Track and Field Blogs - Ryan Hall

I have always dreamed about what the whole Olympic experience would be like. I have seen portrayals of the Olympics in many movies, the most memorable of which was "Cool Runnings," but to experience it for myself has been both exciting and boring. I know that "boring" wouldn't seem to be the adjective of choice when describing the Olympic experience, but the truth must be told that the Olympics is not all excitement, all the time for us athletes. I have been telling people that I want to go back to the Olympics sometime when I am not competing so I can get the full experience.

My journey started nearly two weeks ago when I left my hometown in Big Bear after an exciting send off party held in my honor where nearly two thousand people turned out to support me. Upon arriving in San Jose for team processing I was surprised to learn that I was the only athlete going through team processing that day. I had pretty much the whole staff waiting on me, which made a four hour process go by in a little under an hour. I was the last of the nearly six hundred US Olympians to pick up all my gear, which meant that I had to settle for some oversized items, such as some size 44" cargo pants (I hope that I don't fit into those anytime soon). Even though processing was pretty much empty it was still exciting to finally get the official USA gear. It was surreal to try on the opening ceremonies gear.

After a ridiculously early morning run I caught my flight to Beijing. As the plane descended into Beijing I got my first glimpse of China and thought to myself that I had way underestimated the pollution. I had been downplaying it to the media since I qualified in November but as I looked out over the thick haze I realized that I was wrong. But fortunately, since then I've heard that things have cleared up a lot and it doesn't seem to be a factor in any of the races, just as the Beijing Organizing Committee promised! After catching a crowded bus I entered the Olympic Village. The village definitely lived up to my Hollywood expectations of what an Olympic Village should be like. There were people from all over the world, speaking all different languages making their way through the intense security checkpoints. The Chinese people take excellent care of us here. They won't let you pick up your bags and escort you wherever you need to go.

After settling into our spacious room I headed out for an easy shakeout jog. I have never sweat so much in my entire life. By the end of the 30-minute easy run I was dripping in sweat. I was glad that I was there 2 ½ weeks early to get used to the humidity. I had practiced in warm temperatures and over dressed in practice but there was nothing I could have done to totally prepare for this level of humidity besides getting over here early to make the adjustment. Now that I have been here for nearly two weeks, I am used to the humidity and the extra sweating that comes with it. The weather isn't something I lose too much sleep over because I know that there is nothing I can do about it. It is going to be what it is going to be on the day. It might be super hot and humid or it might be cool, or anywhere in between. I will be ready for whatever comes.

After my run I was secretly wishing that I had brought my opening ceremonies gear so I could walk. I hadn't brought it because the pre-determined plan was to avoid the exhausting process that walking in the opening ceremonies entails. I tried to watch the opening ceremonies on TV from the village but it was only on in Chinese so I had no idea what was going on. I figured that I could watch it when I got home. I was ready for bed by the time the ceremonies started so I decided to retire. When I woke up in the morning I lost all regret about not running in the ceremonies. After a good night of sleep I was feeling good and ready to resume training. Then when I talked to teammates who did walk and learned that they had to leave at 5pm and didn't get back till after 1 am, I was especially glad that I passed on the opening ceremonies. I heard many stories about the extreme heat and standing that made me glad to not be there. With that said, I would love to watch the opening ceremonies some time from the stadium. It looked like an amazing show from what I did catch on the TV replay segments.

So that first 24 hours concludes the exciting portion of my Olympic experience thus far. The next day we flew to Dalian where we are staying in a really nice and secluded resort hotel right on the beach. Everything here is great: the food, the people, the staff, the rooms, and the security. It is not the place that is not exciting rather it is the nature of the marathon. These last few weeks are basically filled with a lot of resting. I don't think I have ever spent this much time in a hotel room and I certainly have never watched so much of the Olympics. I am really glad that Sara decided to join me here in Dalian otherwise I would certainly be going crazy by now.
Training has been going well since being here. With every day that passes my legs feel better and better. It is only when I taper that I realize how tired my legs have been during the past three months of hard training. I am grateful to return to Beijing tomorrow healthy and ready to give it a good run on Sunday. I feel like I am returning to the village right at the perfect time. I have had good training and plenty of rest in a low- key environment. Now the excitement of the village will certainly get me "up" for the Olympic marathon on Sunday. It still hasn't really set in what awaits me.

As I think about the marathon I know that as big of a deal as it is, I need to get back to the basics and approach it with the same goals that I have for each and every workout. I get nervous when I start thinking about my competitors and how the race is going to play out but it calms me to center my focus back on what running is all about for me: using my gift to praise God by pouring myself out. The deepest desire of my heart is not to win gold but to walk away from the finish knowing that I praised God with all my heart by going all out.

Thank you for all of your support!
Ryan

P.S. Check out ryanhall.org, and join me in what's even greater than gold!