USATF outdoor Huntsville -ran like fizzled rocket

 

Huntsville. Did I run like a rocket? No.

Again, this is pulled from memory and photos since I did not take many notes. Maybe one iphone screen of notes. Event highlight – Heat RAIN and lighting.

Before I get into Huntsville, I need to mention what happened to me on April 26^th. I usually vacuum on Sundays but this time I decided to do so on Saturday. I was done with the living room and decided to do the hardwood hallway. I started to move forward with the vacuum then found myself going down, landing mostly rear right. I still can’t figure out how I landed on right butt with head hitting plastic crate ahead of me to the left. My body must have twisted right as I fell forward at an angle. I had tripped over the vacuum cord which was caught around my foot, Vacuuming can be quite dangerous unless cordless. Later, I checked for a bruise but didn't see one.

The next day I went to the track My notes indicate that left butt hurts (peculiar since I landed I thought on my right but maybe when I texted Angela of the incident, I had a brain slippage. But I don’t think so because I looked for bruise on right side.) I continued going to the gym doing dead lifts, glute and hamstring strengthening etc. However, on 4/30 I noted that the SI joint area, sacroiliac, hurt. By 5/27 I noted that I was starting to use lidocaine patches on the sacrum area. By this point I was having lots of discomfort just sitting on edge of bed when I arose. During this time and before going to Nationals I was having shockwave treatments near SI joint etc. I stopped going to sprint practice on Sundays after June 1. I began eliminating some gym activities, eventually the dead lifts and pulling the loaded sled. The sacrum area continued to be a problem but mostly okay after 15 minutes of walking. I have consumed much Ibuprofen, Advil Dual, and Tylenol 650 or 500 since April 26. Yes, Bobby, I take Tylenol.

Wednesday July 16

After dropping off dog for boarding and arriving at RDU airport, I picked up a cold brew coffee and a LeFarm scone at the airport. I ate one or two bites of the scone before departing Raleigh for Atlanta on July 16 at 11 am. (I have sworn off the huge pretzels LeFarm sells, minding my sodium intake. (Good girl!) I met Angela Staab in ATL where we took the same flight to Huntsville. Angela had already determined that the Huntsville airport was not far from the venue so we would be able to do packet pickup. Our flight landed at approximately 3:19. When we got to packet pickup, at Milton Frank Stadium, we realized how hot it really was. I have no idea what the temperature was but, wow, just walking on the track in the sun was an awakening. Barbara Warren who always updates us had texted it was 100 degrees. Angela was not going to like her longer track runs. I felt sorry for the folks staffing the packet pickup table. Yes, they had shade from a tent but 

Mary Robinson

the heat seeped in. As I recall, Robert Thomas arrived with a few others to prep for the event. Mary Robinson arrived before we left.

Angela and I laughing about the heat

We stayed at the Embassy Suites, 800 Monroe St. We ate at the Olive Garden that evening as well as stopped and picked up lots of food – snacks etc – from Whole Foods (me yogurt and maybe fig newtons. We probably got cheese as well.)

Thursday July 17

Most of the senior group that hang out together had hammer at 07:45. Not hot. There were ten of us,

W75 up through W90 (Flo Meiler, 91) So it was a long competition. In the W75 AG, Myrle Mensey did her usual– out throwing everyone with a 42.99m (141 feet!) throw.. Mary Hartzler came in second in that AG, throwing 34.12m, and Barbara Warren came in third with 22.19m, followed by Mary Trotto throwing 17.54m. Catherine Bishop, whom I did not know, rounded out the age group, throwing 12.63m, I am glad I am not in that group (well, I would not mind being 75 again but I would not want to compete with them.)

In the W80, it was Catherine Radle with 18.69m, me with 17:00 (ah yes, got another 17!) and Mary Robinson with 12.24m. Elspeth Padia’s throw in the W85 AG exceeded those of many in younger groups – 20.46m (67’1”)! In W90 only Flo Meiler threw. Christel Donley’s shoulder prevents her from competing in this event. Flo threw 15.68m.

Flo Meier and Christel Donley have been competing against each other for eons. (Maybe when one is 90, it seems like eons.) Christel’s peak throwing days are in the past since her shoulder surgeries. She mostly throws using the forearm as the shoulder is not what it once was. Nonetheless, she wants to compete (as well as socialize.) Who can blame her? Track and field can be an addiction as well as something to look forward to and an incentive to keep going. So she is out there giving Flo competition.

