USATF Masters Outdoor 2019 Ames, IA

Ames – Not all Corn Fields

Ideally, one could have two and a half weeks between the return from the NSGA Meet in Albuquerque to having to leave for the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Ames Iowa.

Time to recuperate if need be and then some tune up training. Yes, that was the plan way back in, say, February. Unfortunately, that was far from reality, as it may have been for others as well. I know for one, that Angela Staab came back and upon hitting the incredible humidity of NC, promptly developed ear infections! For sure, the return from nice dry Albuquerque made the NC weather (hot and high humidity) seem as draining to me as when I first moved here from the North. Step out of the door and within five minutes be soaked with sweat dripping down ones face. However, I was okay with the return to humidity, though a bit unpleasant. No illness incurred. But after my one day of relaxation (laundry etc), my time was consumed by matters unforeseen in February (or even April!) From July 24^th on, it was one thing after another, none of which allowed for any training, which would have been so so any way.

Nonetheless, I was a bit more optimistic about the forthcoming Ames event. I wasn't feeling as cruddy as I had in Albuquerque (a bit less anemic, a bit less feeling like a walking barrel), and did not know if the events earlier in July would prove to be a negative or a positive. (lack of training – for sure a negative!)

Wed. July 10^th – arrival

I dropped my dog off at Vet's for boarding on the 9^th and flew out on the tenth on American at 11:39 for Chicago with change for flight to Des Moines. In looking at the flight departure board in Chicago for the Des Moines flight gate, I misread it, my eyes in looking up at the huge board, apparently dropped down a line and I started off for what I thought was my gate. It was a very long walk, only to arrive there and see it was for a flight to Denver. The gate agent looked up the proper gate for me and told me it was a long walk. Indeed! All the way back, almost to where I had started from and then onward for another mile. It was a good thing I had plenty of time.

I got to Des Moines before Angela (who flew out from a different airport and on Delta) and so waited by the small baggage area for her to arrive. I had not checked my bag since it fit in the overhead (On the night of June 13^th, I had decided at the last minute to not use the bag I had already packed for ABQ, because it would be heavy, and I did not feel up to it at the time. I had quickly run out and purchased one with wheels that would fit in the overhead. Best move ever! Imagine having to lug the other bag, switching from over my shoulder to hand and back while trudging the Chicago airport.) In my memory, the airport baggage area was much smaller than ABQ. I sat by the baggage ramp with a book (Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth) and something to drink so the time passed quickly.

When Angela arrived, (still with a flaming ear infection in both ears) we picked up her white killer-mobile and proceeded to Ames. While at the rental counter we ran into Cheryl Wolfinger, a thrower whom Angela knew from prior Meets. Cheryl was looking to find a taxi or other transportation. So we all went in Angela's vehicle with Cheryl in the back seat using her GPS to guide us. It was an easy drive with little traffic. Very flat topography, with some corn fields. Angela found our lodging, Sleep Inn on Dickinson Ave. which was right off the highway. Very convenient to both the highway and to Iowa State University Track and Field facility. (Cyclone Sports Complex) We dropped off our stuff and drove on an empty road to the facility, maybe five miles away (google says 2, but NO WAY! so says me who used to run 3 miles. Or - I am so de-energized now that a mile seems like ten.). Ames has a population of about 60,000, which I imagine swells when ISU students return. The large parking lot was mostly empty. I was surprised at the packet pickup – I think there were two tables attended by two or three ISU folk. Compared to the usual lines of tables and participant packet boxes, this was like a sneeze compared to a hurricane. Perfect! (We had heard via Facebook that many had opted to bypass Nationals in favor of July 18-21 NCCWMA in Toronto, mainly due to the expense of going to both.)

I was surprised at the track. My first impression was that it was small. This may have been due to how open it was and my not noticing stands.

