Beijing Olympics 5

It is my last night in Beijing and naturally I am compelled to experience another track and field session.  So I wade into the throngs of ticket scalpers lined up outside the Olympic Village entrance and spot a young Chinese holding a ticket for that night.  When I try to begin negotiating he frantically gestures for me to follow him and leads me to a nearby building entrance.  Apparently the Chinese authorities are still frowning on this market clearing mechanism.  The young seller types out his asking price of 1500 yuan (US$215) on his cell phone. I point to my watch to indicate the fact the session is already starting and offer 200 yuan.  I am a bit surprised when he indignantly marches off, and I grow concerned as I walk along the gate and all the tickets held up for offer are for events on later days.  Then a burly Australian walks up beside me, asks if I need tickets, and asks 700 yuan.  I respond that I can pay half that and I discretely slip him cash as we stride past the Chinese security forces and chat about US hopes against the Jamaicans.  It is a win-win transaction; the Australian is no doubt delighted to unload his ticket at the last second at 350 (50 yuan below the face value) and I am delighted to get back in the Birds Nest.

One of the really great things about attending these international events is the camaraderie with fans from all over the world.  I find myself sitting next to Ivan, a young 800-meter junior champion from Ukraine and a boisterous group of Estonians.  They are all so extremely excited to learn I am from the US and they hug me with joy when Americans Dawn Harper and Jeremy Wariner win their respective races and try to console me when the British sprinter overtakes Sanya Richards in the 400.  Of course we all go crazy when Estonia wins the discus throw.

One other thing that just does not come through on TV is the emotional power of the medal award ceremonies.  When everything else at the track stopped and 90,000 fans rose for the New Zealand national anthem for the woman's shot put gold medalist on Sunday both Christian and I were deeply moved.  For New Zealand!  For the woman's shot put!  an event we had not even seen or even thought about prior to that moment.

Beijing Olympics 4

I attend the Athletics competition at the Birds Nest Sunday night. It is amazing to actually be at the Olympics. I feel goose bumps when we came out of the subway and in the distance I catch sight of the huge Olympic torch in the distance.

Only ticket-holders can go through wide perimeter security tents to get into the main Olympic Village. It is like entering a magical new world. Granted it is a bit of a corporate sponsor world with numerous Coca-Cola and McDonalds kiosks, Visa ATMs, and Bank of China VIP tents.

As amazing as the competition is, the architecture may be more memorable for me. It is breathtaking to see from different angles. Christian and I cannot stop take pictures in front of the Birds Nest and Water Cube. Most of the other 100,000 spectators are also posing in front of the stadiums as well.

The restrooms are hidden, the concourses are long and steep, the concession lines slow, but none of this detracts much from the magic of being at Olympics.

Beijing Olympics 3

Naturally I was concerned about the air quality in China. For months I have heard so much about the stifling humidity and choking smog, and  the risk of black lung I faced by running during my Olympic trip.

 

But I run with teammate Chuck in Shanghai and smog is not an issue.  (avoiding getting hit by lightning was more of an issue).

 

Then in Beijing the sky is blue and I can see mountains clearly in the distance.  Christian and I do 12k around the Summer Palace Grounds and the air is fine and I hardly break a sweat in the cool comfortable weather.

Beijing Olympics 2

Everywhere I go in China (restaurants, convenient stores, getting my hair cut)  I see televisions showing Olympic coverage.  Everywhere I see the One World One Dream logo. And everywhere, everywhere I see the country medal standings.  I thought tabulating national medal counts was counter to the Olympic spirit and was actively discouraged?  But the medal counts scroll across the bottom of every Chinese broadcast 24x7.  

 

Not that I watch Chinese Olympic coverage.   Strangely I come to the Olympics in China and find myself watching coverage from the Philippines.  Which is ideal.  The Philippines have relatively fewer athletes competing and so the coverage is remarkably broad and unbiased (and in English).     

Beijing Olympics - 1

Who needs to go to Seattle in August to escape the heat when you can summer in the Chinese coastal city of Dalian.  I arrive to blue skies and cool crisp temperatures.  The US Olympic track team is staying here during the games as well to minimize their time in Beijing smog. 

 

My one-year Chinese multi-entry visa was still valid , otherwise I probably would not have made it here since the Chinese government has been limiting "undesirables" like myself from getting visas during the Olympics.   Amazingly I was able to travel to China during the Games using 20,000 airline award miles and the hotels are reasonably priced since no one can get in the country.   

 

I enjoy several long runs through the hills and coastline of Dalian, but unfortunately I have yet to see Lagat running through the city parks or eating at the seafood restaurants. 

Kamakura Shakado/Hokokuji Route

Here is a map (courtesy of Joachim) of a 9km route through the quiet neighborhoods and hilly hiking trails of eastern Kamakura where Joachim, Mark, Ami and I ran several weeks ago.

This loop is an interesting variation on the normal counter-clockwise route I normally lead
around the circumference of Kamakura. There is very little overlap between the two routes other than the waterfront section.

This Eastern loop takes us through the remarkable Shakado pass which dates back centuries, past the Hokokuji temple and then along a densely forested ridge extending south to the Zushi Marina and the sea.