Community

I just wanted to take a moment to comment about the Rochester community. There are a number of reasons why I felt that training in Rochester would be better than my experience with NYC in 2004. First, it's where I grew up and my family lives here but more importantly it is the sense of community I feel here that has really brought me back here to train for the 2008 Games.

There may not be as much money circulating in Rochester but everyone is willing to contribute something once they find out that I am training for the Olympics. For example, the woman that I does my eyebrows (every Olympian needs a good eyebrow waxer!)-she put a picture of me up in her salon and always undercharges me for her services. Not to mention all the much needed advice she gives me when I'm in her chair.

Another example-the man who gives me massages spends at least a half an hour (last time an hour!) with me before the massage to catch up and make sure he understands everything that is going on. Then, he doesn't charge me for the two hours we have spent together. He's just interested in being a part of the journey. Another example-my chiropractor decided not to charge me for visits. He just wants to help me out and he is also interested in being part of my journey.

Oh yeah one more-the other day I went to Foot Performance in order to get new orthodics for my fencing shoes and Chris, one of the podiatrists there, spent a lot of time with me in order to get things right. He also knew my mother-talk about a small town. You can't get inserts for your shoes without running into someone that knows someone in your family or social network.

The same is true for the people at my fencing club here in Rochester. I attended an end of summer party with some of the Rochester Fencing Club group and most of the parents stopped to ask me how I was and offer any help that I may need along the way. They are appreciative that I'm around at the club to help coach their children but I assure them that it's always a joy to teach kids about fencing. I definitely feel like the club is an extension of my family.

The list goes on. Even when I'm in casual conversation in Rochester in some small cafe or bookstore, someone is interested in what I am doing and willing to help me in their own way. I can't believe the amount of generosity in this community. I am not sure this is what Hillary meant when she said it but, "it takes a village" to support an athlete going for their ultimate dream.

It's hard to compare NYC with Rochester in regards to training for the Games because I understand the very nature of a big city-you have to make money to survive. Also, if I can't offer you something in return then it's hard to help a person out. Olympians are also a dime a dozen there, not to mention not as important as all the celebrities and other VIPs that live in NYC. Who am I?

But in Rochester I'm some sort of hometown hero. It's very flattering and in some ways very funny. I am very grateful to this community for coming together and helping me out. I'm very lucky to live in a city that's big enough to have more than one Wal-Mart but small enough that people know my name when I get my eyebrows waxed. :)

I am off to Montreal tomorrow. I will have updates when I get back next weekend. Have a great week!

Thanks to all my friends and family in Rochester! :) I will be thinking of you.