While we were doing the hammer, Angela Staab was doing the 5000m on the track at 8am. She came in first in AG in 50:18.68. For me, doing a 5000m on a track is boring. I like road Races where there is something to look at.

screen showing field event

At 11am the senior women’s (W60-84) pentathlon began. Not something I would do since I would only do one of the five events: 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, 800m run, and shot put. Neringa Jakstiene continued her dominance in the W60 age group, collecting a score of 3905 to Janean Shannon’s 2952 of the five competitors. Caren Ware was third with 2434. Jill Yeomans and Joanne Shabelski fourth and fifth. Vicki Fox, Patricia Clemmons, and Jo Phelps (TNT) were the W65 medalists. Patricia is a North Carolinian who also throws. Kay Glynn and Lydia Woods (TNT) medaled in the W70 group. And then comes the battle between Mary Trotto and Barbara Warren in the W75 AG. Norma Hudnall won their group with 1417. Barbara ended up with 1193 to Mary’s 1103. Both TNT. In the W80 event Nancy Berger (TNT) excelled with 1203.

Angela who hates the heat had the misfortune, or choice, to run in the 4x800 TNT relay at 4pm. I happened to have accidentally taken a screen shot of my iphone’s home screen at 3:10. It was 91°. Nice and warm. She loves relays. Hates the heat. The relay won. For some reason, they ran with a younger team member, Lydia Woods so ended up in the 70 age group. The team consisted of Angela Staab (82), Lydia Woods (71), Mary Trotto (78) and Nancy Berger (80). The only other option they had was to run in the W75 AG with Barbara Warren instead of Lydia. They came in second to Atlanta’s W70 team, consisting of all 70s, which included Terry Ozell, a mid distance specialist. ATL time 16:27.81 and TNT’s 25:03.86. The heat won.

Christel pant leg laugh with Mary

We ate at Embassy Suites that night. Christel Donley and maybe Mary Smith joined us. I am pretty sure Mary had brussels sprouts (baby cabbages!) I may have had the salmon, Angela probably a salad and soup and whatever Christel had she did not finish!

Friday July 18

Our first event was shot put at 8 (at 10am I had the 100 coming up) When there is a field event prior to one of my track events I always worry about having time to warm up for the track portion. So I look at how they combine age groups and how many there will be in our combined groups. Then I sort of figure out how many shot attempts I might get in. Hammer and javelin are the only field events I enjoy attempting. The rest are just “do it” ones.

Nine had registered, eight showed up. Four in my age group, three in the next oldest and two in the W90 – Flo Meiler and Christel Donley, of course! Catherine Radle threw the farthest in my AG, 5.94m, then Mary Robinson 5.76m, me 4.89m, then Angela 4.31m. My next to last throw was my farthest, the same was true for Catherine. Mary Robinson’s second was her best and Angela’s was her first. In the W85 it was Elsbeth Padia throwing 8.16m, her last throw, and Rose Green with 4.93m on her second (farther than mine just as she is faster than me.) Flo threw farther than Christel on her third throw with a throw of 5.51m, to Christel’s 4.67m On her fifth.

Mary Hartzler

Kathy Bergen now in the next oldest age group, won her 100m in 17.97 establishing a new American and World record. Nothing unusual for her. Rose Green was second in 27.72. Flo Meler in the next older age group won in 26.4ve. Maybe not at 85 either.

Kathy Bergen won her 200m and high jump events and was second in discus.

I warmed up somewhat for the 100m. My right knee was taped and I did not feel any discomfort with that. The

Smith winning her 400m

usual competitors were present with one I did not know. If it was hot at 10am I don’t think I noticed. Georgia Kightlinger won it in 21:04 followed by Catherine Radle 21.56, Mary Robinson 24.39, me 25.31, and Susan Hartman 42.40.

Also running the 100 was W35 Odeika Giscombe. She won it in 12.33. Her VLOGs on Youtube are fantastic! She has a very natural way of describing her day and event. I recommend watching them.

Mary Trotto and Nancy Berger did the 2000m Steeplechase later. Mary came in 4^th with

W80 4x400 waiting

time of 17:13.90 and Nancy in the W80 with no challengers (really – how many 80 year olds are doing steeplechase?!) came in in 16:20.44. One can count on one hand probably, the number of 90 year olds doing the steeplechase. One is Flo Meiler. Her time was 20.54.78.

