Southeast Region Masters Indoor Championships 2015

The week of the SouthEast Region Indoor Masters,  was the week between Camp Gladiator camps.   However, for those who had signed up for 6 months or a year, there were some extra sessions. I went to the Monday through Wednesday sessions.  Wednesday seemed to be almost all legs and core.  Zounds.  My legs ached, really ached, the two days after.  Saturday, I took a long trot-walk with the dog. 

         JDL Fast Track site's photo of track..

On Sunday, I arrived at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem about 10:30.  My first event, the 60m, was at 13:20.  I had a lot of time to warm up and work on the nerves.  There were far more men than women checking in at this point.  For a while, it seemed only the men were being checked in, so I had my spikes checked and returned to the women’s line.  Only one person was doing the check-in (another was checking spikes). Finally, check-in began alternating between men and women.  I greeted those I knew, then did some simple warm-ups.  I chatted with Max Hamlin, up from S.C. and announcer Peter Taylor,

and spoke with some of the Atlanta Track Club folks.  It was a terrific day outside, heading to the mid-60s.  I trotted the track slowly, did some odd ball loosening up exercises and then decided to stop.   It was not even noon yet.  I changed into the track clothes, putting my outer clothes back on. 

By now, some Piedmont Pacer people had arrived.  I talked for a bit and dropped my stuff off.  I watched, from beyond the Finish line, those running the 60m hurdles;  head on is quite a different perspective.    From distant specks to looming monsters, as the younger guys cross the Finish.

Time to warm up again.  Men and women were practicing starts and warm-up exercises, swinging legs, lunges, etc.  I like to watch and learn, while I am loosening up.  Once again the worry was that I would do too little warm up (and not be capable of getting to full speed later) or too much warm up (and running out of steam during the actual race.)   I practiced a few starts, not quite sure of my start stance.  I managed to watch the women’s 800m races.  National Outdoor Champions in their respective age groups,  Lesley Chaplin (W55) (ATC) and Sonya Friend-Uhl, (W40), (ATC),, as well as my Piedmont Pacer Pal Mary Szymkowski were running this event.  I apparently missed seeing Friend-Uhl  at Nationals, but, wow, she sure sped around the JDL track on Sunday.  Way out in front of everyone else.  Of course, she was the youngest of the group; much younger in many cases. However, she has a smooth easy stride.  She made it look deceptively easy.

Time came for my 60m.  I was alone in my age group and so ran with five others from the next two lower AGs.    I got into my starting position in lane 7, but, as I later realized, it was not quite right.  Better than a standing start but not what I had used in Nationals.  Why?  Well, because I was so focused on trying to get some stamina by running 400s and 200s (okay, partially walking some of these) in weeks leading up to this event, that I barely practiced starts.  Mistake!   At the start, several of the ATC folks burst out, way ahead of me.  The others were either even with me or a fraction ahead.  The only thinking that comes into play in this short distance is: breathe!  I did remember to hold my head up, I think.  I managed to come in 4^th of the group, in a time much better than I would have thought.  But, still room for improvement, both in the start and effort exerted.   Loretta Woodward (W60) finished first in 9:49.  I came in at 11.14 (she was having tea by that time.)

Next up was the 400m.  I watched Sonya Friend-Uhl as well as Toccata Murphy (W45) and Lesley Chaplin, all different age groups, tear up the track.  When my time came, I was with four others, only one of whom was in my AG, Angela Staab, but running injured.  I was not thrilled at doing the 400m.  Would I crud out half way through?  I think I was in lane 7 at the start.  I had run a 400m on this track two years previously (in the Ultimate Indoor Runner) but did not remember the protocol well.  However, it was explained clearly enough so I knew to stay in my lane until after rounding the far bend and passing the cones.  At that point one could cut into lane 1.  I think I was ahead of Angela (not sure which lane she was in) as we progressed within our lanes.  I stayed behind the other three while we passed the cones and moved into lane one.  Into the back stretch, Barbara Warren (W65) was ahead of me.  I decided to try to pass. I moved into lane two and began edging up.  I was worried that I would burn out since she held a good pace.  I got by before the next, and final, curve and now was behind the two ATC runners.  I pushed, keeping my head up, and got to the Finish five seconds after Nonie Hudnell (W65), who finished second.  Susan Aderhold (W65) finished first in 1:27.82.  My time was 1:36.99 (might as well say 1:37, eh?)   

