’ve written the book on getting healthy and doing the opposite of what everyone else does). At 32, I’m healthier and fitter than I’ve ever been in my entire life. As each year passes from my illness, it just gets better and better.

The only bad news is that it takes time to get used to a new event and honestly I’m feeling that right now.  For example, my old race (the 800m) is where you run hard and try to relax so that you can make two laps and have some gas left in the tank for a sprint at the last part of the race (sprinting when you are on EMPTY).  You try to hold on aerobically as long as possible (trying to stave off the anaerobic pinch).  The 60m is all about exploding out and leaving no gas in the gas tank. It’s a drag race and you don’t hold back at all.  It’s been hard to change my thinking because the two events are so opposite.

I’ve raced a few times thus far and while I have the speed to do it, I have to work on my drive phase. I didn’t even know anything about a “drive phase” until this month.  Funny, right?  I’m trying to laugh, but it’s a bit frustrating at times. Why does everything have to be a learning experience!  ….That wasn’t a question.

I’m optimistic about my future in these new events. I’m obviously eying the 100m, the 200m and the 400m.  My old coach ( US Olympic coach) said I had sub 50 sec quarter speed. Sub 50 gets you gold medals (if you didn’t know).  I just don’t think he really ever saw me as a real sprinter….just like all my other coaches. Is it my exterior? Does it go against the stereotypical thought?  I’m surprised at how many people in this world have thoughts that aren’t their own and they believe so deeply in them.

Well, I can just say one thing to that.  Don’t judge me so quickly.

Let’s not forget one of the fastest women of all times was a tall Russian woman. I grew up watching her run and I remember how excited people were to see her run.  If I were Russian, I doubt anyone would think it was strange.

This track season is going to be stellar and I’m going to mystify a lot of people. They are going to be wondering where the hell I came from and I’m going to say, ” that’s right…from hell.”

The Tick Slayer

For those who don’t know, I decided to write a book about my whereabouts for the last 5 years. I just disappeared from Track and Field.  The book is about my health crisis and what I had to do to make it back to the track.  It’s a good story (it will be very inspiring to many people) and everything in the book is very candid about the journey and what I experienced.  I think it will resonate with the masses, because EVERYONE knows someone (loved one, family member, co-worker, friend, etc.) who has had a serious illness or condition (or is presently dealing with one).

I didn’t want to just write another story of success because I feel there are plenty out there. I wrote it because I knew my take on the situation and success was not ordinary or mainstream.  It offers a viewpoint that will be life changing for many.

I wrote something that will be very helpful to anyone in this type of situation (the details of what I had to do to get healthy). Lyme disease is just another autoimmune disease and honestly Lupus, ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s, Lyme disease, Cancer and a slew of other diseases are very similar. We love to give names to diseases and then pretend they are all different and “special” but honestly, everyone who gets sick with an autoimmune issues, has the same systematic, total body, break down.  The treatment may vary, but why people get sick in the first place is ALL TOO SIMILAR.

The hardest part about the book is that I’m a private person and I’ve had to get over it. Having a story that thousands and probably millions of people will read scares me, but I’ve gotten pretty tough over the years.  I feel like I have the support of enough people who love me, so I jumped into this and it’s too late to go back now. …ah, I probably wouldn’t go back anyway!  It’s going to press in a few months!  www.TheTickSlayer.com

I’m working hard right now to get this totally completed. I’ve started pre season training for the upcoming track season with a new coach.  Once the races come, my job is running, winning and promoting my book.

My painting for the Turn The Corner Foundation

This is what I was doing this past weekend.  I was making a painting for the Turn the Corner Foundation ( a Lyme charity) to be auctioned off.

I guess some people know now that I do a lot of painting. It was very therapeutic during my recovery, although it was hard to find any inspiration during those years.

There is a lot of symbolism in this painting. I was thinking about doing a big devil’s head (since we’re talking about Lyme), but I figured it wouldn’t get a bid.

What This Painting Means

The tree represents The Tree of Life (Celtic).  It’s a spiritual reference as I believe having faith that you can recover is very important. It’s important to believe first and then start treatment.  It also represents the stages of life, and for me, and for many people who do recover from a long battle with Lyme disease or any other autoimmune disease, it’s pretty life changing (in a good way).  The disease teaches you to deal with stress better and the poison that you had in your life before is removed…only people who remove poison (whether it be people, emotions and/or different stressors) can recover. So it is a stage of life that is a lesson in itself.

The tree is seen during the different seasons. I did this because I was making a comment on how long it takes to have a good successful recovery.  Most people who have chronic Lyme, will see the different seasons while they are ill.  It’s also making the point to health care professionals about the time that it takes. It’s important for these people not to give up on their patients. It’s important that once they take someone on, that they have a responsibility to see that person through.

The tree is sitting on a globe, which represents how many people are affected by this disease and the spread of it worldwide.

Lastly, the girl at the bottom sitting near the tree is me. I guess it could be anyone. The reason why I chose gray is that it’s a color that fades, making it more of a background image (past tense).  I’m done with the illness, but I can never forget what happened.  The impression will be lasting forever.

Get Your Bid On

http://www.turnthecorner.org/content/gala-spotlight

The gala to raise money for the research of Lyme Disease.  There is a silent auction. You or your friends can bid on the painting during the silent auction or you can contact them to buy the painting. I’m sure if you wanted to stick a check in their hand, they would take it.  