At 2P.M., the W80 400m was contested. I, wisely, had not entered. Mary Smith won in 1:48,13, followed by Mary Robinson 2:02.24, then Nancy Berger the energized bunny in 2:06.29. Georgia Kightlinger and Myrna Barnett battled it out for fourth and fifth. Georgia got fourth with 2:13.35 and Mryna fifth with 2:13.41

Robinson Berger Kightlinger

We had a 4x100 relay to end the day but the weather brought lightning and rain. Warren texted about the many lightning delays, one being 35 minutes. Fortunately there was lots of shelter beneath the stands. We had many such rain delays. At one point we were standing near the parking area. People kept walking out along the perimeter of the track. Paula Everdeen, USATF official, standing with us had to keep calling them back in warning about lightning. Usually it was the men who strolled out into the open. The delay before the relay may have been the longest. By this point I was having a lot of sacral area discomfort. Standing hurt. Eventually I found a chair to sit in after it was vacated.

It seemed like all of a sudden we were called to line up for the relay. i did not have my spikes on and ended up sitting on the ground trying to get them on with people milling around me. Angela helped me get myself together as I recall – taking my regular shoes from me and putting them back where we had been sitting. I was still trying to tie one shoe as we approached the gate to get onto the track. Someone gave me a safety pin for my lane number since it was not sticking. It just seemed so hurry up and go. Angela led off followed by Barbara Warren who handed off to Nancy Berger who handed off to me. I think I ended up as anchor though Berger is faster than me, because of my ineptness in passing or receiving the baton. There was no other W75 relay team so we got gold. Originally, I had been proposed as an alternate on the W40 team of Bambi (DaBeth Manns) but that relay form had not been turned in so i was saved from having to attempt a 400m. Our time was 1:53.41Mary Trotto ran with a W60 TNT

TNT 4x100 relay teams

Colleen Barney soaking up the vibes 

team consisting of a 71 year old (yo) Lydia Woods, 78yo Mary Trotto, 64 yo Angela Nealy, and 66yo Jo Phelps, running in that order. They came in 4^th in that age group with a time of 1:26.06.

That evening was the TNT team dinner held at Huntsville Art Museum associated Italian restaurant overlooking Big Spring Park, Pane e Vino (bread and wine.) It was tough finding parking space. Trotto managed to find a space by an inner wall that she just squeezed into. The area was quite popular with local and tourist citizens. Families strolled or sat around. There were sculptures and art work to admire walking to and at the restaurant. The Museum was closed by the time we arrived. I know I had wine and I also had lasagna. It was good. (Butternut squash ravioli was tempting.) This was much fun. 

Warren & Trotto TNT dinner

New members were introduced. I recall Angela Nealy and another lady whose name I don’t remember but I might recognize her. Everyone had to say something about themselves (a good thing for new folks to get to know others.) We were led by Kyle (no, I do not know last name) – in attendance were his brothers – founding members of this group.
Everyone MUST have a nickname. Trotto is Doc, I think, Angela is Lady A, Warren was Einstein but I think she wanted to change it, DaBeth Manns is Bambi!. Kyle might be Rev. I think Angela Nealy was assigned or chose Ambassador.

The Dancing Hare at the Art Museum was sculpted from wire by an NC sculptor, Josh Cote. Interesting write up at https://hsvmuseum.org/new-sculpture-unveiled-at-the-huntsville-museum-of-art/

Kyle making us laugh

Saturday July 19

Angela and I and some others had javelin at 8am and some had the weight throw at 1:45. I had not signed up for the weight throw because of my sacroiliac problem. Instead, I went to the Huntsville US Space and Rocket Center. It was just Mary Robinson, throwing 7.50m and Angela throwing 6.30m.

In the younger competition it was Myrle Mensey 16.34m, Mary Hartzler 12.74m, Barbara Warren 9.15m and Mary Trotto 8.52m

Dancing Hare

There was a rain and lightning delay before we could do javelin. Official Paula kept an eye out for those leaving the shelter of the stadium to go stroll the parking lot when the rain lightened but still under lightning delay. We had lots of such delays in Huntsville.

Paula Everdeen

Javelin, one of my favorites though I am not so good found me behind Mary Robinson, 9.74m to her 11.71m. Angela threw 8.37m and Ann Carter 7.08m. Elsbeth Padia W85 threw a revolutionary 17.73. In this event, Mary Trotto threw farther than Barbara Warren, 15.26m to Barbara’s 14.27m Mary Hartzler threw 18.14m surpassing both.

Officials discussing weather delay

Angela had the 800m run today at 12:50. She ran it along with Nancy Berger, who won in 4:55.66, Mryna Barnett (5:07.73). Angela ran 6:25.65, (I expect maybe in the rain since it rained at the Rocket Center.)

Interestingly, both Flo Meiler and Christel Donley had high jump and both jumped exact same height 0.86m (2’9^3/4 “). Flo was given first place. I know nothing about high jump nor how they decide though it looks like it took Christel 3 tries to get the height and Flo one. In the W85 Kathy Bergen was the only competitor and jumped 1.01m (3’3^3/4”) – Kathy’s favorite event perhaps.

