Nearly three months ago, I recall flying home from the Olympic Qualifier in Russia and trying to grasp the fact that I was about to embark on an Olympic Journey. I imagined what it might feel like to walk into the Opening Ceremonies. I tried to envision what the athlete village might look like. But the truth was that I had no idea! That reality seemed so surreal.
One morning, I woke-up and started my normal a.m. routine. I turned on the coffee pot and changed the television to the Today Show. In a moment’s time, it dawned on me! I might get to meet Matt and Meredith. I grew up watching the Today Show every morning with my Mom. Therefore, I knew that during Olympics they broadcast from the hosting city. In a weird way, I associated the Games with the Today Show.
I had since put the idea of meeting the show’s crew in the back of my mind. Until Sunday’s practice when Tiki Barber showed up to hangout. He walked onto the pitch, with the cameramen in toe. Mr. Barber stayed the entire practice, collected balls, and even threw football with the coaching staff while we warmed down. For something that would have seemed so exciting a short while ago, it was all too normal that afternoon. He was soft spoken and blended in like part of the staff.
As we departed on the bus, I remember thinking that it was cool to meet him and unfortunate that I did not have my camera. But, back in the village just minutes later, something more unexpected happened! I met Meredith Vieira in the doorway to my apartment. There she stood just waiting for the elevator as I walked in with my stick bag in hand. I did a double take, and then pinched myself to see if I was dreaming. By the time I woke-up, the elevator door was closing and all I could do was wave good-bye.
As much as I wanted to wait for her to come back down, I restrained myself. I jumped into the shower and joined a few teammates for a little game of wiffle ball in the front lawn.
It was strike 2 with only 1 out, when she walked out the front door and yelled, “I am up next.” I do not think I could pick my jaw off the freshly cut grass as Meredith Vieira swung the bat, hit the ball, and started running the bases in her three inch heals. As she rounded second base, she flung the stilettos off her feet so she could get to home plate without causing an out. It was going to be close, so she dove into home without getting grass stains on her white linen top.
I know that it sounds like I am writing a bad fiction book, but I swear to you that is the truth. Meredith Vieira came to interview an athlete on the sixth floor of my building and stopped to play wiffle ball, have a quick chat, and tell us how proud our country is of the American athletes.
I have always loved the Today Show, but now I have a deeper admiration for the program and the people that NBC hires to be in front of their cameras. If it is not your program of choice, it’s ok. But, on Thursday morning you might want to tune in. Tiki Barber will be interviewing our own Tiki (Kate) Barber. And, our entire team will be on the Today Show, with a special interview with our captain.
From China to the USA, I hope you have a wonderful “Today”
Keli #13
Today we captured our first win (4-1), while most of China was just waking up. It was a 5:00 am wake-up call for the entire team, as we prepared to take on the Kiwis. We went for a run, ate breakfast, and had a pregame meeting, all before boarding the bus at 7:15 am.
It was truly nice to get up early and see what the village is like at
sunrise. Of course, it seemed peaceful because most athletes are still fast asleep. The sun was just rising and for the second day in a row, you could see blue sky. As we stopped running to stretch, we observed a few individuals making their way back from a late night out. It seems
that those finished with competition have decided to check out China’s
nightlife. Needless to say, we had a good laugh, while watching them stubble back to their apartments. We finished the run and soon headed to the field.
The game got started at 8:30am sharp and we took an early lead. It was refreshing to get on the scoreboard quickly and continue to persist, regardless of the score. As the whistle blew to end the game, we were happy for the three points and ready to relax for the afternoon. It’s a long tournament and crucial that we take care of our bodies. After each game, we are required to take a 10 minute ice bath. The training staff calls them “bathes” but the reality is that it’s far from your ordinary bubble bath. Rather, we are submerged in a large trash can full of ice water. Combine the fact that you are in a trash can and the looks of the discolored water, I would have to argue with the terminology. But, I will not neglect whatever it takes to stay healthy for each match.
The rest of the day has been relaxing. A time to recuperate and see loved ones. I used the three hours off to meet my family and friends at an Italian restaurant. Angie Loy, my teammate from Perry County, and I jumped in a cab and headed for the Westin hotel where we found a great menu at Prego. My niece needed to eat something other than chicken nuggets and I was excited for a change in cuisine. I also thought that I could not go wrong with a little carbohydrate loading.
Now back in the village, I find myself relaxing with my feet up and watching track and field on the television. Although, Phelps has already won seven gold medals, some athletes are just getting started with their competitions. It’s been exciting to observe the Games in person and meet so many talented athletes. I hope you are all enjoying them from home!
All the Best from Beijing!
Keli #13
We are over halfway through our Olympic journey and the days seem to be
speeding up by the hours. The team remains on a strict schedule, but
yesterday we got out of the village for a special pep rally with
friends and family.
Everyone met at the Bank of America house/ Hometown Heroes venue.
This is a wonderful restaurant that Bank of America has rented out for
all American athletes and their families. In it’s three story
structure, you can eat, drink, and get massages for free during the Games. It is a
wonderful amenity for our families and yesterday, we were also lucky to
take full advantage of the perk.
