I'm Competing In Beijing: Let The Games Begin

Day 8: August 7, 2008

Today we left Dalian for Beijing. We ran around 10 a.m. after breakfast, another easy 50 minutes, while coach packed. (He left a few hours before the team.) We headed to the airport around 2 p.m. for a short flight to Beijing, which turned into a whole day ordeal.

The flight took the normal time, but the taxiing took much longer, as did getting our bags and driving back to the Village. The day was pretty much wasted because of the travel, but tomorrow is the big day: Opening Ceremonies. I can't wait.

Day 9: August 8, 2008

Opening Ceremonies were amazing; that's all I can say. The whole day was built around preparing for a once in a lifetime event. I ran this morning for 42 minutes at medium distance effort (6:05 per mile) for just about seven miles. It was time to get prepared.

After a meeting, my fellow competitor Jenny and I headed over to the International Zone, which is located in the Village and has shops. I bought my daughter Bella some stuffed animals of the "Friendlies," which are this Olympics' mascots. In six months or so she can really have fun playing with them. She actually turned one year old today. (Today in the States, yesterday in China).

I made a call to my fiancé Alisa and talked to her and Bella a bit. I really miss them. I talk to them once a day for a few minutes to check in and let them know everything is alright, but also just to hear their voices. Bella's "voice" is more like "noise," but it melts my heart.

After the venture around the Village, it was time to get ready.