 The stands may have been to the right (yep, they were.) Angela wanted to know where the throwing area was (it was in the distance straight ahead but off to the side of the back stretch, as was the long jump area. Very convenient.) We met Mary Roman and a lady who is a thrower in the younger realm and also a fireman, Penelope Ingles? We all talked for awhile, catching up, etc. 

 A fellow came along, who had driven there from a long distance away. I don't know if the others knew him. He said he had been determined to come to this meet despite being seriously ill (nothing one could discern by looking at him.) I think he was going to do a bunch of events. However, what has remained with me is his description of his last resort surgery coming up in September. It was not anything I had heard of before. I hope it works. But, also, he mentioned a book that he has found uplifting and an encouragement to him (and probably others in his situation): Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds, by Kelly A. Turner.

Cheryl was staying at an AirBnB and Angela offered to drive her there since Cheryl did not have a car (she actually planned to bike to the track from where she was staying. They had a bike.) We decided to eat first, since there were hungry guts to be fed. I don't recall how we found out about Hickory Park Restaurant Company on S. Duff Avenue but we were all glad that we did.

It has a capacity of 450. One might not realize that until entering and being guided through the labyrinth to a table. We were seated with a window behind Cheryl and Angela. I don't recall what they ordered but I ordered a BLT and glazed carrots. After my eating experiences in ABQ, I had wised up and chose to order more lightly. This was just the right amount for me to eat. However, the place mat paper was loaded with dessert suggestions (smart cookies, these Hickory Park folk!) Before I had finished my BLT I had already decided. What caught my eye was Coffee Mellow Sundae: Coffee and vanilla ice cream topped with coffee topping, and creamy marshmallow, whipped cream and a cherry. Despite my supposedly eat small meals resolve, I had not too much trouble getting this down. I was not alone in ordering dessert. (this was also where I first met one of the ubiquitous statues of “Cy”, the mascot for the ISU Cyclones.) 

Cheryl's AirBnB was sequestered in a residential area consisting of small homes. There were lots of trees (no flowers as Angela kept pointing out during our stay in Iowa.) We had trouble determining which house was the destination. One thing I noticed - on all the streets there were no mailboxes! Could they still be doing it the old fashioned way - via door mail slot? Hard to see house numbers. The house was the one with an older car in the driveway. Cheryl got her few belongings and went to the side door as Angela, concerned, waited. 

16th st -not the airbnb,

We saw an arm open the door, Cheryl looked back at us signaling okay. Angela was still concerned because who knew what was behind that door or if we would ever see Cheryl again. The street ended sort of in a pseudo dead end: to the right was a dirt path with a construction vehicle parked and to the left a road that curved and split. However we did eventually find Summit Ave, our way back to the main road. And we did see Cheryl again! (On another trip there, I saw a person walking a dog. What could be bad in a neighborhood where a person is brave enough to walk their dog? Well, let's not think about that.)

Thur. July 11, 2019

It was overcast with a threat of rain, Thursday. Angela's delight since she does not like the heat. Angela had the hammer throw at 11 a.m. and both of us had weights after. Again, I say: hammer is a scary thing! Should that handle slip from the hand, that weight on the end of the wire can go any where. Which is why the cage is surrounded on three sides with netting. Still, I keep my distance. I do worry about the officials sometimes. Though they stand far back or off to the side (those that will be measuring where it lands) they might misjudge the strength of some of these ladies. Has not happened so far. I did see several of the hammers crash into the metal pole at the boundary of the side netting. Oh, and the spinners! Those that spin before release (versus swinging the wire above their head) - wow - I would not trust my sense of where forward is. Nice to watch, though. Angela and Jane Simpson were the only ones in their age group. Angela came happily away with the Gold with her throw of 11.27m (36'11”)  Lots of others were there so I managed to get some photos.