So, the dreaded 400m was done.  I had not walked, gone into oxygen deprivation, or had legs turn to rubber or cement blocks.  I guess, then, that I could have run a fraction faster.  But I was happy.  My time was far better than I had been having during any of my track or street practices.  The longer races followed and I watched until it was time to warm up for the 200m.  There seemed to be more Piedmont Pacers in some events than Atlanta Track Club.  For sure, there was much Piedmont yellow and Atlanta Track Club red on the track.   Of course, Carolina Track and Field was well represented with their four women aces (Kris Kazebee, Toccata Murphy, Anne Sluder, and Melanie Walker), Carolina Godiva was represented by  George Linney III (M35), who though 10 years younger, could not catch Tim Meigs (M45) (Bull City Track) who ran a terrific 3000m (9:40.80). Linney ran a nice 4:56.41 mile. There were also many unattached  competitors who ran and won their AGs in the mile.

My start for the 200m was a little better, but I think I had the wrong arm up.  And so it goes.  The actual race itself went well in that I seemed to have some energy remaining when I made the last turn.  I think I was second in this mixed AG heat.  I did come in ahead of the other two in my AG.  The main thing was that, again, I was not gasping or having leg issues.  That was a good thing.  My time of 40.82 exceeded  prior weeks  practice times.  Sure, when practicing, I run a batch of 400s (only because I have to) and then do some 200s and 100s, so I am probably worn down somewhat.  And I was trying to run only at 80% or so.  Psychologically that sounds good except that I never felt I could go any faster any way.   Nonetheless, I need to improve before Indoor Nationals. 

       getting ready for relays

I ran one relay, 4x200m, as anchor with the Piedmont Pacers and I felt (key word, felt) much faster on that outing.  Reality may have been different, but sometimes it is good to glory in the feeling.  My fellow Pacers ran more relays than I did.  Some of the women were injured but still went out and did more relays. I watched!   (2/15 comes the freezing 4-mile Carolina Godiva Geezer Pleezer!)

Carolina T&F 4x200m relayers Melanie Walker pass to Toccata Murphy

The cost of University athletics

                                         #wingsclipped

While at the Hilton Innvitational and Camel City Elite races at JDL Fast Track Indoor track on 1/31/15, I noticed a shirt that had #wingsclipped as well as saveuncwtrack.com emblazoned on the back.  What's this, I thought and made a note of it. I just now checked it out.  Apparently, UNC Wilmington is eliminating its track and field program at the end of the Spring 2015 season.  According to a news report, it currently has 93 athletes and 4 coaches.   Some of the athletes who have already made a mark have been or are currently being recruited by other colleges.  Many athletes, however, are invested in their program of studies and say it is not so easy to switch schools.

Those who are mainly interested in a future track career, and are talented, will probably leave.  Those who are intent upon their degree, may not.  Those that stay will most certainly have lost out when it comes to T&F, since school affiliation is needed for any NCAA awards or recognition.  Perhaps they can maintain their edge by competing in Open events as unaffiliated, obviously picking up the expense to do so themselves.

There is certainly a cost in maintaining a sports program.  Be it equipment, uniforms, or coaches, as well as the expenses involved in traveling to non-local meets.  Even universities must watch their expenses.  But  I wonder how UNCW's basketball program is faring.  Save the more popular sport if choices must be made. Logical.  But sad for those associated with the one being cut.  And a loss more than likely to the track and field community over time.

