How amazing has this swim Olympics been?  I’m honestly sorry to see it go (with the open water and triathlon coming next week but I don’t know if they will be broadcast).  I know I feel inspired.

Micheal Phelps has always said one of his main goals “is getting new faces into the sport. Getting kids who could be afraid of water to feel comfortable in the pool.”

As amazing as Beijing was for Phelps, Lochte and Coughlin it was practically a 3 member team.  In London we have seen an incredible variety of medalists.  By my count the US has 20 different swimmers that have medaled in races (not counting prelim swimmers like Coughlin).   14 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze with more to come tomorrow.

The thing about this that excites me as a complete amateur swimmer there are 20 athletes to look to and be inspired by.  It’s like the dream team of swimming! It really does inspire me to want to try harder and be as great as I can be.  To see so many people succeed makes it feel more likely that I can succeed in my goals, small as they might be.

I also greatly admire the Olympic spirit I’ve seen in the US swimmers.  Everyone is always talking about the egos of Lochte and Phelps but all I’ve seen is graciousness and smiles even in defeat.  What else can you ask for in an Olympian?

If I compare Phelps’ response to getting silver in the 200 to the Russian women in their silver in gymnastics, I don’t know how you can not see that he handled himself pretty darn well?  True with Lochte too even after losing to Phelps and getting bronze in his 200 back he was gracious and a complete gentleman.

The American women have done so much better than anyone would have thought.  I think everyone expected to see golds for Franklin but to have Vollmer, Soni, Shmitt and today Ledecky  (and the relay) all gold is  awesome!

Everyone of their stories amazes and excites me.  I want to be more like an Olympian.  Sometimes I can be so undisciplined.  I’m doing this wellness challenge and going without sugar for 21 days is seeming like the hardest thing in the world.  Surely if Michael Phelps can win 20+ medals I can go without sugar for 21 days :).

I’d like to meet an Olympian someday.  Find out what it’s really like.  I’ve also set a goal to start saving my money so I can go to the games in Rio. I’ve got 4 years to save and I think it is going to be awesome.  (Plus, you get to go to Rio. Win, win!).

Anyway, I hope all of you have enjoyed watching the Olympics as much as me.  Not only swimming has inspired me. I’ve loved watching the water polo, volleyball, gymnastics, rowing, kayaking, basketball, everything.   I’m inspired by every Olympic athlete, especially the Americans.  And how fun this year to get to follow the athletes on twitter and read their responses and ‘feel’ like you are having a conversation with them!  I can wish Ryan Lochte happy birthday or congratulate Michael Phelps on his wins.   I feel like I’m practically there cheering them on!  It makes it feel all the more real.  It’s so cool!

The only people I feel sorry for in these Olympics is all the poor saps in Vegas who tried to predict these games.  Not so much! For example, nobody at the swimswam prediction game put Manaudou as even a medalist on the 50 free, let alone gold.  Not one ballot!  It’s so great!

Thank you to all the amazing athletes.  Now we will be on to track and field.  Not quite as compelling as swimming for me, but still it’s going to be awesome.  I hope Lolo Jones can pull out a miracle. Rooting for her!

You know how with gymnastics and ice skating they have tours that go around the country and you can see all the Olympians?  I wish you could do that with swimming but might not work as nicely for a show. ;).  Still it’d be so cool to see them swim someday.

Well, better pull myself away from Olympic viewing and try to sleep.  I can’t believe my race is next week.  Ahhh! I don’t feel ready even though I did my practice 5k a month ago.  I don’t feel ready.  Still, I’m going to take a lesson from these amazing athletes and try my hardest and finish the race. 🙂 (and I have a new goal to get an Olympian to tweet me after my race! I love living in 2012!)

Still my favorite story of the games.  Double gold for Dana Vollmer after facing failure and succeeding.  So awesome!  Makes me want to confront my failures and not give up.