USATF Masters Outdoor Championships

The Races and ugly endings

July 18-20, 2014

                                The 400m (did I say I really dislike this distance?)

Warming up is always a quandary.  Will I do too much or too little? Too little and I would be quickly gasping for breath during the race and too much and the legs would just as quickly burn out.  I found a practice football field behind the stadium.  First, I did some of the moving stretching routines I’d found online.  I remembered three -- walk and touch the ground in front of the forward foot; lie down and stretch one leg across the other to the side to stretch the hips, and drop to hands and knees and kick back, slowly (not fast donkey kicks).  Then I started slow trotting around the circumference of the field.  I did that a few times, ending with one short sprint. I was careful not to do any all out sprinting.

On return to the spectator stands where I was hanging out with the Piedmont Pacers and had stashed my gear, I consumed a packet of 2^nd Surge Double Expresso Energy gel, then on the track drank some water.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate had been the advice I’d found online along with the pre-race warmup exercises.

There were two race check-ins: the first to declare you were there for the race, and one must do so no later than an hour before the race OR be eliminated, and the second, about twenty minutes before the race.  The various age groups for a race congregate to change shoes and wait until the officials call out the age groups, two at a time.  So I’m carrying my regular shoes, looking for a place to put them when a pal tells me, no,no, we carry them to the start area where we can put them in a basket associated with ones assigned lane. Well, alrighty! 

When I saw that Irene Obera (who has umpteen records) was in the group before mine for the 400m race, I was star dazzled. Previously, I’d encountered her name as a record holder with fantastic times in various age groups.  Their group was a mixed age group (the older one gets, the fewer there are in your AG). There was Obera (80), West Valley Track Club, and Jeanne Daprano (77), Atlanta Track Club (another record holder who, though older, has always beaten me.) I watched them run and Daprano came in first followed by Obera.

Jeanne Daprano Jun 2014

Irene Obera July 20,2014

 I was assigned lane 5, with two competitors to my right, ahead of me, and three behind me to my left, including Mary Robinson, last year’s champ who has faster times than I do.  I had no plan in mind other than to not get too far behind.  At the “Set”, I was not in a classic middle distance runner stance.  Nope.  I knew I would not be tearing up the track, so why burst out? Besides, I wouldn’t last if I did. 

 Bang!  I set out at a pace that seemed okay (I could breathe!) and had passed the two to my right by the first turn.  Along the straight away near the stands, I heard pals urging me on, and the announcer saying I was in the lead (Oh, great! This won’t last long!)  This was disconcerting.  It was not my plan to be in the lead 1/3^rd of the way through the race!  I was probably at about an 80% pace, hoping not to experience a loss of energy before the end. There was a long way to go.  I was expecting Mary Robinson to catch and pass me.  As we approached the far turn, I hear that I am in the lead and Mary is second.  (It is odd to hear one’s name in that way!  Especially after watching earlier events and seeing and hearing how the leader was over taken!) 

1/3rd-1/4th done. LG, Robinson, Primmer

 In the turn, as motivation, I intentionally called up the image of a Carolina Godiva pal urging me on as she does during Wednesday night track meets.  I sped up as best I could.  (Good thing, because the video shows Mary right on my heels at that point!) 

Mary Robinson, inner lane,  closing gap

 With about 40 to 50 meters left, the legs began giving out. They burned and felt tight and resistant, with turnover slowing.  Oh, no! By 20 meters out they essentially froze.  I could barely get them to move. Worse than walking, I was going to come to a stop, they were so locked up. Mary was coming on.  I just knew she would pass me any moment as I slowly stumbled forward. The legs were turning to cement.  I was so close to the Finish line but I wouldn’t make it!  By this point, I normally would have given up at a Godiva meet. But this was Masters.  Gasping for air, I willed myself onward, one leg at a time.  I looked down as I stumbled forward.  Aaargh!  I was too close to the right lane line! I swung my right leg wildly over, avoiding going out of lane. Off balance, I stumbled across the Finish before Mary.

 Do you remember Gabriella Andersen-Schiess in the 1984 Olympics Marathon?  She weaved and stumbled to the Finish? That was me.  I wobbled forward, hyperventilating, hoping not to collapse.  Ugly finish.  My worst ever.  I’ve had dead legs before and been gasping, but this was beyond anything in the past.  Far from elegant! I was still off balance even after the finish. (To add insult, photos of my awkward, ugly finish, turned up online on a race site!)  

