Hard work is paying off for Encinitas resident Jessica Lucero, a weightlifter who recently set a new record at a national meet and is now getting ready for U.S. Olympic Trials in February.
“I’ve worked really hard to get to this point in my career,” said Lucero.
But something that has helped motivate the 26-year-old weightlifter along the way is now missing — her training journal.
“It has my workout numbers, random quotes and probably some tear drops along the way. It’s a diary — a personal piece of me. And it’s gone,” said Lucero.
Lucero kept her training journal in a bag with the rest of her gear. Christmas morning, Lucero discovered someone stole the bag out of her car while it was parked in front of her house.
“I had a bag they gave us to qualify for the World Championships. I had new shoes I had just broken in. I didn’t think anyone would want that stuff,” Lucero said.
The next day, a woman found some of Lucero’s gear scattered on a nearby trail, saw Lucero’s name on a piece of paper and contacted her through social media.
But the journal wasn’t found.
One of Lucero’s sponsors, QALO in Orange County, is now offering a $500 reward for Lucero’s journal.
Lucero describes the journal as dark brown leather with a cross on the front and engraved with her name.
“I want it — to be able to look at it later in life. When I’m struggling — to remember what I went through when I was trying to make the Olympic team,” said Lucero.
Courtesy of: Fox 5 San Diego