Gosh, it is hard to put these ages down! These ladies do not seem to be the 85 an 90 year olds one sees in one’s home town.

So I went to the Rocket Center. I wanted to see the Saturn V engine display (the Apollo launch engines). It is not a replica but an actual Saturn V. I recall how awe inspiring the thrust of 7.6 million pounds was to watch all five engines firing (Great video of Saturn V engineer explaining construction & function

 NASA engineer re Saturn V  

If one wants to know anything about our space endeavors these days, ask Barbara Warren who is into everything space.)

Beneath F1 engine nozzles

Yes, it is still awe inspiring to see those engines and to stand below them. I toured the area, looking at Redstones and the other rockets. They had a replica of Skylab as well. It began raining while I was there. I had brought a raincoat which I put on while trouncing through puddles. Taking the hood on and off thouigh resulted in losing a Hawaiian beret with flower that Mary Trotto had giiven me. When I realized it was gone, I kept retracing my steps both inside and outside, to no avail. While I was searching, Terry and Phil Ozell arrived to gaze in awe as well. Unfortunately, my sacrum began hurting so I cut my visit short. I had done a lot of walking. I waited for an Uber but had no idea where it would pick me up. I recall it indicated a place but I did not know in relation to the Center entrance where it would be. And my low back was really becoming an issue. By the time I got back to the hotel, I was done!

F1 engine

It seems I ate with Mary Smith and Christel Donley (and maybe 

Phil and Terry Ozell

MaryTrotto) but I have no idea where or what I ate!

Christel Donley & Mary Smith ready for dinner

Sunday July 20

I had the 200m and discus since I did not have to do a 4x400. Angela had the 1500m at 8am along with Nancy Berger. Berger 9:59.16 and Staab 12:54.27 My 200m was around noon and discus at 2. Of the five who showed up for the 200m, I was last in finishing. Mary Smith 39.27, Catherine Radle 47.90, Georgia Kightlinger 49.30, Mary Robinson 51.66 and me 57.89.

In W35 Odeika Giscombe won with a time of 25.10. In W75, Brenda Steele Matthews won in 41.51, Mary Hartzler THE THROWER second in 42.39 (so maybe no longer just a thrower, eh?), Susan Aderhold third 46.79, Freddie Braxton fourth 47.32, Mary Trotto fifth 53.93 and Barbara Warren seventh 1:12.08 (amazing she runs on those feet!)

In discus, Ann Carter got first in our age group throwing it 11.07m. She also got first in triple jump (one of her favorites) second in long jump and fourth in javelin. Mary Robinson got second in discus with 10.97m and I got third with a throw of 10.95m, followed by Angela Staab throwing 10.15m. Angela was anxious to leave as her grandson and wife had arrived to watch and then they were to go out to eat, then on to Birmingham.

In the W75 contest, Mary Hartzler got first with a 23.63m throw, followed by Barbara Warren with 16.48m and Mary Trotto with 15.15m.

Elsbeth Padia and Kathy Bergen competed in the W85 group with Elsbeth throwing the farthest with 16.93m and Kathy with 15.55m.

The TNT women did well at this Meet. Many of them medaling in multiple events such that overall they got second place for women’s teams with 320 points, with fewer women than first place Atlanta Track Club with 716 points. SC Striders was third with 277 points. In the combined (men and women team scores, TNT was fifth with a point score of 354 out of 129 teams (some of which only had one person representing them.) we had fewer men than women present at this Meet. TNT Men were 21^st out of 93 teams with a point score of 34.

Team TNT women 2nd place overall in points

Waiting around for the presentation of the second place trophy was very uncomfortable for me. My sacral area did not stop sending intermittent shock waves Constant ache with shocks interspersed. I tried lifting a knee to see if I could get it to stop. No luck.

No doubt I ate at the hotel that evening.

After I returned, I had a shockwave treatment on the sacrum area. It did not really help in that I still had a problem later. And National Senior Games was coming up in a week.

So this was a whiny post. The next one re National Senior Games in Ames will be even more so!

WMA Indoor Gainesville - Back with the Gators

 

WMA Indoor 2025 Celebration Pointe Gainesville

Back with the gators.

Take note – what follows is drawn from memory and maybe a few photos. I was quite lazy and did NOT take notes as I ought to have. And this being such a big and important meet!

