Dispatches From Overseas: Part I

Thursday, July 28

Today was the big shot put competition, which is called big shot. Cherraine Davis and A.J. Wolf were one of only about 12 to compete in their age group. The shot put arena was beautiful, right in the middle of the city. I had never really paid attention to shot put before, but the arena was so professional and intense (with promoter posters lining the throwing arena, three officials raking the gravel and a laser to measure the distance) that it was exciting to watch. We cheered so loud (and held up our poster letters) for Cherraine and A.J. as they made their throws and the announcers announced them as our friends from the USA. I did not know the conversions from meters to feet but everyone seemed to throw incredibly far.

Cherraine had three good throws and placed fourth out of the girls in her age group, but didn't make it to finals. A.J. got second and qualified to go to the finals, where he got second. He must have felt ah-mazingg standing up on stage getting his name announced and handed a diamond shaped crystal and flowers from the one and only Usain Bolt! I am so jealous! It was very exciting and some off our group stayed late to watch the famous Olympian shot putters. The rest of the day we went sightseeing and shopping. The city is really beautiful especially the Royal Palace. I think it is the most beautiful city in the world. Insanely cleaner that NYC. Tomorrow we are going to practice with the Italian team and see Usain Bolt again running in the DN Galan Olympian meet! Two days till our races! 

Wednesday, July 27

Today was a busy day. Breakfast was at 8:30 which was amazing. Best hotel breakfast ever. Me and Annie woke up late, but still ate and gathered with everyone to go to the Vasa Museum featuring a 1600 ginormous Swedish war ship that sank 20 minutes after leaving the harbor. What a story. It was pretty cool and after me and some of the girls explored the shopping around our hotel. It was ridiculously expensive and we kept trying to figure out the conversion rate (which is 5.9 Krona for 1 dollar). Afterward, Julia, Jackie and I ate at Pizza Hut, which is like a four-star restaurant here. Then we went back to the hotel to change for our practice at the Taby Athletic Center.

It was a beautiful track and there were only about five Swedish athletes training but they looked so good. There was a discus thrower that could be a national champion in the USA. The hurdler I was practicing alongside was so intense she didn't even say hi (or hejhej pronounced "hey hey" in Sweden). I was glad to work on my hurdle technique with Coach Harrison and watch [New Jersey state champion] Fiona (Paladino) hurdle. With one more practice, I think I'll be ready for Saturday. YAY! I am the person competing in the most events and I think we are all starting to get a little nervous. Especially Cherraine (Davis) and A.J. (Wolf), who are throwing shot put tomorrow. I'm really excited to watch them, they're really amazing, and were gonna make posters woohoo! I can wait to practice on Friday with the Italian team too! Big meet is Saturday!

Monday, July 25 — Tuesday, July 26

We were on our way for the trip of a lifetime. Goodbyes to our families were short, we were so excited. I couldn't wait to get on the plane. From meetings and meets before I knew almost everyone's name. We were 16 athletes, competing in a variety of track and field events (although here they call it athletics), two assistant coaches, one athletic trainer, Coach (Frank) Harrison and his wife, Coach (Augie) Wolf, and other family members. Basically the dream team, looking awesome in our new matching dark green U.S. Athletic Trust gear.

We had a smooth flight to our layover in Iceland, getting a sneak peak at where we would return to compete in a week. Out the plane window was a flat but rocky treeless island. Some Icelandic facts I learned: population was 300,000, the capital was Reykjavik, (where we were going) and it is famous for its whales, hot spring pools (blue lagoon), volcanos and the Northern lights in the winter. Also you will be surprised to know that the temperature is not that icy, fluctuating between 30s in the winter and 50s in the summer. Being here just sounds awesome and competing will be insane. I'm so pumped I can't sleep.