Olympic Lessons...

Like most red-blooded American athletes, the Olympics for me are magical. And although I'm watching them on the couch with a cold beer rather than being there as an athlete, the excitement is still the same--like when my Mom used to let me stay up to watch a movie with her. I'd take the obligatory nap, eyes, squinted shut in the dead giveaway of faked mandatory sleep, only to prop my eyelids open later that night while falling asleep on her lap.
While these days I beg for the aforementioned nap, staying awake was no problem while watching the swim events last night, particularly the men's 4x100. For those of you who missed it and aren't swimming buffs, you'll still appreciate the quintessential battle: Trash-talking by the French, a seemingly impossible team to beat by the US, then the come-from-behind finish--a half a body length, to be exact--for the US to take the gold and Michael Phelps to continue his winning ways.
This team taught me a great deal, as have so many of the other events thus far in the games, namely the few following points:

1. It Ain't Over Til It's Over: Nope, not until that fat lady is singing. You never know when your time will come. You never know when a window of opportunity becomes an answer to your hard work. In men's gymnastics, it was two twin brothers dropping out which gave one guy the chance of his life after being denied Team USA status for two Olympics, and he is now the bedrock of their team. For the 4x100 men, it was an anchoring French athlete tightening up while our anchor gave the lunge of his life to the wall.
2. There is more than one way to skin a cat: As we've seen from all our swimmers, there are differing techniques in every stroke, different body types, different ages, and most importantly, differing training philosophies, and ALL work. The key, resonating ingredient in all of them, though, is an unwavering faith in their system. The athletes, know their bodies, know what works, and follow that path. The anchor for the US team has been coaching himself for two years, while Phelps has been with the same coach since he was 11 years old. Quiet your mind to the chatter around you, and stick with what you know works. Stick to your plan. Stick to your guns.
3. Never Give Up: There is always an air of uncertainty, and that is what makes sport so attractive. In a long race in particular, but in all competition, the reward doesn't always go to the swiftest, but often to the one who sticks with it.
Thanks for letting me wax philosophical, and may these games be as enchanting to watch for you as they always are for me. And mom, I promise to go to bed on time once they're over :).

Coach Cami