Today I ventured out into the heart of Daegu. I walked to the subway station on faith (I had heard it was in a particular direction) and on my way there ran across a bus station where I booked a ticket to the airport on Sunday. I made my way into the subway station. They all pretty much look alike around the world, so I figured out which was the station I needed to get to for the Athletes Village and I jumped on the next train. The coaches credential I have provides me with a free transportation card, so that makes it easy.

When I got off the train, and went upstairs, I snagged a bicycle; the Athletes Village has loads of bikes around for the athletes and coaches to snag for short trips. I picked up a bike and rode the few blocks to the Village. There is a great little coffee shop with a nice deck with umbrellas that I have met Mike at before, so I went there not sure when he would show up (we had left it sort of loose the day before). While I was sitting there, I met an Australian fellow who is a sports agent and we talked about him becoming a distributor for our product for us in Australia. So that was cool…could be a significant relationship. Mike showed up and then immediately disappeared again.

I met Mike at the Medical rooms a little later, and treated his foot in preparation for the days run. Then we went down to the practice track and met with the Special Conditions Coach who presented the Marathon team with ice vests for their pre-race warm-up, to help them lower their core temperatures. This is very cool (no pun intended) because the conditions here are so very HOT. The guys went out for a 20 minute run to ‘test drive’ the vests. While they were out, I chatted with one of the Jamaican sprinters while she stretched and did calisthenics. After that, Mike and I went back up and I treated his foot again, this time a little more thoroughly given he was done for the day. I chatted with the medical team guys, making friends.

After the medical tent treatments were over, we went to the downtown market. That place was disgusting! I will post pictures soon, but the market almost made me puke. There was a ton of raw food on display, along with snakes, frogs, turtles AND DOGS! Honestly… it was horrible! So we bailed and went further downtown to Daegu’s version of NYC’s “Times Square”, except that it goes on for BLOCKS and BLOCKS, and is enough to give you a seizure. It’s really a less impressive version of Times Square, but on steroids, if that makes sense. We ate very traditional food and Sergio, the US Champion, who was with us was unimpressed. Mike wanted more food. I thought that our meal was too much work for not much protein, but it was very tasty. We walked a bit more and eventually I had had enough and voted we leave. Back to the subway, and then a walk back to the hotel. I was bushed so went off to bed quickly.

Today was a light day at the track with only the 20K race walk for women scheduled. I spent some time with Maria, an American, after her race when we were in the medical suite, and we agreed that I will work with her from afar (she is in NYC) but I will put her in contact with one of my OptoJump clients there to help her.

So a good day, though it was strange in so many ways. Tomorrow, back to business as usual.