So. what is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Both are fast on land. 11 – 15mph (max 35mph but only for very short distance. ) I expect not a 400m speedster. Maybe 60m. Too fast for us speedsters. They have little endurance. Alligators are smaller and rounder in the snout.   Gators live mostly in fresh water whereas Crocs can live in either fresh or salt water. Supposedly Gators are not aggressive unless one is trying to steal their eggs. (However, it seems I read that a Gator got an 85 year old woman who was walking her dog near a pond in Florida It got her foot, dragging her into the pond, leaving the smaller meal, the dog.) Crocs are more aggressive. The critter in the pond at the Gainesville Sport Center is a Gator. (Gators lose and regrow teeth. Approximately 300 in their lifetime. Would that we could regenerate our lost teeth.)

Prior to my departure, I saw a post by Colleen Barney “I know where there is a door, you turn the knob and you can get in.” I thought that was funny! I never did ask her where that door was or where it led! Could be entry to scary or delightful place- sort of like a stranger saying I know where the candy is - follow me into a horror movie. ( A Carol Burnett skit.)

March 21. I dropped my dog off at her favorite boarding place – her Vet’s! Then I hurried home to wait for the Uber. The Uber arrived. And then sat there. The driver did not leave. I am wondering what is going on - then he indicates that his app does not indicate he is at my house yet, therefore he can’t leave. Huh? He kept waiting and waiting. Finally I said I needed to get to the airport. For the whole drive there, his Uber app kept saying he had not gotten to his pickup yet. As I recall, I was never charged for that trip.

I met Angela Staab in the Atlanta airport where we took the same flight to Gainesville. April Lund and others were also on the flight from ATL to Gainesville. Angela had rented a moderate size Beast to use while in Gainesville. Barbara Warren was driving from WV and the two Colorado Springs folk, Mary Smith and Christel Donley who would also be staying at the Indigo were arriving later. Mary Robinson and Mary Hartzler drove from Ohio and were staying elsewhere. Do not recall where we ate or with whom.

Let’s talk about breakfast! When we were there for the USATF Indoor Nationals, The Indigo had a small room with some tables. Hard to recall the breakfast but no doubt Angela Staab had her fresh eggs. We all commented that we did not know how they would handle the huge WMA crowd. Well, wow! They outdid themselves with an enormously long table and a huge help one self spread of fruit, eggs, oatmeal, waffles etc. Everything. It made for a great Meet and Greet – meeting folks from other countries as well as your own. Comraderie encouraged. Austrailia, Germany, UK, Singapore etc are the folks I recall talking to. Good way to also know the USATF Officials who had signd up to officiate. Some we knew or rather I knew. (The Legend) Christel Donley having done this since a teen in Germany, knows everyone. Margit Jungmann also joined the officials for breakfast. Quite a feat by WMA officials and the Gainesville LOC to pull this Indoor Championship off. The logistics and scheduling could give one agita.

Netherlands competitor with his lucky mascot

Colleen Barney Angela Staab at practice track

March 22

packet pickup. Met lots of familiar US faces. Donna Zubick then others. Christel engaged in conversation, lingering in the pickup line talking to others who were heading out

 M. Lots of colorful nation flags in the plaza. At night the Athlete Parade. A speech by  Margit Jungmann welcoming everyone. As well as short welcome speeches by local officials. There was a local dance – sort of ballet group. Ukraine got a loud cheer from the US contingent. Some nations had many people marching, others few. I think the US was limited to a small number.

March 23. Sunday

Having been to the February USATF Indoor Nationals in February, I knew where the practice track was – down the street a bit, through a parking lot to the nice 200m or so practice track adjacent to the alligator pond. Today, there was also a USATF Physio tent. 

Practice track. White tent usatf physio

Turned out, I needed that. On my first few attempts to warm up for the 60m, my right knee hurt. Not good. So I went over to the Physio tent to see if I could find Marie Valdez 

Marie and Christel Donley

to maybe tape. Marie was not there but Ena Weinstein 

Ena

stepped up and said she would do it. (Ena worked on Barbara Warren at Björlanda Athletics Center, in Sweden.) Ena used the crazy pattered brown and black Dynamic tape (360 degree stretch) and it worked great! So I went back to the practice area to do my short sprints, starting with the warmup 30m. I needed to practice my starts which are dreadful! Mary Trotto was there and she gave me standing start lessons, including strongly thrusting my left arm forward (my left foot being on the line and right back.) So I practiced that for a bit (coordination is not my strong suit. Getting my right foot to move forward in conjunction with thrusting left arm forward – tough.) Then I practiced short sprints of 40-50m. I would not be the swiftest in our group of 12 W80s but hoped to at least be okay. I knew I would finiish the 60m. I could not count on anything longer.

