NCCWMA – another world.
Aka: OY! What an
Experience!
Right from the start, I got agita
about the forthcoming North America, Central America, and Caribbean
WMA (NCCWMA) event in Toronto. For months, it was the issue of the
“uniform”. It became clear that the requirement back in April,
was that we had to wear either the Team USA red London 2012 uniform
or the blue 2016 Rio uniform, else, at a minimum, we would not be
able to run a relay. For those who had not previously competed in
an international event, and been provided the requisite uniform
(sizing, I heard, was an issue) they would have to purchase one from
the USATF store. Except the store did not have all sizes and there
were NO blue Rio uniforms (top or bottom) available. This being one
of the posts that set off a firestorm.:
April 27
“Official
Uniform info:
Unfortunately, USATF does not have sufficient uniform inventory to provide uniforms for those who have not previously participated in WMA or NCCWMA meets. However, USA athletes must wear a uniform top that identifies them as representing USA; other tops such as club team uniforms, race/meet shirts, etc. are not permitted.
Suggested tops, in decreasing order of preference, are:
Blue “Rio” uniforms (the current Team USATF uniform)
Prior Team USATF uniforms (red London and older) - several styles are available in from the Team USATF Store
Unfortunately, USATF does not have sufficient uniform inventory to provide uniforms for those who have not previously participated in WMA or NCCWMA meets. However, USA athletes must wear a uniform top that identifies them as representing USA; other tops such as club team uniforms, race/meet shirts, etc. are not permitted.
Suggested tops, in decreasing order of preference, are:
Blue “Rio” uniforms (the current Team USATF uniform)
Prior Team USATF uniforms (red London and older) - several styles are available in from the Team USATF Store
As I mentioned, only the red seemed to be available (top at $60 at
the time.) There was the black IAAF Meet top with the requisite
chevron shaped USA and flag, but I believe it was more expensive
(though gorgeous). Folks were going on Ebay looking for used or
similar tops. There were several who purchased a top with USA in
block letters across the front (not chevron), a few went out and got
red (or blue) shirts and had USA printed on the front. Bottom line,
there was so much uproar about it that it became acceptable to have
anything with USA on it, regardless if chevron shaped or not. And
hopefully with the flag but, as stated, many had shirt without the
flag.
As to the bottom – well, I freaked out about the red London bottom.
The USATF store image showed a woman with the waist of the half
tights below the belly button, and of course snug. (intended of
course for those in their 20s) I did not think below belly button
appropriate for me (and then it turned out, sigh, that I already had
a few such bottoms – shorts – below belly button but always
covered by a shirt. ) However, with my at the time, barrel shaped ab,
such a snug bottom, even if covered, would just not do! Fortunately,
the word from on high was that one could wear any bottom as long as
the top complied.
The whole idea was for the US, like other countries, comply with the
WMA requirement that each country have a uniform that identifies
their nation , Key is the phrase “approved by their national
Masters Member” - in our case the USATF Masters rep to WMA.
Rule 143
Clothing, Shoes, and Number Bibs 143.1 In WMA Championships all
competitors must wear a competition top that is approved by their
national Masters Member. In WMA Championships where team events are
contested, or where an athlete does not have an affiliated Masters
Member, it is mandatory to wear a uniform clearly identifying the
country that he represents as accepted by the Call Room Referee or
the WMA Technical Delegate.
To play it safe, I also bought a blue RIO training t-shirt with the
chevron USA and flag. (Then, while in Ames, I bought a white 2012
Team USA marathon shirt. So, I was well covered to meet the team USA
requirement for NCCWMA.)
Once that was out of the way, there was still the matter of training
during June and July. I have mentioned in my NSGA and Ames blogs
about my lack of training. Essentially, my events in Ames had to
serve as my training for NCCWMA since there was little time between,
Prior to leaving, Angela Staab called and said her travel
agent had said Canadian customs required that any medication
(including vitamins) had to be in original containers, not
separate. Oh, cruds, I said (actually, I said something else.) I had
already put my meds (now two) in a seven day small container and the
vitamins in separate packets for each day. No way was I going to put
the meds back in their prescription bottles and the vitamins? Ha Ha!
So, I decided to put them in the roller bag and check it instead of
doing carry on.
Day One: Horrors!
I had purchased my round trip flights via Expedia for a good price
and except for not being competitive, was ready to go. On the
morning of my flight on the 17th of July I wanted to get
to RDU before 5 a.m. for my 7:04 flight so I got up at 3:30, drove
to my pre-arranged parking area and then took a hotel shuttle to the
airport. First, I got the boarding pass then went to the Delta
baggage check. There, the agent asked me for my passport and ID. I
gave her my license and passport card. No, she said, I need the
passport book. What! The passport card was supposed
to be valid for use in Canada and Mexico. She then told me only for
land entry, not air. Aargh! I did not have the passport book with
me. She sent me to the special Delta line to change my flight (to
one which would give me time to get my passport and return.)
I was on that line for fifteen to twenty minutes, maybe more as they
helped a family from elsewhere with their issues. After I told my
story, the agent went away then came back and said she could not
change my flight because I had booked via Expedia and would have to
go through them. What? Inwardly I was freaking. How was I to get in
touch with Expedia? I decided I had to go back home, which meant
getting the shuttle to the hotel then my car and driving home to get
my passport. It was close to 6 a.m. By this time. I was home by
about 6:20.
If I had gone home straight from the baggage check counter,, I might have been able to get the passport and return in time for my original flight. But no way could I make it now. I ended up finally getting in touch with Expedia (via phone) only to hear that there were only a few flights they could get for me (forget the one I missed – that money was down the tubes., as it was non refundable. Originally, I had taken cheapest deal.) Since I was to meet Angela in Toronto, I was hoping to get one that, with the two flight trip, I might still get there in time for 5:30. Nope. They told me of several one way (since my return flight was still okay) flights. Some arriving the next day. No, (At the time, I thought Angela had a throws pentathlon on Thursday, but it was the hammer. )
If I had gone home straight from the baggage check counter,, I might have been able to get the passport and return in time for my original flight. But no way could I make it now. I ended up finally getting in touch with Expedia (via phone) only to hear that there were only a few flights they could get for me (forget the one I missed – that money was down the tubes., as it was non refundable. Originally, I had taken cheapest deal.) Since I was to meet Angela in Toronto, I was hoping to get one that, with the two flight trip, I might still get there in time for 5:30. Nope. They told me of several one way (since my return flight was still okay) flights. Some arriving the next day. No, (At the time, I thought Angela had a throws pentathlon on Thursday, but it was the hammer. )
I did check into the multiple trains that would get me from Pearson
airport to Toronto and then to Univ of York's TTFC, but at what time?
