USATF Masters Indoor Nationals 2015

              Fan or athlete – what’s more fun?

                                                               Fan

You like Olympic track and field sports?   The more local USATF National events, be it for the youngsters or the Masters, are the little cousins of the BIG event.  One can find the same anticipation, nervousness, energy, and love of the sport as at the Olympics.  Sure the fan base  is smaller and you won’t find the same marks as at the Olympics (though the Juniors and non-Master events can come close) but one can still get wrapped up in the enthusiasm and competition.

I attended, as both an athlete and fan, the recent USATF Masters Indoor Nationals held at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.  The site itself is fabulous.  The track has a Mondo surface (the only spikes allowed are ¼ inch Pyramid) and is great to run on.  Large enough to host a national event as well as many NCAA events, the track retains its homey atmosphere.  Fans are up close and there is no bad seat in the spectator section.  Even for the Nationals, there was plenty of room for the athletes on the other side of the track, and though the warm-up area was foreshortened to make room for two high jump sections, it was sufficient for warm up.

                                                        

On March 20^th, after my own event, I was volunteering in the high jump area.  What a well run event.  The officials were right on in terms of keeping the competition moving.  Usually, there would be two queued up, one that approached the jump from the right side and another who preferred coming from the left. The styles, both just before the jump and the jump itself, varied as much as the competitors.  One fellow backed up as far as he could into the two track lanes coned off for these guys while their event was on.  (Only the longer track races were scheduled at the time so runners were able to cut into the inside lanes just prior to this area.)  Then the jumper loped in from the right side and side jumped over the bar.  Another fellow mentally practiced his jump while waiting – talking to himself, rocking back and forth and moving his arms.  Almost slo-mo dance motion.  One man approached the jump at a decent speed, only to slow just prior to his leap, then push off and up.  At times, I was surprised that some of these techniques actually worked. 

                                                          

  

While there, I was able to observe the women’s 3000m.  As such, I saw Sonja Friend-Uhl (W43) as she passed by on the back stretch. Right off the bat she took the lead and from that point on it became a race of who was going to be lapped next.  I saw her talking to herself (or the other runner?) as she passed one competitor.   Peter Taylor, announcer, indicated that she was closing in on the existing American record of 9:51.60.  When Friend-Uhl hit the final home stretch, (Peter: And here she comes!) she put on an astonishing burst of speed and ripped down the track to the Finish. Fast enough to set a new, to be authenticated, American record time of 9:50.37.   

Irene Obera, the Phenom

Over at the long jump arena, Irene Obera, the phenom 81-year-old, jumped 2.72m.  Elegance in motion.  I saw her in subsequent days obliterate fellow runners in the 60m, and the 60m hurdles in the pentathlon (running in mixed age group.)

Announcer Peter Taylor before the fun began March 20th

On Saturday, I was thrilled by the final push by Piedmont Pacer teammate “Carl” Dixon Cook (M67) on the home stretch of the mile run to overtake Gary Patton taking third by 26/100^th  of a second, with a time of 5:45.02.  (Since Ken Hamilton, who finished second, is Canadian, Carl ended up with the silver.)  After I ran the 60m, several of us hung out near the Finish line and watched the younger crew run 60m.   Jane Barnes, running her first event since a devastating injury to her foot in late September, ran down the lane at almost her old winning speed of yore, coming in second (9:35)!  Amanda Scotti (W57) tore down the track in 8.86, almost a second ahead of the nearest competitor. (At the time, I recognized the name but did not know why! i.e. National Masters News) The W50 group followed with a tight race to the line, so fast and close it was hard to tell who actually won until looking up at the result screen.  Sandy Triolo (W53) beat Sue McCarthy (W51) by 5/100^th of a second! No wonder the eye could not tell!  The men’s 60m with Oscar Peyton (M62) and Damien Leake (M62) was set up by their incredibly close preliminary, in which  1/1000^th second separated them.  In the Final, Leake won by 12/100^th second. I love watching speed!

One lady I took note of was Rose Green (W76).  She set a new American record in the 60m, though I could not tell from my vantage point at the time.  Later, she came close to breaking the record in the 200m as well.  (Jeanne Daprano (W78), the pro, took her in the 400m.) However, on Sunday, I saw her running in one of the relays (in the W60-69 herd) as she rounded the back stretch corner.  Wow!  She was fast! I can’t wait to see her run with Kathy Bergen, who has now entered the same age group.

 The only problem with also being an athlete is that one misses an awful lot while warming up or hanging out by the check-in area.  I guess being both fan and participant means one can’t be satisfied! 

