Do I have what it takes to place in the top three on Friday, September 12th in the Time Trial in Beijing? Will I bring home a medal for the US? What about the Road Race the following day? Will four years of training be enough to see me through?
As many of you have read, I was struck by a vehicle on May 24th. My injuries are healing and I am back to training at 100%. I continue to work on my sprints and time trials. I am focused. I will be at my peak in about two weeks. This means that my physical conditioning will reach its highest point.
On August 17th, I leave home for five weeks. I'll fly to the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs prior to my Beijing departure on September 3rd. Even though I'd like to have my family with me in China, they are remaining at home. But, I carry them with me: my daughter Maya, who's 11 years old, wraps a green chili in a paper napkin on which she writes "Kick some butt, Dad!" and sticks it in my suitcase every time. My 15 year-old son Miguel, who loves to wrestle with me (yes, wrestle!), always sends me off with a hug and a kiss and "Good luck, Dad!" as he slaps me on the back. (I think he secretly likes it when I leave because he becomes the man of the house!) My oldest, Selina, who lives in San Diego and is enlisted with the Navy, calls to check in and says "Dad, aren't you too old to be doing this?" Then there is my wife, Kimberly, whom I credit with putting up with all my travels all these years, taking care of the kids while I'm away, and keeping a light in the window for me. Everyone of them has a special place in my heart and I regret they will not be there with me.
Stay strong,
Alejandro Albor
