Not on the Bucket List - CG Games

Saturday August 20^th up at 04:45 to get to Durham County Stadium for the CG Games.  The Games consisted of four unique events, none of which was I enamored with. Two involved bear crawls and one -  prone opposite hand opposite toe touches.  Oh, yeah!  Nightmare time.

I had 6 ounces of juice mixed with NSF certified (no USADA banned substances) energized training formula powder with arginine (to help breathing) and beta alanine, then about six ounces of super beet juice. I filled three one and a quarter squeeze bottles of beet juice to drink during the day. A few gulps of Red Bull and out the door.  One sip of Starbucks Double Expresso with cream on the drive was enough to remind me that it gives me oggita (sick feeling)

184 folks had signed up for the event in Raleigh (the Games were also being contested in many other parts of the country). Serious folk hoped to have event completion times good enough to put them in the top 50 women nationwide or top 50 men nationwide in their respective age group (under 40 or over 40.)  Those that do will go to Austin to compete for prizes.  There will also be four person coed, all male or all female teams competing in Austin.  Obviously, I was not one of those thinking about going to Austin. My objective:  Just don’t quit. Finish.  I had a real fear of oxygen deprivation with not enough to finish an event 

I arrived at the stadium about 06:20.  Shortly after we were let in to sign a waiver, get our competitor number marked on our arm and then sign in using that number.  The events were scheduled such that the two field width events were run together in the first hour, followed by the two field length events in the next hour. This was repeated twice more.  

We had a bunch of warm up exercises led by Trainer Zeek. This is when I realized I had not taken my B12.  My legs were tired just doing that. Not a good sign. 

I had wanted to get my dreaded event over first --  the endurance event (squat then raise sandbell above eyebrows 15x, followed by 30 opposite hand opposite toe touches from prone position, then run length of field, touch line and run back.  Repeat four more times. 

 The small bottle I’d transferred Red Bull into had leaked, so I drank part of the remainder (4 gulps), consumed one energy gel and some beet juice before the start at 7 a. m. However, there were so many people queued up for that,  they did not get to a lot of us before the hour was up.  We were given a lineup number for the next time the event was offered in an hour. 

So, in the next hour I did the EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute, aka Interval Event)  Another one that I was not looking forward to – in reality – I was not looking forward to any, but this one I knew would find me gasping.  Each of us had a CG Trainer who would be timing us and encouraging us. For this event mine was Bain.

Here is the video of how it should be done

Interval event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6tBxys15aA

That is not how I did it.  I did trot to the far side and pick up a cone and return it and then do the five thrusters. My hops back up were not elegant. I finished in time to have part of that minute to “rest” – 10 seconds?  before having to run the width of the field again and pick up the second cone and return and do five thrusters.  Maybe I had 5 seconds left of the minute before having to go again.  I walked ¾ of the way to the far side and slow jogged back.  The others in my group were already off and running before I finished my thrusters.   For the next three iterations I only had half the distance to go. You think I might have sped up, huh?  Nope. It was walk out to the cone and jog back.  When I finished the last five thrusters I don’t think I had any oxygen left in my lungs.  One done!  Time 5:31.95 or something like that.  The good folk had times half that or even less than half.

 

starting their minute

Casey thruster

A few of us just managed to squeeze into the functional event before the hour ran out.  This was a width of field event carrying a 12 pound sandbell to the far side, then bear crawl back, throwing the sandbell ahead.  Fortunately, there were dashed lines across the field. Following my trainer Brent’s voice and trying to keep my head up enough to see a little of what was ahead, I managed to get back to the start without veering all across the field.  Jogging back to the far side with the sandbell and then returning, throwing the sandbell ahead was not too bad.  Back across the field again carrying the sandbell.  Now I had to throw the sandbell ahead while crab walking half the distance back and then get up and run backwards.  During this part, my daily CG trainer Andrew de Anda came along and urged me on (afraid I might quit?)  He told me I was just ahead of another competitor, also crab walking back.  (trying to bring out a competitive drive – ha ha).  I got to the halfway point, picked up the bag and started running backwards. And promptly fell back on my butt and head. Yep.  Glorious.  Crone-like action. I got up and finished.  I think it was in 6:30.  Our real contenders do this in about 2 minutes.

This is the video of how it should be done.  I did not look like that.

functional  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_EbDC98gJk  sandbell bear; throw; crab field width

I managed to get the endurance event done in the second offering around 9 a.m. or so. I think I ate an ancient (not as ancient as me) Stinger Honey Waffle before this event.  I know when I ate it, I was a little concerned that the more than 18gms of sugar (I think it was in the 20s) would make me sick.  It didn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgj7xNkj1XE

 Brent was the Trainer who had the Crone again. I had practiced the toe touch thing at home and so approached that part at a slower pace. I slow trotted the length of the field each time. I don’t think I walked, but I may have. I did try to run or jog at a faster pace on my last run back.  My time was about 10:48.