It’s a 2 feet by 3 feet painting (not small). I should also say the picture does not really do it justice. Anytime you are dealing with metallic paint, it’s very hard to see it in a photo. The snowflakes, for example, are silvery and really pretty!
If you like this, please re post this link! Let’s get some good bids!

I’m still enjoying the summer months before I start training for next year.  I’m in the middle of doing my yearly health maintenance, which includes detoxing of the digestive system and metal detoxing (as back in 2007 I had elevated levels of mercury and other metals). So far everything is going well.  I also just purchased a BioMat (which uses infrared heat) as a way to keep my muscles relaxed and recovered quicker for the coming year).  I’m excited to play around with it and see how well it works.

A few weeks ago I went to the annual Star Trek convention in Lawless Vegas.  It was a lot of geeky fun.  Besides Shatner and Nimoy, I also got to see Jaws from James Bond and the guy with the leather ass chaps from Mad Max.

I grew up watching Star Trek when I was little and have always been a SciFi fan ( I guess that’s the geek in me).  The funniest part is when members of the crowd would ask the actors questions, referring to “episode 10, season 1, scene 2″ and of course, the actors had no idea what they were talking about…because they could barely remember.  The fans apparently remember everything!  Of course, Klingons  in motorized wheelchairs is pretty funny too.

with Klingon and Jet Pack Bubble Girl...err, Boy

phasering a tribble

I also went to Utah and visited Zion Park, my favorite national park that I’ve visited thus far. I think it should be on everyone’s “to visit” list.

Zion Park

camping in Zion

Zion Park, going up Angel's Landing

Angel's Landing Zion Park

view below in Zion

view from Angel's Landing

hiking through the slot canyons

the ridge is the climb up to Angle's Landing

Goblin Valley Utah

near the Grand Staircase!

cool storm coming over the Grand Staircase

part of the Grand Staircase (the area above the Grand Canyon)

Hoover Dam- still can't believe it was made so long ago...

Vermillion Cliffs

We also visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is far less crowded than the South Rim….

North Rim Grand Canyon

Strangely enough, right next door to Zion park (about 25 miles) is the largest polygamy colony, Colorado City.  I just had to go look, my curiosity made me do it.  What I found was something completely cult-like and just plain strange (not to mention wrong on so many levels).   The kids are all blonde  (kind of like Children of the Corn) and nobody over the age of 13 smiles….rightfully so I guess (probably the age when you realized how screwed up your parents are).   I have no idea what they do for work out there, but from what I heard the kids are all on welfare and live off the government.  I just can’t believe that it’s legal what they do out there.  Once we drove in, it took us about 15 minutes to figure out how to get out of the town.  No marked buildings,  strange looks from everyone, no trespassing signs on each house (houses that clearly are all work in progress- types, just particle board and no siding), men in suits gathering and just hanging around.  Ben said he wanted to hurry and leave as he thought a gang of blonde men were going to lock him in a basement and torture him….and I’d be married off by sundown.  

polygamist house

Since I’ve been back, I’ve started to think about what I have to do for next year. It’s a big year in track and field.  It’s the 2011 World Championships.  I’m pushing hard to get the book out and to finish up my health maintenance. I’ll probably get some blood work done this week to check my levels.

I’ll be working harder to build from what I’ve done since last year, which means I’ll be putting in more distance and building a stronger base.  Last year, since it was my first year back I really didn’t have much of a base to keep me going throughout the season, but this year will be very different.   The break was nice, but I’m starting to look forward to next year.

The greatest thing about being in Colorado during the summer is the weather!  It’s just perfect nearly everyday.  This summer I’ve decided to have a little fun and catch up on finishing my book, The Tick Slayer.  I’m aware that writing books take time, but what has taken the most time is editing and coordinating the help with the book.   I know many people are anticipating it. I get emails everyday about when can someone expect for it to come out.   It hasn’t been any easy task and there were times during this past year that I couldn’t work on it at all due to training.  It’s very difficult to have your mind in two places, because each of these two places need major focus without distractions.

I’m settled into my new house here in Colorado Springs and I actually look forward to next year.  I have a training partner for next year (a Bosnian girl) and I think it will go well.  There are also a number of men here that can train with me.

I guess the most exciting part about next year is that it’s a World Championship year, which is a nice set up before the following year, which is the Olympic year.   I’m very happy that my first year back I’ve been able to complete 10 months of strenuous training (mostly at altitude which is the first time ever for me). This was very important to accomplish because it’s very hard to go 0 to 60 in my event/sport (although I was trying to attempt it).   If I can keep healthy (which I will), then I’m setting myself up for a really good year in 2010 and think I will be suprising a lot of people.   I have a lot to look forward too.

I’m in the middle of my complete rest right now (two weeks of NO RUNNING), then I’ll start back a little and see where I’m at. I’m eyeing the NYC Road Mile at the end of September, but haven’t commited to it.   I needed to rest a little because of all the months of training. I could tell I needed it and I believe I was overtrained in June (a lot easier to do apparently in altitude).

I’ve went camping recently to just have some fun outside. Enjoy the pictures!

old miner's cabin

Camping near Mt. ShermanMt. Sherman 14,000 feet

My "mountain guide" going to the bathroom...Yes, I did!

Columbine Flower

1000+ year old trees (many of them burned from lightening)

 

Mt. Sherman 14,000 feet

old gold mine sitting on the hill