Christel Donley

Mary Roman and Jane Simpson

Master thrower Mary Hartzler

Mary Trotto

Linda and Nicole Kelly

Barbara Warren, showing her yoga skill

Angela sporting her medal and Champ patch

Mary Roman

Flo Meiler

Barbara Warren, Christel Donley, and Angela Staab 

The weight throw for our age group was not until 2:25, so in between we of course socialized. Mary Smith arrived while Angela was collecting her medal and National Champion patch. We chatted then decided we should go declare for the next day's 400m race. I, as one might expect, was not excited to be running it but Mary of course was and Angela just likes running. The Declaration and Check In tents were at the far end, set at 90 degrees to each other, near the Finish line. Competitor queuing benches were set up facing the track, behind the Declaration table and to side of Check in table. 

Declaration, check-in areas and athlete wait area

Mary Smith and Angela at declaration tent

Along about 1:50 the weight competitors, of at least two age groups, collected under a tent (it was now hot near where the weight throws had been.) I recall a large cooler that some folks sat on until someone wanted to get a cooling bottle of water or whatever else was in there. There are actually three circle areas in this section of the Sports Center: one being used for shot put, another for hammer or discus, another for weight throws. Closer to the nearby woods, behind us as we stood in the tent, was the javelin runway. So along come two officials. It seems they had bad news for us ancients: the weights for the 75 and up age groups had disappeared between NSGA in ABQ and Ames. Nowhere were they to be located. They said they were trying to obtain replacements etc but for sure, there would be no weight throw for us today. If weights were located or shipped there by Saturday, we would throw then. We opted to throw the weight in the afternoon after our earlier track events (100m for me.).

Cheryl Wolfinger in a younger AG got to throw the heavier weight (16lb) to get second with a throw of 11.09m. 

Cheryl Wolfinger

We were done for the day. I had done nothing. Nada. A disappointment. That evening we returned to Hickory Park Restaurant. This time I noticed the windmills in the distance, while on I-30. 

  I should have mentioned earlier how organized Hickory is. One person comes along and seats you and gets your drinks. Another takes your order and yet a third delivers the food. They seem to have a central area in which the food is either prepared or at least put together by a crew. There are two main aisles that run the length of the restaurant, with side aisles branching off. It is like a small city. This time I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and mashed potatoes. Angela got a Reuben. Of course, we both had sweet iced tea. Well, maybe Angela got unsweetened then added something to it. I indulged in the coffee sundae, again.

Angela and Cy

Upon return to the Sleep Inn, we ended up in Barbara Warren's room with Neringa Jakstiene, Janene Shannon and her granddaughter, Mary Robinson and Mary Hartzler. Neringa, Janene, and Barbara all had done the pent that morning. What fun!

Angela, Neringa, and Mary H.

Where Warren is, one can be sure mischief might follow (at least in terms of comments.) Neringa took some grief over the pretty shorts she had worn while doing the pentathlon (a photo of which while doing the 80m hurdles was making the rounds in the room.Not the one below, but close.).

Photo by Ken Stone. Neringa 56 and Rita Hanscom 65 

 It is rare for Angela and I to be in the same lodging as these ladies. It was delightful. Of course, there is the aspect of being seen still having breakfast while the others are exiting for their events.

Pent results for those folk I know, youngest to most senior: Carolina's own Anne Sluder 3870; Neringa Jakstiene 4594 (a record); CA's Rita Hanscom (Major's owner – more on that later) 4164; WV's Barbara Warren 2044; HI's Mary Trotto 1289; SC's Ann Carter 1318; NJ's Jane Simpson 921; CO's Christel Donley 2577. These are hardy folk!

