Last week a great opportunity fell into my lap at just the right time. BP America an official USOC sponsor heading into 2012 brought me to New Orleans the the AAU Junior Olympic Games and it was such a wonderful time. With over 14,000 entries it now has the title of largest track meet in the US. Being there was a great reminder of what it was like to be a kid running track. It was so much fun to get to travel to a new place. The goal was simple run as fast as you can and have fun.

Wallace, Lolo and I were signing autographs for the kids, announced a few races, did some interviews and handed out awards. Our days were full but BP provided tip top accommodations and made sure we got a full taste of the New Orleans Culture.

We did Bourbon Street, toured the French quarter on a mule, ate beignets and I got to be the MC at the Seafood Expo. My favorite part was the swamp tour where ZZ took us out on a pontoon boat and told us all about life in the bayou. We also checked out the area most widely affected by Katrina. There are a few new homes replacing part of the ninth ward but a lot of the land is still vacant.

While sitting in the press box watching the meet the last day I had one of those ah ha moments. Suddenly it dawned on me what I have accomplished and that those things will never be erased. Until then I don’t know that I appreciated what the accomplishment of being an Olympian means. Sometimes we get buried in what we are going thru right now that we forget how blessed we have already been. It was a much needed reality check but a very positive one. In just a few days I forged friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. Thanks again to Iris, Norman, Pia, Mark, Malcolm, Curtis, Gerald, Lisa and everyone in the BP Family for treating as if I was one of their own.