 

endurance toe touch

I did not get to do the last event until around noon. I ate a small chia bar first.  I had never done this one before (I had twice practiced the field width events and once the endurance event.) Dea Block was the trainer who pushed me to get to the 50 yard mark bear crawl dragging the 50 pound bag behind. (100 LB for men) Dea walked along, telling me which yard mark I was approaching. At 25 yards, my hands were burning from the hot artificial turf. The sun was out and the temperature was in the 90s with high humidity. I had half gloves on that left the fingers exposed. I did get to the 50 yard line without stopping. I’d been forewarned by other competitors to not expect to run when first standing up. No problem there – I was quite dizzy. I walked a few steps before jogging to the far end and coming back to the bag.  Dragging it back from an upright position was a lot easier than crab walking it out.  I think my time was 2:31.  I find that unbelievable.  It seemed much longer!  But this was the easiest of the four events.

Metcon -- someone dragging bag

male running back with 100 LB bag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-f6XzXO8DI

I watched my other camp goers run some of the events in magnificent time: Melissa, Heather, Nadeen, Steve R, Tonya, and Ginger Zach and Ginger Kenny. My trainer Andrew was incredible in the Functional (sandbag, bear crawl, crab walk etc) event.  Andrew, Zach, and Kenny are three of the four men on the Two Gingers Two Souls team.

So, it is done!  Never on the bucket list but, for sure, I will not be revisiting this again. I took an ice bath when I got home.

I won’t be complaining about the 400m after having done this!  My next scheduled (Senior Games Final) 400m is at Durham County Stadium. It will seem like a stroll after today!

Bring on the Games -- and the Heat!

Just about two weeks after USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in windy, but pleasant, Allendale, M.I., it was time for the USA Masters Games in hot and steamy Greensboro, N.C.  The weather during the event was in the mid 90s with a high heat index. This being the inaugural year of the planned every other year event, the track turnout was not comparable to that in Michigan in terms of numbers but it was still high caliber.  The Games encompassed many more sports than track, sort of like a mini Huntsman Games.

The track events, held at A&T University’s Aggie Stadium, had begun on Thursday, July 28^th and included the 800m and  5K, as well as pentathlon.   Many scheduled preliminary events were eliminated as unnecessary due to the small number of age group competitors.  This was good for competitors in these events (especially with the warm weather conditions.)  The Hammer and Weight throws were competed at Elon University in Elon N.C. on Thursday and Friday.  Of the folks I follow, Barbara Knight Warren (65-69) competed in the pentathlon which included high jump, long jump, short hurdles (using 30” hurdles because 27” were not available for the older set of competitors) and 800m run.  Barbara collected 1679 points (she was alone in her AG) and was happy to have conquered the hurdles though not getting points for it (not meeting time criteria). All those jumps, and knee jarring events, but Barbara, and others I know, still compete, ensconced in all sorts of knee contraptions.  Not for me!

Lane Wilton, W50, just edged out the second place competitor in the 800m by 3/100^th of a second,  2:42.28 to 2:42.31.  Lesley Chaplin (W58) handily won her 800m in 2:36.90. Nonie Hudnell (W66), a lady who likes distance, ran the 800m in 3:18.06. Barbara Hensley and Angela Staab (both part of our non-club relay team in some prior Meets) ran against each other with Hensley beating Staab by 16 seconds.  Jeanne Daprano (W79) began her four day competition by winning her 800m in 3:50.97.Tell me that's not superb! Yikes. Exhausts me to think about it. My Piedmont Pacer teammate, Dot Sowerby (W83) a steadfast competitor completed her 800m in 5:29.67. Better she than me!   

Friday, July29 was my first day of competition, to start at 2 p.m.  Plenty of time to feed and water and walk the dog and stop to buy a more powerful cell phone charger that could support the WAZE app and not burn up the phone!  I found the stadium in plenty of time to check out the Finish line (no excuses this time!) I communed with the Aggie Bull Dog mascot sculpture and admired the immensity of the stadium and the hot, blue, track. (Seems like many of the NC tracks are blue except, of course, NCSU.) I suspect light blue also reflects and disperses heat better than heat absorbing red.

Unlike USATF Masters, where the bib worn on the back has the age group, USA Masters had the competitor number on each bib. To signify age group, they had colored tape assigned to each group and one applied the tape to the bib. It worked! 

At first, I tried to check in my javelin and discus to get it out of the way a day ahead of time.  However, the fellow tending to this task was out on the track setting up hurdles.  Ah, the dual duties of track officials! Eventually, after chatting with the friendly folks at the sign in table, I began warming up.  Always worrying that I won’t have enough energy (or breath) to finish the actual event, I rarely warm up  the same way twice.  Sometimes I lunge first then slowly jog,  going back and forth between movement and stretching and other times I just slow jog around until I breathe okay.  At lane assignment, we were told our numbers, one each hip,  and could then retrieve them from plastic packets on an adjacent table. Neat!