Fri. July 12

Both Angela and I had discus at 08:30. Again it was a mixed age group: ours and the next two older age groups. It was sunny today. In my AG, there were five of us, Angela, Kathy Bergen, Mary Robinson, and Ann Carter. Mary Roman, and Rose Green in the next AG, then Florence Meiler and Betty Stroh in the oldest AG. The first time I saw Betty was in an earlier summer Outdoor Championship, maybe Spokane. My first impression was at how intense she was. After every throw, she would consult with her coach. (she is with Sierra Gold, as is phenom Irene Obera.) She also ran a few track events at that time – also very focused. (Perhaps I should take a clue from that!). She is always working to improve. Now, I notice how imp-like this diminutive red head is. Happy and smiling when not in the midst of competition. I am fascinated by the various throwing styles. Mary Robinson is one smooth throw as is that of Kathy Bergen. Some folks wind up with a very low start position, torquing when coming up and throwing. Kathy Bergen's throw of 19.13m (62'9”) won the gold, 

Kathy Bergen

followed by Mary Robinson's 14.80m (48'10”) and Ann Carter's 13.69m (44'11”). The odd thing was that the last three of five all had throws one meter less than the person ahead of them in the final result. Ann 13.69m, me 12.69m, and Angela 11.69m. I discovered a video Mary Smith had taken of one of my Throws. I am shaking my head after, thinking Blah! 

The discus Ladies Robinson, Bergen, Roman, Staab, Carter, Green

Mary Roman

The event was excellently managed by officials Doug and Dave, who had great dispositions. Happy men. Without Officials there would be no Meet.

Rose Green, now taking up some field events, threw 15.05m (49'04”) to win her AG over Mary Roman 10.76m (35'3”). Flo Meiler threw 16.82m (55'2”) to Betty Stroh's 5.96m (19;6”) setting a new AG American record.

Mary Hartzler won her AG with a throw of 25.49m (83'7”), with Elizabeth Sharp coming in second with 21.03m (69') and Barbara Warren (managing to squeeze discus in among her other events, third with 18.28m (59'11”). Mary Trotto threw 11.39m (37'4”)

Cheryl Wolfinger got second in her AG with a throw of 21.94m (71'11”)

Next up in a few hours would be the dreaded 400m I had decided to do, despite my horrid results in June's NSGA. It was sort of a test to see if I would establish a new Personal Worst or if it would be a fraction better. I would not be running (no, trotting) as a barrel and maybe my anemia was less (or it could be worse.) But I had done nothing to improve my endurance since NSGA, so the odds were against it being much better,.This would also be the last time I was in an event with Mary Smith (unless a future schedule was okay for her to run a shorter distance.) I dreaded this event and would be much relieved when it was over. 

corn field

After the discus and before warming up for the 400m, Angela, Mary Smith, and I went back to our hotel to pick up a shirt Angela wanted to exchange for another (after checking that it would be okay). As you can see, it was a short trip since we were back in plenty of time. We then met up with Christel Donley and others, chatting.

I had walked to the car for something and upon return, spotted Coreen Steinbach leaning against the concessions building wall,. I was so happy to see her as she had not been at several past events and I had worried about her absence. She told me she had had a very bad injury, in February, incurred while competing indoors on a banked track in her last lap. She was bumped and pushed over the raised track railing, fracturing both feet. This was her first Meet since the long discouraging recovery. She was upbeat and ran well in her 400m later in the day, winning her AG in 1:19.44

Ames had a wonderful warm-up area: a huge grass field adjacent to the track, behind the stands. Several folks were trotting the length or around the circumference.

warm-up practice field 

The massage tent was nearby. It was busy all day. I took my time, slowly doing the 35 step jog twice, rested, then did the next three slow jogs. Eventually I ran all the way to the far end. Lastly, once around the circumference, partially walking. I did the usual warm up ending with the short, building sprints. I made sure to drink the small bottle of Red Ace Beet Juice (this one was with turmeric – a so so taste), a road runner's sports gel and then some Bang. Yes, it was Bang, again. I drank some straight water as well. The temperature was about 85 at 11 a.m.

