Baton Rouge Championships between lightning strikes
Thursday, July13
After five weeks of graston on my Achilles, I was off to Baton Rouge for Outdoor Masters Championships. I still had issues but I was functional. My big worry ahead of time had to do with both the allowed carry-on and the discus. Would Delta allow both the large track bag and a back pack or would I have to check one of them? Angela, my experienced hotel mate said not to worry, I could carry both on. I had never taken a discus on a plane and feared that its shape alone would cause havoc. Angela said to take it out and put it in the Security bin and it would be okay. She was correct on both counts.
After five weeks of graston on my Achilles, I was off to Baton Rouge for Outdoor Masters Championships. I still had issues but I was functional. My big worry ahead of time had to do with both the allowed carry-on and the discus. Would Delta allow both the large track bag and a back pack or would I have to check one of them? Angela, my experienced hotel mate said not to worry, I could carry both on. I had never taken a discus on a plane and feared that its shape alone would cause havoc. Angela said to take it out and put it in the Security bin and it would be okay. She was correct on both counts.
When we flew over Baton Rouge, I
noticed the Mississippi snaking along the landscape with many barges,
big and small. I wondered how the tugs pushing them (tugs with
special pushing bars on front) were able to see over the barge load
to navigate. Apparently the cabin is high enough and most of them
also have electronic river maps.
Angela had already run the 800m before
I arrived. When I got on the Belle of Baton Rouge hotel shuttle bus,
I immediately saw Mary Smith, the 400m Champ. She told me she had
missed her original flight for reasons beyond her control and then
had to take three or four other flights to get to Baton Rouge. I know
she must have been a wreck about that!
My first impression of Baton Rouge was
that their highways were in need of repair. Either that or the
shuttle needed new shocks. It was clunk clunk clunk all the way into
Baton Rouge. Many of the residential homes we passed seemed to be in
need of upkeep. I later realized that much of the area had suffered
prior storm damage from which that they had not yet recovered.
I met up with Angela and we went out to
the track so I could pick up my bib number etc. When we arrived, the
LSU Bernie Moore Stadium track was wet and no events were being run on it.
Upon entry to the Field House, we had to stop at a Security table where our bags were checked. They had what to me was an odd way of doing this: poking a wooden dowel inside the bag. I suppose if a hard object (water bottle?) had been encountered one might be asked to remove it for inspection.
Upon entry to the Field House, we had to stop at a Security table where our bags were checked. They had what to me was an odd way of doing this: poking a wooden dowel inside the bag. I suppose if a hard object (water bottle?) had been encountered one might be asked to remove it for inspection.
When one entered the main area of the
Field House, to the left were the check-in tables with a staging area
for athletes right behind it; in front was the indoor track; and to
the right outside the perimeter of the track were vendor tables and
way down at the end, the Implement check-in table. We saw folks we
knew sitting in the staging area. Ann Carter was sitting on a bench
and Barbara Warren was sitting on the floor.
Turns out these
pentathlon athletes were waiting to run their 800m which had been
delayed due to weather conditions. They were tired and hungry. I
took photos of Barbara Warren's famous ankles (usually wrapped and
looking quite odd when she stood).
She was all smiles as she usually
is. These folks eventually ran the 800m on the inside track (after
sitting around forever!).
and Barbara Warren was sitting on the floor.
Before we left the track we had our
spikes checked for adherence to the 1/4” pyramid compliance. Turns
out Angela's Adidas shoes had Christmas tree spikes. They had to be
removed and replaced with Pyramids. Much to the delight of the LSU
folk, Angela had the wrench that came with the shoes. These folks
were overjoyed because they did not have a Christmas tree spike
removal tool and had struggled in the past with H.S. athletes showing
up with these spikes. Angela told them they could keep the tool, making their day. They put the pyramids in for her; then put on the
day-specific tie indicating that the spikes had been checked. LSU
requires that each day one have their spikes rechecked and a
different color certification tie is used. This Meet was so well
organized that when one went into the Field House towards the track,
a lady checked to make sure your spikes (whether on or off) had been
checked. Mary Robinson later said that anyone who wanted to switch
to something else (like the Christmas Tree spikes which supposedly
yield more traction) could do so after receiving the color coded tie
for that day. Once she said that, I thought, why yes, I could see
some H.S.-- and other folk doing that.
Angela and I got on the shuttle bus to
return to the Belle. We did not go far. The driver had not eaten
and so, prior to the scheduled LSU pickup time, we took a very short
trip to Wienerschnitzel on Highland Dr for a hot dog. Some of the
shuttle passengers also decided to get a dog to go.
We met up with Mary Smith at the hotel
and decided on a place to eat: Newt's.