                                                                     Athlete

 After loading up on vitamins and a protein shake, I left for Winston-Salem Friday morning March 20^th.  I had decided to commute the one and 3/4 hour drive each day and was thankful that our snows and lousy weather had departed for the season.  I had no problem finding parking at JDL Fast Track (on any of the 3 days.)  Once inside, I had my spikes checked and was able to declare for my first event, the 400m.  I found where the Piedmont Pacers were located, but before I warmed up, I felt a twinge in my left calf.  Huh?  Not expected.  Well, okay, then.  I eased into my butt kicks etc and slow trots and I was fine.  Previously, I had checked the list of other competitors in my AG in this event.  I knew that Mary Robinson would be a tough and fast competitor and I took note of Marie-Louise Michelsohn’s listed mark and knew she was in a class above. (Like running with Kathy Bergen again – who, btw, was not at Indoors.)  Reading about Michelsohn, I saw that she was far more disciplined than me in training and certainly in distance. Of my three races, the only one Michelsohn wasn’t in was the 60m.  Though Barbara Hensley’s listed mark was a bit slower than I’d run at JDL in February, that was no guarantee of anything.

As I trotted around the track , I met Marie-Louise, recognizing her by her sun glasses.  She had gone to Bronx High School of Science, a school I had wanted to go to so we talked about that.  During our trot around, she told me that in December, she had broken her femur.  What! And she was here running?  She said she was in France at the time and that on Christmas Eve she was having a screw put in her leg.  Good God Almighty!  Not quite three months ago.  She was not limping or favoring her leg.  Amazing!

Starting area officials

I went outside to do my warmup, going slowly, using some of the Camp Gladiator exercises before slow jogging.  My stamina was, as usual, lacking in the beginning.  I kept at it until the roughness began to ebb away before returning inside to add some speed attempts.  I found some pals, along with Mary Robinson, and we all tried to stay loose before the race.  Angela Staab was there despite water on both knees which she has been fighting for awhile, but was intent on competing nonetheless. 

I was assigned Lane 5 for the 400m, Marie-Louise was in 4, and Mary in 3, with Angela in 1.  I’m not sure where Barbara Hensley and Jane Simpson were   I only know about Marie-Louise and Mary because they both came up on me once the race began.  Marie-Louise caught me before we were even half way up the back stretch during the first 200m.  Mary then moved up close as we rounded the bend and the cones ahead which denoted when we could move from our starting lane assignments over to lane one.  Marie-Louise moved over, I started moving in from lane 5 but Mary was faster and was right there and into lane one before I had my act together.  We were too close for me to get into lane one without cutting Mary off, so I stayed in lane 2 going into and around the back stretch. Duh!  Why did I not think of at least moving over to 1?  Being behind Mary in lane one would be better than being adjacent in two!  As we approached the final turn, I think I mentally conceded.  No way would I catch Marie-Louise nor Mary. This little mental glitch probably slowed me. I did not push to exhaustion, though I then moved to lane one. Why?  Probably slowed me even more.  Hah!  And that is how my 400m went.  Third, and still breathing.

Peter Taylor announcing

Video:  http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=137924

Saturday the 21^st brought the 60m.  I followed the same routine as regards warm-up, but adding practice starts, since my non-block starts are so-so (but better than my standing starts.)  I learned a new stretching technique from Jane Barnes (let’s hope I remember it!) Using my Fitbit, I checked my pulse rate out of curiosity. It was 93.  Ann Carter who has beaten me in the past wasn’t there and that was a disappointment (turns out she has bronchitis and was just doing her favorite events – the jumps).  Another listed competitor, one I did not know, Marilyn Mitchell, did not show.  So there Mary and I were, assigned adjacent lanes, sitting on the queueu bench while those older (and some faster!) ran ahead of us.  And, gosh, the older ones used blocks (Irene Obera, of course! And others.)  I checked my pulse rate: 106.  Just sitting!   Then, it was our turn.  Mary was to my right and Jane Simpson, to my left.  I remembered which knee to put down and where, and at the “Set” to swing the correct arm up.  (This was an improvement over February when I remembered everything incorrectly!)  Bang!  No thinking needed in the 60m. Just go as fast as one can.  And breathe. As expected Mary led us out and I had to play catch-up.  I reached her and we ran side by side down the short runway, seeming to cross the Finish line together.  Exhilarating!  Mary thought it might be a tie.  I had no idea, but felt good that I had run all out.  Mary won by 1/100^th of a second.  It was a great, fun, race.

Video: http://www.jdlfasttrack.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=46093&mgroup_event_id=1079&year=2015&do=videos&video_id=138148

Mary Robinson Angela Staab Barbara Hensley LG 4x200

Mary had discovered that no “non-club” 4x200 relay record existed for our age group. Angela Staab wanted to run it as did Mary, so we got Barbara Hensley to join us.  The race was to go off at 15:30 (3:30), so we twice practiced passing the baton.  It was sort of funny because Barbara, who was going to pass to me, was also carrying her water bottle.  I gave the local TV photog, standing at the railing, a laugh when I blurted out to Barbara to put that dang (well, the word began with a D but it wasn’t “dang”.) water bottle down.  Had our club, Piedmont Pacers, had enough women, Angela and I would have also tried to run the club age group relay. (Kathy Jacobs was now on crutches having  strained her ham string. Besides  - she was in a younger AG any way.) We were the only ones in our age group, club or non-club.  It didn’t matter how slowly we ran this race.  I, as anchor, could probably have crawled to the Finish. (Is that legal?)  Mary led off, passing to Angela of bad knee fame, who then passed to Barbara, who passed nicely to me.  Our finish tine was 3:12.64.   

