Another Bust–National Senior Games Birmingham June 6-11

National Senior Games Track - high expectations - but oh, boy!

June 4 Powerade State Games NC

 I had been training for the forthcoming track meets for a few Thursday nights  when I saw a post on another track runner’s Facebook page recommending that he try dry needing.  This reminded me that I had had that and cupping done about eight months prior.  Well, why not, I thought.  It can’t harm and might help so I made the appointment and off I went.  On May 28th I had dry needling (not bad) and then the cupping. Oh, my!  The cupping!  Scraping that cup down my calves hurt like helll. Yes, Hell.   Can I say Yeow! When I left, my calves were bruised (not unexpected) so I iced when I got home.  Perhaps my mistake was going to the track the next morning to try a few 300s and some 100s.  A few steps into a slow 300 and my right Achilles balked.  I slowed even more and finished it.  I did two more 300s slowly, the main object was to see if I could get that far without gasping (even at a slow speed.) The Achilles ached but I still tried two 100s before leaving.

Monday night I did a slow jog but more walking in the weekly nOg Run Club outing (we are on a 13 week mission. I had to get nine Mondays in before some time in August.) Thursday night I did not go to train at track. I did nothing. In the meantime, oh, yes, I did Camp Gladiator Monday and Wednesday mornings gingerly, though Wednesday morning after about a half hour I was able to do very short sprints between two parking lot lines (after being tentative for all the preceding workout.) I had planned to just do two CG camps this week since the next week I would be going to Birmingham.

However, before Birmingham, there was Sunday June 4th’s Powerade State Games of NC in Greensboro.  Initially I had no intention of signing up for this since it was too close to the following week's events, but I followed the lead of another and did so.  Besides, I was curious how I would do in the 400m, which I had not signed up for in the  Birmingham Games.  My Achilles was stiff upon arrival at American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, where I met some other Piedmont Pacers. Besides me, two of the others were injured or in a recuperative stage. The track was lightly covered with a softer surface.  Perhaps better than the surface of Martin Middle school where I usually practice, but showing wear. I had signed up for two field events, shot and discus, besides the standard 100m, 200m and 400m.  In one day events with field intermixed, I stress out.  I don’t know how those I know who do both field and track handle it.  Trying to fit in the field event, warming up for the track, and the track competition is torture for me.  The field officials (actually, mostly one overworked young lady) were great about letting the few track folk squeeze in where we could.  The field events were down a hill behind the curve of the track so I was trudging up and down this hill checking to see when the event might start or when I could squeeze in, while also walking around up top trying to ease the Achilles.  In the end, I took two shot throws and two discus throws.  Nothing great about either but I did not feel badly about them.

I must mention the starting blocks made available for us. 1970s vintage, for sure!  Fixed angle and instead of a spike bottom, a hole to stick a ground pin through.  People were recruited to stand on the back of the blocks for those who used them.   My first event was the 100m. We had been discussing these blocks when Carol Stein, (60) lined up next to me using her own blocks, and, gosh, they looked as old as the ones supplied by the school!  In seeing a video of the event (taken of another younger runner in the heat) I look like Tim Conway’s The Oldest Man (Carol Burnett show) shuffling down the track. (Stein was pretty fast.  16.05) Becky Bowman won the event in 14.35. I was last, of course. (20.30)  Well, okay.  Next up was the 400m.  My aim was to finish without walking.  I somewhat jogged around the back stretch just thinking about breathing easy. After rounding into the last 100, I ran a bit faster and did finish (1:44). I was happy.  Not hurt and breathing okay.  My 200m time was like a slow training session (43.43).  So, done.  My injured pals did their events (one having run seven miles the day before.  bet his doc would not be pleased) then doing an unplanned 1500m just because!  The Achilles hurt that evening. 

NSGA  Birmingham June 6  - June 11

A note  all ages I list are the NSGA age as of December 31 2017.
Monday June 5th was the drive to Birmingham (two of us splitting the driving.)  I discovered when in SC that my suitcase with non-track clothes and prescription etc., was still at home, hiding from the dog (who was now ensconced in his luxury quarters.)