I would have to coordinate with Angela to get from there to the
hotel, and she would be busy competing. So it had to be the 17th,
Wednesday. There was a flight for $775 that would arrive at 9:30p.m.
in Toronto. Nope, too late. Angela had an early morning event and I
did not want to get to the hotel after 10p.m. Another at 11:28p.m.
Nope. Finally he came up with a flight that would leave RDU at 12:35
that day and with change of planes, get me into Toronto at 5p.m. The
cost? $665. Almost double what I had paid for round trip. Ugh.
Since I had time before this re-scheduled flight, I mapped out and
wrote down how I would get to York University's TTFC track by the
multiple trains (and a bus) from Pearson airport if need be, I
determined that I could get the Presto card (used when taking
multiple trips) using a credit card, since I had no Canadian cash at
this point. Angela had gotten the Canadian cash and I was to pay her
when we met.
Two painful lessons learned (and that was only the beginning.) (1)
Book directly with the airline and (2) always use passport Book.
During my wait in Atlanta for the flight to Toronto, I texted Angela
who was also traveling this day. She said she would come back and
pick me up (her flight would arrive in Toronto around 3:40p.m.) She
needed to get her parking pass and then we needed to get to TTFC to
get our credentials by 6p.m. It became a joint texting with Barbara
Warren, who had been there a day or so, scoping out the eating
places etc. and the trains. At 7:49 that morning, she said she could
pick me up, as long as she could drop off her implements in time for
checking. So I told her my flight # and time of arrival.
What happened next could have happened in a Laurel and Hardy movie.
Not sure how I should begin this. Maybe with Angela's saga,
Angela arrived in Toronto and picked up her pretty blue car (smaller
this time than the white SWAT- team-like vehicle in Ames.) She
activated her Waze but it didn't pick up her location. She figured
it was because she was still within the covered rental car area, so
drove out, expecting it to pick up location once outside. She got on
the road and ...nothing! Now, Toronto has heavier traffic than where
she is from and many of the places she has traveled to for her Meets.
It has city traffic. The highways are crowded. She had no idea
where she was in relationship to where she wanted to go. Had I been
there, I would have been just as confused. The signage may tell you
what the next exit is but if you do not know which road to be on,
that is no help. She panicked and pulled off to the side. (A feat in
itself!)
My saga. So, I arrive at the Toronto gate about 5:06. I texted Barbara that at minimum it would be 5:30, maybe later by the time I got out the door near the baggage exit. I had not counted on the queue for Customs. Actually, it was quite interesting following the signs just to get there. Once there, I found an available entry machine and at first put my passport in wrong side down. It took a slow minute for me to realize why nothing was happening before I inserted it in with info side down for the scan and looked directly into the camera. Out comes a paper with my passport info as well as the photo.
And that is when I noticed that all the texts I had sent since landing were still in the sending mode!None had completed. So then I decide to call her. No dial tone! The bloody phone was essentially dead. No texting, no cell service, no internet. (My service is Virgin Mobile) Disaster! I was beginning to freak. I did not want to leave in case she was still around but I was beginning to think about the train, but still somewhat panicked because how would I get in touch with anyone since taking the train to TTFC would do no good if no one was there. With no phone to call with. Heck, I would not even be able to call for an Uber or equivalent. Now that we are so dependent upon cell service there are no longer pay phones (and if there were – I had no Canadian money!) I would be like folks on the Amazing Race who when in similar situations beg passerbys.
Wat saved me was a gentleman who was standing nearby when I began
grumbling about lack of cell capability when he took his phone out.
He offered to let me use his to call Barbara. A life saver! Turns
out she was still there and shortly afterwards pulled up, stopping in
the lane. I struggled to get my roller bag into the back seat over
her pole vaulting equipment. She said she had been lingering in an
off area used for cars awaiting arrivals and had kept track of my
plane's arrival and had an idea of when I might exit. Smart woman
and oh, so, patient and kind. She entered the now very heavy
traffic, talking to Angela who was at the hotel. (Holiday Inn Express
on Norfinch, right next to Toronto PD's Division 31 satellite
station.) The plan now was to go get Angela's parking pass and our
credentials. I dropped my stuff off and we all went in Barbara's
car. The radio kept playing a medley of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody
and We are the Champions over and over.
Meanwhile, there were problems on the road. One exit to another freeway below us we were to take was closed. We could see no reason why. There seemed to be traffic on it. It was also closed going in the other direction. So Barbara had to find another way around this when the Waze or her app kept trying to send us on that closed road. Eventually, we found where Angela could pick up her parking pass to one of the TTFC parking lots. Next we went to see where TTFC was. Then finally off to eat. We went to the place Barbara had eaten at before, a Vietnamese-Thai place. They had food she could eat. I had lemon chicken with rice. It was so-so. I ate mostly the rice and peas. (Again, I could not eat much.) but I do remember the guy at a nearby table who received an enormous bowl of what looked like soup. Really enormous. It could have fed a family. And then, he left at least ¾ of it. Barbara said that it was the stuff inside the liquid that he ate.
Meanwhile, there were problems on the road. One exit to another freeway below us we were to take was closed. We could see no reason why. There seemed to be traffic on it. It was also closed going in the other direction. So Barbara had to find another way around this when the Waze or her app kept trying to send us on that closed road. Eventually, we found where Angela could pick up her parking pass to one of the TTFC parking lots. Next we went to see where TTFC was. Then finally off to eat. We went to the place Barbara had eaten at before, a Vietnamese-Thai place. They had food she could eat. I had lemon chicken with rice. It was so-so. I ate mostly the rice and peas. (Again, I could not eat much.) but I do remember the guy at a nearby table who received an enormous bowl of what looked like soup. Really enormous. It could have fed a family. And then, he left at least ¾ of it. Barbara said that it was the stuff inside the liquid that he ate.
On the drive to get the pass and to TTFC, Barbara told us of the not
so hot experiences others, who were staying at the dorm, were having.
One had what appeared to be bedbug bites, so Barbara had some cream
to help it. Another said room was “smelly” and did not have what
she had signed up for. She actually left (they charged her double
but she got that straightened out.) She was fortunate enough to find
lodging with another who had a hotel room. Another changed rooms
within the dorm due to problems. In the room there was no microwave
but one in a shared kitchen area. There was a long walk outside to a
place where one could get coffee and something to eat. Barbara was
picking up fruit etc to give to the isolated ones. Angela did not
say “I told you so!” to me but I could read it in her mind. I had
been saying, not to worry - it would be like camping out. She said
she was not a camper-outer!
