Lauryn: Let the Games begin; I’m getting anxious waiting for my races
I have been in Dalian for six days with just three more to go. It has been a good stay with first-class treatment from all the people here. USATF has a whole hotel for just us in a secluded area with police officers who escort us to and from practice. Dalian has been a good place for us to focus and reflect, before we get ready to head into the commotion of the Olympic Village, competition, media and friends and family over in Beijing.
I finally adjusted to the time difference. Since arriving here, I’ve had five solid workouts and some solid relay practices as well. I am glad to have had the time to unwind from the travel and take a break from the anxiety that had been leading up to the Games. Although it is inevitable the anxiety will start to build again soon. Hopefully, it will be just enough and not overwhelming.
Life here centers mostly on training and hanging around the hotel. But we did venture out one day to the town to shop and enjoy our surroundings. However, as you can see me, Travis Padgett and Abdi Abdirahman along with a few others weren’t too concerned with the shopping.
Instead, we were more interested with relaxing. We found some top-of-the-line massage chairs and we spent about 45 minutes in them.
Travis and I tried on an eye massager that was pretty neat. I was nervous at first, but it only massages the area of your face right around your eyes. Actually, it was quite refreshing.
Not much else to report we eat, train, eat, shower, get treatments, then hang out in the athletes’ lounge, where we play cards, ping pong or board games. Occasionally, we venture to the bowling alley or the movie theater, both of which are in the hotel. I am a reader and am making my way leisurely through a book called “Delirium” right now. As my nervousness mounts, I get lost in books and plow through them in two or three days. I am anxious to get this show on the road.
Of course, I am sure the night before I begin my rounds, I will be begging for time to stop. It is just one of those things that come with the territory. Well, that is all for now….