The Dawg

I-65 in Alabama was backed up for a good half hour or more outside of Birmingham.  This turned out to be an every day occurrence on that road. (We eventually took to back roads from Hoover to the track at Samford University in Homewood.) Monday night, we ate at a nearby place, On Tap Sports Café that had poor service, and, apparently, too spicy chicken in Becky’s salad, as she later found out. Then, it was off to the Walmart Superstore so I could purchase off-track clothes to get me through the rest of the week.  I bet I was in Walmart every day thereafter.  That and CVS.  Hoover, AL is proliferated with “Gallerias”.  Galleria this and Galleria that.  Walmart’s was just down about two miles from the hotel (however, finding the Supercenter versus a Walmart grocery store, well, it took a few tries.) 

I did not have good nights in Birmingham.   I also used the ice bucket and my boot most of the nights. Ibuprofen became a staple.

On Tuesday, the 6th, we picked up our credentials at the Birmingham Convention Center, where I talked for awhile with the Ohio contingent of the two Marys (Robinson and Hartzler). It was good to see them.  Becky wanted to go try out or survey the track so we managed to find our way there.  The track looked nice. 

Samford Mascot

Certainly better than the one we’d run on Sunday. However, surprise surprise.  Though the blocks folks were practicing starts from were at least from this decade, they, too, were at a fixed angle. A steep angle.  Very awkward.  Some folks made an adjustment of having the front of their foot on the track to reduce the tilt of their body. 

I ate at a taco place with my NC friends Anne Mitchell and Claudette Ross who, on their way to Texas were stopping to watch me run and our sister softball team. The WhyNots, compete in the NSGA tournament.  It was a better meal than that of the night before.

Wednesday morning was spent sequestered in the bathroom with ice for an hour from 4a.m. to 5 a.m. in preparation for the 50m preliminaries.

Later that  morning I had the 50m preliminaries.  I talked to Ann Carter (SC) who was also running it as well as doing some field events.  In the 50m, there would be 2 heats in our age group.  Jeanne Daprano (GA) was there, also planning to do the 50m.  She and Flo Meiler (VT) were in separate heats. However, since there were just nine in that age group, they got a roll over (no prelim - move on to the final the next day)  There were two heats scheduled for my AG.  While waiting for our stroll to the Start line, I spoke with a lady, Sharon Excel, who was apprehensive about the event.  This was her first National Senior Game track meet. Joann Sampson (FL) was in Heat 1, which she won in 10.15.

happy JoAnn

Mary Robinson and I were in the same heat. I used my three point start in which I push off on the bad Achilles foot, but a standing start does not work for me. Mary took the lead.  I followed.  I was near but not upon her about 4/5th of way down the track when Achilles barked enough to almost stop me such that I slowed and just got across the finish before the next person.  Not good. I had to hobble around and get ice from the Medical tent. Mary Robinson won our heat in 9.89, Ann Carter and Hannah Ashworth (AR) followed me to the Finish.  I spent the rest of the day watching others run while iced up. 

Jane Barnes (NC) 65-69 AG (hard to believe!) dazzled with her 8:04 prelim.  In the 55-59 AG there were three heats with Speedy Lee Triolo (MD) running 7.68 and the next three in her heat all running under 8.00, including Becky Bowman (NC). I later watched the 400m preliminaries. (I had wisely chosen not to enter the 400m event.) My pal Angela Staab (NC) was running it despite an inhibiting injury.  She managed to get at least 3/4 of the way around the track in her unique trot, before one leg balked.  But she managed to finish.

I went back to the Convention Center to check for shorts (none for sale) and ended up buying a supposed balm to help me heal. SuperStar ointment. (At home, I would not have spent those bucks, but desperation leads to impulsive behavior.)  While there I also took a photo of Alabama's legends.

Legend of Alabama, Bear Bryant

Wednesday night brought a great steak at Outback with Becky and Jane Barnes.

Jane Barnes & Becky Bowman after great 50m

 

Thursday was the race of the 90 to 101 year olds, in a combined group.  Julia Hawkins (LA),  wearing all blue, jogged, not walked, down Lane 1 to finish first! (18.31)  They were all marvelous but she was exceptional.  I went to the Medical tent to have them tape my Achilles with the KT Tape Pro Extreme I had purchased in CVS. 