That evening I at least got some connectivity – internet and
WhatsApp, by using the hotel WiFi. So, as long in hotel, I
was in touch with the world. (No texting of course.)
Thursday
July 18, TTFC. Acclimation.
Angela had hammer at 10:15, I had nothing. The Holiday Inn Express
had a buffet style breakfast area which had the usual plus one neat
machine that made pancakes! Angela tried them, I went with the
cheerio style cereal. The track was ten to fifteen minutes away,
depending upon traffic. We were on Norfinch DR (next to the Toronto
police Division 31 station.) Waze took us onto Finch then to Jane
St, eventually to Shoreham and Ian MacDonald Blvd. There seems to
have been an easier way (Norfinch to a right onto Steele Ave W with
another R onto NW Gate etc. Fewer left turns.) The traffic was
heavier than Angela was used to. It certainly was not like Ames, IA!
 |
| Sherry Hott (in blue) helping out (again) |
The parking lot that Angel's pass was for was not as far from TTFC as
it seemed to her when first viewed. It was an easy walk, on an
overcast morning. We entered the TTFC building and after passing
through an entry way, were in the inside track facility. Tables with
packets for the entrants were set up near the wall on our left. The
banked track right in front of us. The Declaration table was farther
down an adjacent wall and beyond that, near a door exiting to the
outside track was the Check-In table. We picked up our credentials
and saw Sherry Hott near the Declaration area.
 |
Christel Donley |
Angela
declared in plenty of time for her event. While she was competing in
the hammer, I watched some of the field events while sitting on a
side hill.
I watched Barbara Warren, Christel Donley, Jane Simpson, and Mary Trotto do the penthalon high jump.
 |
| The folks getting ready at the high jump area |
In the individual high jump at Varsity on Saturday, Barbara Warren got second, jumping 1.05m, Jane had to stop, and Kathy Bergen, W75, set a Meet record.
In the younger AG events, Neringa Jakstiene (W55) and Rita Hanscom (W65) both set Meet records, jumping respectively 1.40m and 1.26m Some approached and sort of flopped over whereas others were a bit more of the classic jump and take it sideways. I was too far away to see Angela's competition well.
I had moved from the hill to the fence alongside
the track to watch, with Mary Robinson, some of the men
running the 400m prelim. Later, I attended the Team Manager
meeting around 10a.m. on the benches at the side of the indoor track.
Before the meeting there were some male athletes who were annoyed
that at the last minute another athlete was allowed to check-in. One
was supposed to check-in an hour before your scheduled track event
(40 minutes before a field event). Nonetheless, they all went off to
the track. I got relay sign up sheets for both Angela and myself.
They said they would be using WhatsApp for most of the
communications (which we had been informed of well prior to the
event.) When the events moved from TTFC in York to Varsity in
Toronto, team meetings would be held in the stands.
Angela threw 10.24m, coming in five of six, ahead of Jane
Simpson (who was still limping after Ames, yet was doing the high
jump.) Yoko Nakano of Canada came in first throwing 24.41m.
Nakano was a tough competitor in all of her events.
Myrle Mensey (W70) continued
her winning streak by setting a Meet (and WMA) record by throwing
38.63m, followed by Mary Hartzler,
throwing 32.69m.
Angela and I got to talk with Mary
Robinson and Mary
Hartzler
after the hammer
throws, while Myrle was being interviewed by Rob
D'Avellar (who
had probably gotten super shots of her efforts.)
 |
| Rob interviewing Myrle |
Before we left the track, we both completed our relay sign up sheet.
I indicated only the 4x100 and Angela, debating what to do, put both
the 4x100 and the 4x400, but with a note for the 4x400 that only if
they really needed her. She wanted to do only one relay and preferred
the 4x00.
For lunch we went to McDonald's. A
different fare offered than at the US McD's. I got a cashew asian
salad and a coffee frappe. Angela had Asian salad. Both were good.
We did our Walmart shopping, picking up some fruit and, for me,
protein drinks. When we got back to the hotel and got up to our
floor, we discovered that both of us had left our room keys in
the room!
We had dinner with Katherine
Willis and
husband Bill at Angelo's Homestyle restaurant on 3300 Steele
Ave W, in Vaughn, (really, just down the road a piece from the
Holiday Inn Express.)
I had three pancakes and bacon, and yes, I
finished it all! The others had more normal meals. Katherine would
be running the 5K on Saturday, at Varsity, so they had come into town
and were staying at a place exorbitantly expensive. Our USA Team
manager had told us at the team meeting that one reason the downtown
hotels were so expensive was because there was a huge influx of
people for another large event going on in Toronto at the time.
 |
| Katherine Willis and Bill |
Friday July 18 - the dreaded 400m
Today Angela had the throws pentathlon at 8 a.m., the first time she
was doing this event.
I had the 400m at 4:18. The breakfast area
was crowded. Since I had no early event, I tried the pancakes. When
Angela made hers, the first one out was a baby. Then it seemed to
take a long time for a normal size one to emerge. You could watch the
progress as the mix rolled along. I put a dollop of scrambled egg on
my plate while waiting. Many of the Mexican competitors were staying
at the same hotel so we were a mix of business folk in suits or
utility uniforms and NCCWMA people.
Angela was worried about getting her 800m in at 10:15 while in the
midst of the pentathlon. Would the event be such that she could
squeeze it in? Turns out that the event was organized such that
there were five age groups in her slot and all had to complete one of
the events (such as discus or javelin) together before they moved
onto the next event.
 |
| Rob D'Avellar |
While we were walking from the parking area to the track, I commented
on a fellow ahead of us who was wearing seemingly a non country
denominated shirt and had a longish white beard. Something about him
seemed scraggly. Maybe it was the overall appearance, with the
outfit, green shorts I recall and the shirt and beard. Being an older
gentleman (probably younger than me!) it was as if he had stepped out
of a long ago time to come to this event. Methuselah.
When Angela went off to her event, I sat in the stands by the pole
vault area as they set up. I also watched the Methuselah-like
gentleman trot around the track. He had a mild bent over stride, and
I believe participated in the 2000m steeplechase. I think he was in
the oldest or next to oldest AG, but appearances are deceptive. He
may have come in last in his mixed age group. I watched Mary
Trotto and Tami Graf do the 2000m steeplechase, Mary being
W70 completed it in 16.04.38 and Tami, W80, in 17.19.43. Mary and
Tami carefully went over the hurdles and water jump. Mary later said
that as she was going over the water jump, she saw a younger woman in
pain, off to the side, but there was someone with her so Mary kept
going. The only woman in the W35-84 who did not finish was Carol
Douglass. I later saw her on crutches at Sunday's shot area
where she was giving out Team USA NCCWMA 2019 Toronto wrist bands she
had brought. I later spoke to her and she said that was her first
event in the competition. Imagine the disappointment! I think she
injured her knee – it was wrapped up. She planned to have it tended
to when back in the States. Cruddy! Reminds me of my first time
seeing Christel Donley. It was at an Indoor Meet in
Albuquerque, 2016. She was coming out of the Convention Center,
within which was the track, on crutches! (hurdles, I think. But
she did compete in other things later.) However, another person was
carried out on a stretcher, moaning. That Meet had a lot of injuries.