It was not what I had expected. One looked at a wall menu then ordered and the food would be delivered to your table. I ordered Newt's favorite salad (I think): Sliced flame-grilled chicken breast, Arcadian mixed greens, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, sliced grapes, artichoke hearts, pecans, dried cranberries, house-made croutons and made-from-scratch sherry vinaigrette. Angela ordered soup and salad and Mary had a sandwich. I finished what I ordered, Mary did not and Angela was not expecting her salad to be what arrived.
It was not what I had expected. One looked at a wall menu then ordered and the food would be delivered to your table. I ordered Newt's favorite salad (I think): Sliced flame-grilled chicken breast, Arcadian mixed greens, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, sliced grapes, artichoke hearts, pecans, dried cranberries, house-made croutons and made-from-scratch sherry vinaigrette. Angela ordered soup and salad and Mary had a sandwich. I finished what I ordered, Mary did not and Angela was not expecting her salad to be what arrived.
Earlier, when I first got to the room,
Angela showed me the small, dead, roach she had found on the curtain.
This was an added benefit she was not pleased with.
The view from the hotel window, however, was a plus.
The view from the hotel window, however, was a plus.
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| USS Kidd docked |
Friday, July 14
I had already decided that I was not
going to partake of the Belle morning buffet (at 12 bucks) as all I
wanted was coffee and toast. My first event was not until the
afternoon but I did not want to eat much beforehand. Angela had a
morning field event so she was going to have a breakfast and then go
to the field. I texted Mary that I was going to try to find
McDonald's. I asked in the lobby the way to MCD's and they pointed
out the door to the right. I had not gone more than a few steps
outside when Mary called me. She had decided to go to McD's with me.
This turned out to be a half mile walk according to the map but it
seemed much longer. We walked along Europe St. passing both
commercial and residential. Part of it was uphill and in areas the
sidewalk narrowed or consisted of lots of tree root upheavals. After
we had walked awhile and no MickeyD's I asked some Telco repair folks
on a corner if they knew where it might be. They did and we had to
go over one block and up about two more. There, I had coffee and
also decided on a biscuit. The biscuit was huge. Mary just had
water. We were there about a half hour. As we were leaving a fellow
came over and asked if we were there for some other event and we
responded no. When we told him why we were in Baton Rouge he wanted
to know about USATF Masters and said he used to do field events. We
encouraged him to check the USATF website.
On our return trip, we passed the Stun
Graphics building on Government St . The whole side of the building
was taken up with a Budweiser Clydesdale painting. Nice! We also
passed the Democratic Party HQ housed in what looked like a store
front. I would have expected something much larger for the Dems.
When we got back to the Belle we still had time so we walked over to the river front where the USS Kidd was docked as well as the Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat casino. On the levee walkway were metal humanoid statues: some sitting on a bench, others standing here and there. They got my attention!
Across the river were port of Baton Rouge docks, and farther along the levee in the distance we saw other riverboats. Mary noticed what seemed to be an uprooted tree dumped on the levee during a prior storm. Other tree debris was lodged against the bow of the casino riverboat.
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| Mary Smith & USS Kidd |
When we got back to the Belle we still had time so we walked over to the river front where the USS Kidd was docked as well as the Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat casino. On the levee walkway were metal humanoid statues: some sitting on a bench, others standing here and there. They got my attention!
Across the river were port of Baton Rouge docks, and farther along the levee in the distance we saw other riverboats. Mary noticed what seemed to be an uprooted tree dumped on the levee during a prior storm. Other tree debris was lodged against the bow of the casino riverboat.
My first event was the javelin.
Scheduled for 12:30, followed by the 400m which was to be an hour
later. I was already concerned that I would have no time to warm up
for the 400m. Mary and I headed over to the javelin area at the far
end of the track. I tripped over the rail and fell, rolled, and got
back up. Clumsy but not hurt. At the jav area, I found Barbara
Warren and Mary Hartzler.
They told me jav was running late, but not to worry. But I was worried. For sure now the two events were collapsing into a very small time differential. I decided to try a little warm up outside in the infield area since track events were being run, quickly discovering that my right knee had a glitch. I went over to Medical to see if there was something I could do. The PT lady there (an NCSU grad) told me it was a tight quad and showed me what to do. She was right – her stretch got rid of the knee issue.
They told me jav was running late, but not to worry. But I was worried. For sure now the two events were collapsing into a very small time differential. I decided to try a little warm up outside in the infield area since track events were being run, quickly discovering that my right knee had a glitch. I went over to Medical to see if there was something I could do. The PT lady there (an NCSU grad) told me it was a tight quad and showed me what to do. She was right – her stretch got rid of the knee issue.
I watched two of the Piedmont Pacer men
(Kevin Gobble and Matthew Holtry) run the 3000m steeplechase. The
water pit was quite deep.