And now comes Sunday.  Again with the warmup.  Angela decided to pass up the 200m, saving her knees for the 4x400 (she was going to do the 800m “for the team”!)  That left five of us in the 200m: Marie-Louise Michelsohn (who had run her legs off these past few days by running the 400m, 3000m, mile, and 800m and the 4x200m relay with the 65 year olds!  All, after her December leg injury.  Guess it is never say STOP!) Mary Robinson, Barbara Hensley, Jane Simpson, and me. 

The night before I had imagined that I might end up running with Marie-Louise on one side and Mary on the other.  After being passed  in the 400m, I had only one recourse: go all out from the git go and hope to hold on to the end. Probability was that I would lose steam just after 100m, but so be it.  I was assigned magical lane five again, Marie-Louise Lane 4, and Mary Lane 1. While awaiting the starting process, I tried to calm down and get my breath.  There are times when I feel as if I am not getting enough air.  It is a crazy thing and the feeling is only satisfied when I can feel the air at the back part of the throat, deep down.  Not easy.  This time it did not happen.  Not a good sign. I needed a distraction. I looked at the starter in her red shirt (she was also the lady who kept track of runner laps in the 4x400m later), the infield, etc.  Then it was time.  Into my crouch I went, at the Set I took a breath and at the gun took off and ran at maybe 95%.  Whatever it was, it was faster than I normally start off.  Towards the end of the back stretch along comes Marie-Louise.  Oy!  We round the bend and proceed next to each other.  I’m hoping to not go poof and lose either energy or have my legs turn to rubber. Mentally, I’m determined not to slow down. She is right on me!  I pumped my arms faster.  I’m going all out, the Finish line is approaching.  It seems she may have an inch on me.  We hit the Finish and I have no idea who won until I have sense enough to look up and see my name at the top.  Mary steamed in right after us.  I won by 4/10^th of a second.  A step?


                                                        

200m race to the line

The video of the race:

http://www.jdlfasttrack.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=46093&mgroup_event_id=1079&year=2015&do=videos&video_id=138523

Marie-Louise said her leg (not the previously injured one) had buckled and this had never happened before. (well, shoot, look at all the events she ran!)  Mary said she saw it too.  That is probably when I got my step lead.  (Looking at the video it is hard to tell.  I see her arm shoot up and that’s it.)  She was okay after the race, but I know these things happen.  Sometimes in practice I’ve felt as if a leg is going out from under me. In Marie-Louise’s case it could be that she is unconsciously putting more pressure on that leg, compensating for a residual problem with the other.  Plus all the prior races. 

4x400 LG Barbara Hensley Angela Staab Mary Robinson

And, yet, she also ran the subsequent 4x400 relay with her club’s next lower age group!  

Our non-club relay team wanted to run it as well.  I forced myself to endure the horrid 400m again (could be worse – they could have wanted to run the 800m!) There is an existing American record for our age group (I am not sure if it is club or non-club) of 7:21.  I figured with Angela’s bad knees and the rest of us not excited up to running a fast 400m, there would be no way.  We ran in the same order as the earlier relay.  I was surprised by how well Angela handled her portion.  The end result was that we ran it in a time of 7:48.09  Not the record but not bad.

Gathering them for the Relay

The Indoor Nationals was well run.  Peter Taylor did his superb announcing job.  Sure, he is familiar with many of the runners, but not all, and yet, he is right on in knowing who is where in a race!  You’ve got runners on the back stretch, partially blocked from view by the infield netting, but Peter can still tell who is who.  And, in case one was not paying attention to the ongoing race, he gets one’s attention and makes it exciting, building the tension, even if it is not a close race.

Nolan Shaheed waiting for baton pass

While watching the relays, I got a kick out of the officials.  Especially the one who had to herd, corral,  the various competitors into their proper waiting queues.  At times, especially with the Senior men (not the women!), she worked hard to get them to pay attention and in position to receive the baton.  Worse than herding cats!   I was fascinated by watching how the two women officials managed the longer relay events: one keeping track of who was on what lap and communicating with the other to queue up the next baton recipient.  This could be tight when more than one team was coming in to pass the baton at the same time.

There is no end to the excitement to be found in a National event. Having all these athletes, 30 years old and up, competing in multiple disciplines, makes for non-stop days for the venue staff, officials, and variety for the fans.

One week later, after a week of Camp Gladiator, and two social runs, my legs need a rest. But come Sunday, a track practice awaits. No doubt, I will be a slacker!   

.   

Here it comes -- USATF Masters Indoor Nationals at JDL!

Tomorrow it begins.  The only thing I am pretty sure of is that I will be blown away in the 400m and probably in the 200m, as well.  And so it goes.  The real question is -- can I at least equal my time from February's SouthEast Region Masters?  Equal would be nice.