Then, I watched the women pole vault.
I had an excellent seat so
managed to get some good shots. One lady differed from the others in
that when she ran her approach, she slid the pole along the ground
(rather than holding the pole up off the ground) to the stick place
then tried to raise herself up. Most had the pole raised in a
diagonal angle, then planted it in sufficient time to get the bend
they desired.
One of the Piedmont Pacers, Bob Milan, who had
run the 10K road race the day before (54.65) when dealing with a
slight injury, came along and we talked for awhile. His injury was
not feeling so good so he was not going to do the 5K the next day.
There was an event back home he wanted to do the next week so wanted
to recover. At the time I could see the pack of folks doing the
Throws pent., but not how they were doing. Angela did get to do her
800m running against Cora Hill in her AG.
Cora won 4:17.80
with Angela following in 5:26.55. Cora had had a rough few months
beforehand but decided late to do NCCWMA. Glad she did. It was a
good idea – besides winning gold at NCCWMA, she had new scenery and
was with her mates. So Angela's big worry about getting the 800 in
was over. Now it was back to her throws pent. Due to the number of
contestants in this combined AG, it went on forever! During the
course of it, all athletes experienced a weather delay. Lightning in
the distance then rain. We were all herded inside and told to go
upstairs. Well, Angela and I (and a few others) did not go upstairs.
Cooler and less crowded where we were, sitting on a bench by the
stairs.After about a half hour or so, the athletes were allowed
back out to the track.
 |
| Barbara Warren |
 |
| Cora Hill |
I had moved back inside to start my warm up for the 400m. The time
for the event kept being pushed ahead. I talked to Coreen
Steinbach who had
already won her 800m (2:56.52) and was also going to do the 400m.
The 400 was scheduled for 4:18 but kept being moved to a later time
(partially due to the earlier rain delay for other events.) I would
attempt to warm up, sometimes just jogging around the inside track,
sometimes trying short bursts of speed.
Marina Worsley was
also there and also warming up. Marie-Louise
Michelsohn showed up and sat with Coreen and others on the
padded block inside the track. I had not seen her since Winston
Salem NC Indoor Championships in 2015, where she won the 400m (and
other events.) Since then, she had signed up for other events I was
to be at (Indoors, Landover, for one) but did not attend. For a few
easy trots around the track we caught up on each other's life.
Obviously, I knew she would leave me in the dust today, but that was
fine. So might everyone else. I was still in shadow land.
I was worried that Angela would still be doing her throws pent. by
the time the 400m was to start, but somehow she made it. So, there we
were, six of us, all US except for Susana Jacobo Fonseca,
Mexico, on the start line. The gun goes off and we start. I knew
enough not to go fast as I needed to be able to finish. I think I
was in lane 7, not sure. We get around the first bend and I am close
to maybe a quarter of the way down the back stretch, whereas the
others were at least half way, when the gun goes off again. I don't
even recall if I knew it was for us but others did because they
stopped. We all looked at each other wondering, what the Hey! We get
back to the Start area and they tell us the clock did not start!
The officials decided to let us rest for a bit while they ran the
next AG. This was the 70s, with three, including Mary Hartzler
and Barbara Warren. Mary came in second (1:35.94) to Mexico's
Altara Beltran (1:33.97) and Barbara third in 2:20.77 (after
having also done umpteen events, including the earlier pole vault.) I
know the others in my group were a bit disappointed, perhaps annoyed.
As for me, I did not know if I could do it again. I had already
expanded what little energy I had in this, now my most abhorred race.
I hated the idea of trying to go out there and do it again. Everyone
else had also used up some of their steam, I expect. Especially
Angela, having spent since 8a.m. doing the throws pent. As expected
by me, Marie-Louise won in 1:36.17, Marina second in
1:37.33, and Mary Robinson third in 1:39.19. I was fifth in a
probably personal worse 2:13.13 (ABQ was also 2:13) After wards,
Marie-Louise said she felt Marina on her heels and Marina said she
felt the same about Mary. That's a good race!
 |
| Worsley, Michelsohn, and Robinson |
Coreen Steinbach's 400m was against the renown Canadian Karla
Del Grande. That is either an incentive or a nightmare,
depending upon how one looks at it. This was also the second Meet
since returning from her injury, and just after the return meet in
Ames. Well Karla went out and set a Meet record which was only 14/100
of a second off of the world record, running 1:08.35. Coreen came in
second in 1:18.34.
Angela's throw pentathlon finally finished. Yuko Nakano having
won it in Angela's AG, far exceeding the existing meet record by
almost 600 points, finishing with a score of 3655. Angela got fourth
(of five) with a score of 1770. In the younger AG, both Myrle
Mensey and Mary Hartzler beat the existing world record,
with Myrle setting the new mark with her score of 4799, and Mary
coming in second with 4582. Canada's Cheryl Closkey got third
with 37.17, Barbara Warren fourth with 2641 and Mary Trotto
fifth with 2331. For comparison with the younger AG (who use
heavier implements), the W40 winner, Angela Herzner, had a
score of 3836.
At one point I went into a deep funk. 
I recall how I felt but my
memory of it seems to be that it occurred while at Varsity, while
sitting against the corridor wall. However, at Varsity I was probably
just thinking about the earlier funk because since I have few notes
for Friday, I'm pretty sure it was then, after the 400. This would
make sense. It was not about how badly I did, which was not a
surprise and understandable to me, but it was at how physically
awful I felt during it. Drained, as if all of my reserves were
being sucked out. This was quite depressing. At that point, I was
thinking it was time to not just give up the 400m (done!) but every
other distance as well, including the 50m. Basically, giving up
track. A very dark time for me. Probably not so hot for my pal and
roommate Angela because I get either quiet or grouchy or both when
like that.
I recall how I felt but my
memory of it seems to be that it occurred while at Varsity, while
sitting against the corridor wall. However, at Varsity I was probably
just thinking about the earlier funk because since I have few notes
for Friday, I'm pretty sure it was then, after the 400. This would
make sense. It was not about how badly I did, which was not a
surprise and understandable to me, but it was at how physically
awful I felt during it. Drained, as if all of my reserves were
being sucked out. This was quite depressing. At that point, I was
thinking it was time to not just give up the 400m (done!) but every
other distance as well, including the 50m. Basically, giving up
track. A very dark time for me. Probably not so hot for my pal and
roommate Angela because I get either quiet or grouchy or both when
like that.
