News-Record.com

Aug. 1

Today was not as smoggy! This morning we had another view of the mountains. Yet even though it was not that smoggy it was still incredibly humid, and after an hour on the water I feel and look as if I have been swimming in the lake instead of rowing on it.

Despite the humidity our preparations as a boat and as a team are going smoothly. We arrived here in China with plenty of time to get acclimated to the setting and surroundings and I almost wish we did not have so much time before our race because I am definitely feeling “antsy” to start racing. Although, thinking back on the week prior to our departure from Princeton I felt the same way there; eagerly anticipating the task at hand. I guess it is just natural to feel a sense of eagerness about something we as a team have been preparing for so long. And I am sure when the time comes it will feel as Susan like to jokingly say about everything: that “there is NO time, there is just no time”!

The food has been a point of consideration from the conception of this trip even in our planning. It is important for us always to be wary of what we are consuming even throughout the year just in case there is a banned substance that is hidden in something we eat or a vitamin or supplement that we take. And the concern over food health and safety was obviously heightened with the increased importance of the races this year. Therefore we were told to bring with us in our checked bag some of our favorite snack items or bars that we were accustomed to having because it would not be so easy to run out and pick some up. This has proven true.

We have been eating our meals at our hotel, and those meals are delicious, yet my boat mates and I were craving fruit in between meals to snack on. Our coordinator advised against getting fresh fruit from the local WuMart (which is its official name I believe – I didn’t go but some teammates did). Instead we are advised to eat only certified fruit that comes to us via the Olympic village. So today was the first day we dropped into the athlete dining area at the course, since we usually eat at our hotel, and it was great!! They had fresh fruit and a great selection of meal options for us to grab a quick bite after practice before we head back. We each definitely took a piece of fruit for snacking later and some of the girls grabbed Chinese Coke. I had a sip and it seems better than US Coke I think because it has sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Or maybe it tastes so delicious because I have not had regular coke in like a year, haha!

The whole team is settling into a nice rhythm here. Also the Canadians and the Italian team have shown up and are staying at our hotel! It is nice to see some friends and former college teammates who are now on the Canadian team!