8 August

I woke up at 3:30 am and was done sleeping. We were told not to be outside after dark for security reasons, so I waited until 5:00 am and did my long run. It went really well (mostly because I didn't get lost)! I've been known to do that sometimes.

Our hotel is constantly playing Frank Sinatra music. Right now, "When I was 17" is playing.

After breakfast, we went to the track and I filmed the shot putters practicing. I'll be back to the track this afternoon to film some more practices. I might do a little workout too. The athletes are not all here yet, so there's not much to do at the track.

When the family dropped me off at the airport, Meghan gave me Giraffitti (her favorite stuffed giraffe) and told me to take good care of her. I decided to show Giraffitti around Berlin. Here is the first picture with me, Giraffitti, Jill (the shot putter who is working on her master's degree with me at BYU), and Dustin (our athletic trainer for track at BYU who is on the USA Track and Field staff). So Meghan, don't worry, Giraffitti is doing fine and having fun with us.

On the way to the airport, Meghan told Adrienne, "I'm really going to miss Giraffitti". I guess she'd been thinking about sending Giraffitti with me. She is so sweet!