Meanwhile, Marie-Louise, who wanted to form her own 4x400 relay team,
was cajoling Phil Greenwald and Jerry Bookin-Weiner to
make this happen (despite the well documented procedure that these
two plus a few others would select the personnel for each relay
group, based upon folk having submitted their relay preference and
their past performance.) Marie-Louise's ideal team would be herself,
plus Mary Robinson, Rose Green, and Marina Worsley. She
intended to set a new world record.
Angela and I surveyed the apparel concession stand, debating.
Angela found something. I finally decided I would get one of the
camo-like shirts but the smallest size they had was small. The lady
said they might get an extra small the next day. (I am not normally
an extra small but in this shirt, yeah.) Some folks got the Training
for Toronto 2020 shirts. Too far away and unpredictable for me.
A very long day out in the hot sun (except for the rain break!)
 |
| Rita Hanscom and Major |
Upon exit from TTFC, I saw Major!
Joy! He was there with Janean
Shannon's granddaughter again. Then Rita Hanscom exited to
greet her dog, her pal, her traveling companion. It would be tough to
stay in a low mood around Major.
 |
| Love - both ways |
Despite being tired, we did stop at a shopping mall as I was hoping
to find an inexpensive cell phone I could use in Canada. There was
nothing I could find, so the next concept was to see if a SIM card
change would work. We went to one place that ended up trying at least
five different ones. None worked. Well, yeah, it turns out that
Virgin Mobile no way supports non domestic cellular, regardless of
SIM card. And, there is no option to sign up or upgrade for
international cell service with them. So, lesson number three:
change to another provider that does support international service
(optionally) if I ever leave the states again (debatable at this
point, though I hope to.)
Hello World
Hello Internet
Of course we ate at Angelo's again. Good food. I had a regular meal
this time and not breakfast. We saw that some of the officials also
had discovered (or knew from prior events in Toronto) Angelo's.
Later that evening, Angela lets out a yelp. She had just looked at
WhatsApp and the relay committee had posted their spreadsheet
with relay assignments. I was assigned to the AG 4x100 along with
Angela, Mary Robinson and Marina Worsley. But Angela
was also assigned to the AG 4x400 along with Marie-Louise
Michelsohn, Marina Worsley, and Rose Green. She freaked.
No way! She knew that Marie-Louise had her eyes set on a World record
and Angela said no way would they even come close if she had to run
with them and then Marie-Louise would be unhappy. (okay, to be polite
– disappointed.)
So, she indicated on WhatsApp that she was only going to be
able to run one relay and she chose the 4x100. The next morning she
tried to call Phil Greenwald. She somehow got him and
explained and, he, knowing that Marie-Louise had originally wanted
Mary Robinson said he would have to check with Mary. Angela
felt a bit badly for Mary since Mary might then have to run two
relays (after already running the 200).
Saturday, July 20, 2019
 |
| Photo by Barbara Warren |
 |
| Photo by Barbara Warren |
 |
| Photo by Barbara Warren |
There were seven of us in my AG and Mary Roman the only one in
hers. Four from the U.S., two from Mexico and one from Canada, Yuko
Nakano.
In this instance, Yuko Nakano came out second, behind Mary
Robinson who chucked the weight 8.71m to Yuko's 8.18m. Adele
Ochoa Gonzalez came in third with 8.13m. I came out last (6.14m),
behind Angela (6.17m). Mary Roman threw 7.41m. Myrle
Mensey set a Meet record in her AG with a throw of 13.48m, with
Mary Hartzler second with 11.33m. Barbara Warren fourth
with a throw of 8.19m.
Afterwards the four of us, Mary Robinson, Mary Hartzler,
Angela and I headed for the Pioneer Station subway. Mary R. was
going to calm Angela though she was not keen on taking the subway
either. The first decision was how to pay for it. The kiosk sold
both Presto passes and individual round trip tickets. A very helpful
attendant came over and suggested that in our case, since in the two
days remaining we would do two round trips, that the day passes would
be better. One pass would cover unlimited rides until 5:30 am the
next day. So that is what we did and we could use credit card so I
did not have to worry about Canadian cash, though I had it. For my
two day passes, it cost CAD $13, US $9.99. The lady also showed us
how to tap the card on the reader and enter the station.
Now came the worrisome part for Angela. First, we went down an
escalator. Okay. But we were not done. Oh, no, I thought, We had
another down escalator to go! Angela was holding up all right.
Once
we got down to the platform, we would get the train to St George
station and Varsity. While we were waiting there, another US
participant who was also taking the subway mentioned something about
the buses overhead. Not a good thing to say to someone
claustrophobic. When the train arrived, it was a pleasant surprise.
It not only was clean inside, it was wide! Of course, also not
crowded since a weekend. I should have recalled how nice the subway
car would be as Barbara Warren had sent us photos before we
even left the states, since she got there earlier. She had told us
about the Presto passes etc. Each car had a lighted panel with the
route of the train showing and lights representing every station, so
as one progressed more lights appeared and you knew how many more
stops to your destination. Automated announcements indicated which
side of the car the door would open. As we had been told, the trip
was about a half hour.
We all survived the experience and Angela was
much better about it now. Yea, something else conquered!
 |
| Photo by Barbara Warren |
 |
| Photo by Barbara Warren |
When we exited from the station onto the street we turned right and
it was a short walk to the end of the block. Across the street was
the Varsity complex. Easy! Upon entry to Varsity, we were in a wide
concourse, along which were the Declaration Table and some vendors.
Using the term loosely, the concourse was packed with athletes.
There were massage tables, entrance ways to bathrooms or the check-in
area, and on one side a partial view of the track as the concourse
was lower than the track area. There were stairs periodically
leading up to the viewing area and stands overlooking the track.
Walking into the check-in area, there were two tables for checking
in, along the wall facing the entry was the current schedule for the
track events. Inside, there was a wide corridor, stretching around
what was an indoor event area (maybe a large gym?) Some folks sat on
the floor inside, others ran the corridor, warming up. I don't
recall where I found to warm up. I think it was a brief warmup in the
concourse area.
We saw Katherine Willis, who had done the early morning 5k.
She said it had been hot and the air was heavy. She stuck with her
plan, keeping pace with another running her target pace. Until the
person slowed. Then, Katherine passed her and pushed forward,
earning a Bronze! And now over her nerves!
