On Being Intrepid

I enjoy the fact that I'm writing from Zolfingen, Switzerland a few hours from the combined ITU Long Course Duathlon Worlds and Zolfingen Powerman but I am less excited about the fact that I am still awake. My first Worlds two years ago in Perth, Australia, I blogged about everything every day. Last year my family came with me so we all left our computers at home to focus on our time together. So I didn't post at all. This time I traveled alone but this is still my first post.

It's fun and challenging to do something that you are not quite sure you are capable of. It's fun at least until these last few hours where sleep is impossible and time moves so slowly. I watched the young contenders today, so ernest, determined and focused. Power Kids is a good name for the competition because they looked powerful. Duathlon and triathlon are wonderful sports for kids and with the new HIT series a perfect way for families to train and race together.

My husband told me to be intrepid, a reference from a favorite film of mine. 190 kilometers to cover tomorrow on bike and on foot. Switzerland is beautiful and the people very friendly and helpful. I'm very glad I got to come and see a different pace and approach to life. The bank closes for an hour and a half so people can enjoy their lunch break. I know that doesn't fit our idea of efficiency and service but I kind of like it. We wandered to a little cafe and my friends had a bite to eat while we waited for it to open so $20 could become 15 francs. A fact that brings our economy's struggles a bit closer to home.

It is very fun to be a part of a team. While enjoying and admiring Switzerland, a big part of the experience is the comraderie of the group and  the feelings of pride and patriotism that come with being a part of Team USA. It's great to take a step away from your country so you can better see its strengths and weaknesses. Likewise, tomorrow will reveal my own strengths and weaknesses. I hope to finish strong and to that end its back to bed. I'm pretty sure it takes some shut eye to be intrepid over 115 miles.