My time was a PR, beating my prior best from 10 years ago! (1:27.83) But what an ugh! feeling.  

From Masterstrack.com, photo by Ken Stone of the ugly end to my 400m, with Mary Robinson coming up on me. 

http://www.masterstrack.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=55929

The video from USATF TV

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=121906

100m Saturday July 19, 2014

My next race was at 09:40 the next morning.  My last minute decision to stay the night equals a decent but non luxurious motel, about 10 minutes from WFU.  No wake up call capability.  I set my cell phone to go off at 07:00.  I did not plan to eat. (Atkins protein shake would do.)  At 07:22 I woke to a distant buzz.  Up I jumped – the cell had been going off since 07:00 but not loud enough!  I got to the track by 8:00, feeling hyper.

I took my warmup to a new field, where others were also busy getting ready.  Some were jumpng practice hurdles. I went through the same routine of walking touching hand to ground, but no lying down and stretching because the grass was too wet.  I jogged, again wondering if I was doing enough.  I took about three trots around adding about two very short sprints.  Enough.

Today, I took a Stinger honey gel about 40 minutes before my event.  Then, down to the track for the second check-in and to change shoes.  I brought my camera to stick in my regular shoe so I could get some photos of the youngsters running after me.I chatted with other runners and met Kathy Bergen (Southern California Striders, aka SC Striders), who was running this event. 

ESPN photo of Kathy Bergen

http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8399448/image/6/kathy-bergen-senior-moments

  This time, as we were being led to the start for the 100m, I see that my compatriots are not carrying their shoes.  Maybe no basket?  So I dropped my shoes along the base of the spectator wall and trot back to the group. Ack! I still had my ball cap on.  Run back to my shoes, drop the hat and run to catch up with the others.  Pros are disciplined and focused.  Not me.  I got lane 5 again.  Each age group started about 3 minutes apart. I watched Obera race ahead of her competitors. One runner (Marion Coffee) suddenly went down.  Tripped on her feet?  She was eventually carried off the track.  This time, Ann Carter (Atlanta Track Club)  was in lane 6 to my right; she has beaten me in the past and also competes in many more events than I do.  Mary Robinson was to my far right in lane 8 and Kathy Bergen to my left in lane 4.  Of the six entered, three of us do not use blocks. Now is the first time I put my new 3-point start to a real test.  Bam!  Off  Kathy Bergen darts.  No chance to get near her. But I knew that ahead of time.  Ann and I are about even, Mary ahead of me. I have no strategy for the 100m, just go as fast as I can and hope to catch up.  I pumped my arms, held my head up to get air and churned. It takes me about 10 meters to get going.  I pass Ann but Mary is still ahead.  I push hard and get even with Mary.  We run like this for about 20 meters it seems and just before the Finish line, I edge ahead of Mary, just crossing before her. Kathy 1st by a huge margin, me 2nd, and Mary 3^rd. Tough race but at least I wasn't physically undone as I had been the day before.

100m finish - Kathy Bergen, LG, Mary Robinson,Ann Carter

video

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=121952

200m Sunday July 20, 2014

I had driven home Saturday night and returned in the morning for my 11:05 race.  I checked in, dropped my stuff off at the Piedmont Pacer area and went off to practice.  Again, I went through my routine of active stretching and jogging to get my blood flowing and breathing evened out.  With this event (and the 100m) I at least knew I would finish.  Though, there was a time two years earlier, where, at this very track, I had almost come to a walk in the 200m!  During the 2012 Powerade NC State Games, which I was insufficiently trained for due to an ailing Achilles. I’d run an earlier 100m.  By the 200m my legs weakened with 40 meters to go.  I barely managed a slow jog to finish. Nonetheless, it had happened.  I did not think it would today.

Time came for the 200m race.  I carried my shoes, with a camera tucked inside, to a far wall near the Finish line (so I would not have to later run all the way across to get the camera) before walking with the group to the start area.  I got lucky lane 5 again, Kathy Bergen on my left and Mary Robinson on my right. Ann Carter had just come off a triple jump and was still thinking about it.  3-point start position again. Stable. On your mark; Set, Boom!  Kathy led the way to the curve and beyond (bye, Kathy!) I huffed and puffed to try to catch up to Mary, who was way ahead.  It did not seem possible. Head up, arms pumping like mad. It took most of the last 100m to catch up, inching past just before the Finish. Real close!   