Mary Robinson and I checked in for our discus and were taken
beyond the track waiting area to another where those of us doing
field events waited. Kathy Bergen was there wearing an
Incrediwear sleeve on her knee – she had not had time to
have it looked at between Ames and Toronto. She knew the W70 lady
representing the Netherlands, Annelies Steekenburg, as the
woman also lived in CA and had been in other events with Kathy. There
were 21 of us in our three age group collection. This would be a
long event!
I had forgotten my water bottle at the hotel (this, my now treasured
YETI) and was thirsty! It was quite hot. There were two separate
bench areas, one beneath a tent, the other beneath a tree. I was
mostly behind the covered bench. To attempt to quench my thirst, I
ended up cupping my hands, trying to collect water from the water
barrels. There were no cups. After awhile, a wonderful volunteer
somehow magically obtained some paper cups so I could more easily
alleviate my thirst. My first throw was my best (11.43m), however I
got some tips from Elspeth Padia W80 who won her AG and set a
Meet record (20.59m) who said to skip the two to three wind ups and
just throw. (same for shot.) Since there were so many of us, I was
concerned about the declaration for the 100m. I could not recall if I
had declared the day before while at TTFC (duh!) But my wonderful
pal, Christel Donley, came along and I mentioned my worry so
she went off and checked and yes, I had! I was really spoiled while
doing this event because Angela came along and said she would go get
me something to drink if I wanted and she went off and got me, yum
yum, a Starbucks cold coffee frappe – it was cold and delicious!
Rose Green, our speedster, now a full fledged field
aficionado, got second in her AG, throwing 12.27m and Mary Roman
third with 9.64m.
In my AG, Yuko Nakano brought home the gold for Canada,
throwing 22.93m, Kathy Bergen got silver for US throwing
17.36m, and Mexico's Adela Ochoa Gonzalez got bronze throwing
14.13m. Mary Robinson threw 13.51m. I was last of seven.
Mary Hartzler, W70, won her AG and and a Meet record throwing
24.96m. Canada's Cheryl Closkey got second with 22.03m.
Myrle Mensey coming in third, throwing 21.68m
At check-in time for the 100m we were led to a set of chairs based
upon age group. There, we put on our shoes and once led out, there
was an area to the right where they were taking bags and sticking
stickers on with last name, then dropping them in a pile. Jane
Simpson had come limping in at the last minute, making the
cutoff. So there were seven in my AG. This included Kathy Bergen
and Canada's renown Carol Lafayette-Boyd, Mary Robinson's
cousin. Two of the biggest hitters in our AG, to use a softball
analogy. True superstars. I was looking forward to their matchup.
However, ahead of us was Rose Green versus Canada's Christa
Bortignon, another amazing matchup. Again superstars. Christel
Donley had these two to contend with. Sometimes, it does not pay
to be in certain AGs! And ahead of them was our other senior
superstar with many world records behind her through her illustrious
career, Irene Obera, now 85. (She says she is hanging up her
track shoes after this meet - or season, in case she had another one
in CA upon her return.) Irene was racing Mexico's Ernestin Ramirez
Garcia. Obera won, setting a Meet record while at it, running
20.12 seconds. Ramirez Garcia ran 22.04 seconds.
Okay, so the three 80-84 AG sets off after Rose finishes adjusting
her blocks (love watching her work at getting them just right, ha ha)
Boom! Off they go. From back behind the starting line it is really
hard to see who came in first between Rose and Christa. After we
crossed the Finish I found out that Rose had beaten Christa, setting
another Meet record, 17.45 seconds to Christa's 17.53. Yea!
Happiness! So thrilling. Christel came in third at 21.25. Next
year, she will escape from that loaded AG!
Well, now it is time for our 100m. I can't recall what lane I was
in. I think lane one or two, I believe I was next to Mexico's Susana
Jacobo Fonseca. Everyone else was out and down the lanes before
us except for limping Jane Simpson. I tried as hard as I
could to beat Fonseca, but could not! (Fonseca 20.49 to my 20.54) I
was 6 out of 7, and not last only because Jane was hobbled as she
ran. But what made me overjoyed after getting to the finish was
hearing that Kathy had beaten Carol. YES! 15.93 to 16.10 seconds. I
cannot describe how happy I was that both Rose and Kathy had won
their races. Though Carol is a lovely, gracious, and incredible
sprinter (and Mary's cousin) I could not help but be thrilled for my
US compatriot.
Marina Worsley came in third at 18.90 and Mary Robinson
fourth at 19.04. Poor Jane came in last.
Our 200m prelim rolled to the Final the next day because Jane Simpson
scratched due to her injury. She had had a hip adjustment and was
told to lay off the running for awhile. Yep. As usual, that did not
happen but it will now! Hopefully, she has had it tended to now.
Our return trip to Pioneer Village (TTFC area) went smoothly and
Angela and others were less concerned.
Angela had thought to go back to Angelo's Homestyle for dinner
but I thought let's try something different. So she found a steak
place, Montana's BBQ and Bar.
It was not that far away and
essentially a straight shot on Steeles. (2011 Steeles Ave W, North
York). I decided on the 7 ounce filet with baked potato, cole slaw,
and crispy onion ring strips. Oh my heavens. Nirvana! Despite having
had a Tim Horton's shake after leaving the track, I was
starving. A first in recent months. Surprisingly, they had sweet iced
tea!
Sunday, July 21,2019
I had javelin at 10 and shot at 11:30. than Angela and I both had the
200m at 2:33, followed by relays starting at 3:50. Since Angela did
not have anything until mid afternoon, she really did not have to get
up. If I could find transportation to TTFC to get the subway, she
could stay in bed. But she said she would drive me (too bad nothing
near Norfinch). We had calculated back from check-in time of 9
allowing for subway and brief walk so the plan was to get to TTFC by
8. I got there in plenty of time. Angela went back to the hotel for
a rest and leisurely breakfast. I was worried about her eventual
trip on the subway by herself in the afternoon. Would it be overly
traumatic? She had to conquer going down to the underground. I think
it was not so much the train that was of concern now, but being
underground that would be bothersome.
 |
| The javelin group |
In the W70s, Liz Strong started from way back and flowed
forward. Her javelin arced high and flew far. Yet, at times, she was
not happy, wanting to do better. I think she is working on her jav
throws. Closely following her in throwing similarly was Mary
Hartzler but not starting from as far back. Barbara Warren,
like me, was having trouble getting it just right. She would change
approach or release (as did I). Mary Trotto was also in that
AG. In the end, Mary Hartzler threw farthest ( 21.78m), Liz
Strong next farthest (21.45m) – how close is that! - and third
was Canadian Cheryl Closkey (17.93m) All three broke the
existing Meet record of 16.83m. Mary Trotto got fourth
throwing 15.09m, Canadian Miklos den Iseger fifth with 14.69m,
followed by Barbara Warren's 12.29m on her last throw (found
the ticket!)
 |
| Rose Green, Barbara Warren |
In my AG, I had Kathy Bergen and Mary Robinson to
contend with, plus others, but these two, I anticipated would be
throwing the farthest. Christel Donley was there, reminding
me about holding the jav through the hole formed by thumb and first
finger (now, wouldn't it funny if I am not remembering it correctly?