I saw Rose Green W78 warming up.  Getting ready to blow me off the track again.  She was taking her time, disciplined.  I did not see Jeanne Daprano out on the big practice field.  I think she practiced on the track, then found shelter under a tent. Finally, the ladies were led out to the track.  In my heat there were the three of us, plus Dot Sowerby.  I think I was in lane 5, Jeanne in 4 and Rose in 3.  Or, maybe not! (I recall watching Dot come in from the middle of the track!) My two AG competitors were to my left, for sure.  I stood in a standing start this time. No blocks and no hunching over. No burst of speed at the start planned – just stay stable until the gun.  There was a slight delay before we were set to go.  I had gotten about four steps before seeing Rose go running by around the first curve.  Yep, there she goes. I figured no chance in catching her but I would keep on chugging, trying to conserve but not get too slow because Jeanne was somewhere nearby.  Just prior to the last curve, along comes Jeanne. 

Aaargh!  Got to push.  I dredged up what I had and we ran adjacent to each other until Jeanne put in a surge about 30m from the Finish. I pushed too, and caught her for about a half second, then she gave another surge to cross the Finish, with me trailing. So close but the cookie slipped from my grasp. She really pushed me more than I would have otherwise run this monstrosity of an event.  I have never ever caught her in all the years we have met. (When I first ran against Jeanne, she was probably at the top of the 65-69 AG and I was at the bottom.  Same heat, but essentially different races. I would end up gasping and coughing from her track dust.) So, here we are again. In this heat (race and temperature heat!), I was the youngest in the AG and finished last in the AG.  Rose finished in 1:30.47, Jeanne in 1:34.59, and me in 1:34.76.  Dot came home in 2:25.37.  

One of the volunteers (aren't they terrific?) that day was the lady from the 2015 USATF Masters Indoor Championship event at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, NC. She was coordinator of the volunteers during that Meet.  A credit to the area. And here she was again -- volunteering to make our Meet even better. 

I was able to catch my breath in time to watch the W70-74 heat. My three non-club relay teammates, Mary Robinson (jogging just to do it, despite a  leg injury), Angela Staab and Barbara Hensley competed. Wouldn’t you know it –  going probably half speed, Mary still won.  Walking back towards the other end of the track, I saw Mary Hartzler (W67) come steaming toward the curve, with a substantial lead in her group, to go on to win.

The 400m was done. I could now go on to enjoy the rest of the Meet. Jeanne Daprano went to rest before returning for her 1500m later that day, winning it in an incredible 8:21.19. Where the heck does that energy come from?

Saturday, brain fog settled in and I had in my mind that the discus event started at eight.  So I got up early and rushed, getting there about 07:30, worried I was late for checkin. Well, only two fellows were there, one an official and the other a competitor.  The event actually started at nine. (Somehow Michigan start times usurped NC start times in my mind!).  I encountered William Rhoad, at the time considering going barefoot (that changed!) and Barbara Knight Warren (how many wraps on her lower appendages can she get?) getting ready for their long day. 

William Rhoad and Barbara Knight Warren

The various methods, spin, no spin, half spin, the discus competitors used were interesting.  The measuring methodology was tape. No one fouled within the circle, though a few throws fouled on or just outside of the line. I managed two or three throws that felt right and one foul.  Lots of work to be done here.

Out onto the field for the 100m warm up.  Rose was out there as was Mary Hartzler, who I saw jog up the huge hill at the far end.  Good heavens – the energy!    Toccata Murphy was also warming up, elegant in form as usual. 

Toccata

 It was good to see her at the Meet, though she was not feeling 100%. Always a top competitor.  I missed seeing her teammate Kris Kazebee (W50-54) compete in the 400m, in 1:09.33. Jog, runner’s stretch, dunking duck walk, butt kicks and jogs. Forget the high knees!  A few very slow attempts to get the cricks out.

It was Rose Green, Jeanne Daprano, Dot Sowerby, and me in my heat. I used one starting block this time.  Keeps me from lurching and maybe a bit faster than using two blocks with knees that resist rising up and pushing forward. Rose took off, way ahead as expected. I just ran as fast as I could, anticipating Jeanne coming up on me. This time she didn’t.  

Mary Robinson jogged to just edge out Ann Carter. Mary Hartzler came in second in her 100m, pushing all the way.  Now it was time to watch Toccata.  She had a fast and full herd (W45-49) to run against.  Four of them came in under 14 seconds!  Toccata won in 13.19!