  

Camel City Elite Indoor Meet @ JDL Fast Track

January 31st's Camel City Elites 800m, 3000m, and mile event was preceded by the Hilton Innvitational (not a misspelling!  Inn -- get it?), featuring competitors from colleges.  I got to JDL Fast Track, Indoor Track, in Winston-Salem NC during the women's 60m hurdles.  Since I'd left home a few hours earlier without coffee, that was where I headed.  Panerea had setup on the wall behind the hurdle start area.  I have to say, that while waiting on line, I had quite a view of the athletes in their track outfits: some quite brief and others more modest.  At the gun, they all shot out of the blocks handling the hurdles with no difficulty.  Unless someone was way out front, from the rear view it was hard to tell who had the edge.

snack break between events!

I found a seat in the stands about 3/4 of the way down the track near the last hurdle, in the second lowest row.  It was tough to see the actual start at the other end, especially of competitors in lanes 6-8.  However, when the third heat of the men's 60m hurdles took off, I stood, and it was clear almost from the start, who was in the lead.  Tall fellow in orange singlet, who by the time he reached the last hurdle, was clearly ahead.  And how he was ahead!  Aleec Harris crossed the line full out in a time of 7.55. Even unsophisticated I could tell this was phenomenal. Turns out that his time was the second best world time in 2015. 

In a subsequent heat, former Olympian David Oliver hurdled in a time of 7.60, making that the third fastest world time for 2015.  In the 60m finals neither man beat his own earlier time (hard to do after such all out earlier effort!)  The order of finish in the 60m Hurdles Final was Harris (7.58), Jason Richardson (7.62), and Oliver (7.69) 

I was sitting among some women Furman athletes. Some had already competed and one was waiting for the 4x400 relay. These ladies broke out their psych textbooks (yes!  even in such an atmosphere they could tune out) highlighting passages relating to older brains (hello!) Yea -- student-athletes!

In the women's 60m Hurdles Final, Sharika Nelvis set a facility record with her time of 7.95.  Christina Manning was 2nd (8:16 in my notes) with Hayley Warren (Toronto) third in 8:18.

The women's 60m was a very tight race.  LaKaya Brookins was being overtaken by Raven Covington, but gave her last, crossing the Finish first in 7.47, but pulling her hamstring, or quad, in the effort.  She was assisted off track.   

In the men's Camel City Elite 3000m event, the gun went off, the 16 or so competitors took off, but just at the first curve on the 200m track, some got tangled up and one went down.  Bang! Bang! Bang!  The runners were called back.  Wow, does that take some wind out of the sails.  One has to get resettled mentally.  Almost all were college athletes, except for about three, including Raleigh's Sandy Roberts.  The race seemed to break into three separate packs after a couple of laps (15 total, I think).  Thomas Curtin pulled ahead of everyone when there were about two laps left and he came in first in 7:56.10.  The next fellow came in at 8:00.66.

The men's Camel City Elite Mile race was loaded with hot shots.  Olympian Leo Manzano (silver 2012 Olympics), Will Leer, Matthew Elliott and college athletes. There were 11 runners plus the rabbit. The mile is an eight lap ordeal.  Manzano was near mid-pack at the start and kept that position during the beginning laps.  With about two laps to go, Cory Leslie took the lead. With one lap to go, I watched Will Leer on the back stretch put his move on.  Manzano was two back.  Down the final 100m or so, Leer closed and he almost got to Leslie but ran out of track.  Cory Leslie of Furman Elite came in at 3:56.99 with Leer following in 3:57.54.  Elliott Matthew and Leo Manzano were almost tied as 3rd and 4th in times, respectively,  of 3:57.76 and 3:57.79.  Leslie's time is the 3rd best world time for 2015.

The women's Camel City Elite Mile was not as dramatic at the end.  It was Shannon Rowbury from the start.  She finished in a great 4:22.66, followed by Morgan Uceny, 4:30.99, and Heather Kampf 4:31.24.  Rowbury's time put her as #1 in the world for 2015!

I stayed and watched some of the women's 4x400m relay races, of which there were many, and some of the ladies were wicked fast!  But I had to leave after the first three sets.

This is the second year I have watched the Innvitational and Camel City Elite races.  Fun!