We still had plenty of time so Mary and I did some vendor shopping. I bought far more than I intended and certainly did not need. But there is something about USA on a jacket that just sucks one in! We practiced some short sprints for fun before we both got serious and did our individual warm ups. Jav for my age group had still not been called when all of the women 400m runners had to go out to the track. Our heat consisted of three age groups (AG), mine being the youngest. I was in lane six, Rose Green in five, Mary Smith in four, and Mary Robinson was to be in seven. But she wasn't there! I was worried, thinking she might be over in the jav area throwing and would miss the 400m. Nope. As I got to my lane six offset, out strolls Mary Robinson from the jav area. Phew!
We still had plenty of time so Mary and I did some vendor shopping. I bought far more than I intended and certainly did not need. But there is something about USA on a jacket that just sucks one in! We practiced some short sprints for fun before we both got serious and did our individual warm ups. Jav for my age group had still not been called when all of the women 400m runners had to go out to the track. Our heat consisted of three age groups (AG), mine being the youngest. I was in lane six, Rose Green in five, Mary Smith in four, and Mary Robinson was to be in seven. But she wasn't there! I was worried, thinking she might be over in the jav area throwing and would miss the 400m. Nope. As I got to my lane six offset, out strolls Mary Robinson from the jav area. Phew!
When the race started it was not long
before Mary Smith made up the stagger from my left and passed me,
followed by Rose Green. I was trying to chase down Mary Robinson,
just wanting to diminish the distance between us by the Finish.
Jeanne Daprano (80) then passed me on
the left in lane two! The call for my AG to come to the javelin came
over the loud speakers. Great!
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| Final curve to last 100m |
The announcer began saying Your leader in lane 3 that Jeanne Daprano ... when clearly Mary Smith was way ahead. I was not getting any closer to Mary
Robinson when we rounded the last curve. I was beginning to fade.
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| me walking! The rest racing. |
It was not long before I had to drop to a walk. Energy and oxygen
depleted. I watched the others pull away (Mary Smith just about to
the Finish line). By this time, the announcer finally told the crowd that Mary Smith was the winner in lane 4. Mary S., Rose, Jeanne and Mary R. had all finished
before I got there, being the last in my AG.
Mary Norckauer (92)
came in after me – and she did not walk! Norckauer, a Baton Rouge
resident, had told me that she had a shooting record. Subsequent
research indicated that she had been on a US shooting team in
International competition in the 1970s and prior to that had also
been a professional baseball player (during WWII?) Quite a lady! And
she was doing eleven events. I was doing only four!
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| Mary Norckauer |
My jav outing was not so hot. There
were nine of us, in four age groups. I watched Kathy Bergen and Mary
Robinson throw. Perfect form. There were different approaches used,
some long with the cross foot pattern, others shorter. Most of mine
stuck but fell quite short.
Angela was supposed to do the weight
throw at five p.m. We were also to be at a team dinner around 6 or
6:30. Lightning delays arrived again. I found Angela and the two
Marys (Robinson and Hartzler) sitting out on the small wall outside
of the Field House. Stories about TSA experiences and other Meets
entertained us as the clock ticked.
About 6:10 the officials decided the weather would not cooperate and so they would reschedule the weight throwing event for the next morning at 8:00. (The officials did herculean duty rescheduling events during this Meet and making use of the track and areas within the Field House.)
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| Angela Staab & Mary Robinson |
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| A famous Warren hoof |
About 6:10 the officials decided the weather would not cooperate and so they would reschedule the weight throwing event for the next morning at 8:00. (The officials did herculean duty rescheduling events during this Meet and making use of the track and areas within the Field House.)
So Angela and I and others were at the
shuttle stop waiting for the 6:30 shuttle. While there, one of the
weight throwers, Suzi Wojcik, from Oregon, disappointed, was trying
to decide if she could do the rescheduled event and still make an 11
a.m. Flight. (She had taken about four to get to BR from Oregon)
Most told her not to risk it. Even if she got first shot at the
throw, after checking in folks the throws might not start exactly at
8 a.m. She could not change her flight plans, it seems. Some said
that since BR has a small airport, going through Security and
check-in might not take that long. The shuttle never arrived. We
were fortunate that a fellow competitor seeing us waiting asked if
anyone was going to the Belle. He gave us a lift.
When we got to Capital City Grill, the
others had not yet been served food so we were able to order and
share dinner talk with them. Other than the two of us, it was just
Kevin Gobbles and Jay Smith and their spouses, as well as a non Pacer
couple. I had Catfish Orleans: fried catfish topped with crawfish
etoufee over rice. Delicious! And, not driving ,red wine.
Saturday, July 15
Discus was my first event at 8 a.m.
with a 1 p.m. 100M to follow. There were nine of us again in the
four AGs. The only difference was that Jane Simpson was there and Ann
Carter was not. Prior to any field event in which folks bring their
own implements, they have to be checked at the Implements area by
officials who determine that the implement meets the USATF standard
for the specific age group. The implements are then wheeled out to
the event prior to event start. Well, the discus cart arrives,
missing one. It seems that Josiah, the implements official, had
determined that Joanne Marriott's discus was “too plump.”
