My Olympic update

Well everyone, sorry for not writing in such a long time. I have been
super busy with tourist stuff that it left me no time to update my
blog. Plus I cannot access my website in China for some reason. This
has been a problem for a few people but not all. And it seems there
is no way to fix this problem.
First I will start by saying thank you to all who have written to me.
It has really helped me to know everyone is behind me. I really
wanted to perform my best for all of you, for Chile, for my family and
for myself and everyone, just everyone. I will explain a little about
my race a little later.

As for the present moment, I have been tired after so much traveling.
I have been in China for about a month now with about two months of
traveling before to world cup races and for some training in China
before the games in June. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel I have
been away for way to long and I cannot wait to get back to the life I
had before the Olympics. I miss my friends, I miss going bowling or
to miniature golf. I miss Cabo Fish Taco. I think I also miss
working. It has been six months since I have worked and well, I am
ready to work again.

I got a little sick these last two days and I think it is because I am
just tired so my defenses are down. I also got sick before from the
water in Beijing, someone gave me a fruit that they had washed with
water and so to not be rude, I ate it. Also, after a bit of drinking,
I was supper thirsty and drank water from the sink before going to
bed. This was absolutely my fault. I am tired of getting sick.
Well, so before the getting sick part and wanting to go home.

The Olympics have been absolutely amazing. Sorry, I like the work
"absolutely" today. At the beginning of the games, I must admit it
felt like another race. I arrived at the airport just like I have
always done with my boat, paddles and my bag. The only thing I
received from Chile before the games was my credential with serves as
my visa to enter China. I walked out from the airport only to hear my
name called by a very cool Chilean Olympic official also named Pablo
who has competed in previous Olympics and now is an official. We
drove about an hour to drop of my boat at the course and then another
hour of driving to the village. It was night at this point and after
the 15 or so hours of flying, I went straight to bed. I will tell
more of the village in a later blog with some pictures also.

Well, the competition. I was supper nervous like I said before, I
wanted to really race well for everyone and myself. So, there were 21
people competing on the first day, to race on the second day, I needed
to finish in the top 15 which leaves not much room for error. My
first run, I paddled cautious so as not to make mistakes which means I
paddled slowly. My time was 88 seconds when most were pulling around
85's. This put me in 17th place I believe. It was fun because the
stadium was well packed for my first run.
For my second run, I got over my fear a little and fixed a few key
mistakes I made my first run and was more relaxed. I pulled an 86 but
a touch put me back to an 88. I finished 16th. I did what I could
and I am happy with this result. I really wanted to be top 10. With
two 86's it would be possible. Competing for a medal is another story
that I hope to maybe try for in four years if I qualify for the games
in London.

It was amazing to just finish with two decent runs which are more than
I could ever ask for. I struggled this year to do decent runs. Now
that I know how it feels, I look forward to doing this on a regular
basis. My performance really gives me the motivation to keep going
but not only has the performance given me motivation.

It seems to me that everyone is absolutely happy here. I find it
great to talk with all the athletes; we are all here for the same
thing, a great competition to say the least. And talking with
everyone, I feel a sense of joy that only happens at the Olympics.
The Chinese have done some incredible things with technology like when
they lit the flame for the opening ceremonies. The Birds Nest and
Water Cube right next to it are the two most amazing buildings I have
ever seen. The village is filled with nice people, everything is
easy. Eating is good, although after eating for a month in the same
dining hall, an amazing one of course with many different choices and
filled with tons of people. I am so ready for some Cabo Fish Taco in
Charlotte.

I love to hear all the different languages, as you walk through the
streets of the village, every five feet, there is a new language and
some of countries I never knew existed. I thought I knew many
countries but I guess you learn something new every day. Well, I
wrote a lot I know, I have much more to say. I will sign off for now
and go eat some more. The dining hall is open 24 hours a day which
translates to; Yes, I have gained a little weight and I am not the
only one.

Cheers
Pablo

Training went well yesterday and things are starting to happen.
Tomorrow, we have a welcoming ceromony at the village to welcome
Chile. The next day we have a presentation of our flag at the Chilean
Embassy in Beijing. The next day after that, we have the opening
ceremonies. And three days after that, I race.

I have been having trounble accessing my website, I think I have found
a solution and I will try and add photos after I take some more today.

Cheers

Pablo

Well, sorry ya'll for not writing sonner, had some technical dificulties. All is well now. So what have I been up to?

After a long flight, about 13 hours flying time, I arrived in Beijing jet laged and relieved to have arrived finaly in China. It took a bit longer than I expected to get through customs. It was a bit confusing with so many people. There was a special lane for Olympic Athletes and officials but a whole bunch of us arrived at the same time and I was at the back of the line.

Got through that and then it took a long time to get my boat and luggage but no worry, I walked out to find Pablo waiting for. Pablo, not me, used to be a competitor and is now an official, this is his 5th olympics. He is a cool guy.

So then we had to go leave my boat at the course before going to the olympic village. This took a while, the Village is about an hour from the course. This had to be done and it was all good, the only bad thing was that I was in desperate need of a shower. A little later I got it once arriving at the Village. I will tell more of the village soon, I will now go eat dinner. So

Cheers

Pablo

Today, I finally received my credentials for the games. These serve as my visa to get into China. So I was a little stressed about not having them given that I leave this coming sunday. So now I am a little excited knowing that all I need to do now is get on the plane. For those here in Charlotte, see you on the water, to all the others, see you later or

Cheers

Pablo

I have been tired. I am back to a wonderful home. Some friends came over last night to play Cranium. Had a wonderful time. After the long trip in Europe, I arrived with a lot of dirty clothes, all better now, clean and smelling good.

I have 6 days before I leave for Beijing, so if you want to call me, do so because I will be gone for a month. I return the 25th after the closing ceremonies. Crazy I must admit. I will look forward to returning to rest a little from all these competitions.

I guess I am also not as excited as I should be for going. I think once I get on the plane, I will be excited, I know I will be. Now, I am a little excited, sure. But I have my mind on many other things at the moment like preparing. My new boat is not ready yet, today I should put in the extra weight it needs.

For competition, the kayaks need to weigh 9 kilos. My boat new weighs 8.2 kilos. In these previous three days, I attached thigh braces. I had both sides good I thought, then I had to change one side because the thigh brace was to far to the left. Then I did not attach it perfectly and it broke. So it is now fixed and ready for competition, well the thigh braces are at least.

Well, thats enough for now

cheers

Pablo