 

ATC Clovis Clark, Ann Carter, Linda Lowery before long jump

In the men’s 100m young (26) Ibegbu Lex-Jordan ran an impressive 11.75, but the wind was 3.2. Eric Hunter Johnson (48) won his AG in 12.05.  The most exciting race was that of M65-69, with Charles Allie versus Michael Kish. Tight to the very short end. Kish got it in 12.71 to Allie’s 12.78!   

Sunday. I watched some of the race walking. One fellow seemed to be just fast walking to my untrained eye. He must have been keeping proper form because he was not flagged. I did see one lady get the red flag.  In that heat (okay, it was earlier in the day so not quite hellish) what a strain to go round and round, seemingly endlessly, keeping perfect form. Another event I would not consider doing.  

 Today, the field event was javelin.  Some had beautiful, classic, form while others just slowly bounded up until the last few steps, slowed then heaved.  Most got some nice throws in.  A surveyor-like measuring mechanism was used for gauging distance.  I tried trotting up., Blah!  My last throw was just a stand and throw and it was no worse than my earlier attempts.   

Today was the 200m. It was just Rose, Jeanne, and me in our heat.  Results the same as in the 100m: Rose first, me and then Jeanne.  In the W70-74 group there were four in the heat and once again, Mary Robinson got to the Finish first, just edging Ann Carter.  That is a lot of “trotting” on a cruddy knee.  Of, course, Ann Carter also keeps competing with not 100% knees (and after long jumping etc.)  Angela and Barbara Hensley both ran over 55% age graded. 

 Mary Hartzler also ran second in her heat.  Then it was Toccata’s turn.  There were six in her heat and she took charge right at the start.  A pack was right on her, but she won in 26.76. (88.79% age graded.)  

I watched some of the men’s 200m.  In one event there was a Carolina Godiva  fellow I know from Wednesday night summer track meets as well as a Piedmont Pacer (this was the younger men). What to do? I cheered for both. Godiva’s Rick Pack (35), more of a distance runner, put on a surge at the end coming from way back but too late. However, he did pass the Pacer Thomas Dodds. In a subsequent race, a Pacer and a Carolina Track Club fellow raced each other for the lead.  The Pacer had it, and would have won, had he not raised his arms in a victory motion, allowing the other runner to cross the Finish first.  Oh, those premature victory salutes! Perhaps as bad as mistaking a line 10m from the Finish as the Finish (Michigan, ahem!)

Angela and I were signed up for Piedmont Pacers 4x100 and 4x400.  The 4x100 was to start at 12:30. It was dicey while we waited since we were not sure who else from the Pacers would be running it.  Jennifer VanDiver (49) showed up after Sue Murray (64), so it looked like we would be running in the 40-49 group. And what would Atlanta be running? Well, it looked like they, too, would be running in the 40-49 group, as was Florida’s CBC (Cute Black Chicks, they said) team in their dazzling gold shorts and black with gold lettering tops. Classy!  Well, hello third place, I think.  But, oh, wait! Mary Szymkowski (52) showed up and she was subbed for Jennifer after the appropriate paperwork was done. So, we would be running in the 50-59 group, along with the Flying Wilmas (with awesome Kris Kazebee, Carolina Track) and Sandy Triolo, so they must be running non-club. 

Just like in Michigan, there seemed to be a delayed start.  I could not tell what was going on but I saw our lead-off Sue , dancing at the start arera. Huh?  The delay continued.  The anchor next to me moved out and was talking to the runner in a far lane.  One official was in the grass area with a yellow flag (I think, yellow) whereas the main anchor area official had the white flag.  The main official told the chatting anchor to get back in her lane as they were  ready to start.  Then, I see Sue step off the track!  

 Aaargh! What is going on? I figure that is the end of the Pacer portion of the relay.  Maybe she was too nervous to run. Finally, Sue gets back on the track and thank heavens they started the relay!  Sue ran well, passing to Angela, who, this time, unlike in Michigan, was not running against a 35+mph wind, to pass to Mary who came around the bend to me. I almost fumbled her good pass to me (the nightmare of all relayers) but held on to finish last of the relay groups. (1:28.72).

Sue told us she had left the track before the start because her feet were burning. She went to pour water over her shoes. She was the second person to tell me they had felt the track heat through their spikes.  The first said she felt it rounding the curve during the 200m race.  Yes, running track in the hot South during the day can become uncomfortable. (Good thing William Rhoad wore shoes!)

They ran the men’s 4x800 next so the women had a breather before our 4x400.  Pacers Dixon Cook, Kevin Gobble, Bob Milan and Arthur Sterkenburg ran the 800 relay as club 40AG (two in their 40s, two in 60s) came in in 11:59.98 ( and two others This time, Jennifer would be running in our team so we would be in the 40-49 AG running against the Atlanta Track Club, running in the 60-69 AG.  I wanted to know in which position Jeanne Daprano would be running (hoping not to be competing against her) until it was pointed out that it might not be a problem since we would probably be lagging. (our team with two 70+ , one 63, and Jennifer, the kid) vs ATC’s one fast 79 year old (Jeanne), and three in their 60s (Carol Rhodes 67, Trenice Mullis-Dubow 62, Nonie Hudnall 66.)