(Surely, there must be a discus diet to be found.) Along with the
personal discuses, the USATF Meet provides the proper weighted ones.
It seems in this case that almost everyone had brought their own. So
we start. Gloria Krug is the first to throw one that apparently
broke the record. The officials then confiscate that discus, making
it unavailable for further use. (An implement used when a record is
broken has to be again validated before the record is certified.)
Gloria meanwhile is grumbling that she had thrown farther than that
in the past – how could it be a record? (and it would be her prior
record, of course.) Next, Joan Berman throws what could be a record
breaking throw for her AG. Zing, another discus removed. The rest of
us are hoping that no one throws another record breaking toss using
our discus!
The officials confer and are looking
online. Gloria was correct. The documentation the officials had was
incorrect. So both Joan and Gloria get their discus back. Joan
later does throw a record breaking toss (19.29m, 63 ft 3 inches.) In
my AG, Kathy Bergen was in the lead until Joanne Marriott's last toss
(using, of course, a non-plump discus) landed .35m farther than
Kathy's. (Joanne 19.67m, 64 ft, 6 inches.) So it was Joanne, Kathy,
and Mary Robinson in my AG. Joan Berman, Gloria Krug, and Mary
Norckauer were alone in their AGs.
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| Facing toward entrance of Field house |
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| Facing far end |
During the prior evening I had thought
about my cruddy starts. I decided that I had nothing to lose since
my competitors were faster than me and I was likely to come in last,
so why not try something different. I tried to find Angela's weight
throwing event but it was not where I expected and when I did see it,
she was already finished. There was plenty of time before my 100m
race, so I headed to the Field House to get some patches put on the
shirt I'd gotten the day before. I found Mary Smith in there,
browsing again before her 11 something flight back to CO. Angela
joined the browsing crew and we all got a little something more (as
well as picked up our USATF Masters 50th anniversary
acrylic block.)
Eventually, I got over to the Field
House track practice area and grabbed some starting blocks. I had
decided to try to use just one block (using both would require an
acute bend in one knee. My right was not comfortable bending and
using my left knee would cause me to flex the right, recovering,
Achilles too much.) I practiced using my right foot to push off a
block while partially crouched and then tried it with the left.
After many starting attempts, I decided the left was far better.
Then I trotted around the track and also did the quad stretches.
I still had time, so decided to try to watch Ann Carter and Barbara Warren in the 200m 27” hurdles. To get to the spectator area, one had to walk on the perimeter towards the 400m start area. Again there was the bag check with the dowel. Meanwhile, I hear the race start. Ugh! I got up to the viewing area just after they crossed the Finish. Barbara and Ann are in different age groups and finished within a second of each other, both getting the Gold. Sometime after that, I went over to Medical to see if they had a roller. They didn't, but I found Barbara there. She had hurt one of her famed ankles when landing after the first hurdle. She began to describe her prior ankle injuries to the Medical guy. The expression on his face was a memorable moment! Turned out nothing was broken but she did have a sprain.
This did not keep her from competing
in other event. Of course not!
A weather delay was called as we were
about to go over to the athlete staging area. It would be at least a
twenty minute delay since that is how long the officials wait after
the last strike. I sat with the two Marys on a bench towards one end
of the track. Since outdoor activity was stopped, the male pole
vaulters were moved indoors to use the pole vault equipment inside.
Since we were sitting at the start of the lead up runway, we
relocated to the far end of the field house, closer to the entrance,
to sit on top of retracted stands.
The delay went beyond twenty minutes since, as one of us said “bowling balls were still landing on the roof.”
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| Robinson & Hartzler - waiting! |
The delay went beyond twenty minutes since, as one of us said “bowling balls were still landing on the roof.”
At some point, the officials announced
that all the women athletes competing in the 100m were to move to the
staging area asap because they were going to run quickly through the
AG heats. By this time none of were warmed up, but out we went. This
time there were seven in my AG so we competed as a single group. I
had Kathy Bergen, the Champ on my right, and Mary Robinson, my racing
nemesis, on the other side. Beside Kathy was Rose Green, another
speed demon, the oldest of us, who I knew would be streaking out there with Kathy.
The three of them all used both starting blocks. I prepared to use my one and the others did a standing start.
The Set command and then the gun. Kathy, Rose and Mary shoot out. I don't know about the other three other than they were not in my field of vision. I managed to start without mishap but still not speedy. Kathy and Rose were beyond reach. I had to try to catch Mary so we could race each other to the Finish. I gave it my all as did Mary. We were side by side though she was a little ahead of me then I would catch up and she would edge ahead again. It was a great fun race between us. I always enjoy it because, if I can get near her (unlike in the 400m), we push each other. It is a truly joyful feeling to feel as if you have gone as fast as one can with no physical excuses. Love it.