My one track practice since February was last week and it was pitiful.  It started with a twinge in one hamstring (but I managed to get that worked out).  Seemed like the only way I could get around in the 400 was to run / trot slowly.  Afterwards my legs ached.

Should be fun nonetheless. I will just be relieved when the 400 is over.  Strong competitors may make me gasp and really drag at the end.  The 200m will be fun, at least. I always feel as if I am at least running!   In the 60m, I suspect I will be playing catch up with my less than stellar non-block start. (usually last to get going.)  

It will be good seeing the other competitors and socializing a little.  I will also be volunteering on Friday. 

Our stellar track announcer, Peter Taylor, will be back at it again, making it exciting for all.  He will be the good looking svelte fellow at the table in the inner circle near the Finish line.  

Southeast Region Masters Indoor Championships 2015

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

         JDL Fast Track site's photo of track..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

       getting ready for relays

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

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

The cost of University athletics

                                         #wingsclipped

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

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

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

  

Camel City Elite Indoor Meet @ JDL Fast Track

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

snack break between events!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Train, slow up, cut back on gorging food

Two weeks to go before the Southeastern Region Masters Indoor Meet.  At the track on Sunday, it was maybe 37 degrees.  I warmed up with pseudo lunges -- my knees don't bend that well -- high knees, butt kicks, and a slow traverse of the track.  The plan was for 5x400 with interspersing walk 400m.  The first two were a bust.  Halfway around and I was walking.  Partial quad wipeout, partial breathing.  Result: 2:24 or so for the 400m.  I am really feeling like an ancient, these days.  I wised up a little on the last three attempts by slowing up my pace, managing to get to the finish line, without walking, in 2:02 - 2:04. Nonetheless, it was an effort!   To think -- last year I was able to do 400ms one after another (no interspersing walk) with a minute break between.  Not fast, but at least completed.

Next, I tried the 200m.  The first two attempts were hard, but I got there.  The third was a total failure. I dropped to a walk halfway, thinking no way and just bag it.

Next the 100m, but this time I decided on an 80% effort right off the bat. (One would think I had been doing that, or 50% effort in the earlier distances, based on my times, but sad to say, nope.  I was going as "fast:" as I could.  "Fast" is a relative term -- faster than a snail -- or faster than a New Mexico roadrunner?)  I did three 100m at about 80%, averaging about 22-23 seconds.

And that was it for Sunday.  Not a long or exhausting (except the 400s!) workout but all I wanted to do.  The 400s are so discouraging that it seems as if there is no point being out there, at times.  

This morning, at CG, this being Metabolic Conditioning week, by the time I got to the sprint out and back (touching the ground at each end) for four minutes, I found that after the fourth time I was slowing up and huffing and puffing. By number eight I walked part of the way out, dragging back.  I managed ten and a half by time end.  Then, it was on to the other joy: suicides! (Run out to a cone and back, then out to the next cone and back, etc)  Talk about slow grind to a halt.  I had nothing in the tank.

Time to add a lot more protein - meat -- rocket fuel to my diet!  Protein shakes five mornings a week get tiring.

At least I can go out and do some kind of running training.  Not so for the folks along the NE coast for the next week.   It will be beautiful.  To be enjoyed from a warm room looking out.

  

Once again -- not ready for competition

Not ready for   .. any track competition.  Forget prime time!

Here it is almost the end of January 2015 and I can not complete even one 400m without walking.  Forget how long it takes.  About 3 or 4 weeks ago, I returned to Sunday track practice and it was bad.  Since then it has not improved. Last week at UNC's Belk, I was able to trot around only if I maintained something like an 11 minute pace. This, after a half hour warm up of knee lifts (in my case slow and not high -- creaky knee), lunges, butt kicks etc.  When my running pal and I tried a decent run around (she recovering from knee surgery) I could not do it.  I got just a bit over 200m and bonked.  We moved onto 200m. Again, I could not complete the full 200m.  In the end I did one 100m in a partially decent speed.

It is not just lack of lung power, but leg strength as well.  Towards the end of the 200m runs, the legs felt weak.  The old rubbery feeling.  Very discouraging.

This week, I measured out about 1/4 mile on a local packed dirt-sand greenway.  The route is not flat and has some curves in it.  It is also week 3, high intensity week, of this session of Camp Gladiator.  So, early morning five days a week I do CG and then have some R&R at home before attempting the greenway 1/4 mile.  I have yet to get through any of the repeats without walking.  I made it easy by running one 1/4 mile then walking back to the start before running again.  The most I have been able to do is five repeats, none of which have taken less than 2:16 minutes and today's was 2:34!  More than a minute longer than my last competitive 400m!  (And today I felt a twinge in my left quad.  Stretching after helped.)     

