Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The results are in...
... 7th in my age group! Holy cow!!! In my wildest dreams, I never imagined I could be top 10 at Worlds... let alone 7th!!! Needless to say I am thrilled! The conditions were not ideal, by any means (cold and rainy - 61 degrees, 10 mph winds, rain), but I have the Worlds finisher medal and a great finish... and I am incredibly proud! My swim was OK... arms so cold to start off, it took a bit to get into my rhythm. Bike was solid... took the course conservatively so as not to crash. And, the run... was my run of a lifetime... a PR at 7:28 pace.
Love the folks cheering "USA" as I passed by on bike and run segments. Really gives you momentum. Also, the Team USA coaches were calling out to me during the run (which did 3 2/3 laps in front of them and the stadium). I would hear them call me by my first name (impressive, since I don't know them all that well) and encourage me with "good form", "solid pace", etc. That really was a momentum boost each lap!
So, while I'm bragging here on the blog... I just realized I was the first American to finish from our entire wave, which covered the F30-34 group and F35-39 group. Unbelievable!!! I mean really... unbelievable! Most importantly, I felt like I had the best race I could have at the time I raced. I left it all on the course and have no regrets. It was such an honor to race in a Team USA kit this morning. And now... "It's Miller Time"!!!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
More Observations from China
- Every day is like a giant game of chicken here... people just honk and drive where they want... bikes cut in front of cars (even police)
- The highway lanes are marked with minimum and maximum speeds... both on signs and painted on the road... we should do that in America to keep people from driving 45 in the left lane on the Interstates
- Taxis are difficult to catch at night in the city center
- Subways are clean, but the city is VERY large and they don't go everywhere
- Olympic venues are cool no matter where you are
- Everything is negotiable at the Silk Market... never pay the initial quoted price... even when they say "you are killing me"... you can always get cheaper (to a point)
- When the smog clears, the mountains surrounding the city are really pretty
Zai jian!
Opening Ceremony - Go USA!!!
National Centre for the Performing Arts - Went to see a "ballet workshop" here last night.
Gorgeous building. Completely surrounded by water. We had to walk down stairs and go under the water. In fact, once you entered the building, you could look up and see the water flowing above you. Inside, there is an Opera House, Concert Hall and Theater. We only saw the theater. The ballet was different, but good. We also did a bit more "adventure dining" with Mickey before we all went to the show. We have learned to point to pictures in the menus to let them know what we want. And, it has all been delicious so far!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday update
Will post some pictures later. Yesterday was a full day. Picked up my race packet... I have a race number, etc. Wow, just wow. Then, we headed in to the silk market for some shopping. All of this took a long time, since it seems to take over an hour to get anywhere around here with traffic. Came back to hotel for quick change of clothes, then headed back into city center for a nice dinner near Tainanmen Square, then a " ballet workshop" at the Natl Centre for Performing Arts aka "The Egg". Beautiful facility and well worth the time to do this. Didn't get back to hotel until around 10:30pm and headed straight to bed. Now, it is time to ride the bike course and check out the swim and transition area. I guess I did come here to race... Been focused on sight-seeing!!!
Sent from my iPad
Paratriathletes
Just saw the paratriathletes (those missing an arm or leg, blind, paralyzed from waist down, etc.) heading out for their race. I cried. That really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?! I have been worried about how I will do in the race. I realize I should just be thankful to be here competing with all of my limbs, etc. What amazing people those paratriathletes are... Dedication and perseverance!!!
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Things I have learned in Beijing
- Always drink bottled water... even use it to brush your teeth
- Ask for "ice water" to drink... if you ask for "water", you will get hot steaming water
- Carry toilet paper with you when you leave the "western" hotel
- Driving in Beijing is crazier than NYC and LA - only a certain % of cars are allowed on the road on specific days of the week and it is still gridlock
- Drivers honk and just drive where they want - lines on the road do not always apply
- People who ride bikes are fearless here - ride down highways, no helmets, dark clothing at night, cut right in front of cars to cross road (and cars somehow don't hit them)
- Look at pictures on stalls of public restrooms - either get to sit on seat or squat over glorified hole in the ground
- Red and yellow are "royal" colors, grey is a "common person" color
Zai jian!
Hand Calligraphy in local hutong (old city neighborhood) - making signs with our girl's names on them!
Forbidden City
We had a big day today - took a formal tour of Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong neighborhood tour and Temple of Heaven. Lots of interesting history, etc. Attached is a picture of an interior courtyard of the Forbidden City.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Race Venue - site of the triathlon race at the 2008 Olympics... and the 2011 World Championships
We asked our driver to swing by the race venue on our way back from the Great Wall... wow, just wow!
Great Wall at Mu Tian Yu
Our first excursion... to the Mu Tian Yu section of the Great Wall. Very impressive - you could see towers and wall an incredibly long way off in the distance. When you really think about how long ago this was built, it makes it even more "great". The Chinese characters in the hillside mean "Follow the Chair Mao" (I think I got that correct). To get up to the Great Wall, we rode a chair lift... to get back down, we rode in a toboggan... which would have been much more fun had the tourists in front of us not continually stopped (even under the "No Stopping" signs!!!) Fun first day of touring!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Delayed
Safely in O'Hare. Which flight was the only one on the board with a delay, you ask? Yep, flight to Beijing! FOUR hours. Considering a run in O'Hare. Got my running shoes, shuffle and headphones! Need to figure out if I could shower, though!
Sent from my iPhone
At the airport
To the nice lady that checked us in and didn't charge the oversize bag fee for my bike, we thank you! That was a nice surprise after we were told our flight to Chi-town was slightly delayed.
Zai Jian!
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, September 2, 2011
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