Kathy Bergen set another American AG record with a time of 15.84 with Rose Green coming in at 18.06. Mary and I almost simultaneously crossed the Finish in 19.2x seconds. For perspective, the 2016 Rio Olympic 100m winner, 24 year old Jamaican Elaine Thompson, did it in 10.71 seconds. Fifty year difference but only five seconds between the Olympian and Kathy Bergen. Lana Kane, Joanne Marriott (she of the “plump discus”), and Jane Simpson all finished well.
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| Watching Julia Hawkins (101), Christel Donley (82) & Mary Norckauer (92) 100m start |
The three of them all used both starting blocks. I prepared to use my one and the others did a standing start.
The Set command and then the gun. Kathy, Rose and Mary shoot out. I don't know about the other three other than they were not in my field of vision. I managed to start without mishap but still not speedy. Kathy and Rose were beyond reach. I had to try to catch Mary so we could race each other to the Finish. I gave it my all as did Mary. We were side by side though she was a little ahead of me then I would catch up and she would edge ahead again. It was a great fun race between us. I always enjoy it because, if I can get near her (unlike in the 400m), we push each other. It is a truly joyful feeling to feel as if you have gone as fast as one can with no physical excuses. Love it.
Kathy Bergen set another American AG record with a time of 15.84 with Rose Green coming in at 18.06. Mary and I almost simultaneously crossed the Finish in 19.2x seconds. For perspective, the 2016 Rio Olympic 100m winner, 24 year old Jamaican Elaine Thompson, did it in 10.71 seconds. Fifty year difference but only five seconds between the Olympian and Kathy Bergen. Lana Kane, Joanne Marriott (she of the “plump discus”), and Jane Simpson all finished well.
We were walking back to the Field House
area on the infield while the younger AGs contested the 100m. NC's
Jane Barnes (65) won her race in 14.95. The next younger group ran
down the track. About 20m from the Finish, the runner on the inside
(Lane 2, I think) went down. It looked as if she had tripped over her
foot or a leg gave out. Nonetheless, it turned out she stiff armed
it on the landing and broke her arm. She was in agony. The other
runners in the heat came to help (one of whom is an EMT) but were
chased away by the Meet authorized medical folk. Unfortunately, this
did not turn out too well for Paula Dickson Taylor who, I have heard,
was given a med that she was allergic to. She went from bad to
worse. Eventually she was transported to a hospital where, I've
heard, she had surgery. She is with the Atlanta Track Club – a long
way from home.
Angela had left much earlier, suffering
hip discomfort after her weight throwing outing. I decided to get
ice for my Achilles after the 100m and visited Medical for the
wrapping. I then hobbled down the infield area so I could return to
the 100m start area and pick up my stuff then walk back to the stand
entrance to watch the men compete. (And have the backpack checked
again.)
The women's hurdle events, having been
delayed by weather, occurred after the 100m so I was able to watch
the 400M 30 inch hurdles. Ugh. Hard to imagine the energy reserve to
both run a 400m and hurdle as well. The oldest group of women
running these this day was the 45-49 AG and the winner, LaDonna
Gooden who did it in 1:13.90., actually came in faster than the next
younger AG (35-39) winner Lisa Edwards (1:14.57), but the 40-44
winner, Latrica Dendy (flower in hair) beat them all in 1:06.00. She
is one of the ladies I like to watch ever since I saw her run in
years ago during South East Masters Championship in Raleigh when she
was still in her early 30s.
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| W35 100m |
They got in the men's 100m Finals
before another weather delay forced them back into the Field House
for the men's 200m prelims. In the 100m Bill Collins, 66, set a new
American record running 12.34 and in the always competitive younger
group Damien Leake and Oscar Peyton battled it out, with Damien
coming in first this time (12.23 to 12.32)
The last men's 100m was the 30-34 group, featuring former Olympian Walter Dix. He was chased by Lawrence Trice Jr who gave a good go at it. Dix finished in 10.28 and Trice in 10.68. (4/10th of a second difference.) Once again, for perspective, Usain Bolt's 2016 Rio Olympic 100m time was 9.81.
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| possibly M50 |
The last men's 100m was the 30-34 group, featuring former Olympian Walter Dix. He was chased by Lawrence Trice Jr who gave a good go at it. Dix finished in 10.28 and Trice in 10.68. (4/10th of a second difference.) Once again, for perspective, Usain Bolt's 2016 Rio Olympic 100m time was 9.81.
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| Dix and Trice |
When the events were moved back inside,
I went inside to give my Achilles a little more time with the ice
before returning to the hotel. The women pole vaulters had also
been moved inside. I noticed Barbara Warren limping to the vault
approach and thought, Oh no! She's not going to vault is she?