Southeastern Regionals Indoor is February 8th.  I signed up for the 400m, 200m, and the 60m.  All in one day.  USATF Indoor Masters Nationals (championships) is March 20-22, also at JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem.  I would really like to drop the 400m.  I have not yet signed up for Nationals.  There are those who say I have to "defend my title".  Ugh.  That was an aberration.  The thought of trying to just get around the indoor 200m track twice is not enticing.  I suppose I can do it if I can cut back on my pace and just forget about anything other than finishing without walking.  The problem is I tend to speed up and then deflate, like certain Patriot footballs.

Too little training, endurance, muscle strength. 

USATF Masters Outdoor Championships

The Races and ugly endings

July 18-20, 2014

                                The 400m (did I say I really dislike this distance?)

Warming up is always a quandary.  Will I do too much or too little? Too little and I would be quickly gasping for breath during the race and too much and the legs would just as quickly burn out.  I found a practice football field behind the stadium.  First, I did some of the moving stretching routines I’d found online.  I remembered three -- walk and touch the ground in front of the forward foot; lie down and stretch one leg across the other to the side to stretch the hips, and drop to hands and knees and kick back, slowly (not fast donkey kicks).  Then I started slow trotting around the circumference of the field.  I did that a few times, ending with one short sprint. I was careful not to do any all out sprinting.

On return to the spectator stands where I was hanging out with the Piedmont Pacers and had stashed my gear, I consumed a packet of 2^nd Surge Double Expresso Energy gel, then on the track drank some water.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate had been the advice I’d found online along with the pre-race warmup exercises.

There were two race check-ins: the first to declare you were there for the race, and one must do so no later than an hour before the race OR be eliminated, and the second, about twenty minutes before the race.  The various age groups for a race congregate to change shoes and wait until the officials call out the age groups, two at a time.  So I’m carrying my regular shoes, looking for a place to put them when a pal tells me, no,no, we carry them to the start area where we can put them in a basket associated with ones assigned lane. Well, alrighty! 

When I saw that Irene Obera (who has umpteen records) was in the group before mine for the 400m race, I was star dazzled. Previously, I’d encountered her name as a record holder with fantastic times in various age groups.  Their group was a mixed age group (the older one gets, the fewer there are in your AG). There was Obera (80), West Valley Track Club, and Jeanne Daprano (77), Atlanta Track Club (another record holder who, though older, has always beaten me.) I watched them run and Daprano came in first followed by Obera.

Jeanne Daprano Jun 2014

Irene Obera July 20,2014

 I was assigned lane 5, with two competitors to my right, ahead of me, and three behind me to my left, including Mary Robinson, last year’s champ who has faster times than I do.  I had no plan in mind other than to not get too far behind.  At the “Set”, I was not in a classic middle distance runner stance.  Nope.  I knew I would not be tearing up the track, so why burst out? Besides, I wouldn’t last if I did. 

 Bang!  I set out at a pace that seemed okay (I could breathe!) and had passed the two to my right by the first turn.  Along the straight away near the stands, I heard pals urging me on, and the announcer saying I was in the lead (Oh, great! This won’t last long!)  This was disconcerting.  It was not my plan to be in the lead 1/3^rd of the way through the race!  I was probably at about an 80% pace, hoping not to experience a loss of energy before the end. There was a long way to go.  I was expecting Mary Robinson to catch and pass me.  As we approached the far turn, I hear that I am in the lead and Mary is second.  (It is odd to hear one’s name in that way!  Especially after watching earlier events and seeing and hearing how the leader was over taken!) 

1/3rd-1/4th done. LG, Robinson, Primmer

 In the turn, as motivation, I intentionally called up the image of a Carolina Godiva pal urging me on as she does during Wednesday night track meets.  I sped up as best I could.  (Good thing, because the video shows Mary right on my heels at that point!) 

Mary Robinson, inner lane,  closing gap

 With about 40 to 50 meters left, the legs began giving out. They burned and felt tight and resistant, with turnover slowing.  Oh, no! By 20 meters out they essentially froze.  I could barely get them to move. Worse than walking, I was going to come to a stop, they were so locked up. Mary was coming on.  I just knew she would pass me any moment as I slowly stumbled forward. The legs were turning to cement.  I was so close to the Finish line but I wouldn’t make it!  By this point, I normally would have given up at a Godiva meet. But this was Masters.  Gasping for air, I willed myself onward, one leg at a time.  I looked down as I stumbled forward.  Aaargh!  I was too close to the right lane line! I swung my right leg wildly over, avoiding going out of lane. Off balance, I stumbled across the Finish before Mary.

 Do you remember Gabriella Andersen-Schiess in the 1984 Olympics Marathon?  She weaved and stumbled to the Finish? That was me.  I wobbled forward, hyperventilating, hoping not to collapse.  Ugly finish.  My worst ever.  I’ve had dead legs before and been gasping, but this was beyond anything in the past.  Far from elegant! I was still off balance even after the finish. (To add insult, photos of my awkward, ugly finish, turned up online on a race site!)  

My time was a PR, beating my prior best from 10 years ago! (1:27.83) But what an ugh! feeling.  