Getting taped turned out not to be such a good idea.  The first time I was taped - Achilles and calf - the tension was too tight, hurting to walk a few steps.  So, he redid it with guidance from another.  However, instead of having my foot in a dorsiflex mode, he did it in plantar flex - toes curled towards sole.  I thought at the time this was strange, but I could walk.  So, now comes the 50m Final.  Oh, boy!  I had trouble running, feeling a burning and resistance.  However, this was nothing compared to the lady next to me in lane 1 , Betty Frydrychowitz (FL).  I saw her suddenly veer to the side and fall across the white metal strip separating the track from the field. Her arms flew out to break her fall.  I didn’t know she actually got up and finished (in 53 seconds) until much later.  While I was in Medical getting a bag of ice, she was there in a chair, her leg abrased. The fellow asked where on her arm she hurt and she pointed to just above the wrist bone.  Eventually, she was taken off in an ambulance, holding up both of her arms.  Except for her falling, I would have been last. Mary Robinson won it in 9.70, Joann Sampson next in 9.88, then Ann Carter in 10.29 and Hannah Ashworrth in 10.64.  I was 10.70.  Oh, yes, the battle of the 80s. I was most curious to see how that would go.  They were up ahead of us so I was able to watch.  Jeanne and Flo were next to each other.  I know Flo used the blocks but can’t recall if both or just one (in the 100m, Flo used just one block.) They went out together. By about midway, Flo took the lead but Madelaine Cazel won it in 9.59, followed by Flo (10.06) and Jeanne (10.08).

Guess which one hurt!

Shannon, Trio;o, Wilson, Bowman, B

Yearwood, Jane Barnes, Cohn 50m

The Preserve village artwork

That evening, we went to Vecchia, pizzeria and mercato set within the 300 plus acre natural area of The Preserve, a high octane community in Hoover. (homes just under or well over a $Million) The drive to and from was gorgeous.  Rolling hills that presented spectacular views.  It reminded me somewhat of New England. Not what I had expected in Alabama.  We had the Giardino pizza : san marzano tomato, cherry tomato, broccoli rabe, mushroom, castelvetrano olives,  fresh garlic.  Excellent.

Vecchia

More icing.  On Friday morning, I removed the tape and re-taped as I usually did at home.  Bottom of foot, up calf, with a strip across Achilles.  I still could not really warm up because I could not run (yet, here I was at a track meet thinking about doing the 100m prelim.) I was not sure if I would scratch.  I tried stretching on and off and walking with maybe a few jogging steps.  Joann Sampson said to follow my heart.  Good advice.  Leaving it up to my sensibility or lack thereof as many would say.  In the end, I decided to try it. The worst is I could be last but if I did not try, I would not know. I stretched more and forced a partial jog then decided to do the preliminary. There were five of us in the first heat.  I did my three point start and was maybe a third of the way down the track when I heard someone yell then an air horn go off.  I hesitated, thinking something had happened but then realized a gun would have signaled that so continued running.  The lady next to me had stopped but picked up running when she saw that I kept running.  When we were standing around after, wondering what had happened, one of the ladies said that we should protest. She thought that the second heat had to have run faster than us since they did not stop, and we would all miss qualifying for the Final.  She did file a protest with the main track official who agreed, saying he too had heard the air horn.  So, we would re-run the race at 13:45.  I wasn’t sure my Achilles would last but okay.  We re-ran and I had to push hard to finish first to ensure I would qualify.  I just beat Hannah.  As it turned out, I saw the original heat results and Hannah and I had both qualified (neither of us, of course, having completely stopped.)  Once more, I went for the ice.  Ice does not penetrate well through KT tape. 

So, all I really wanted to do Friday night was rest with ice on my Achilles.  But no, that was not to happen.   At six o’clock I was at the Celebration of Athletes at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham, having eaten only a few apricots my pal Angela had   We congregated by state, with some intermingling.  Having left my suitcase home, I was not in the NC “uniform”.  Oh, well.  We were all standing in an outside courtyard. I wanted to get off my foot but only the really elderly were sitting on a stone wall or conveyance.  I saw Mary Sharon Excel

Mary Sharon Excel, ND

who was the North Dakota flag bearer and the only woman in their contingent. It must have been least a half hour before they started moving us towards the Convention Center, passing and greeting the Alabama contingent. We went down a vehicle entrance way to enter into the Center.  Having been standing around too long, two of us found our way to the rest room before joining our contingent. Other state groups paraded in, followed by the international groups, mostly from the Caribbean such as the Bahamas (large track presence) and Trinidad Tobago (one athlete on crutches with a boot!)  