200m finish - Kathy Bergen, LG, Mary Robinson

The video

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=122044

The 4x100 non club relay (running as 60)

Mary Robinson, Angela Staab, and I were to run the 4x100m with a younger runner, Kathy Jacobs, who is 61.  This put us in the non Club W60 age group.  The relays are the last events of the Meet.  But when time came to check in, Kathy was not there. With no earlier race, she was in church in the choir!  We needed to check in an hour before the race. No Kathy.  (Angela, who really wanted to run this race, had not realized that Kathy would be in church!)  Fortunately, there were so many teams checking in that Kathy got there before they had finished processing them all.  We had about ten minutes before we had to run.  Our team ran with teams ranging from 30-years old to 50s.  Oh, yeah, we got in last.  But we were the only non club 60 AG. Fun!

Guardino, Jacobs, Staab, Robinson

 I watched the 90 year old men do their relays as I waited for the W40 Club relay team of Carolinas Track and Field with some of my idols.  The 4x100 was a beautiful race to watch.  Anne Sluder led off, Melanie Walker had the second 100m, near the spectator stands, then Kris Kazebee carried to the baton to the anchor, Toccata Murphy. Getting the baton a little late, Toccata Murphy brought it home for the win.  They subsequently ran the 4x400.  Fine ending to a fun meet.

Leadup to USATF Masters Outdoor Championships 2014

                Training does not equal Procrastination  

                                Last summer I heard that the 2014 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships were coming to Winston-Salem.  Maybe I’d sign up for something.  Really? Having looked at earlier years’ race results, I shouldn't even be on the same track.  My times -- not even close!. All the training in the world might not do it. Sundays track with Coach Z, Mary S. and Jerry S. was tough.They tended towards middle distance practice (400m and up) and I liked shorter.  But it was the propensity to work the slow twitch muscles rather than the fast twitch ones that was the problem. Running 5ks up to Half Marathon distances – not helpful! In November 2013, I went to an Open (anyone may compete) indoor track meet.  Once inside, I felt like Lemuel Gulliver on landing in Lilliput, not in size but in age. In the two events I ran (can’t say competed!), I was in heats with third graders, who left me behind.  How could I possibly compete with experienced Masters?

  By the New Year, I’d done little toward my goal.  Well, okay, then.  I will do short sprint exercises, and run distances no longer than a mile.  Except that 5Ks and XC fun events kept cropping up.  (With no nearby track events.) First, the Carolina Godiva New Year’s XC race, followed by more Godiva 4 mile or longer XCs, along with Run For Young 5K, the Run for the Roses 5K, and more.  My plan was in the dumpster.

 Okay, build up!  Spend more time at the gym doing Body Pump and practicing street sprints. And add  repeat 10x running up the steps. (Fun when the dog also decides he wants to follow!)  Until one day something did not feel right.  That something became an inflamed patella and, worse, shooting pains down the calf to the foot. Driving one mile was agony. It was the foot on the brake that was the worst.  Waiting at a stoplight or being stuck in traffic, equalled screaming fury. There went training. Forget about competition! In February I found a chiropractor who determined that my right hip was out of whack and I needed to wear orthotics.  (ugh. I now wear orthotics in all except my racing shoes.) A fellow competitor offered a ride to JDL Fast Track for the Southeastern Region Masters Indoor Championships in March, where I competed, with non spectacular times, in the 60m and 200m events. 

Now, I decided to really cut back on distance (except for a 10k, a half marathon, and Run for Our Heroes – a must-do 5k!).  My lack of discipline was evident. What am I?  A road racer or a sprinter? Once more, I decreed no more road races (Monday night nOg Run Club outings or Tuesday Capital RunWalk Downtown Challenges are not races!) I stuck to this – except for the May Rocket Mile and Mother of All Races 10K.   On April 16^th, I began Camp Gladiator boot camp training, going 3X a week.  May 20^th  I started serious sprint training. Carolina Godiva Track Club's Wednesday evening summer track series started the next day. I could sprint against others.    I jogged in the Social and fun runs leaving much of the actual sprint training to Sundays. 

