Vancouver Recap

I have been trying to get information to everyone as best I can; everything is happening so fast and I want to make sure that I experience as much as I can! So, I thought I might recap the past few days in a little more detail for you to go along with my posts.

I would have to say that the highlight of this past week has definitely been walking into the Opening Ceremonies! What a rush! I tried to get right up front because I knew there were a few opening ceremony parties that were hoping to see me. I was in the second row and from what I hear, I think I did get some TV time. What did you think of the outfits? The funny thing was as we were waiting to go in, we were all trying to stay cool (go figure)! We had a thick sweater and down jacket, thinking the ceremonies would be outdoors, but as you know they were inside!

We started in the village and then were bussed over to the hockey arena. We were held here for about 30 minutes before we were escorted to the GM Arena. We had to walk under the stands until we reached the opening where we would march in. The excitement was in the air: we had chanting wars with the other countries! We all shouted "U S A"! Then the next country would start, then the next and so on. Then the moment came to enter the arena and it was so facinating to enter as an athlete! I took a long video of the whole thing and when I'm allowed to release it, I'll post.  It was great to share this experience with Jill as well =). I'm so proud of her!!

My first race was the 5k and I finished 14th. As I entered the middle of the ice to warm-up, I was thinking wow, this is it! There was a count-down clock by the starting line to show the Starter when to begin the race because of the replay and commentating between races on TV. As I mentioned before, I knew being paired with Canadian Denny Morrison was going to make the Richmond Oval loud and it was! My coach Paul Marchese was able to be on the pads for my race. I can't tell you how happy that made me-he has worked with me for so long that he knows what information to feed to me like no other coach can. That was very cool!

My grandparents arrived a few days ago and are able to stay until I skate my 1500m race. They were in the stands to watch me race my 5k. I am so happy that they came! After my race I called them because I didn't know where they were sitting. Once I found where they were, the TV cameras found them also and put their picture up on the big screen in the rink! Everyone could see us talking to eachother. I enjoyed seeing that! I was able to meet them after the races and we walked together as I made my way to the bus. We had the chance to catch up for a bit. They are so awesome!

I went to see Jill race her 3k and was cheering GO BABY GO! =) She did amazing! Be on the lookout for her next race and send your prayers her way!

Until next time!

Stay Strong, Stay Positive!