LIKE A BUNCH OF CAGED ANIMALS

Our visit to the zoo the day before had perfect metaphors for what a group of triathletes look and feel like on the afternoon before a big race. Stern faces, lots of pacing, frequent and random naps is strange places and positions, and a general pent-up feeling that makes us look like we would really rather be doing something else.

There are race requirements like checking in the bike, and at the international level the uniform check and pre-race body marking. What, you may ask, is body-marking? Well, ITU likes their races to have a certain professional look and feel, so our uniforms are national federation-issued, with our country and last name screened front and back, and our numbers and age group written in big marker on our legs or arms. This helps officials and press identify athletes, and for athletes to know who they are running by (or getting run down by) during the race. It also helps doctors, ambulance drivers, and emergency room attendants identify bodies when necessary. That's only partially a joke.

Henri, Dave, and I went to the Great Wall in the morning, and hiked some of the steepest sections of this massive (6000 km long) yard fence that was designed to keep Mongolians, evil spirits, and unwanted salesmen out. I think this was the highlight of the trip for Henri, and he bounded up to the sentry towers with his Flip Cam, standing out amongst the throngs of mostly Asian tourists. Dave and I tried to limit the amount of damage to our legs by stopping frequently, but we wended up hiking quite a bit.

After checking in the bike for Saturdays date with destiny, we watched the Paratriathlon. This was a race solely dedicated to elite athletes with disabilities, and it was the most inspiring imagery of the week. Athletes with various amputations strapped on prosthetic devices and tore through the course with abandon, while blind racers and their guided were tethered by chords on the swim and run, and rode tandem on the bike. It was yet another wake-up call to the rest of us typical, self-absorbed athletes, who were worried about equipment and lack of training and the rain, and whatever else really didn't matter. Watching the Paratriathletes compete would inspire anyone to quit their whining and just get on with it.

We had a nice dinner in the courtyard of the hotel, packed up last-minute race stuff, and hit bed by about 10. Tomorrow, we take on the world...