Counting Laps

Molly woke up at 5:30 again. Just in case you were wondering.

Today is Cheryl's second event, the 5k Time Trial. Cheryl had her game face from the moment she woke up. Concerned about the transportation, Cheryl joined a bunch of Team USA cyclists and took a maxi-cab over to the site. Dani, Jim, Molly and I followed over after breakfast on the Game Shuttle.

The Time Trial was held on a paved circuit dedicated to cycling time trials. The scenery was something less than perfect (cricket fields and dirt), but the course was beautiful. It include an s-curves, an include, a short downhill section, and perfect start/finish.

The only problem turned out to be the officiating. The course was only a little over 1k, but the race was a 5k, so they needed to do four laps.

Unfortunately, there were some competitors that lost count and the officials were not keeping very good records. The compromise was to average the laps and add that to those athletes who only completed four laps. However, in a couple of age groups that seemed to have had an impact on the medals.

Cheryl had no controversy. There were only three women in the 30-39 age group. Cheryl, a Swede, and Hungarian. All three are very good cyclists, but the the Swede was especially strong (I also think that they are both closer to 30 than 39). We are very proud of Cheryl bringing home the bronze and counted her laps correctly.

When we got back from the cycling course, Molly and I headed over the beach to watch beach volleyball. The US lost to Argentina in the bronze medal game and Molly had fun playing in the sand. She also got to contribute to the Games painting of the beach volleyball event. The Games hired an artist to make a painting of the various events going on this week. To make sure his painting is accessible, he allows the public to do some of the painting. Molly go to paint in some of the sand.

After showers and a change a clothes we went on a very strange adventure to Sea World. All spectators and athletes were bused to the Sea World compound and then made to stand in the parking lot for 40 minutes. We were than herded into the dolphin arena and made to wait another 30 minutes before we saw a really neat dolphin show. Molly was at her wits end as we waited for show to start. She was tired and very hungry, but watching synchronized dolphins leap into the air distracted her.

For dinner we had a buffet in the Sea World park. They set up tables and buffet lines in the open areas between the amusement rides, gift shops, and manta ray tank. Molly fell fast asleep after having a couple of pieces of pizza. We didn't make it on any rides, but Cheryl, sleeping Molly, and I made a pass around the shark tank and peeked at the rays. However, we did not see a platypus.