Track and Field Blogs - Jenny Barringer

Hey all,

Just a quick final post before this whole thing is all over and I'm back in Boulder. I'm didn't stay one day too short or one day too long. I'm ready for it all to be over but happy for each day with its own adventures and lessons.

Last night a few remaining USATF team members walked to the dining hall together for a final dinner. We were such a small group! Then, just when Billy and I thought the trip was getting way too long and were really longing for that beautiful Boulder Valley, we ran into some more fun. The kiwis were having a lawn party outside their residence and we stopped by on our way back. We ended up making tons of new friends and danced the night away with them on our last evening in China. It was a blast.

So, now Billy's sleeping in and I'm just packing up a final few things before we catch our bus ride to the airport at noon. I have had such a wonderful time here. It has been special to be one among a whole village of world-class athletes and be treated with such respect for the work and sacrifice it took to get here. There is a similar thread that runs through each of us that couldn't be found and tweezed out but is so clearly present in each of the people that were here. It's that individual "je ne sais quoi" that got each of us here. It's that extra element that goes beyond just working hard and being competitive. Anyway, it has been fun coming together with many talents and really getting to know at least a few.

Now I'm ready to go home. I've realized how blessed I am to be in a sport that has such a supportive but not massive following. Within the running world there are thousands who love and support what I do and to all of you, a sincere thanks. I enjoy meeting and exceeding all of your expectations, hopes, and dreams for me. Along this ride we were all dreaming together. But, I also appreciate and look forward to being able to go back to real (and normal) life. Despite all of the attention around the Olympics, I expect to return home to chores, roommate and school responsibilities, check-out lines and a team document :). Just everyday stuff.

While it is my honor and privilage to be an Olympian and I look forward to "forever being an Olympian," I also realize and am thankful I won't at every moment be an Olympian. Outside of this village are grumpy mornings, sprints to get to class on time, missing busses on snowy days, and lots and lots of friends that I feel close and equal to. This elevated level in my athletic career has had a huge impact on me but in everyday life and especially to those I'm close to I look forward to being the same spunky Jen that left Boulder on a grand adventure one short month ago.

Thanks again for being a part of my journey. I can't wait to see so many of your faces in the next few days!