As I sit here
writing this in one of the common areas, Euro Sport streaming live feeds of
world cup biathlon, Anna surely connecting with loved ones from back home and
working on something important, the smell of coffee wafting in and around my
nostrils, I am feeling both happiness and the lack of satisfaction. Today was
the first race of the 2015 World University Games in Strbske Pleso, Slovakia,
and with it came the distress and excitement that can be expected of any
typical race.
With the
thoughts and experiences of last night’s opening ceremonies still fresh on my
mind, I woke up. Almost in a daze it is race day, a feeling that is hard to
convey accurately. After years and years of racing, it seems as though it has
almost become second nature, and yet, the feeling still seems as fresh and
alive as my very first.
As I try to
writhe away the night of a night of broken sleep, I find myself still
reminiscing on the events of last night. Walking into a stadium filled with
people, fog rolling into the high Tatra mountain range that tightly drapes the
venue, the fog slowly permeating the arena fully exposing the beams of light
that are beaming in several directions form the stage, trying to fight off the
urge to “bust a move” to the tune of the very popular sound of O-Zone’s Dragostea din tei (also known as “numa
numa”). Watching head delagates from around the world representing their
countries, soaking up the Slovakian president’s speak of encouragement,
congratulations, and gratitude, all leading into an epic dance party with
teammates, Slovakian atache’s, volunteers, and members of several different
countries. Daydreaming further about the whole of the group of people dancing
jumping up and down, hands in the air, to the beat of random European music, all
while the beams of light of various colors are still flashing and rolling
through the still thick fog that has thoroughly enveloped the area. And as fast
as the night came to an end, I find myself coming back to eality as I sit on my
bed. Time to get up.
After breakfast,
the morning is rapidly slipping away. Back to the room where I begin layering
up from head to toe with race gear, wicking technical layers, and thermal
garments. Bag packed with boots, change of base layer for after the warm-up,
credentials, sunglass case, and of course Slovakian chocolate for after the
race. After double-checking through the bag and my clothing to ensure all
proper precautions have been taken to ensure I am fully prepared for the days
events, look at the watch; 30 minutes to spare. Time for a short nap?
Absolutely. Before I know it I am out the door, walking up the steps, through
the main lobby, out the door and on the venue (yes, the venue is really THAT
close). With skis and poles in hand and Chubby Checker’s Slow Twistin’ playing on my iPod, I am ready to hit the trails to
start the warm-up. Each lap of the 1.8 kilometer sprint course feels smoother
and faster than the previous, the neuronal impulses and muscle fibers begin to
coordinate and prepare for the challenge that lies ahead. 75 minutes before my
race starts the course closes for preparation of the women’s race. Time to run.
Shoes laced, top layers of clothing are dropped; off to run. Nathan decides he
would like to accompany me on the run. Easily matching strides, we’re off, down
the trail where people line the pathway going the opposite direction with their
final destination either ending at the race venue or the Alpine area that shares
the mountain valley with the Nordic course. Every stride, the legs under my start
to feel more and more like machines, pistons driving and striving for a faster
pace and longer steps. As we pass people, children are waving and smiling,
adults are clapping their hands all as they notice our USA apparel we are both
sporting, quite well I might add. Another time-check coupled with one last look
at my heart rate, I pick up the pace as we veer off the main trail onto the
path that loops around the lake which is situated a mile or so from the venue
and out hotel. We have been here twice thus far, once on the first evening of
our arrival for a short jog, and the second on a short walk to town for
exploration purposes. The path is familiar, but the sights are much different
today. Every inch of every tree is now enveloped in a layer of crystal-like
frozen precipitation. I’m not sure if it was caused by snow or by the fog
slowly freezing on the trees, but I do know it created a spectacle that I will
never forget. After getting wrapped up in the sights of running through the
trees, past novice skiers dropping off the snow bank from the edge of the trail
onto the sheet of ice covering the lake, and the general monotony of running, I
became aware that it was time to return to the venue. Pack up the path Nathan
has continued on to get a longer warm-up in for his later start time. Passing
what seems to be twice to three times as many people as I did on the way down, I
found myself back at the venue. Race suit and bib on, race skis and poles
acquired, time to got to the “pen”. With transponders and skis on, all geared
up for the race, I find myself 15 seconds from starting. Calming my nerves and
my breath, I leave the gate. Instantly, with technique in mind, each hill flies
under my feet faster than I anticipate. Before I know it, I am across the finish
line, completely dazed. My legs felt like lead the entire course and it is
already over. An hour and a half of warming up for just under 4 minutes of
racing, all for not competing to my full potential. Don’t think about it. Time
to cool down. Congratulating teammates as I make my way back to the wax room,
it still doesn’t feel real. One race down, three more to go.
As I write this
I remain hopeful for the rest of the competitions. I do have to say I am quite
proud of being a part of this team, watching Sindre come so far from where he
has started all the way to where he is today, still staying so positive about
his races even though he too had complications during his race. Watching our
women’s team Elise, Sierra, Catherine, Britta, and Yara show how strong they
really are against some of the fiercest competition out there, while Kyle, Sam,
and Ben are also competing so well considering how they felt during their
races. Not to mention being lead by arguable the best coaches on and off the
course Chrsiti and Rachel assisted by Willie and Anna, whose support and
enthusiasm is unmatched. I am still highly looking forward to watching Pat,
Will, and Nathan reveal what talents they have in their races throughout the
week. The more time I spend with this group of people the more I realize how
truly amazing and unique each and every one of us is. It makes me feel lucky to
be here, more than most people can ever imagine. These are the moments that
will be burned into our memories for the rest of our lives and not one of them
will be taken for granted. Until next time…
Taylor
P.S. I have also attached a link that will take you to my personal exercise profile from today's activities (warm-up, race, and cool-down). You can use the data represented there to help you visualize a little better what the terrain is like by using the map, by scrolling over the little colored lines on the map you can also see that my heart rate was at that point, and lots of other really cool data. I thought it might be something cool people from back home might be interested in seeing, I'll be doing this for all of my posts if they involve exercise. I hope this help create a more in-depth experience for you all! :)
http://www.movescount.com/moves/move51092797
Here are some pictures from last night and today too!
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