I made sure I checked in on time then sat in the waiting area, having put my spikes on underneath the stands. While we were lined up outside of the fence, I watched Jeanne Daprano and Rose Green in their event. Jeanne was at a huge disadvantage this year. I had seen her walking and warming up earlier and something did not seem right. She was holding one arm close to her body. It turned out she had a frozen shoulder. Imagine trying to run with one arm not moving! Surely this must cut one's speed by a quarter to a half. I have no idea since I have enough trouble with two arms to help momentum. Rose came in at 1:46.95 and Jeanne 2:30.14 (a most unaccustomed time for this legend, yet only 10 seconds slower than my ABQ outing!)

Jeanne Daprano and Rose Green and Cortez

 

Then, it was time for us. Ugh. I was in lane 5, Angela in lane 6, Mary Robinson in 4 and Mary Smith in 3., Jane Simpson in 2. After the start, Mary Smith was the first to pass me. I had a partially faster start than I did in ABQ, but not much. I tried to maintain an even pace so I would not wear out, while Mary Robinson passed me. It seemed like such a long way still to go. I got to the backstretch curve leading to the straightaway and thought about speeding up, but if I did, it was for a very short distance. On the stretch towards the Finish, Mary Robinson closed in on the Finish line. I was worn down but thought about my Camp Gladiator trainer, Andrew de Anda telling me not to walk! (“Don't you walk!) A constant refrain at Camp – ha ha. So I didn't and got to the Finish, but very slowly and feeling cruddy. Angela and gimpy Jane (injured hip) came in after me. Mary Smith won in 1:31.20, Mary Robinson second in 1:42.69 and I came in at 2:03.01 (17 secs better than Abq), Angela in 2:20.20 and Jane Simpson in 3:13.21. After the race was over, I discovered that I had worn my shorts inside out! It did not make me faster.

W50? 80m short hurdle start

I had spoken to George Parker III (71) yesterday about the 400m. This was his first attempt at it and he was doing so at a Nationals. Angela was trying to recruit him for the Piedmont Pacers since he is from the Greensboro area. He was nervous about the forthcoming race, not wanting to embarrass himself, he said. We talked about it and I showed him a 400m technique video by Latif Thomas, which I had found helpful when I was able to run a 400. So, today he ran his 400m and won in 1:08.57.

Video -George Parker's 100m final Sat July 13 

Matt Holtry, another Piedmont Pacer, who has gotten into race walking, as well as many of the distance events, had been doing the 5000m race walk while I had been warming up for the 400. I never got to speak to him during the Meet, he was so busy doing one event after the other. - the 10,000m race walk and run as well as the 5000m run. I think he likes race walking, which he tried for the first time about two years ago at JDL in Winston-Salem.

We found out that the weight for our age group had been discovered the previous night in a box somewhere so the officials wanted us to throw at 7 a.m. the next morning. What happened to the afternoon? This was sort of an ugh. So, we had a 7 a.m. Weight throw, Javelin at 8 a.m., then for me the 100m at 10 and Angela's 800 at 11. This would make for an early morning up.

Angela, Cheryl Wolfinger, and I once again ate at Hickory Park Restaurant. I ordered what I thought might be a reasonably sized meal. A grilled frank with chili. I was aghast when it arrived. Huge! Had I read the menu more closely I would have noticed that it said a ½ lb frank.

The frank with knife as perspective tool

Maybe I did but had no concept of what that meant. I had also ordered apple sauce. I finished the apple sauce and maybe ¾ of the frank, leaving the surrounding roll. I did not have dessert!

Cheryl's airbnb

Sat, July 13, 2019

It was overcast again with rain threatening for our early morning weight throw. Mary Robinson had predicted it would not take long. She was correct. We were finished within twenty minutes.

Mary Robinson, Angela, Catherine Radle

There were four of us in our AG and Mary Roman in hers. Mary Robinson with her smooth throw won with a toss of 8.33m, Angela was second with her chuck of 5.95m (she does this odd swing on one side then swing on the other then chuck.) Maybe there is a beginning swing between the legs. Whatever it is, I can see myself knocking my knees out of commission. Whatever – it works for her and she threw 5.95m. I threw 5.78m and Jane Simpson threw 5.14m. Mary Roman's throw was 7.33m. 