This time Georgia Kightlinger was ready with her shoes. They organized us in two heats – Fast Mary Robinson and her close Canadian relative Carol Lafayette-Boyd, three Thais, and Aileen Burgin (Canada) in heat one and Georgia, Marina Worsley (with a brace on her hip!), Barbara Hensley, a Thai, and Polish Maria Magdalena Gasowska in my heat. The Thais, btw, were diminutive and slight. I could see in the first heat, not unexpectedly Carol Lafayette-Boyd came in first (10:37) , followed by Aileen and Mary Robinson. I knew with Georgia in my heat, I would be towards the back. Actually, Maria Magdalena came in first (12:20) followed by Georgia, a Thai (Somphit Pongkanphai) and me (14:02), so I, in the end, qualified to run in the Final the next day.

Carol Lafayette-Boyd and Mary Robinson

Also on Sunday was the 8K cross country race in which April Lund ran 30:29.95 to get second in a very close finish of the first four.

Mary Trotto, Mary Smith, Christel Donley, Angela and I ate at Miller’s that evening. Some of us ordered steak - me 6oz sirloin.. Christel’s was not cooked enough, Trotto’s was perfect, and mine was a bit tough. Smith does not eat meat so she was okay with what she ordered. Despite our meals, we had a good time, as we laughed. Trotto nicely wrapped up the cups of mustard in a napkin with a rubber band so I would have mustard should a muscle cramp attack! We always have fun with Trotto!

March 24 Monday.

Today I had discus at 13:00 as did Trotto and Angela. Barbara may have been after us. At 14:34, I had the 60m Final, which I had not anticipated being in. So, of course, I worried about fitting the discus in as well as the track warmup. Btw, I kept looking for the Gator. I got a glimpse of it ranging around. I heard that at one point when I was not at the warmup track, it ventured onto the land (really close to the track) and was shooed back into the water. (Mary Robinson went to a Gator farm and got a better experience.)

So, because of my concern that I would not have enough time to sufficiently warm up or the 60m, I did not go to West End (a distance from the main indoor venue). Mary Robinson, who did go, said I could have gone and might have had a chance to place. Five of us had registered. The incredible Finn, Rauha Ervalahti got first (19.18m), Mary Robinson second (14.03m) and Karen Huff-Pawlik 12.17m, and Angela Staab 11.05m. The lady we had seen in Sweden (85-89 AG) Tserendolga Turmubat, Mongoloia, threw 15.80m.

Rahua in blue next to Barbara Warren

In the 75-79 AG, Mary Hartzler defended the US by winning gold with a throw of 24.69m (81 feet!). Mary Trotto and Barbara Warren go fifth and sixth (12.83m and 12.20m respectively). Myrle Mensey was not present.

Mary hartzler at west end

So, I am back at the pactice area, warming up. How much can one do? Not too much, really. I took a photo of an Australian sprinter’s good sprint form. 

Maryann Hearn Australia 

  So along comes the 60M Final. I figure Carol Lafayette-Boyd has it and maybe Mary Robinson and Maria Magdalena and Georgia Kightlnger would be battling for second and third. Well, I was correct about Carol, she came in first in 10.33, followed by Maria Magdalena Gasowska 11.91, Georgia Kightlinger third with 12.26. Surprise Aileen Burgin came in 4^th in 13.30, Mary Robinson 5^th 13.34, and me 6^tth (of 8) 13.65. I thought I had run slower in the Final than I had in the Prelim so I was surprised at my time. It sure did not feel like that while I was running. One of my better times lately.

Angela Staab, Cora Hill, Nancy Berger and Marie-Louise Michelson had the 800m around 3:30. Judy Womack was another USA runner in the event plus a Czech woman  Miloslaa Rocna'kova'.  I watched. Cora went to the lead maybe half way through with Michelsohn behind her and Nancy Berger coming up from behind in an outside lane.

Womack, Michelson, Milosaa, hill, Berger

Hill, Michelson, Womack, milosaa

  With about 120m to go Marie-Louise took the lead, the Czech lady moved up to second and Nancy Berger to third and that is how it finished with Marie-Louise, in her red USA uniform, crossing the line in 5:10.50, Miloslava Rocnáková in 5:12.41, and Nancy Berger in 5:17.28. Cora Hill 5:32.34, Judy Womack 5:53.31 and Angela Staab 6:25.51. Had I tried the 800, I would have been walking by 359m! Probably sooner. Yay for these W80 women.

Ford’s Garage for dinner. I had black & Bleu burger.