She did a few approaches slowly then went over to an official. I
figured she was withdrawing. But, no! She competed. Just
incredible. During the men's 200m prelims, I sat on the floor near
the final turn so I had a great view of the competitors approaching
and running that turn. It sure gives one an appreciation of their
speed when viewing from the floor. My camera shutter was not fast
enough to capture it without blur.
I got to the shuttle area at about
4:10. Plenty of time. So, the shuttle did not show up again. However, earlier, while standing between the
Field House and the track, I completed the Uber credit card signup,
with trepidation, after turning off WiFi so it would use the
carrier's 3G network. I took
off the ice pack and tried to use Uber. But it kept saying that my
location was the Voodoo Lounge. No, it isn't I kept telling it.
So, I walked down Nicholson to see if there was a Voodoo place. Nope. So frustrating. While struggling, a fellow competitor came along who was going to the Belle. He gave me a lift. (Turns out Voodoo BBQ was ½ mile from the Bernie Moore stadium, at another end of Nicholson.) Being at car passenger level, I noticed that many of the homes on the return from LSU had vegetation growth on the roofs. Most were single story, with brush growing up to and over the home. Some were quite run down.. Perhaps a result of the economy and desertion after storm damage.
So, I walked down Nicholson to see if there was a Voodoo place. Nope. So frustrating. While struggling, a fellow competitor came along who was going to the Belle. He gave me a lift. (Turns out Voodoo BBQ was ½ mile from the Bernie Moore stadium, at another end of Nicholson.) Being at car passenger level, I noticed that many of the homes on the return from LSU had vegetation growth on the roofs. Most were single story, with brush growing up to and over the home. Some were quite run down.. Perhaps a result of the economy and desertion after storm damage.
Angela and I went back to Capital City
Grill for dinner because we liked it. I think I had the Southwest
pasta this time with grilled chicken, red and yellow peppers, and
garlic in a spicy sauce. (If I didn't – I should have, but
whatever I had, I had no complaints!) When we got back to the Belle, we took a side escalator to the walkway
that led to the levee and Riverboat Casino. We did not go in but
walked a little way down the levee.
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| Belle of Baton Rouge casino; bridge to Port Allen |
Sunday, July 16
Another early field event. Along the
walkway to the morning shuttle, I saw a large roundish roach like
bug, deceased. I really should have taken a photo of it for Angela.
My field event was the shot put which I tried for the first time in
ABQ at the Indoors Championships. I competed in shot twice since then
(local county senior games and then the NC Powerade Games in June.)
I had practiced all three field events in the two weeks prior to this
Meet, trying to find what worked best (and would not torque the
Achilles.) It was a little overcast in the morning. It had evidently
rained. The shot was to be contested on the infield of the track (so
I was able to watch Coreen Steinbach run away with it in her 1500m
(despite an ankle problem) and then Lesley Hinz, also recuperating
from injury come in third in her 1500m. ) I suspect that there are
few competing in these meets who are 100% healthy!
There were the nine of us again, in
four AGs . Gloria Krug and Christel Donley, sure to do well. Mary
Norckauer, and Joan Berman in the other AGs, with five in mine.
Joanne Marriott who had won the shot in ABQ as I recall, Mary
Robinson (who did not do ABQ), Jane Simpson and Lana Kane completed
my group. It was a little damp so the shots had to be wiped before
each throw. Some may have brought their own shot, I used the shot supplied
by the Meet. Again, the throwing styles tend to differ between
competitors. Some use the classic modified spin, some what Mary
Robinson calls the slide (or is that for the discus?). I did not
spin, just sort of revolved back and forth then tried to shoot out
the shot, being careful to keep it against my neck until ready to
throw and then I just sort of pushed it out. Right from the get-go
Joanne was the leader. I was not really paying attention to the
measured distances, just noticed how far the shots would go when
heaved. I watched the others, trying to glean a technique that I
could adopt or adapt to. I don't recall it now (6 weeks after the
event) but I know I got a tip from either Joanne or Christel. I
don't even remember what it was now (which sucks because I will be
back to square one!). Nonetheless, whatever was said led me to change
my approach such that instead of revolving, I sort of trotted forward
and heaved in my fifth throw. It turned out to be my best. The sixth
did not do as well but still better than one through four. Joanne
Marriott won with a throw of 7.57m (24 ft 10 inches), Mary Robinson
came in second with 6.66m (um, I just noticed that number! Hey, it,
for me is actually a lucky number – since I used it in a short
story for which I got paid!) In US units, Mary's throw was 21 feet 10
and ¼ inches. I got third with 5.27m (20 ft 7 inches.)
After the shot event, I went into the
Field House to think about warming up for the 200m which would be in
about an hour. I was achy, as I had been the day before. Having
skipped Camp Gladiator during the five weeks between Birmingham and
Baton Rouge while Achilles recovering, I was not used to a lot of
muscular exertion. Not that I had really done much the past few
days, but it was obviously enough. I practiced my modified start
again. I did not feel an excess of energy. I had not run a good 200m
during my two week training leading up to Baton Rouge. I knew I had
difficulty getting it done (as was obvious in the prior 400m!) I was
beginning to think that perhaps I needed to drop down to the 100m
exclusively. Ah, well, I trotted around the track with other folks.