Which might explain why I kept messing it up. All in the brain and
muscle memory.) However, also in my AG, was Canadian Yuko Nakano,
who had been excelling in everything she did. So the end result of
our jav competition was, in this order, Yuko Nakano 19.55m (a
Meet record) , Kathy Bergen 15.56m, Mary Robinson
14.88m, Mexico's Eduviges Lopez Felix 13.25m, Mexico's Adela
Ochoa Gonzalez 13.21m, and me, on my last throw 11.36m (well, my
last throw was actually a foul.)
There were three in Christel's group. Elspeth Padia throwing
19.21m setting a new Meet record, Christel Donley with 12.83m
(wait until her wrist is fixed!), and Mary Roman with 9.49m. I
recall Mary in Michigan a number of years ago, not too confident in
her throws. We both laughed at our throws, commiserating together.
Next, some of us moved onto Shot, which took place farther across the
field near a tree that had begun dropping mulberries, I am guessing.
Unfortunately, most had already been squashed. I managed to get two
or three by stretching up and pulling a branch down. My group was
the W75-94, with many of the same folks as at javelin, W85 Irene
Obera joined us. Elspeth said that rather than prime the
pump, one should just go up and chuck it. She believes this is true
also for the weights and I imagine the discus. One of her grandkids
was watching from a distance. Of course she had one foul and where
did it go? Right toward the young teen! Just in his direction but
not near. So, anyway, she had to go and set a new Meet record in her
AG, throwing the shot 9.06m.
She was followed in her AG by Mary
Roman who chucked it 6.79m, followed by Christel Donley with
6.36m.
 |
| Elspeth Padia, Mary Robinson, Mary Harzler |
The 91 year old, Shirley Dietderich's best throw was 2.39m,
Irene Obera set a Meet record, throwing 5.36m. I was last in
my AG (surprise!) Canadian Yuko Nakano first (7.73m), Mary
Robinson (6.81m), Roslyn Katz (6.41m), Mexico's Eduviges
Lopez Felix (6.34m), Mexico's Adela Ochoa Gonzalez
(6.21m), then my 5.57m.
As I was walking off, Angela came along. She had made it! I was very
relieved. We had a lot of time before our 200m so we lazed around.
After spending time with Katherine Willis and Bill, Angela
went off socializing and I sat against the corridor wall, doing
nothing. I was next to the NormaTec which was not taking a rest!
This time, I found a better place to warm up, one many others had
been using - around the back of and down the hill from the building
behind the stadium seats, is a paved walking-running path, with some
benches. I found Rose Green there, doing her warmup. There
were walkers who came up on us, one asking about why we were running.
They were quite impressed when Rose told them. I can't imagine that
they had any idea how much of a senior citizen Rose is and if they
had, they would have been astonished at her speed. There was a small
bridge leading to a closed door in a building. Rose began running on
that (maybe softer surface) and then down on the side on another flat
area. Carol Lafayette-Boyd had just gone down there to warm
up as well. I was less energetic. I only did a few short sprints
down there.
For the 200m, we were led out to near the 200m start area and placed
off to the side to wait our turn. It was hot in the unshaded area.
Irene Obera and Mexico's Ernestin Ramirez Garcia were
in their lanes. It seemed like a very long time we were all standing
out there. Standing, waiting, These two were opposites in terms of
runner form. After they took off, it was clear Irene would win and
win she did, setting a new Meet record by nearly five seconds with a
time of 44.27 seconds. Ernestin finished in 52.14 seconds. A lot
faster than I will if I reach 89 and am still running a 200m. (are
you kidding?) Not until we were ready to leave Varsity did I
get to see Ernestin, after finding out she is 89. Kudos to her for
managing to do track in a country where it was probably not customary
back in her youth for females to participate in track. (It was not
that common here, either, back then. I sometimes raced the boys down
a city block but track? Never even saw one back then.)
Similarly, as in the 100m, Rose Green was up against Canadian
Christa Bortignon. It was just the two of them. The head to
head of Rose and Christa, as it had been in the 100m and also in
Torun Poland, earlier in the year. Standing at the side of the
track, all I could tell as they ran the last 100m on the
straightaway, is that they were just about neck and neck (or butt to
butt!) Again, I did not know until after our race completed, who
had won that one. Sure was not obvious from way back on the other
side of the track.
 |
| Angela Staab on last day |
As with Rose, Kathy Bergen was again up against her equal
Canadian Carol Lafayette-Boyd. The other Team USA runners were
Mary Robinson, Marina Worsley, Angela Staab, and I. Mexico's
Susana Jacobo Fonseca also joined us. I think I was next to
Susana, probably in lane 8. I somewhat empty my mind when it is time
to run, Sometimes I try to focus on one thing, whether it is to take
a deep breath before the starting gun fires or telling myself to
remember to keep my head down in the beginning of the run. Mostly
though, I am an empty head. Once again, when the gun went off I was
only aware of the lane before me. I kept my head down for about 30m ,
running a faster pace then I would end with until I came up on and
rounded the turn for home. Then, it was just hold on and finish.
Susana had already passed me.
In the end, Kathy Bergen won the 200m, running 33.88 to Carol
Lafayette-Boyd's 35.29 seconds. Once again I was thrilled for her
and then for Rose Green, too, when I found out she had won her
race, 38.94 to Christa's 39.54. In my AG, coming in third was Marina
Worsley (40.54), then Mary Robinson (42.34), followed by
Susana Jacobo Fonseca (44.62). I straggled in 6th
(45.99) with Angela and her flaming ears in 59.54.
To be honest, I think Carol Lafayette-Boyd was off her game
this Meet, for she has run far faster times, just a year ago and had
done so consistently. Even the greatest sometimes have off days.
This does not take away from Kathy Bergen's wins for she was
running a bit handicapped as well, with her injured knee. That is
the fun with track, one never knows which version of self or
competitor will show up or how any particular race will go. One tiny
mental slip and everything changes.