March 25^th, Tuesday

Angela and I only had javelin on Tuesday. Most of our group had Javelin at the West End Field. The age groups were combined 75-94 so we were all together – Mary Trotto, Barbara Warren, Christel Donley, Angela, and me. Sometines I can throw okay and other times not. This was one of those NOT times. While I was practicing arm movements, the Finn Rauha smiled and sort of demonstrated. After that, I sort of tried to commmunicate by sign language. She is a delightful person. The poor Finns, Rauha and Helina Pihlaja were there without their suitcases. The suitcases got to Iceland but not to Gainesville so they had to go shopping when they got here. Fortunately they had at least one Finn uniform (one had to compete with at least the top representing one’s Nation.) Their suitcases did not arrive until the night before the last day! International competition sucks (sonetimes even just within one’s own continent. ) The travails of travel. In my AG 80-84 Carol Frost of the US came in first throwing 15.55, followed by Rauha and Helina (15.28m and 13.21m), then Mary Robinson 11.92m and me 11.69m (5^th of 7). In the 75-79 Mary Hartzler got second (to Avis Vaught (US)) and Mary Trotto and Barbara Warren were again close at 5^th and 6^th (12.83m to 12:20) In the 85AG Tumurbat beat Cazel (US) . Christel was only one in the 90AG – threw 8.69m.  ,Paula Everdel our USATF official managed to keep the herd of senior women in order and behaving.

Paula Everdeen

All I can account for for dinners from here on is Kilwin’s ice cream!

Though this evening it was USA team dinner – I had pizza and a piece of chicken, I believe. Plus socializing.

Angela, the twins, Christel and huff-pawlick

I had nothing on Wed March 26 so just watched events. Angela had the 3000m. Marie-Louise Michelsohn did not show so we wondered if she would not be there for the subsequent shorter events. Angela Staab got second (26:54.75) to the Czech Miloslava Rocnáková She had not been allowed to use her carbon fiber shoes (though as we later showed they were legit in terms of stack height etc) so she had to run in her regular running shoes, which were not comfortable. Then, there is the aspect of the inclned track. Before being able to cut in she had to run on the slanted track. Not a happy situation for her.

Angela and miloslava getting their medals

March 27, Thursday.

Weight throw at 12:30 and 200 prelim at 14:00. Weight throw was in the Sports Center. It is an ugh for me. The two Finns had second and third with Carol Frost, USA, sandwiched between. Rauha threw 10.76m (35’3 ¾”!), Carol 9.51m and Helina 8.29m. I was 7^th out of 8 with 6.20m. (All results can be found online at WMACI.2025.com/results

Ah. The 200m prelim 80-84. Sixteen of us showed up. Marie-Louise Michelsohn did not. Only six could qualify for the Final as Indoor is a six lane track. Had it been eight, I would have squeezed in but I was far away from making a six person Final. My time 51.67. Carol Lafayette-Boyd, Maria Magdalena Gasowska, Georgia Kightlinger, Catherine Radle (more than a pole vaulter, that is for sure), Mary Robinson and Aileen Burgin were all to be in the finals.

Colleen Barney ran her 200 after us and qualified for the final. 

Willy Spruill gor fifth n the 200m Final. Willy is a great cheerleader for his fellow Americans.

Willy Spruill sans toothpick

Friday March 28.

I had Hammer at West End at 10:30 and did NOT have the 200m Final at 14:00. Hammer has become one of my favorites- Rauha won this in the W80-84 group, slinging the hammer 25.53m (83FT10 inches!), followed by her Finn cohort Helina 21.84m (71ft 8 inches). Josephine Farmer edged me out of third on her third throw of 18.13m (59’5”) that I could not surpass on my last and longest throw of 17.11m (56 ’1”). Arrgh! But at least I got 17m. I sporadically hit that. Most times it is 15m or so. Catherine Radle and Mary Robinson got fifth and sixth respectively and still had time to get back to Alachua Sport Center to warm up for their 200m Final. So, next time or next year I shall not have to contend with the heavy hitters in Hammer. But – I see the Mongolian Tserandolga Tumurbat is in that age group Oy! In the 90s, Flo Meioler threw 16.44m. 

Josephine Farmer

I must have had a physio appointment at the practice track area. While walking back from the practice track, I saw an athlete in the Ukrainian uniform walking a tiny chihuahua – I think she said 3 months old - with her daughter. I commented on the dog so the woman picked the dog up and handed it to me! Awfully cute and friendly. I also commented that I was glad that Ukraine was here. Really tough times. Imagine bringing a dog from Ukraine! (Or perhaps she is a Ukrainian already living in the US)

I watched Colleen Barney run the prelim and then the 200 Semis. Still recovering from ham issue.