Mary Roman throwing

There was a large mixed age group for the javelin. Those of us who wanted to, marked off our starting point with chalk. Christel Donley was in the mix as was Betty Stroh.(86) Betty would throw and walk towards the official recording the called out mark to be sure she knew what it was. Christel tried to show me a way to hold the jav (through the hole of thumb and first finger, I think.) Also, hold way back and let fly close to ear. I had tried holding with three fingers or wrapping my hand around it. Didn't matter. Except for one throw, mine were all poor. My first (the Christel method) was the longest, the fourth a foul (it sort of slipped out and flew outside the sector.) Angela's first throw was her best as well (9.47m), Kathy Bergen's second throw her best (17.09m, 56'1”), the winning throw. Mary Robinson got second on her last throw (14.70m, 48'2”). My 12.98m (42'7”) got me third, Ann Carter fourth with 12.09m (39'8”) 

Christel won her AG with a 12.03m (39'5”) throw Mary Roman second (8.49m, 27'10”), with Lynne Hurrell (a teammate of Betty's), third with 6.72m, 22'. Betty, alone in her AG, threw 8.17m,26'9”. I just recall her sometimes sort of laughing in her imp manner. Unfortunately, I did not get a photo (leery of having camera or cell out during competition)

Cheryl Wolfinger (54) missed customary second (or first) and got fifth with her jav throw of 17.82m (58'5”)

For the 100m, I warmed up as usual I think it was this day that I met Major, the whippet. Janine Shannon's daughter was walking him between the stands and the track fence. The dog was so cute, but he had his tail sort of down, not quite beneath the butt. So slim and sleek and small, Seems he travels with his human Rita Hanscom. He goes to all of her meets in their travel mobile. What fun that must be. He surely is good company.

Sherry Hott, keeping all under control

For the 100m, it was Kathy Bergen, Mary Robinson, myself, Ann Carter, and Harriet Kaufman. We finished in that order. To me, it is a given that Kathy will be first. I don't recall if I used one block or none. I barely recall it. One good thing is it is short enough not to wipe me out. Kathy 16.29, Mary 19.53, me 20.88, Ann 22.56, and Harriet 26.11.

almost back at Sleepy

Rose Green, in the 80-84 AG ran it in 19.11 and in the 86-89 Flo Meiler finished in 22.63 and Betty Stroh in 25.10

Janean Shannon (56) ran it in 15..00. Rita Hanscom (65) finished first in her AG with 16.13 , with Mary Hartzler coming in third in 18.42.

In the men's races, the notables are Robert Lida, 82, 15.20, Roger Parnell, 70, in 13.56. An exciting race was that of the 35-39 AG. Rondrick Parker finished in 10.99 and Antoine Echols in 11.00. From the stands it was tough to determine who had won.

Lesley Hinz and Tom showed up. Lesley's running has been curtailed by injury but she is coming back and Tom let her off the leash to do a few slow jogs in the grassy area. A beginning.

That night was the USATF Awards Dinner. We had a tough time finding the place, the ISU Alumni Center, driving around the parking area. There was no directional sign and no cars parked when we arrived. Finally we decided on the one where there was a statue of Cy, the mascot.  Then, a few other cars showed up, so we figured this was the place. A couple of folks had photos taken with Cy, including myself and Barbara Warren. 

The Indomitable Cy

Cy, ignoring me 

Barbara Warren

Angela and I had signed up for this way before the Meet and way before either of us fell into the dumpster, Angela with her ears and me off my feed. Angela was in a great deal of discomfort while we were there, but had to wait to eat to take her Ibuprofen. When we got there, we had a free wine, in my case, and a beer in Angela's. We talked to Jay Smith and his wife Pamela. I am not sure I ever saw him previously in anything other than his track shorts.