Angela and I talked to Mary Robinson, who was now, after doing
the 200m, going to have to do two relays, as was Marina Worsley
and Rose Green, who was running the 4x100 with Irene Obera,
Mary Roman, and Christel Donley. That is a lot of hard
running when not in the range of 30 to 60 years old any longer.
 |
| Angela and Marina before relay |
I went off to warmup briefly since the 200m was somewhat of a warmup.
Then, Marina, Angela, and I practiced the handoff. I would be third
and handing off to Marina, the anchor. Since I have problems in this
area, we practiced and practiced and Marina said just to remember not
to drop it and be sure she had it before letting go. I was a wreck,
worrying that that is exactly what I would do. I don't think I have
been this worried previously. After all, this was even more than the
Nationals.
It was a mixed relay group when we were led out. A bit of confusion
at first but it was all straightened out. As it happened,
Christel Donley was also the third runner on her relay so we were
in adjacent lanes, with Christel being a bit ahead of me since I was
in lane 1 and she in 2. Of course, she warned me not to pass her –
ha ha. At the gun, I sort of saw Mary, since she is taller than
many. She passed off to Angela at or just before the turn, then
Angela came chugging along pretty quickly. I had moved towards the
back of the passing zone, which btw was quite extended for this
relay. I began moving when she was almost upon me and she passed
nicely to me. I have no idea where Christel was, if she was ahead or
still in her waiting spot. I ran as fast as I could (turtle on a
bicycle mode), racing to Marina, who was waiting at the far end of
the turn, before the straightaway to the Finish. I came up fast on
her figuring she would take off and I would have to be quick. Well,
the gremlin came along for the ride. I came up on Marina who was
moving IN PLACE so I actually crashed into her but thank heavens she
was adept enough to grab the baton and run on with it. So glad I was
more turtle than rabbit else we both might have skidded on our
bellies down the lane.
 |
| Angela Staab, Mary Robinson, Mary Hartzler |
As it turned out, we set a new Meet record for our AG, running
1:29.04. Rose and Christel's team ran 1:32.04. Of the four teams,
three American and one Mexican, only the US W60 AG had a competitor,
the Mexicans. The W60 came in at 1:00.32 with Amanda Scotti,
Leandra Funk, Susan Loyd, and Karen Maxwell. The Mexican
team came in with 1:16.34. The US W70 with Brenda Matthews Steele
and Mary Hartzler finished in 1:09.14.
 |
| Marie-Louise and Angela |
Next up would be the 4x400 after the younger US women dazzled with
their relays. Marie-Louise Michelsohn showed up and thanked
Angela for giving up her spot so Mary could run. She was so excited,
anticipating a good relay. Come the time to check-in, by 20 minutes
before, Rose was not to be found. I asked her coach and pal Cortez
if he knew where she was. He did not really but guessed over getting
her many medals. The medal area was outside of the track on the
side, near the turn before the finish straightaway. There was a
large crowd queued for their reward. I could not initially see her.
Finally, I did. I just about grabbed her and hustled her back into
the concourse where she gave Cortez her medals and raced into the
check-in area. In time.
Angela and I went up to the raised area just in front of the stands
to watch the relay. Mary Robinson led off and did the
grueling 400m before passing to Marina Worsley.
Marina ran
her lap as if it was nothing, then passing off to Rose who
trotted around, also not looking beat, Rose then passed the baton to
Marie-Louise, the most rested of the relay team. Marie-Louise
ran her lap, heading for the 4x400 finish. It was on her now. (I
was surprised that Rose was not the anchor but in retrospect, it does
make more sense that the anchor be fast and rested.) Then, I could
not tell if they made the record nor did I know their time. Their
time was 6:53.27, each running a little over 100 seconds. Wow!
Good
enough for a new AG non Club 4x400 relay World Record.
 |
| Marina on her 400 lap |
 |
| Michelsohn, Worsley, Robinson, Green |
The ladies were of course excited. They had done it.
We all chatted for awhile as we gathered our stuff and prepared to
pick up our medals before leaving Varsity. Angela helped Rose get
ready (find shoes) so they could get a photo together. Another photo
was taken after they got their Gold, plural for three of them.
We all bid farewell, hoping to perhaps see each other at another
Meet. The high point of a year is getting together with all the
track pals. Angela and I took the subway back and this time I
noticed in this particular car, amusing little motifs on the upper
panels.
For instance, an image of an ear + LY in front of an image of
a bird. Early bird. Or: image of a ship -IP + UT and image of an
eye. (you can figure that out. If not, have fun!) Great stuff.
Can you guess where Angela and I ate again? Montana's! And I had
exactly the same thing. Two nights in a row means it was really good
and I was really hungry after all day without eating except for
coffee and cereal.
Monday, July 22, 2019
We had planned an extra day so we could take a trip or look around.
Sunday we decided on Niagara Falls. Barbara had said it was an easy
drive. Yes, in theory, it was. But then we hit weekday Toronto
traffic. Horrendous. Lots of stop and go. We wanted to be back
before dark of course. As the delays and crawling continued, Angela
got concerned and was thinking of turning around and going back. We
almost did but the traffic began moving again and eventually we did
get to Niagara Falls.
It was well worth the trip (easy for me to say. I wasn't driving.) I
had never been to Niagara though have seen many photos. We watched
some of the tour boats (Maid of the Mist and Hornblower) go under the
Falls or rather really on the outskirts such that they got a good
dose of the spray.
What was interesting is that the folks on the
boats from the Canadian side wore one color of raincoats,
blue,whereas the US based boats had their passengers in a different
color raincoat, red (or vice versa!). We discussed the foolishness
of people who got up on the railings despite the warnings (saw just
one sitting on it) For a very short while, there was a light rain.
Not long enough for us to leave. We visited the sculpture of Nikola
Tesla, instrumental in developing the AC motor.
We then went to the
tourist shop. I bought a kid's Mood ring. Sometimes I need to know
what my mood is, and a Lil' Hunk Beaver. For me, not my dog!
And, yes, we ate at Montana's again and again I had my 7 oz steak
strips etc.
Tuesday, July 22, 2019
My flight was way before Angela's but she decided she would drive me
to Pearson so she could have her navigator on this last Toronto road
outing. We got separated as I tried to get my boarding pass at a
kiosk while Angela went right on ahead to the Delta area to get hers.
I recall also having to scan the passport again and getting that
sheet of paper (or my mind is slipping into the past.) There was a
long winding queue to get to the Canadian Customs agent.
At
one point, I saw Angela way back in the queue. I think three agents
were on duty. Once I got there, I gave him my paper, he asked what
the purpose of my visit had been and then sent me on my way.
The rest of my trip home was uneventful except for an approximate two
hour delay at JFK due to weather. But, I got home. Boom!