Those of us running 3^rd and 4^th were puzzled over where we would actually be starting and where the passing zone was.  So we watched where the number two was to receive the baton.

Jeanne started it off along with Pacer Sue; they both had to run in lanes. Sue ran well but Jeanne came in to pass the baton to Carol first; Sue passed to Angela (who dislikes the heat and yet here she was running in 96 heat index).  Once these two rounded the turn they were eventually allowed to move to lane one which is where the rest of us ran.  Carol came in, passing to Trenice.  Trenice was well around the bend and part way up the back stretch when Angela passed to Jennifer, who turned on the burners and began closing in on Trenice, such that by the time she got to pass to me as the last runner, Nonie was not that far ahead.  She was around the bend so I had to run harder than I liked just to get near the far turn before she was half way down the home stretch.  The official told me to not look at the ground as I came around the bend (yes, I was looking down, running out of reserve).

 I did raise my head to see Nonie about 1/3^rd of way from the Finish.  Those last 30 to 40 meters were excruciating for me. My legs turned to cement;  lungs and throat burned. It may have seemed as if I was running, but I was forcing, slowly, each leg to move as if in water.  The legs just about ground to a halt just before the Finish line. But I managed to get across.  ATC 6:53.05; Pacers 7:05.64.  Probably close to the worst a 400 has felt. Thank heavens for Sue and then Jennifer giving us older runners a needed boost.    

I was still gasping when the Piedmont Pacer men's team ran the 4x400 (just an easy walk in the park, Carl Dixon Cook had told me!) Two 70s and two 60s ran this one: Frank Smith, Bob Milan, Alan Irwin and Carl Dixon Cook.  A gasping time of 6:47.06. (The M70 USA team which included Maurice McDonald, Edward Daw, Salih Talib and Gary Patton came in in 5:58.30.) 

Thirst. Wow. I was so thirsty at the end. I had already consumed a can of Starbucks coffee on the way to the event. During the day: 16 ounces of beet juice, about 24 ounces of water, and an eight ounce can of Red Bull, as well as gobs of water in those little cups. I should have filled my water bottle with the terrific ice water supplied by the organizers before the relays so I could have more than a warm can of coffee waiting in my car.

As a side note, a friend had left behind some small bottles of energy drinks (Rock On), intended for staying awake while driving. I brought one along for my return home.  I found that it takes a good fifteen minutes to kick in – if it does! Dreadful tasting, to boot! I still had to slap my face to stay awake! Mountain Dew would have worked better!

Add Piedmont Pacers still there on hot track after relays . far right - sue with hot feet

The Great Windy Outdoor Championships

July 14, we were greeted with Yahoo indicated 15mph winds.  I was there to watch my pal Angela Staab run her 800m. They say Chicago is the windy city.  I think Allendale Michigan comes close.  On arrival at the Grand Valley State University in Allendale on Thursday, the temperature was in the 70s.  Pleasant, low humidity, but, heavens, the wind! We had encountered Ann Carter, one of the penthaletes who had just come out of one of the events.  She said many had bailed in the 800m because of the winds. Ann is a hurdler and penthalete, and is usually signed up for a horde of events.  In the W60-104 AG, twelve started and six finished!  Wow!  Imagine, doing all the pentathlon activities, then essentially, foregoing all points associated with one of the 5 events! 

 What a gorgeous track awaited:  blue, beneath a light blue sky with puffy clouds.  Unlike the huge stadium at UNF in Jacksonville last year, this stadium was without the grand height, but quite sufficient for the athletes and visitors.   There is always a contained  excitement when first arriving at a National event.  Anticipation of one’s events, as well as communing with those one has met at prior Meets.  I had picked up my package envelope and had to hold tight to it while watching the events.  15mph may have been average but the gusts had to be higher.

Great track - sort of Carolina Blue!

I watched several of the 800m races, rooting for those I knew, of course.  Angela ran with two women who would later become part of our 4x100 relay team: Ruth Thelen, 1^st in 3:35.56 and Cora Hill, 3^rd in 4:10.55.  Angela ran it in 5:14.63 and was happy with her time.  They all had the wind to contend with.  Next, I watched Coreen Steinbach come in second in her race (2:53.78). Next up was Lesley Chaplin’s winning run of 2:43.65. Then it was the men; with Carl Dixon Cook chasing Robert Jackson (2:32.53) and David Salazar (2:33.52) to come in third in 2:34.19.

Start of W70 800m

With the winds swirling during the entire Meet, it would be tough to make a record.  I don’t like distance. Running against the wind? Oy!  Carl said he wasn’t even aware of it (he was too focused on chasing two men.)  Angela, though, felt it!