Jay and Pam Smith

Lesley Hinz

We also chatted with Lesley and Tom Hinz before moving into the room where the tables were set up. Barbara Warren corralled us for her table. The only others I knew at the table once we all got settled were Mary Trotto and Jane Simpson. Barbara introduced me to Rita Hanscom as the owner of Major. So, this is how I actually met her. Not as the superb athlete she is (of course I had heard of her exploits in the past) but as the human belonging to Major. I eventually discovered that the gentleman at the table was the owner of the Masterstrack.blog, Ken Stone. He eventually spent a lot of time taking photos of the honorees and award winners. 

Barbara Warren, Marilyn Mitchell, Mary Trotto

Rose Green and Cortez

Jane Simpson

I won't list all of the awards, but notable was Rose Green for sprinting, Lesley Hinz, overall athlete of the year, Christel and Jerry Donley for all they have contributed to Masters T&F, and Rita Hanscom AG athlete of year. I did not take the award list booklet and cannot find the info online so this will have to do. And why isn't it online somewhere?

Sunday, July 14, 2019

The first event was the shot put at 9:45 with a mixed AG. There were four in my AG. The other three were Angela, Mary Robinson, and Harriet Kaufman. Christel Donley was up against Mary Roman. The first two I threw were in my standard non-moving-the-feet way. The third one I threw I shuffled forward and tried to look up when throwing. Blah. Christel said I was not holding it as best I could. Rather than in palm, try mostly finger tips. I did, and it slipped out, falling maybe four feet away. Yep. Four down two to go. Meanwhile Mary Robinson is leading the group, and Harriet on her fourth beats my 2nd throw of 5.64m, throwing 6.04m.

The battle between Christel and Mary Roman has Christel leading until Mary's fourth throw of 6.46m. Christel was not pleased with her earlier, leading, shots but now begins mumbling to herself that she had better get serious. Angela with her screwed up ears is hanging in there but not throwing her best. Throw #five is Mary Robinson's best so far, 6.85m. Harriet did not improve upon her last shot and my fifth was my worst! 4.54m.

In the Mary Roman - Christel battle, Mary's fifth was less than her fourth, as was Christel's less than her fourth. So, going into the sixth and last shot, Mary is leading. She is up first. She throws 6.17m, less than her 6.46m. Comes the time for Christel to throw, behind 6.38m to Mary's 6.46m (21'2 1/2”). Christel heaves. The shot arcs in the air and plops down. 6.66m (21' 10 1/4”)! Left the best for last. Meanwhile in my AG, all four of us had a shorter sixth throw than our best. So it was Mary Robinson with 6.85m (22' 5 3/4”); Harriet 6.04m (19' 9 3/4”); me 5.64m (18'6”) and Angela 5.17m (16' 11 1/2”)

Cheryl Wolfinger's AG threw after us. She got second with a throw of 9.51m (31' 2 1/2”)

Streaming

While we were throwing the shot, the women's 70-79 AG 200m 27” hurdles was being contested. Brenda Matthews took the 70-74 AG with a time of 44.67, followed by Barbara Warren in 56.13, and Mary Trotto with 1:14.85. Ann Carter, alone in her AG did it in 1:04.11.

In the 400m 30” hurdles, Lisa Edwards (40-44) won hers in 1:13.74 and in the 45-49 AG, LaTrica Dendy won in 1:10.25 with Carolina's Anne Sluder second in 1:12.50.

Earlier, David Schmanski, now 65, whom I had first seen run during the 2014 Outdoor Championships in Winston Salem (in an exciting race against Nolan Shaheed 4:51.58 to Shaheed's 4:55.41), had won his 1500m in 5:15.73. Gary Patton, 73, won his in 5:22.75. They had also won their 800s the day before. Jay Smith, a Piedmont Pacer, had run in that 800 with Patton, coming in fourth. Angela and I had watched.