The 200m was contested just about on
time. Angela was also going to do it, despite feeling cruddy with
that hip of hers. (surgery in two weeks hence.) There were six of us
competing in my AG this time. The three speedsters, Kathy Bergen,
Rose Green, and Mary Robinson, then Lana Kane and Ann Carter (done
with her field events.) Again, Mary Robinson was immediately to my
right and Kathy to my left in lane four. Rose Green lane five, Ann
Carter lane six, and Lana Kane lane 7. With the lane stagger, I
could see everyone except Mary. That did not last long. Once the gun
went off Kathy and Rose began their streak to the Finish and before I
could blink, Mary passed me on my left. After rounding the curve, I
knew I was running low and closing in on empty, which I barely
contained to the Finish, well after Mary had crossed the line. Yep,
200m is straining the budget.
Kathy Bergen set another AG American
record (probably breaking her own record) with her finish of
34.26secs; Rose Green crossed in 37.29, and Mary Robinson in 40.93.
I straggled in in 42.46.
Jane Barnes won her AG in 33.98 secs.
For perspective, Jamaican Elaine Thompson won Rio Olympics 200m in
21.78 (doing a double – 100m and 200m.)
While I was taking off my shoes, I was talking to Jeanne Daprano. She asked me to take off her back bib. She then threw it away. The front with her name was already trashed. Whoa, says I. May I have it? She graciously gave it to me. (This is like having a Bolt bib)
My next and last event was the 4x100m
relay. It was to be Ann Carter, Lana Kane, myself, and Mary
Robinson, in that order Angela was on a team with the kiddies:
Sarada "Ingrid" Sarnaik, Barbara Warren, and the coup of all time: Rose Green!(not a kiddie)
However, three of the four were running at less than 100% i.e.
injured (though for Barbara Warren that's a normal condition.)
Sometime after the 200m when I was inside the Field house, I was
talking to Lana Kane. She told me she had to drop out of our relay
because her younger teammates (Philadelphia Masters) needed her on
the, get this, 45-49 AG Club relay! What?! 45-49? Yeow! I freaked
and went out and found Ann Carter, who was in the infield doing high
jumps! (wind her up and she goes!) Not to worry says Ann, we have
Joanne Marriott as an alternate. Well, okay. Eventually, Joanne and
I practiced handoffs. I was to hand to Mary and I kept missing her
hand. My pass would be too high or too low. Joanne's to me was
always perfect. Ann finally came in and we did a few – wow – she
is fast! I never see that because she is not always in my field of
vision. (Though she has beaten me in the 100m in the past.)
As non-club, we ran with six other non
club teams, one each in AG ranging in age from from 30-34 up to our
group. Natch, the swifty younger folks were all gone when Angela's
team and I got into contention. When Joanne passed me the baton, I
tried to run as fast as I could because I knew Barbara Warren (just
like in Birmingham) was coming up real fast. I managed to pass
inelegantly to Mary as Barbara passed to Rose Green. Yikes! This
was going to be tight. Rose ran up on Mary and in the end passed. So
the younger team beat the older team by 1:26.46 to 1:27.15. We will
be hearing about that for a bit, I suspect. Jane Barnes SC Striders
Club team running in the 60-64 AG set a new American record,
finishing in 1:03.32. Not the first time the SC Striders have set a
relay record. (I recall one in Jacksonville FL 2015.)
Barbara Warren won her AG pentathlon
(2806) as did Ann Carter (1690 pts)
Sonja Friend-Uhl (46) -ATC - set a new American record in the 1500 with a time of 4:38.14 . She keeps on making them.
Before leaving the Field House for the last time, I chatted for a short while with Venus Jewett and her unattached cronies who had run the 4x100 as non-club (45-49). Always ebullient, Venus and pals were thinking of their next outing. Perhaps they will form their own "club" as did Joy Upton.
Sonja Friend-Uhl (46) -ATC - set a new American record in the 1500 with a time of 4:38.14 . She keeps on making them.
Before leaving the Field House for the last time, I chatted for a short while with Venus Jewett and her unattached cronies who had run the 4x100 as non-club (45-49). Always ebullient, Venus and pals were thinking of their next outing. Perhaps they will form their own "club" as did Joy Upton.
Angela and I waited for the non
arriving shuttle. She used her Uber, I think also getting the Voodoo
place but somehow the Uber arrived to pick us up. Angela asked for a
recommendation of a place to eat. The young lady suggested a Lone
Star Steakhouse. We met up with Ingrid Sarnaik and Mary Trotto in
the hotel lobby. After chatting for awhile, we agreed we would go
together. We called Ann Carter to tell her where we would be going.