From Masterstrack.com, photo by Ken Stone of the ugly end to my 400m, with Mary Robinson coming up on me. 

http://www.masterstrack.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=55929

The video from USATF TV

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=121906

100m Saturday July 19, 2014

My next race was at 09:40 the next morning.  My last minute decision to stay the night equals a decent but non luxurious motel, about 10 minutes from WFU.  No wake up call capability.  I set my cell phone to go off at 07:00.  I did not plan to eat. (Atkins protein shake would do.)  At 07:22 I woke to a distant buzz.  Up I jumped – the cell had been going off since 07:00 but not loud enough!  I got to the track by 8:00, feeling hyper.

I took my warmup to a new field, where others were also busy getting ready.  Some were jumpng practice hurdles. I went through the same routine of walking touching hand to ground, but no lying down and stretching because the grass was too wet.  I jogged, again wondering if I was doing enough.  I took about three trots around adding about two very short sprints.  Enough.

Today, I took a Stinger honey gel about 40 minutes before my event.  Then, down to the track for the second check-in and to change shoes.  I brought my camera to stick in my regular shoe so I could get some photos of the youngsters running after me.I chatted with other runners and met Kathy Bergen (Southern California Striders, aka SC Striders), who was running this event. 

ESPN photo of Kathy Bergen

http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8399448/image/6/kathy-bergen-senior-moments

  This time, as we were being led to the start for the 100m, I see that my compatriots are not carrying their shoes.  Maybe no basket?  So I dropped my shoes along the base of the spectator wall and trot back to the group. Ack! I still had my ball cap on.  Run back to my shoes, drop the hat and run to catch up with the others.  Pros are disciplined and focused.  Not me.  I got lane 5 again.  Each age group started about 3 minutes apart. I watched Obera race ahead of her competitors. One runner (Marion Coffee) suddenly went down.  Tripped on her feet?  She was eventually carried off the track.  This time, Ann Carter (Atlanta Track Club)  was in lane 6 to my right; she has beaten me in the past and also competes in many more events than I do.  Mary Robinson was to my far right in lane 8 and Kathy Bergen to my left in lane 4.  Of the six entered, three of us do not use blocks. Now is the first time I put my new 3-point start to a real test.  Bam!  Off  Kathy Bergen darts.  No chance to get near her. But I knew that ahead of time.  Ann and I are about even, Mary ahead of me. I have no strategy for the 100m, just go as fast as I can and hope to catch up.  I pumped my arms, held my head up to get air and churned. It takes me about 10 meters to get going.  I pass Ann but Mary is still ahead.  I push hard and get even with Mary.  We run like this for about 20 meters it seems and just before the Finish line, I edge ahead of Mary, just crossing before her. Kathy 1st by a huge margin, me 2nd, and Mary 3^rd. Tough race but at least I wasn't physically undone as I had been the day before.

100m finish - Kathy Bergen, LG, Mary Robinson,Ann Carter

video

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=121952

200m Sunday July 20, 2014

I had driven home Saturday night and returned in the morning for my 11:05 race.  I checked in, dropped my stuff off at the Piedmont Pacer area and went off to practice.  Again, I went through my routine of active stretching and jogging to get my blood flowing and breathing evened out.  With this event (and the 100m) I at least knew I would finish.  Though, there was a time two years earlier, where, at this very track, I had almost come to a walk in the 200m!  During the 2012 Powerade NC State Games, which I was insufficiently trained for due to an ailing Achilles. I’d run an earlier 100m.  By the 200m my legs weakened with 40 meters to go.  I barely managed a slow jog to finish. Nonetheless, it had happened.  I did not think it would today.

Time came for the 200m race.  I carried my shoes, with a camera tucked inside, to a far wall near the Finish line (so I would not have to later run all the way across to get the camera) before walking with the group to the start area.  I got lucky lane 5 again, Kathy Bergen on my left and Mary Robinson on my right. Ann Carter had just come off a triple jump and was still thinking about it.  3-point start position again. Stable. On your mark; Set, Boom!  Kathy led the way to the curve and beyond (bye, Kathy!) I huffed and puffed to try to catch up to Mary, who was way ahead.  It did not seem possible. Head up, arms pumping like mad. It took most of the last 100m to catch up, inching past just before the Finish. Real close!   

200m finish - Kathy Bergen, LG, Mary Robinson

The video

http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=122044

The 4x100 non club relay (running as 60)

Mary Robinson, Angela Staab, and I were to run the 4x100m with a younger runner, Kathy Jacobs, who is 61.  This put us in the non Club W60 age group.  The relays are the last events of the Meet.  But when time came to check in, Kathy was not there. With no earlier race, she was in church in the choir!  We needed to check in an hour before the race. No Kathy.  (Angela, who really wanted to run this race, had not realized that Kathy would be in church!)  Fortunately, there were so many teams checking in that Kathy got there before they had finished processing them all.  We had about ten minutes before we had to run.  Our team ran with teams ranging from 30-years old to 50s.  Oh, yeah, we got in last.  But we were the only non club 60 AG. Fun!

