Hi from Jordan!
This morning we had our first chance to view the course. The race is held at a golf course about 30 minutes outside of Amman. It is not the typical green fairways you may imagine... it is quite the opposite.
A bulldozer went through the desert scrub and plowed a level trail for us to run on. The race will consist of an uphill 200 meter start, one small loop, two large loops and an uphill finish. The hills are not too steep, however they are very long and grinding. Being at 3,000 feet of elevation will also make the hills more difficult.
I do like the course - the hills will be rough, but everyone has to run them. The trail is packed dirt and should be a faster surface than grass. The final 100 meters of the race is lush imported grass that was laid on top of the dirt to make the finish pictures look pretty. It just looks ridiculous though - this thick patch of green grass in the middle of nowhere.
The course is very different than anywhere I have ever raced before, though if I needed to compare it, I would say it is similar to the USA trials course in Derwood, Maryland except for the footing. This one is much smoother and isn't muddy.
Yesterday I just took things really easy. I ran, ate, showered, watched a movie and did some homework. Then, after dinner, the USA team masseuse gave me a massage. The daylight savings time doesn't seem to have affected me, for I slept very well last night and do not feel disoriented today.
When I was named the US junior women's team captain, the decision was unanimous by my four junior teammates and I am determined to not disappoint.
My roommate is Emily Pritt from NC State. We cooled down together after the trials, and have been texting back and forth ever since. That is one of the neat things about being on an international team: I have made friends with girls from around the US and we have come together as teammates with a common goal of representing our country to the fullest.
Ashley, Alex, and Sara are the other three and it has been fascinating to hear their stories and to find out our similarities. This afternoon we all have a date in my room for a team meeting about the course, pre-race thoughts, and motivational tidbits before we all relax to watch the movie Twilight. We are also planning on making a video wearing the souvenir head scarves that we were given in our welcome bags.
In preparation for the race we are planning on relaxing this afternoon, hydrating and staying out of the lobby where people smoke like crazy (there are no non-smoking rules here). I am anticipating the race, for it seems like we have been here a long time. I know I would not have been ready to race any earlier, however, today I feel like it is about time to get this show rolling!
Our race goes off at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, but it will be 2:30 p.m. here. Thanks to everyone back in Shippensburg who has made this a reality for me!
- Neely