NSGA officials spoke followed by the mayor of Birmingham, William Bell. I was sitting near a fellow from Durham and we both smiled since the former mayor of Durham is also a William Bell. He was followed by the featured guest speaker Katheryn Switzer, of 1967 Boston Marathon fame (the lady who the race director tried to pull off the course since no women were allowed at that time.)  A short video preceded her talk.  She said in the past the emphasis was gaining appreciation for the capabilities of women.  Now, it was to show how seniors can do more than sit at home.  She has joined Humana in promoting health and active lifestyle for seniors.  On Saturday, she was going to run the 10K (not as a competitor) but hoped to return for the 2019 NSGA event in Albuquerque as a competitor.  Angela and I left right after she spoke.  We were helped in finding our way out of the Center by very nice women employees.  Birmingham was well represented by its people.  While we waited for a lift back to Angela’s hotel, we met two other NSGA folks there with their Labradoodle, who somewhat freaked when seeing the Vulcan man.

Vulcan Man

 

He barked and darted forward and back until finally settling down.  

  

Saturday morning, I retaped my Achilles my usual way but adding a strip across the upper calf.   I watched some of the folks doing field events at the pits while I walked back and forth and others ran along the back stretch of the track.  My calf and Achilles felt tight. I kept stretching and trying to run, but today I could not run as well. (Now that is a joke – I had not been able to run well since I got there.)  When our turn came for the 100m, I did not have a good start but that did not matter because a third of the way down both the Achilles and calf began burning so I slowed up.  Kathy Bergen won, setting a new AG NSGA record with 16.32, followed by Mary Robinson and Joann Sampson. Based upon how I felt, I decided not to try the  200m preliminary.  Though I might qualify, I would not do well and at what cost?  On Wednesday morning I had agreed to run a 4x100 relay with Ann Carter, Mary Robinson, and Hannah Ashworth, depending upon how my Achilles did.  I had to save it for that.

Ashworth, Robinson, & Carter

I watched the men’s races in the afternoon.  There was a 100 year old gentleman as well as a 97 year old running the 100m  Prior to their race, one was sitting in a chair on the course while there was a delay.  It was a warm day,  Paul Miller (IL) 100, finished in 1:05.06 and Howard Hall (KY) 97, did it in 39.57!  Joseph Summerlin (TX) 86, had run the prelim in 17.00 but came in second to John Hurd (FL) 86 who ran it in 17.43 to Summerlin’s Final time of 18.57.  The difference a day (or intervening events) can make! Bob Lida (KS), 80, tied the NSGA record with a time of 14.71.  Charles Allie (PA ), 70,  ran it in 12.83. Oscar Peyton, MD, 65 rwon the 100m in 12.33.  The youngest, Manny Garcia (NH) 52, ran the 100 in 12.07.

    That evening I chose to eat a sandwich from a nearby café.  I packed up most of my things for the trip home the next day.  In checking the relay signups, I did not see any in my age group so figured that perhaps they had decided I would not be able to run. (It did not occur to me that I actually had Ann Carter’s cell number.) I was back at Walmart early Sunday morning.

Becky was going to do a relay so we were there by about 11:30. Relays were to start for the older crowd around one and for Becky around 1:30.  I encountered Ann and said I saw they had decided not to run the  relay.  Wrong. (for some reason the Carter team did not show on the listing.).  Opps. So I grabbed the track clothes from the car and changed. I managed to watch Edward Cox (NY) 90 set a new NSGA 200m record with his run of  41.98.  I always enjoy watching this man run. He is exceptional.  After doing some warm up and lots of stretching, I decided to take off all of the taping.  This removed some of the pressure on the Achilles though I knew I was risking further damage.  I tried jogging (not well) and stretching near the wall beneath the stands.  While doing this, I watched some of the women’s distance Finals. 

Rebecca Baum (IL) 70 set an NSGA 1500m record with a time of 6:38.66.  Darn good!  Cora Hill (MI) 74, a speed demon came in second at 8:28.60. One lady, don’t now what AG,  was having trouble as she entered the final 100m.  She was in Lane one and I feared she might trip or fall on that divider, as had the woman in my 50m.  She did not but she slowed up and walked, almost stopping actually, then began walking on. In the meantime, another runner rounded the curve and kept a steady pace forward. She decreased the distance from the front runner and came up upon her.  Meanwhile that runner had started a slow jog.  At the Finish, it was hard to tell who actually won.  The races all seemed to mesh together.  One men’s race ended with the leader (older AG) falling just before the Finish (he had been wobbly leading up to it). He was passed by others but managed to sort of crawl a foot forward to get across the Finish.  I was told, though did not see, that another gentleman had fallen, receiving a compound fracture.   With all of the assorted injuries, it is surprising that I only noticed the ambulance in action once. 

