Friday, August 7, 2009

12 days...is this really happening?

What has happened since my last post? WHO issued an H1N1 virus alert for Australia, stating all the recent occurences of the "swine flu" down under. They are in peak season over there, while we are approaching ours. Obviously, as patients on immunosuppressants, extra caution is required. Lung tx's were even encouraged not to attend the Games.

As a result, I had to sign an additional waiver acknowledging I had been given fair warning about the potential flu bug/pandemic. Infectious disease at Duke also has recommended my taking an anti-viral during and after the Games. So be it. I am still going.

On a lighter note, the uniforms arrived yesterday, and they are sweet. Team USA logo is a kangaroo w/ blue & white w/ red background. Very nice. T-shirts are cool. Polo shirt is killer. Racing suit ok. Hat is good to go. Pins are on target. Swimming cap is cheap, latex not silicone, which lasts longer and reduces drag. The shorts we won't discuss. Warm up suit is good stuff. All w/ Adidas brand, which is much better than NIKE, in my humble opinion.

I have found myself in some disbelief, even denial, about the World Games becoming a reality. As a young man, I dreamed of Olympic gold in water polo, knowing it would never be possible. Yet, I remembered wishing if I had to choose the epitome of athletic glory, that was it. Olympics are not what they used to be, but as I was growing up, they were everything. Well, this may not be the fulfillment of that testerone-driven fantasy, but it comes close. And, it will have meaning that the former could never possess.

Victory is just being there, finishing the race, alive.

1 comment:

Welcome to heart2swim

Thank you for visiting my blog! You will find the latest on the development of TI in the Triangle area, as well as well as my own personal jouney from a heart transplant to competitive swimming. TI Swimming is more than simply a business, it is my passion! I hope you enjoy the posts and pics, and freely add your comments.

I currently coordinate the Adult Swim programming at Rex Wellness Center in Wakefield, and private and group lessons are available to members and non-members. Easy Freestyle Workshops are co-sponsored by the FS series,
www.fsseries.com, and are offered in Raleigh and Charlotte. You can reach me at bbarndt@gmail.com or 919-757-1230.