Guardino, Jacobs, Staab, Robinson

 I watched the 90 year old men do their relays as I waited for the W40 Club relay team of Carolinas Track and Field with some of my idols.  The 4x100 was a beautiful race to watch.  Anne Sluder led off, Melanie Walker had the second 100m, near the spectator stands, then Kris Kazebee carried to the baton to the anchor, Toccata Murphy. Getting the baton a little late, Toccata Murphy brought it home for the win.  They subsequently ran the 4x400.  Fine ending to a fun meet.

Leadup to USATF Masters Outdoor Championships 2014

                Training does not equal Procrastination  

                                Last summer I heard that the 2014 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships were coming to Winston-Salem.  Maybe I’d sign up for something.  Really? Having looked at earlier years’ race results, I shouldn't even be on the same track.  My times -- not even close!. All the training in the world might not do it. Sundays track with Coach Z, Mary S. and Jerry S. was tough.They tended towards middle distance practice (400m and up) and I liked shorter.  But it was the propensity to work the slow twitch muscles rather than the fast twitch ones that was the problem. Running 5ks up to Half Marathon distances – not helpful! In November 2013, I went to an Open (anyone may compete) indoor track meet.  Once inside, I felt like Lemuel Gulliver on landing in Lilliput, not in size but in age. In the two events I ran (can’t say competed!), I was in heats with third graders, who left me behind.  How could I possibly compete with experienced Masters?

  By the New Year, I’d done little toward my goal.  Well, okay, then.  I will do short sprint exercises, and run distances no longer than a mile.  Except that 5Ks and XC fun events kept cropping up.  (With no nearby track events.) First, the Carolina Godiva New Year’s XC race, followed by more Godiva 4 mile or longer XCs, along with Run For Young 5K, the Run for the Roses 5K, and more.  My plan was in the dumpster.

 Okay, build up!  Spend more time at the gym doing Body Pump and practicing street sprints. And add  repeat 10x running up the steps. (Fun when the dog also decides he wants to follow!)  Until one day something did not feel right.  That something became an inflamed patella and, worse, shooting pains down the calf to the foot. Driving one mile was agony. It was the foot on the brake that was the worst.  Waiting at a stoplight or being stuck in traffic, equalled screaming fury. There went training. Forget about competition! In February I found a chiropractor who determined that my right hip was out of whack and I needed to wear orthotics.  (ugh. I now wear orthotics in all except my racing shoes.) A fellow competitor offered a ride to JDL Fast Track for the Southeastern Region Masters Indoor Championships in March, where I competed, with non spectacular times, in the 60m and 200m events. 

Now, I decided to really cut back on distance (except for a 10k, a half marathon, and Run for Our Heroes – a must-do 5k!).  My lack of discipline was evident. What am I?  A road racer or a sprinter? Once more, I decreed no more road races (Monday night nOg Run Club outings or Tuesday Capital RunWalk Downtown Challenges are not races!) I stuck to this – except for the May Rocket Mile and Mother of All Races 10K.   On April 16^th, I began Camp Gladiator boot camp training, going 3X a week.  May 20^th  I started serious sprint training. Carolina Godiva Track Club's Wednesday evening summer track series started the next day. I could sprint against others.    I jogged in the Social and fun runs leaving much of the actual sprint training to Sundays. 

 Prison Break - The Escape, Fun Run 

The cutoff date for event registration was June 20^th.  I for sure wanted to do the 100m and 200m.  I have been saying that I would never do another 400m (except for one last one in Senior Games State Finals.) But the idea of doing the 400m lurked.  I held off registering. This was my once in a lifetime chance to run in big deal (read – above my class) events.  On June 17^th I decided to also register for the 400m.  So what if I came in last. It would be while running with the best to come out that day.  When registration deadline had passed, I took a look at the list of competitors.  Sure enough, as expected, Kathy Bergen, world record holder in two of my events (100m and 200m), would be there. This was good, because I’d never seen her race except in videos.  Exciting!  Not to worry about her – she’d be zipping down the lanes before I moved a foot.  But what about the others?  I saw at least two to worry about:  one had beaten me in the past and the other had posted faster times than mine. Two of the remaining four had no posted history. The 400m was loaded, it seemed, with one or two unknown threats, and one known..  

In the less than a month remaining, I ran lots of repeat 400s, 200s, and 100s. Each repetition usually slower than the last.  But sometimes not. Oh, and let's fit in one more race. A special July 4th inaugural Raleigh Downhill Mile.  Barbara L. loaned me her older starting blocks so I could make one more attempt at using blocks.  Out to a nearby grassy field I went. Nada -- awkward and added nothing to my start. Forget it.  Back to experimenting with various 3-point starts.   In the final week I found one that both kept me steady and gave a smoother start.  Also, in the last two weeks, I increased my attendance at Camp Gladiator.