 Prison Break - The Escape, Fun Run 

The cutoff date for event registration was June 20^th.  I for sure wanted to do the 100m and 200m.  I have been saying that I would never do another 400m (except for one last one in Senior Games State Finals.) But the idea of doing the 400m lurked.  I held off registering. This was my once in a lifetime chance to run in big deal (read – above my class) events.  On June 17^th I decided to also register for the 400m.  So what if I came in last. It would be while running with the best to come out that day.  When registration deadline had passed, I took a look at the list of competitors.  Sure enough, as expected, Kathy Bergen, world record holder in two of my events (100m and 200m), would be there. This was good, because I’d never seen her race except in videos.  Exciting!  Not to worry about her – she’d be zipping down the lanes before I moved a foot.  But what about the others?  I saw at least two to worry about:  one had beaten me in the past and the other had posted faster times than mine. Two of the remaining four had no posted history. The 400m was loaded, it seemed, with one or two unknown threats, and one known..  

In the less than a month remaining, I ran lots of repeat 400s, 200s, and 100s. Each repetition usually slower than the last.  But sometimes not. Oh, and let's fit in one more race. A special July 4th inaugural Raleigh Downhill Mile.  Barbara L. loaned me her older starting blocks so I could make one more attempt at using blocks.  Out to a nearby grassy field I went. Nada -- awkward and added nothing to my start. Forget it.  Back to experimenting with various 3-point starts.   In the final week I found one that both kept me steady and gave a smoother start.  Also, in the last two weeks, I increased my attendance at Camp Gladiator.

 I was really apprehensive about this whole Masters thing. Scared, actually.  The number of times I have had to drop to a walk during a Godiva 400m, fresh in my mind. The night before my first event, I visualized running to catch my competitors, closing on a few. I could at least hope for that.  When I left for Winston-Salem for the dreaded 400m (oh, please do NOT walk during it), I was anything but relaxed.  I took written directions as well as my Google Maps app and a backup GPS unit. Dare not be late, I’d been warned.  I left early and got to WFU about two hours before my 400m.

Raleigh 70.3 Half Ironman June 1, from volunteer perspective

I was an afternoon volunteer course monitor on Hillsborough street, so all the Pros had already finished when I arrived.  There were still plenty of folks on the running loop.  A hellacious 6 plus route up Hillsborough St. and back, twice!  Psychologically, if you are already feeling the burn, when you get to the end of the first circuit, knowing you have to go up that long grinding slope again -- ugh!

But these folks are nothing if not determined.  Most seemed happy to still be moving.  Some loped along, others jogged on and off, and yet others walked.  I wasn't far from the water stop and spraying station up the hill a bit from me.  It was good to be able to relay some good news to these weary folks as they came by. Another good thing they had to look forward to was the downhill return.

One fellow who'd had a bad encounter with another biker had to carry his damaged bike six miles to the transition point.  He was wiped but determined to finish the event (which he did.)  TeamRWB, consisting of  Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, was well represented.  One member carried the American flag.  It's tough enough to carry oneself, but the strain on the arms and shoulders (after an already taxing swim and bike) must have hurt like the dickens! But, these are tough folk. There was a huge delegation of runners from the DC area -- club jerseys testified to affiliation.  One woman came by, looking to be in the older category.  A fellow volunteer said she was in her 70s (age on back of leg).  Indeed!  There were two women in the 70-74 age group who completed the half ironman.  One in 7:11 hours and the other in 9:02.  Like they say down here "Bless their hearts!"  To me, this is an amazing feat.

One couple approached. The male sat on the curb holding his foot  He was on his second loop of the run portion but was having Achilles - calf problems.  They were about 3 to 4 miles from finishing.  He got up and tried walking but it was easy to see he was in agony. Better to stop then to destroy oneself to the extent that months of recovery (or worse) would be required.  I felt badly but was glad to see him take the lift back to the Finish.  His companion carried on to finish. Towards the back of the group, one lady who had not been able to train was struggling through the event.  She was quite concerned about not completing the run within the time limits.  Fortunately, she continued on because she did finish -- just in time.  I saw one fellow, accompanied by a few volunteers, who was also having a tough time.  Since the sweeper PD car was right behind them, I knew it was if-fy. (He later dropped out.)

The water crew up the road had a good time encouraging the lagging runners as they approached and passed.  Dancing and clapping, they buoyed the spirits of those who walked, jogged, and slow ran their way back down to the Finish.

The weather was maybe about 80 degrees in the afternoon.  It was nice to volunteer and cheer on those I knew and those I did not know.  I've no doubt that those who finished felt a great sense of accomplishment and came home with lots of stories.  Perhaps the most welcoming thing for these folks at the end was a cold drink and a cold shower and clean clothes!