Olympic Training Center excitement

Our 3 days at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) are almost finished. Day 1 began with a 6am flight to Colorado Springs with a layover in Chicago where I met up with most of the other athletes and coaches flying from the east coast. Once we arrived, our first point of business was team outfitting which was essentially circling a huge room with a shopping cart and filling it with Nike and Ralph Lauren clothes! After trying on all our great new outfits, we had our first team practice (at altitude!) before we all got some much needed sleep. Our 2nd day at the OTC began with a morning swim which was followed by briefings on media training, logistics for the Games, and the magnitude of the Olympic Movement. The rest of the day consisted of autograph signing, head-shots, another workout, and, of course, following the Olympic competitions. Today, we had a bit more time, since our only non-practice commitments were a team photo and a lunch meet-and-great with U.S. Olympic Committee staffers. So, one of my roommates, Casey, and I spent the afternoon enjoying the Colorado sun by laying out by the outdoor pool and watching a visiting synchronized swimming team practice. It is always thrilling to train at the OTC as I think of all the incredible athletes who have lived and trained at these facilities. Since the Olympics are going on now, there have clearly been no Olympian-sightings, but in addition to the Paralympic Swim Team, the Paralympic Women's Sitting Volleyball and the Track and Field Team have arrived to begin their Games trip. I will miss the OTC!

Tomorrow, we have 5am swim practice before taking a 13 hour flight to Japan. So excited to get to Asia!