 I was really apprehensive about this whole Masters thing. Scared, actually.  The number of times I have had to drop to a walk during a Godiva 400m, fresh in my mind. The night before my first event, I visualized running to catch my competitors, closing on a few. I could at least hope for that.  When I left for Winston-Salem for the dreaded 400m (oh, please do NOT walk during it), I was anything but relaxed.  I took written directions as well as my Google Maps app and a backup GPS unit. Dare not be late, I’d been warned.  I left early and got to WFU about two hours before my 400m.

Raleigh 70.3 Half Ironman June 1, from volunteer perspective

I was an afternoon volunteer course monitor on Hillsborough street, so all the Pros had already finished when I arrived.  There were still plenty of folks on the running loop.  A hellacious 6 plus route up Hillsborough St. and back, twice!  Psychologically, if you are already feeling the burn, when you get to the end of the first circuit, knowing you have to go up that long grinding slope again -- ugh!

But these folks are nothing if not determined.  Most seemed happy to still be moving.  Some loped along, others jogged on and off, and yet others walked.  I wasn't far from the water stop and spraying station up the hill a bit from me.  It was good to be able to relay some good news to these weary folks as they came by. Another good thing they had to look forward to was the downhill return.

One fellow who'd had a bad encounter with another biker had to carry his damaged bike six miles to the transition point.  He was wiped but determined to finish the event (which he did.)  TeamRWB, consisting of  Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, was well represented.  One member carried the American flag.  It's tough enough to carry oneself, but the strain on the arms and shoulders (after an already taxing swim and bike) must have hurt like the dickens! But, these are tough folk. There was a huge delegation of runners from the DC area -- club jerseys testified to affiliation.  One woman came by, looking to be in the older category.  A fellow volunteer said she was in her 70s (age on back of leg).  Indeed!  There were two women in the 70-74 age group who completed the half ironman.  One in 7:11 hours and the other in 9:02.  Like they say down here "Bless their hearts!"  To me, this is an amazing feat.

One couple approached. The male sat on the curb holding his foot  He was on his second loop of the run portion but was having Achilles - calf problems.  They were about 3 to 4 miles from finishing.  He got up and tried walking but it was easy to see he was in agony. Better to stop then to destroy oneself to the extent that months of recovery (or worse) would be required.  I felt badly but was glad to see him take the lift back to the Finish.  His companion carried on to finish. Towards the back of the group, one lady who had not been able to train was struggling through the event.  She was quite concerned about not completing the run within the time limits.  Fortunately, she continued on because she did finish -- just in time.  I saw one fellow, accompanied by a few volunteers, who was also having a tough time.  Since the sweeper PD car was right behind them, I knew it was if-fy. (He later dropped out.)

The water crew up the road had a good time encouraging the lagging runners as they approached and passed.  Dancing and clapping, they buoyed the spirits of those who walked, jogged, and slow ran their way back down to the Finish.

The weather was maybe about 80 degrees in the afternoon.  It was nice to volunteer and cheer on those I knew and those I did not know.  I've no doubt that those who finished felt a great sense of accomplishment and came home with lots of stories.  Perhaps the most welcoming thing for these folks at the end was a cold drink and a cold shower and clean clothes!

Achilles issue and Semi Hibernation over -- sort of.

Since my last post in July 2012, I had been battling Achilles tendinitis (incurred in April) and finally decided to stop running and get it looked at.  Since in a sense this blog is just a posting into the ether (unviewed) silence would not be a problem.   Any way, first it was 2 weeks of PT (eStim, ultrasound, and stretching exercises) and that got me back to at least being able to run some track at moderate speed (slow) without driving home in pain.  However, continued casual runs still resulted in tender to touch, so finally I went to a chiropractor.  Left side issues (calf in the past) said to me -- out of alignment or something.  Cutting to the chase, the most effective treatment for the Achilles was the Graston technique (scraping the effected area with an instrument of mild torture.) My Achilles had developed an extensive thickened bulge over the months of running and sports activities since the initial injury in April.   After 4 treatments the bulge was substantially reduced and I could run again.  Yea.

I returned to group runs a few weeks before Thanksgiving and ran my first race since September on Thanksgiving Day.  No Achilles problem!   I have done 3 more races since then, in not so hot speed, and figured I could work my way back.

Until the last race.  Reindeer Romp 5K in the midst of my herky jerky sprint - slow jog routine, something went awry at the back of my thigh -- it felt as if something was tangled ---- hurt below the knee, behind the knee, and in the hamstring area.  Ugh!



 Stopping and stretching did not help. I finished the race in a quite slow jog.  GRRR.  Did I mention I was freezing while waiting for the start of the race?  Actually shivering.

I did some slow jogging on the next day and it hurt a little.  Then, I blew it by playing pickleball and in the 4th game the hamstring had had enough when I once again lunged forward.  Back to square one.  So now I am somewhat back in a partial hibernation.  I will slow jog when I can. Stretch, use the roller, etc etc.

I'd say this was a crone issue -- aged tendons muscles and the like, except that younger folk also seem to incur these injuries.  Maybe they are really old people in young bodies?