Upon arrival, the group greeted us with cheers and the sound of loud horns. They had made all types of attempts to show us their support and love. Signs were used to assist the team cheers, while others used red, white, and blue face paint. Most of this was caught on tape due to the presence of MSNBC and a few other media channels. For me, it was special to simply have some time with my family. Besides a few minutes after each game, we are limited to only a few hours of “family time” during the next week. I prefer take full advantage of it when possible!
Our days are now focused on competing one game at a time. We have played half the teams in our pool and now we are looking to get two wins out of the final matches. If we do that, we have a good chance of making the medal rounds.
Today was a disappointing lose to Germany 4-2. We played well but didn’t capitalize on some of our opportunities and in return, they finished 3 out of the 4 corners that they were awarded. We have debriefed the game and looked at video. Tomorrow, it will be time to focus on our next opponent, New Zealand.
With the rain coming down, I will cover up in bed and say good-bye. Take care!
Keli #13
The games have begun for the USA field hockey team, the family and
friends have started arriving, and now the real fun is underway.
We started our first game on Sunday night in the rain against
Argentina, our Pan American rival. Our pre game schedule was
in progress and you could see the clouds rolling in above us. We began to
run and stretch just as the rain started to fall. No one enjoys a game
in the rain (especially the spectators), but we knew that the
likelihood of the weather affecting them more then us was high! That
thought increased our, already high, confidence.
The team was nervous and no one would deny that fact. More
importantly, we were ready to play. It took us 15 minutes to shake the
nervous and by that time, we were already losing 2-0. But, we fought and
crawled our way back and with 5 minutes left in the game, it was tied
and we felt they were crumbling. We had chances to win the game but
instead failed to put the ball in the net with our final corner of the
match. A tie gives us 1 point going into our game today against Japan.
Today will be another battle, but one that we can also win. We have a
few hours ahead of us until the whistle blows. In that time, we will
follow through with our normal game day routines. Four hours
beforehand, we run and stretch. We incorporate sprints to spike the
heart rates. Afterwards, it’s off to a pre game meal, then a team
meeting, and the final 90 minutes before departure is for each
individual to follow through with their personal rituals.
We have played Japan five times this year with positive results. They
will be fast and likely to use their quick stick speed to eliminate.
As we prepare with video analysis, the match-up looks like it will
provide another exciting game for those that wake-up back home at 6am with the
coffee pot brewing.
At the conclusion of today’s game, I will be greeted by my Dad, Mom,
sister, and niece. All of them arrived safely yesterday
afternoon. I can not wait for the hugs and comfort of seeing their
faces. I am sure they will have many stories for me after just a few
hours in Beijing. Today, they went to see a volleyball match and roam
the Olympic Green before the start of our game. I look forward to
hearing more about their experience, as it will be very different from
mine.
All the best from Peking (Beijing)!
Keli #13
Greeting to all, or as they say here in Beijing, “Ni How” It is exciting to write you again because the past 48 hours have been full of excitement. This feature might seem a little disheveled and the reason is, that’s the reality here. We have been running from training sessions, to meals, to the Great Wall of China, and eventually back to the village. So, bare with me!
The team has been training hard and maintain exceptional focus, in light of all the excitement and activity around the Games. To give us a break, the staff arranged a 24 hour get-away. After training on Wednesday, the group boarded the bus and headed straight for a non-touristy part of the Great Wall of China. I have seen pictures of this structure that some say is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But, I still had my doubts about it’s enormity.
The bus weaved us up the mountain side before stopping to park. I soon realized that you had two options, take the cable car or climb. I thought for sure that the group would take the cable car, since it was supposed to be a “relaxing retreat.” I don’t know how I under estimated this trip so much, but we of course, started hiking up! It only took about 15 minutes because we are so competitive that we ended up running half the way. When we reached the top, there was not one person not sweating head to toe.
The “Wall” is amazing beyond words! I had a hard time grasping the fact that it was longer then the United States is wide. We stayed for some pictures and to walk to Gate 6 (we reached the top at Gate 8). Gate 6 has a significance too! It was the starting point for the luge course back down the mountain. Of course, every member of the group hopped into a sled and off we went, some faster then others.
The adventure continued as we headed for a town called Leisure City. The small village was full of hot springs, spas, indoor water park, and a few hotels. It looked nice, but the team was only concerned about how quickly we could climb into our beds. We needed to rest up for the water slides in the morning.
Before putting on our bathing suits, most people gathered on the street for the parade of the tour relay. It was not a planned part of the trip, but we got lucky enough to witness the flame passing next to us. It was a very surreal moment to be so close to the torch, the same one that we will see tonight at Opening Ceremonies.
The day wrapped up early and everyone was refreshed and ready to get back to work. Time to prepare for a scrimmage against Korea that evening.
The 50 minute friendly match ended in a 2-2 tie, but the result was not important. Rather, just another sharpening practice to prepare us for the start of our tournament on the 10th.
Until next time….and after the Opening Ceremonies, All the Best!
Keli #13