Grand Rapids was a half hour or so from Allendale.  When I arrived, Carl drove Angela’s barge from the hotel out to the track.   Good heavens: short merge lanes with high speed drivers in the merge lane.  Exit signs were not too far ahead of the actual exit in some cases.  It took us a few times to get it right.  (The return trip was more than exciting with two women (not me) indicating differing directions to go!)

Our announcer, Peter Taylor. Busy all day, every day.

Angela and I ate Italian for dinner, both of us having egg plant.  Quite good but I did not finish it.  Appetite not quite there, though I'd eaten an apple earlier.

Friday, July 15^th our first event was the javelin.  This would be my second time trying the jav.  Angela had talked me into trying it at Powerade Games in mid-June.  Pathetic.  There were 13 of us in the 70 to 104AG.  Given a chance to “pick”, I was able to get the jav to stick each time; encouraging.  However, when my turns came, my throws were short or in two cases flat, equaling a foul.  I watched others heave the jav, some to amazing distances (one lady from  NY, Diane Jenke-McMahan threw 22.57m (74 feet!)) Gloria Krug, 85, set a new record, throwing 12.86m or 42.02 ft.  She also set a new W85 discus record, throwing  15.29m (50-02 feet)  She came to set records.   I watched the smoothness of Christel Donley and others as they approached and threw. After the event, Christel showed  Mary Roman some tips.  Mary Roman and I threw about the same in both discus and javelin.  Of course, Kathy Bergen won our AG handily, despite, in the discus having to change her mechanics due to injury. Wow, could she heave it nonetheless. (17.92m (58-09ft) in javelin, and 20.65m (67-09ft) in discus.)

From the javelin and discus area, one could see scads of satellite dishes lined up nearby, one larger than the next.  During the discus event the next day, we spotted a hang glider high up soaring over a distant area containing homes.

Angela and I were both running the 400m later in the day, but had time to return to Grand Rapids and have brunch.  I indulged and had eggs and bacon and one small pancake at the waffle house.  I rarely eat before a track event.  Even if it is in the afternoon.  But I was hungry and boy, did the coffee taste good.

Back at the track by around one p.n. for our 2:30 p.m. 400m, I went off to warm up, a task I don’t enjoy much.  Those who know me, know my thoughts about the 400m.  Enough said.  I would be running with Rose Green and Jane Simpson. (Jane Simpson, though my age, brims with stamina: steeplechase, penthalon, and track. Not a speed demon but persistent.)   I had last seen Rose at the 2015 USATF Masters Indoor Championships at JDL in Winston Salem, NC.  I saw her in the midst of a relay and was dazzled by her speed.  I knew that this would be a tough event, one I was not likely to win but would like to at least make it close. So, I had gotten a one hour coaching lesson on using starting blocks with some great tips.  However, my knees tend to resist the position unless really warmed up.   We got to our lanes, Jane in 5, me in 6, and Rose in 7.  There was a delay. We were out there early. I set the blocks up and attempted a few starts.  Rose tried the blocks and then abandoned them.  

400m W70+ start. Look at those marvelous storm-like clouds!

When the gun went off, Rose took off. By the time I noticed, she was probably 30m ahead of me.  As we went down the backstretch, her lead grew. I heard Peter Taylor, announcer extraordinaire, saying she was leaping ahead (well, he did not say “leaping” exactly). I am thinking I must just keep going, not wanting to go too fast and burn out before the last 100.  However, she was now at the point where it was evident I could never catch her. I think when I got into the final turn, she was 100m ahead of me.  I chugged along, just wanting to finish. Apparently so intent on getting it over that I really, really, screwed up.  However, I did not know it until the next day when my pal Mary Robinson, took me aside and told me. Didn’t you hear us, she asked?  Nope. I did hear people yelling at me to keep going while I was still running.  What I did not realize was that when I stopped running and walked (being sure to stay within my lane so I would not impede anyone else finishing – Jane?)  Perhaps I should say ambled. The straight line I stopped running at was NOT the Finish line.  No!  It was a random (imo) line 10m before the actual Finish which was denoted by lane numbers following the finish and a large while pole on the right.  Nope, I saw the timing clock (1:33 at the time, I think), the line, and the lane lines.  Aach! Rose won in 1:27.42.  My time on crossing the Finish (ha ha) was 1:38.20.

The walk of shame

I stayed to watch some of the younger folk run the 400m: Latrica Dendy (W40-NY) in 59.39; Lane Wilton (W50-NC) in 1:11.90, and Lesley Chaplin (W55-GA) in her 400m prelims in 1:09.98.  Coreen Steinbach won her 400 (1:15.67) and field maestro Mary Hartzler came in 3^rd in 1:26.94.  Angela came in 2^nd in her AG in 2:10.56. There were a lot of hot shots there, making these events exciting to watch. But isn’t that always the way at Nationals.

