The content of this post is an adaptation of an original text written by Guy Laliberté.
Geneviève, my coordinator, joined me at 7:15 a.m. at the hotel, where we were meeting our lift to Star City. Of course, at 7:30 on the dot, I made my usual pit stop at Starbucks and left for Star City with happy thoughts of my weekend in Moscow.
Monday mostly involved training preparations with my crew. I also skipped my Russian course to work out at the gym and go swimming!
It hit me all of a sudden that, as off yesterday, I only have one month left before lift-off, which means that it’s now a question of weeks—and not months—before the big day. This thought gave me butterflies in my stomach and quite an adrenalin rush!
When I swim, I usually have to stop after each 2 or 3 laps because water seeps into my goggles. Was this accidental or only due to the fact that I hadn’t yet found the right technique for putting them on? Whatever the reason, my goggles fit tightly that day and I was able to do some 50 laps non-stop, which amounts to more than 1 kilometre! I was in a sort of trance, totally absorbed with going over everything I had learned and the various sensations I had recently experienced.
This was the first time I truly felt I was back in shape. Though I haven’t been preparing myself physically for my mission in space for a very long time, this 1-kilometre swim confirmed to me that my fitness program is working well.
In short, this moment in the pool made me happy.
In the afternoon, I had to return to the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Moscow with Max, Jeff and the backup crew, among others, to meet each group in charge of our flight program, e.g., communications, the on-board computer system and all other elements that are linked to the interface between the control center and the ISS. We also had a meeting with high-ranking officials of the MCC involved in the mission.
For the most part, Max and Jeff were the ones who actively participated since they’re leaving on a 6-month mission. I mostly listened and found all of it very interesting.
We drove back to Star City under the sun (yes!). In fact, my Russian friends are surprised by the current temperatures, since it’s almost like summer all over again. The forecast is sunny and warm—all week!
Monday evening was devoted as usual to writing my log mission and then reviewing material for Wednesday’s press conference.