In the 200m Final, it was Carol Lafayette-Boyd 35.51, Maria Magdalena Gasowska 43.44, and Georgia Kightlinger 46.49. Mary Robinson 48.45 and Catherine Radle 48.66 (they battled it out), then Aileen Burgin in 50.45.

This may have been the evening where a group of us sat outside at The Indigo and were joined by Margit Jungmann. We had an enjoyable conversation. Margit is an outstanding lady who does well as WMA President.

Saturday 3/29

I had a 400m semi at 9:30 (why did I sign up for this?) and shot put at 12:30. At least I could spend time at the warm up track by the alligator swimming hole and hope to catch a photo of it.

Ten of us had signed up for the 400, well eight actually showed because Marie-Louise Michelsohn did not show and Georgia Kightlinger was injured so bailed on doing the 400 and chose to get early start home. i only recall that i was dreading this. Mary Smith was competing, despite her concerns about her bone bruise. I think she had been told not to push it too hard, else it might fracture. Nonetheless she still ran 1:37.29. I barely qualified but I did. I was not anticipating having to do a Final. Had either of the no shows run, I would have been out of the Final.

Shot Put went as expected for me. Sixth out of eight. This time Carol Frost threw farther than Rauha so it was one and two for them with a lady from the Czech Republic getting third. In the 90-94, Flo Meiler beat Christel 5.18m to 4.85m. Christel’s arm is limited in throwing since her multiple shoulder replacements. It is amazing what she can do, using half of her throwing arm.

While I was down by Physio afterwards,  Michael Jones snuck up on me.  He was there to practice for the 60m hurdles - which he won the next day with a time of 9.51.  World champion,  Michael and I,  Rick Pack, and at times Becky Bowman practiced together on closed tracks that we managed to either sneak onto during the pandemic or eventually an open one. Lots of fun.  Michael would do his hurdles with Rick Pack videoing and sports broadcaster commenting.  Becky and Rick raced each other. Eventually we were legitimately on the Duke track, Erica Charles would show up to practice as we were finishing up.

Erica Charles

Dinner that evening was in celebration of Angela’s daughter Jennifer’s 51^st birthday. We went to an island themed place. Angela, Mary Smith, Cora Hill, Barbara Warren and I think Mary Trotto. The usual crew. Nice to get to know Jennifer a bit and it was a good dinner.

Michael Jones

SUNDAY 3/30

I had the 400m Fina at 10:25. There were on six of us (six lane indoor), all USA. This is Mary Smith’s event. She loves it and it is her race of choice. She had been being careful in the prelim not going all out because of her still healing leg bone bruise. Nonetheless, she won it with a time of 1:35.39 followed by Mary Robinson and Willy Moolenaar. I was last with 2:21.97. No surprise.

My last event was the 4x200.relay The team assigned by the US Team Managers and the order in which we ran was Marie-Louise Michelsohn, me, Cora Hill and Mary Smith. Our competition was a Thai W80 team. There were a lot of Thailand women competing in track and they were good. However, with Mary Smith as anchor, there was little doubt. Our team won with a time of 3:34.89. Marie-Louise and Cora built up a lead and Mary finished it off. 

Michelson Guardino Hill Smith

 For our W75 USA relay team we had, in order of run, Deborah Barchett, Mary Trotto, Barbara Warren, and Norma Hudnall. They also raced a Thai team. The Thais edged them out 3:38.19 to 3:40.83. Mary Robinson and Willy Moolenaar ran in the mixed age group – a first in the Indoor WMA so they set a record.The W80 women ran on a team with William Keesling and Roger Pierce setting the new record at 3:04.07.

Willy Moolenaar

Mary Robinson - such focus

In the W75 Pentathlon Mary Trotto got third, 1153, and Barbara Warren 1110 fourth. W80 winner was Nancy Berger 1172 to hip injured Marina Worsley 491. Marina competed in several events with sone kind of hard core wrap around her hip. Flo Meiler W90’s win was uncontested , 2531.

In the W55 AG relays field of five, the US with Jones, Towle, Colleen Barney, and Kirk got second to Australia 1:52.64 to 2:02.83. In a field of 8 W35 relay teams, Erica Charles ran in the W35 relay – Berry, Giscombe, Liang and Erica got first with a time of 1:44.03 just edging out the old WMA record of 1:44.23! 

Erica Charles leading for her relay team

Cora Hill Maria Magdalena Gasowka and me

And so ended our WMA experience. Angela, Mary Trotto, Mary Smith, Christel, and Karen Huff-Pawlik who left early due to an early departure the next day, and some others, ate at the Indigo.

I love these Meets because of the people I can hang out with as well as the great competitions to watch. So lucky to have fallen into this activity.