That evening, we ate Italian again. This time I had fettucini.  I finished it.  Lots of eating for me this day.

Saturday, both Angela and I had the discus, then I had the 100m at 11 a.m.  Discus was another bust for me, but I did get good tips from Angela and others for the next time (the next time being a few days from now as I write this.)  I went out to the large field adjacent to the track where folks were warming up.  I progressed slowly into the warm up since it takes a while for the breathing (stamina?) to kick in.  I trotted the big square around the field. On one of my passes, I spotted it. A bad omen, for sure. It made me sad, actually. A dead bird on the ground. It did not move and may have been there for a few hours. Got tired of flying? Do birds at the end, just come down to the ground, having no energy to fly and then wait to pass on? (I had recently found a Cardinal sitting near my door.  Tired, with some feathers molting it seemed.  It had disappeared by morning. Perhaps a cat had taken it in the end.)

discus queue: Kathy Bergen, Flo Meiler, Gloria Krug?

Today, I had Kathy Bergen as well as Rose Green to contend with.  Lana Kane was yet another competitor.  Not that I am negative, but, really, with speed demons such as Kathy and Rose, I knew the best I could hope for was 3^rd and the worst I would get would be 4^th.  Prior to leaving for Grand Rapids, I had checked the Start lists. Christel Donly and the amazing and jovial Flo Meiler (what a beautiful smile this lady has!) were in my heat. So, too, was 88-yar-old Sumi Onodera-Leonard. But what struck me was the listing of 99-year-old Jeanette Baas from Kalamazoo (perfect!) MI.  Really?  Was this an error or for real.

Me, already several steps behind the leaders. Jeanette Bass (white pants,  Lane 1)

We lined up in our lanes. Kathy, Rose, Christel, and Flo were on my left.  As we waited (yes, I tried the blocks again), a Gator vehicle rolled up.  A younger woman gets out and pulls out a  walker. After the walker is placed on the track, an older woman is helped out of the cart. This is Jeanette Baas and she is lined up in Lane 1.  I’m thinking, whoa, here! Is she going to go down the 100m with the walker?  I am astounded.  Okay, so I am naïve, but I swear, I once saw a photo of an elderly gentleman on the cover (?) of National Masters News with a walker.   At the time, I was astounded. So, now, I figure, well, here we go. But, no. The walker is removed and the lady stands in Lane one with her granddaughter standing behind her. Rule is no touching.  When the gun went off, I ran down the track with Kathy and Rose long gone. Christel was right next to me . We raced to get to the line. She, in turn, was racing Flo! Different age groups, but who cares. It is a race!  Fun.

We all turn and look back. Jeanette Baas is proceeding step by step down the track with the “kid” behind her, arms out stretched as if to catch Jeanette should she topple backwards.  An official is walking  adjacent on the infield.
 

Jeanette Baas, 99, on closing on Finish

  There is a metal rim dividing the track from the infield. I worry that Jeanette might somehow catch her foot on it.  At one point she wobbles, stops, then starts moving again. The walker waits at the Finish.  Amid crowd cheers, she crosses the Finish to her walker. Eventually, she is surrounded by her large family.  Her time? 4:02.55. Not a record but an enormous achievement for her.  

Jeanette Baas, 99, finishing 100m

The wind was -0.9 (in our faces but who knew?) Kathy Bergen ran 15.82; Rose Green 17.36, me 19.28, Lana Kane 21.79 (her first time racing in quite a while).  Flo Meiler just beat Christel Donley, 20.62 to 20.79. Sumi finished in 32.59.  Eighty-eight! Think about it. 100m when one is older is not a short distance.  If I reach 88, 100m will seem like 800m to me. Un-doable!

I watched the 200m prelims for the W55 and W50s, started by the grand stand side and finishing on the back stretch side.

Lesley Chaplin

Lane Wilton

I did not see the beginning of a subsequent race, just the end in which a woman wearing a “visually impaired” vest competed.  All three days, there were two Guide dogs there with their person, one of whom, for sure, could not see.  She competed in field events. I admire their confidence and competitive spirit.    

I watched some of the women's 2000m steeplechase with Jane Simpson and Mary Trotto and others.  If Barbara Knight Warren had not been doing hurdles and everything she could gobble up, despite a bad knee, she, too would have been out there.  Instead, she took some terrific photos of the action, including one of Jane catching her foot and essentially falling and going under the water.  Mary Trotto nicely climbed over each hurdle and at the last 100m pushed it!  Impressive.

On our return to the hotel, taking the USATF provided bus (Thank you, USATF!), we encountered a traffic backup that was caused by the separation of a recreational vehicle from the pickup truck towing it.  The large white vehicle had apparently gone up the embankment separating us from the opposing traffic, and come down in the left lane on its side.  Great gouges had been torn into the embankment. Freaking scary!  Imagine the vehicles that had been behind it when this happened.

