Yesterday was a super long day for us so when the alarm went off at 6 after 5 hours of sleep it was a little harder to smile but we still did! Today it was off to Cypress once again with the sun still shining and men's ski cross and long track speed skating on the agenda. After the line-ups we faced yesterday I was afraid that Michelle and I wouldn't make it to the speed skating on time. So we put a strategy together planning to leave early if a Canadian didn't make the finals. We also realized that the departure time scheduled for our shuttle bus didn't matter they were just filling the buses and sending them off. So we left a little later and we were a little slower in motion! I was dreading the 250 stairs that we had to climb today. We learned our lesson the first time - use the portapotties - even though we didn't
want to, get your snacks and drinks and don't come down until you are leaving!!! We made it with up with a couple of rest stops on the way and our seats were great. All of the Canadian men qualified for the 1/4 finals races and then one by one they were eliminated or they crashed. All but Chris Delbosco! He made it to the finals so we implimented plan 2 - there was no way we were leaving early with a medal on the line! So we packed up or belongings and headed to the closest stairs, from there we knew we would not be allowed to stand and watch the race so we scouted out places close by where others had left. Perfect, we yelled screamed and cheered Chris on. It was amazing to see him move in to a medal position but as the last jump approached he tried to move into second and crashed finishing in 4th. The crowd went silent for a nano second and then erupeted in cheers for him. Again it is so amazing to be part of it. It is hard to put into words the feelings you get, how proud you become and how Canadian we are.
It is time for our Olympic event - the bus race. We are out of the gate quickly - a good start I'd say! Down 250 steps (much easier than up) shoulder checking to see that the rest of the team is following, race walking 1.5 miles to the shuttle passing people on the way, shins burning and lungs getting a workout! We made it on to one of the first buses - no waiting - and a half hour to recoup before part two of the race - the sea bus! Our shuttle pulled in and we jumped off - another great start this time it was a shorter race and but the time clock for the sea bus departure was under two minutes. Overdrive kicked in and we just qualified for the finals. We were the last ones on! 12 minutes on the sea bus and a little more time to refresh before the final leg of our event. We were off stumbling a bit under pressure but the team recovered nicely ( we've been training for 10 days) and we finished in first place getting on to the last of the transportation lines for the event - The Canadian Line. We even got a seat!
Michelle and I headed to the long track and Judy headed home. We had three Canadians
skating in the 1500m. Cindy Klassen was the first Canadian and with our voices warmed up from earlier today, Michelle and I were in top form. This time our flag was added to the mix! Then it was Kristina Groves, who we saw win a bronze earlier in the dream. She was behind after her start but she slowly cut her lap time and pulled ahead moving her into second place with two skaters left - one of the two being Christine Nesbitt so we knew we had at least one medal in store and possibly two! Just when I thought our dream was perfect it gets better! On our feet from start to finish Michelle cheering and waving the flag with me we watched in great anticipation. Christina finished in 6th place and we were part of a Silver medal for Canada.
It all has been so great but the greatest part so far is being able to share this time with Michelle. We have laughed together, cried together, cheered together, been proud Canadians together and we are living one of my dreams together...priceless!
Our Medal Count
1 Gold
1 Silver
1 bronze
2 Gold medal ceremonies
Still dreaming...
Tracey
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Glad you updated your blog. It's been fun keeping up with some of your olympic moments! Must have missed your race on CTV - sounds like it was a nail biter!
ReplyDeleteFYI- Kristina Groves began her skating career in Kanata. It's the club where Rhys now skates. He's hoping she will visit the club after the games. I'm sure that would be inspiring!
Go Canada go!
Trish