Our 200m was at 11:05. I did my usual warm up then waited on the benches with the others to be called to the line. Meanwhile yesterday, Barbara Warren and Angela had decided that we needed to run the 4x100 relay later on Sunday. They tried to recruit Rose Green but she of course was obligated to her club relay. Barbara managed to recruit Harriet Kaufman, so we were set to go. I was not keen on it. However, first up was the 200m.

It was Kathy Bergen, Mary Robinson, Catherine Radle, Jane Simpson, Angela and me. Jane was going to run despite her leg. She had worked it to death (caused by being pulled out of a mud hole while volunteering at home on a clean-up mission.) To me, it was a foregone conclusion that it would be Kathy and Mary. I figured I would come in ahead of Jane in her condition. Off we go. Kathy and Mary led all the way to the finish, leaving a big gap to the rest of us. As we came around the curve, I had a race on my hands with Catherine (who had been recovering from an injury back in February-March). I didn't know if I could edge her out. It was too close. I know I was thinking she was going to get it. Somehow, I managed to pull it out, coming in third 45.53 to Catherine's 46.23.

Kathy won in 35.54 to Mary's 41.35. Angela came in ahead of Jane 57.07 to 1:19.89.

Tom and Lesley Hinz  spectating

Angela and Cheryl Wolfinger

Rose Green

Mary Hartzler won her 200m in 38.73 to Barbara Warren's 46.77 and Mary Trotto's 57.92. (Trotto, another one like Barbara and Jane Simpson who do multiple (MANY) events, including for Barbara and Mary, steeplechase and Pents.)

The 4x100 relay was scheduled for 12:30. Before even getting to Ames, Angela and I had debated as to whether we would have time to do a relay. Our flight back to ATL was at 5:05 or so. We were flying home, then 3 days later leaving for Toronto. Obviously we decided to do it and then high tail it out. We had arranged with the motel to allow us to hurry back so we could shower and change before leaving for Des Moines. I was grouchy before the relay. I felt wiped. No energy and less enthusiasm.

While waiting for the relay, I was sitting next to Kathy Bergen. She had some kind of knee problem, I think on the outer side. She hoped to get it looked at before Toronto (she, too, was flying home (to CA) and then leaving for Toronto.) And yet, she was doing the relay with her club, SC Striders.

I was lead off, passing to Angela, who would pass to Harriet who would pass to our anchor Barbara. I had never been lead off before and hoped I would pass okay. Amanda Scotti was also running non club and was also a lead off. Needless to say, I was probably the last to get the butt moving. I felt sluggish, legs not moving as they should but I did get the pass off okay to Angela. I watched a bit then began walking back within my lane, eventually moving into the infield. Before I got off the track I saw Barbara long legging it to the Finish line, surprising me. I had not expected her to get there that fast. We were the only ones in our AG so we got Gold with a time of 1:39.49.

We dillydallyed by the award table, though the clock was ticking, picking up whatever medals we had not gotten earlier. Except of course for the relay. They were still running relays – the men were tearing up the track. Finally, we decided to leave. Barbara said she would pick them up for us and give them to us in Toronto.

Before we left the hotel, Barbara showed up with the medals. She was driving to Toronto with a stop along the way. She drives everywhere, car laden with implements and food. We got to the airport in plenty of time to eat. 

Des Moines terminal

Turns out Lesley and Tom Hinz had not left when they intended and were on the same flight. In ATL, Angela went off for her flight to Greensboro and I had a three hour wait for mine to RDU. Bottom line, I did not get home until 2 a.m. I was glad I had decided to leave my dog at the Vet's boarding place for the few days I was home, before leaving on a 5 a.m. flight to Toronto on the 17^th.

One last note – the officials and volunteers were excellent and I would return to Ames, a very pleasant, not frantic place (at least during ISU off season.) And, the organizing committee put together an excellent Meet booklet.