That evening five  Piedmont Pacers ate at Bagger Dave’s. I had mahi mahi burger with pickled red onions, guacamole, and black bean salsa.  Upon arrival, I wondered how I would get my mouth around it without everything squirting out the other end.  I managed – carefully. But at the cost of messy hands! 

Sunday had a forecast of rain.  I was done with field events but Angela had shot put and weight throwing as well as our 200m.  The 200 was at 10:30.  This time, I practiced yet another way of using blocks that I had been told about.  Since my knees were so so, I would use one block. So, while warming up, I practiced and practiced.  What the heck, I had little to lose. Kathy and Rose would come in first and second, so it would be me and Lana Kane fighting for third.  When we lined up in our lanes, Lana asked where the fourth was.  Sumi (W88) was supposed to be running in our heat but she did not show.  So, off we went and as expected Kathy came in first (34.95), Rose second (36.85), me third (40.61) and Lana just after me.  This was the only event in which I bettered my time from the June Powerade races.  (I have been degrading as the year has progressed.)

Rose Green, new Outdoor 400m Champion

An exciting race to watch was the W55 200m, with Lesley Chaplin, who has now picked up running the shorter race, along with her mid-distance events.  It was a very tight finish.  Joy Upshaw came close to besting the record, finishing first in 27.69, followed by Daphne Sluys in 29.70.  The race for third was a nail biter. Leslie and Vicki Fox were battling it out, almost adjacent to each other.  Leslie just edged Vicki , 31.38 to 31.90, to take third.  Miss Leslie has certainly broadened her horizons. 

The battles between M60 Oscar Peyton and Damien Leake - something to watch!.  These two always make it exciting.  In the 100m prelims, Oscar beat Damien. However, in the 100m Finals, Damien beat Oscar 12.26 to 12.32 in a -3.6 headwind. In the 200m prelim, Oscar came in first and Damien 4th.  Oscar beat Damien in the Final, 24.73 to 25.04.  So, one each!

Dark clouds were appearing and the winds, oh, my, the winds. A few rain drops came down while our relay team was practicing.  The winds were picking up. Originally, a month or so before Nationals, it was going to be Angela, Mary Robinson, Ruth Thelen, and me in a non-club 4x100.  But Mary had gotten injured and was in recovery and not running.  Angela recruited Cora Hill to be our fourth. I had not met either Ruth nor Cora before, but they were both delightful.  Cora sprightly and Ruth bouncy and happy. We practiced passing the baton a few times as the winds picked up.

Cora passing to Angela

  Many were doing the relay, both club and non club.   I wondered if we would get the relay in before the rains. 

Cora Hill, Angela Staab, Ruth Thelen, LG

Eventually, the 50 through 70 non-club women relay teams were led out onto the track. Cora was our leadoff and would be passing to Angela, who would pass to Ruth who would pass to me, the anchor. 
 

Cora Hill our lead off in lane2 4x100

There was a long wait once we got out there. There were at least two 50s teams, one 60s, and our 70 team.  Venus Jewett was on one of the 50 teams and kept everyone’s spirits up (what a joyous lady this woman is!).

Venus Jewett, after 2nd relay. My fav photo!

 The 60-year-old was getting anxious and wanting to get going.  At this point, the winds were becoming wicked.  They were averaging around 25mph and gusting to 40mph (certainly true by the time the men’s 4x100s began.)  Finally, they were off. I could not really see Angela until just before she handed off to Ruth.  Ruth came charging around the curve at a terrific speed.The 60 year old had already gotten her baton and was on her way down the track.  I made sure to keep my left hand back and started moving into the passing zone looking back until Ruth was nearly upon me (I should have run faster so she would not have had to slow up but I was afraid I would screw up and either drop the baton or run out of the passing zone.)  Miss 60-year-old (yes, I know her name but let’s leave it at the 60 one) was maybe a third to half way down the track by now.  I wanted her badly.  I closed the gap and nearly got her just before the Finish line.  Our team finished 13/100 of a second behind the 60s.

I  later watched the men’s 4x100 relays from the vantage point of the far curve near the 200m start area.  There was a large white tent there that began flapping and vibrating as the winds picked up.  Some of the men passing the baton in the exchange area were almost blown out of the lanes with the force of the wind on that back stretch curve. 
 

 I finished out the day watching the men’s non club 4x400 and 4x800 in which two Piedmont Pacers, Carl Dixon Cook and Kevin Gobble competed.  This was followed by the women’s club relays.

It did not rain before we left. But the wind was something to experience.  I also never got to the Lake or saw the rapids.  Ah, well. I did get to see the skyline and walk a few residential streets.