Follow The Journey

Preparing for Outdoors

The last time we spoke I was marveling at the birth of my first child, and slowly but surely getting into shape for the outdoor season. Given my slow start in the early stages of the Visa Championship Series, I decided to focus on my training for the remainder of the indoor season. I continue to work to get faster and improve my technique.

In addition to changing diapers and training, I have also been following my teammates in their race to be crowned Visa Champion. There were some amazing performances at the Indoor Championships. No doubt, we are sending a strong team to Moscow for the World Indoor Championships.

I must admit, I also have spent a lot of time watching my fellow US Olympians compete in the Winter Olympics. I loved watching the short track speed skating which featured one of my favorite US Olympians Apolo Anton Ohno. Apolo competed very well and won the 500m, so I was very excited to watch. If I were a Winter Olympian, I would participate in the speed skating events. The combination of speed, strategy and the gracefulness on the ice is very attractive.

The next time you see me, I will be on the track at the Nike Prefontaine Classic. Pre is a fantastic place to compete and will be a great place for me to kick off my outdoor season. Until next time…

Father Figure

My “off-season” has been a blur…my wife and I celebrated the birth of our first child, Dwight, Jr., during the “off-season.” His birth was the most beautiful thing that has happened to me. The experience of winning Olympic and World Championship gold medals is fantastic but it has nothing on witnessing the birth of your child. Simply, AMAZING!

I look forward to developing as a husband and father and the various opportunities I will have to teach Dwight, Jr. life lessons, values and how to be a good man. However, it is time for me to get back to work. Given the birth of my son, getting into shape has been a slow process, but the last couple of weeks my fitness level has come around nicely.

I will be chasing the title of Visa Champion, and the $25,000 bonus cash, in two events during the indoor season. I plan to compete in the 60m (I’m a pretty good sprinter, if I do say so myself), as well as, my bread-and-butter - - the long jump. I think running the 60m will actually give me a competitive edge in the long jump, both physically and psychologically. When long jump competitors see me excel in the 60m, in the back of their minds they know that I’m going to bring that same intensity to the long jump pit...and it is going to be a long day for them.

The “off-season” has been filled with the joy of child-birth and the growth of my family. My goal is to become the Visa Champion and possibly double in the 60m and the long jump at the Indoor Champs in Boston.

I look forward to sharing my season of experiences with my family, friends and the fans via my blog…look for my next entry.

2006 Visa Championship Series Blog

Welcome to the "Follow the Journey" blog. Follow the 2006 Visa Championship Series from the perspectives of Visa Gold Medal Athletes Dwight Phillips, Allyson Felix and Bryan Clay as well as from guest contributors.  Find out what these world class athletes have been doing since their gold medal performances at the World Championships, how they are preparing for the indoor season, how they stay focused on their ultimate goal, a trip to Beijing and the 2008 Olympic Games and much more.