U.S.A!!! U.S.A!!!

Well, no wonder the world loves the Olympics:

The games may be half over, but I think there has been more stories in these past Olympics than in the past 2 combined. And we still have my favorite events to come yet (400 m sprint and 4x400m sprint).

Already we've seen a 23 year old set 7 world records, and earn 8 gold medals; a Jamaican blow the competition out of the water for the 100 m sprint, a 41 year old women nearly get several gold medals, and watch two young women win gold and silver in All Around Gymnastics - all, unheard of.

And all of it, has been done in good sportsmanship. It is unfathomable how well these athletes are treating each other, or how well China is treating all the participants and fans. The Olympics really are one of humanities crowning achievements, simply unexplainable.

If all the world leaders could sit down and watch how athletes from North and South Korea compete, How the Chinese and US basketball teams tried to have fun as well as win, and how Russian and Georgian athletes competed not as bitter enemies, or even as rivals, but simply as competitors who wanted to ensure a good game.

And gold meddles are not the only goal of the Olympics, creating lasting bonds of friendship seem to be just as important, Torres (the 41 year old US women's swimmer) made sure that the judges would not disqualify an Australian swimmer because her suit had ripped and she needed to change it - whereas she could very well have let the girl embarrass herself by having to step out of the race.

Or how about Yao Ming continueing to play against the US basketball team, even though he was quite obviously in a great deal of pain? And then when he could play no more - still rooting for his team, jumping and cheering at every basket and great play.

These games are truly magical.

Then there's the comradry amongst teammates - the NBA players of the basketball games are playing unselfishly unlike those of the past 8 years (they look more like the Dream Team of old, than the selfish rich jerks that so many of their fellow players are.) Or what about Jason Lezak Reaching for just alittle more to beat out his French opponent by eight-hundredths of a second....and coming from so far behind, unbelievable.

Then there's Phelps. Ian Thorpe doubted him, the French doubted him, the announcers doubted him, but his teammates didn't, his family didn't - and his fans certainly didn't. Along with breaking Spitz record of 7 gold medals (Phelps got 8) He broke 7 world records (7!!!) he also added an olympic record just for good measure. He was the fastest, when it counted, winning by one-hundredth of a second, faster than a camera shutter in one of his hardest races. He never let others get him down, and he helped to urge his teammates on. He was also quick to dole out credit to everyone that helped - which when combining his "god-like" athletic ability, with the unselfishness of a true teammate makes him truly Olympic.

So many great stories - so many more to come, these last few days look to be spectacular, Still to come: Softball Championship; Basketball Championship, 200meter race, 400 m and 4x400m races and many more, It's too bad this great event only happens once every four years - but I do believe that the magic would be slightly lost if it were played sooner.

But while these games have been going on, I've realised that while I may never be able to perform at that level of athleticism, I can still get myself into the best shape of my life, but the time the next olympics rolls around. And you never know, at 25 I could very well have a shot to make it too London, England - now wouldn't that be something. So I desided to make a starting list, a list for one year from now, a list for 4 years from now, and finally a list of the events I would even have a shot in.

Event Current: One Year Goal: Four Year Goal:
Cardio:
1-mile run(T): 13:59 minutes 05:30 minutes 04:59 minutes
Distance run(T): 31:00 minutes 75:00 minutes 90:00 minutes
(2.24 miles) (9.0 miles) (12.85 miles)
Timed Run - 1hr(T): 4.02 miles 7.04 miles 10.06 miles

Aerobic (Lower):
Leg Press(A): 110 lbs (15x3*) 225 lbs (15x4*) 290 lbs (15x4*)
Adduction(A): 77 / 88 / 77 lbs 150 / 170 / 150 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Abduction(A): 88 / 99 / 88 lbs 170 / 190 / 170 lbs 210 / 230 / 210 lbs
Lying Leg Curl(A): 44 / 55 / 44 lbs 100 / 120 / 100 lbs 180 / 200 / 180 lbs
Leg Extention(A): 33 / 44 / 33 lbs 77 / 88 / 77 lbs 120 / 140 / 120 lbs

Aerobic (Upper):
Ind. Chest Press(A): 33 / 44 / 33 lbs 120 / 140 / 120 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Ind. Shoulder Press(A): 22 / 33 / 22 lbs 100 / 120 / 100 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Pectoral Fly(A): 22 / 33 / 22 lbs 100 / 120 / 100 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Rear Deltoid(A): 22 / 33 / 22 lbs 100 / 120 / 100 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Mid Row(A): 22 / 33 / 22 lbs 100 / 120 / 100 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs
Pull Over(A): 55 / 66 / 55 lbs 120 / 140 / 120 lbs 200 / 220 / 200 lbs

Abdominals:
Abdominal Crunch(A): 66 / 77 / 66 lbs 130 / 150 / 130 lbs 180 / 200 / 180 lbs
Back Extentions(A): 99 / 110 / 99 lbs 150 / 170 / 150 lbs 220 / 240 / 220 lbs
Sit Ups 30 120 300

Arms:
Bicep Curl: 10 / 15 / 10 lbs 50 / 60 / 50 lbs 80 / 90 / 80 lbs
Tricep Extention(A): 33 / 44 / 33 lbs 75 / 90 / 75 lbs 90 / 110 / 90 lbs
Wrist Curl: 5 / 10 / 5 lbs 25 / 30 / 25 lbs 50 / 60 / 50 lbs
Reverse Wrist Curl: 5 / 10 / 5 lbs 25 / 30 / 25 lbs 50 / 60 / 50 lbs

Finally: 400 meter time: 1:36 minutes 1:29 minutes 0:49 minutes

* means that all Aerobic numbers would be 15 reps 3-4 times
(A) means a weight machine/assisted weight bench was used
(T) means a treadmill was used