The Whistler Olympic Village is starting to wind down. People are packing bags and some are already on their way home. Volunteers and security are asking more and more frequently for pins missing from their collection. The dining hall is noticeably more empty. There are a few of us who still have some racing to do. There is definitely some beauty to having the 50k on the last day but at the same time it keeps us from really getting an opportunity to get out too much and enjoy the celebration. Last night I just couldn’t help myself.
It was all pretty mellow by almost any standard but after the Combined boys went 1-2 yesterday to top off an already amazing Games for them I had to check out the celebration. I had dinner with Annie, Hazel, cousing Karen and my parents before Annie and I went down to the medals plaza to see the boys get their hardware. Unfortunately we missed their medal presentation but caught the Alpine and Bobsled medals followed by Jimmy Fallon and The Roots! Awesome! One of my favorites and to see them live and the Olympics was sweet. Then we made our way to the US Ski Team House and the celebrations there. I skipped out early, I’ve still got the 50k coming, before Billy Demong topped off what has to be one of the best days had by anyone ever. Win a gold medal, propose successfully to his girlfriend, and then find out that you are flag bearer for Closing Ceremonies. So, so cool!
It was such a great mental break to get out for a little bit and see how amazing the Olympics can be. In addition to getting ready for the 50k I also have been getting ready for a surprise trip to Lahti, Finland and Oslo, Norway for World Cups the two weekends after the Olympics. Outside of North America I have only done two World Cups in Davos, Switzerland so I am pretty excited to get to race up there. Travel arrangements are starting to come together and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make that possible!
Tomorrow is pre-race day again. It feels like a long, long time since I raced last even though it was only a week ago and I am very excited to get what is most likely my last Olympic race underway. A little odd to think of it like that…
It’s pretty messy out right now and it should be like that through the weekend. Just what I have been hoping for!
Annie, myself and the Man of the Day