She said if it was not raining heavily, she would meet us there
later. Angela was still hurting from the weight throw the prior day
and the events today so she went to rest. I went out walking.
I wanted to see the Old State Capital which had intrigued me when we passed it on our way to Capital City Grill. I walked along River Rd until I came to it (passing River Center Performing Arts building which still had a Bobby Bones poster up from his appearance earlier in the month. ) I also passed more of the metal figures pondering the world. I took my photos and headed back, stopping by the LA Art and Science Museum, flying flags of several time periods and areas (LA state flag fleur de le, UK Union Jack, U.S. ,flag, Bonnie Blue Flag -- (not to be mistaken as associated with CSA) for in LA it appeared first in the West Florida (LA) Republic fight for independence from Spanish rule, -- and the Spanish flag of Castille and Leon. It was beginning to rain by the time I returned.
I wanted to see the Old State Capital which had intrigued me when we passed it on our way to Capital City Grill. I walked along River Rd until I came to it (passing River Center Performing Arts building which still had a Bobby Bones poster up from his appearance earlier in the month. ) I also passed more of the metal figures pondering the world. I took my photos and headed back, stopping by the LA Art and Science Museum, flying flags of several time periods and areas (LA state flag fleur de le, UK Union Jack, U.S. ,flag, Bonnie Blue Flag -- (not to be mistaken as associated with CSA) for in LA it appeared first in the West Florida (LA) Republic fight for independence from Spanish rule, -- and the Spanish flag of Castille and Leon. It was beginning to rain by the time I returned.
Angela and I soon discovered that the
Lone Star Steakhouse chain had gone bankrupt and was closed. One of
us tried to call Ann while the other contacted the others. Ann's
hotel tried her room several times but she did not answer. We tried
her cell. Again no answer. We were worried that we would not catch
her. We never caught her though we left messages on her cell. (and I
later found out she had driven to the closed Lone Star!) In
the meantime, we found another place to go to – Parrain's on
Perkins Rd. When we left there were five of us: Ingrid Sarnaik, Mary
Trotto, Daphne Scott. Angela Staab. And we all fit into one vehicle!
When the Uber driver pulled into what
looked like a side street, rundown it seemed, I thought, huh? But
then he pulled in front of the restaurant, which looked weather
beaten, reminding me of a self built island home amongst the palm
fronds.
Inside, it was a comforting place – a side bar area on one
end and a multi-sectioned dining area on the other. Having finished
with all of my events with no need to worry what kind of residual
hormones I might find in my food, I ordered an 8-ounce filet. It came
with mashed potatoes and green beans. I also had wine. Best of all
was the company. We had a good time chatting. I had not spent time
with the other three outside of brief chats at the track, so this was
a new side. Oh, yeah, I had for the first time in maybe 20-40 years
(or longer) a pre-dinner whiskey sour. For some reason, it had been
on my mind for days. It was good, but I may wait another 20 years
before the next one.
 |
| Ingrid, Mary T, Daphne, Angela |
On return to the Belle, we encountered an exotically dressed and made up young woman having coffee at one of the small tables in the lobby. There was a black fashion show – competition going on towards the back - which she was part of. We walked to the Atrium to observe. Fascinating. These young women were costumed up the gazoo. Beautiful, in costumes one is not likely to see elsewhere. There were some young boys as well. The contestants were young teens to late teens, mostly. Angela was still hurting so the rest of us went for a walk on the levee. We saw a crowd of people riding their bikes along the levee, music blaring. We ran into Christel and Jerry Donley (all dressed up – i.e. not in track clothes!) also walking on the levee. Some of these folks would be going to the subsequent NCCWMA Championships in Toronto.
Wouldn't we like to know what he said to Mary Trotto! |
 |
| Ingrid Sarnaik |
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| Ingrid, Mary T., Jerry Donley, Daphne Scott, Christel Donley, |
The next day, everything went well at TSA (I had removed all tissues from pockets) except that I was pulled to the side for a back pack check (no Meet medals or discus in there.) It turned out my plastic bag of coins was the culprit.
This is the SECOND time I wrote it.
During the first effort, online, when I was in Sunday's events, I hit
something that erased all text. I spent hours trying to recoup to no
avail (blogger apparently saves every minute so what I had pulled up
to edit was gone from the prior saved draft almost immediately.)
CTRL+Z might have helped, but maybe not. I was not going to re-do
it. Some of you, exhausted after reading this, probably wish I had
not.
Some of the stars from the Meet
Some of the stars from the Meet
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| Ann Carter |
 |
| Joanne Marriott, Mary Robinson, Ann Carter |
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| If Warren wore all her medals, she'd be bent over like an old lady! |
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| Sandy Triolo, Athlete & Social Media Rep |
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| Sandy, "Speedy" Triolo National Champ |
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| Angela Staab, trying to arrange her many medals |