I was not the only one with ice!

While I tried warming up a bit, Hannah Ashworth and hubby sat by the wall watching the events.  Ann Carter was off at her  triple jump event (she got second.)  Those competitors sat beneath a shade tent along the perimeter of the field. coming out only to do their events.  This was the hottest day, in the mid 90s.

This was Hannah’s first relay event so we (Hannah and I, then joined by Mary Robinson) practiced the handoff.  Slap the baton down in the hand, says Mary to whom I am to hand off.  We practice a few times and I seem to have it.  The officials  combined our AG with the next younger group to make five teams on the track, two in our AG and three in the younger.  I was in lane five I think.  The lady to my right was apprehensive.  This was her first relay as well.  (When I looked at results later, I saw that three folks on her team (Works)  were actually older than us, but one was in our AG.  Shame. They had to run as a younger AG.)  I talked to her trying to ease her concerns then the track official came along and also gave her some guidance. (She did fine in the actual event.).  To my left, two lanes over was a lady in a skirt! At least it looked like a skirt.  Well, okay.  We had had a lady in the 50m who was wearing long pants, a shirt, and a long sleeved flannel looking shirt over that.  But she was there and ran in the heat.  She may have made the Finals, too.  I hope she had a good time at the Games.

I really did not hear the starter’s gun but saw the movement.  Ann Carter led off, passing to Hannah Ashworth.  I saw Hannah coming down the track to me pretty fast and was trying to judge when I should start my move. I was moving when she easily passed the baton to my left hand. I began running, switching it to my right and trying to run fast.  I ran as fast as I could, I was not at full speed but I was not hobbling. I was not feeling much restriction in the Achilles. It felt better than it did in the 100m Finals.  I focused on my lane zeroing in on Mary Robinson waiting for me just past the curve or at the edge of it.  I had trouble focusing on her hand (was it facing up or down?) I knew I should slap the baton down but  my handoff was sloppy.  I made her hesitate, but then she was off and on her way to the Finish. 

Mary Robinson racing on to victory

As I walked along in my lane, I saw Cora Hill, all in blue, come charging down a lane to my left.  She began closing the gap to Mary.  Aii, I am thinking.  But then Mary crossed the line and we had won our event. (Cora was actually in the younger AG, along with hurting Angela).  Barbara Knight Warren’s team (Four Play) won their AG relay and Angela’s team (Ingram) was second, followed by the Dashing Divas.

Barbara Knight Warren (on left)

We had run fast enough to set a new NSGA 4x100 record for our AG, with a time of 1:26.43, two seconds off the non-team USATF Outdoor AG record.

Carter relay team.

Ashworth, Robinson, Carter, me

For the 65s, Jane Barnes team (Cohn1—Cohn, Lowery, Bowman J, Barnes) set a new NSGA AG record with a time of 1:04.52.  Jane had the anchor and wow – she streaked to the Finish!  I watched Becky Bowman run the second leg in her relay (Wilson 1) and she, too, was a streak.  Their team (Wilson, Bowman B, Shook, and Triolo) also set a new 55-59 NSGA record with a time of 57.07

I had only competed in an NSGA track Meet once before (though softball three times.)  Softball competition schedule conflicts and not wanting to board my dog more than once a year, if that., kept me from going.  However, because of the number and level of competitors I found in Birmingham, I regret not going to their track meets sooner. In terms of the Meet itself – it was a good time.

Two weeks after the relay I am still not running and in injury recovery therapy mode (Chiro & Graston). 

The Doctor is In!

And so it goes.  Baton Rouge next.  Will that be strike out three in terms of track performance?

Me and Angela Staab -- ready to go home.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Run for Pie? Sure Enough. Pie Day Pi-K

Sunday, March 12^th, would it or would it not snow? I had signed up for the Durham Pie Day Pi-K race awhile ago, when it was still unseasonably warm. Then, the forecasts began – maybe three inches, maybe less. I knew that if it was three inches there was no way I would be driving to Durham. Yes, I am a wimp. Not so when I first arrived in this area, however I learned this is not like the North where snow means nice packed snow one can drive on.

The night before the race, the forecast had dropped down to a dusting on grass but not much more. The secondary roads here had already been sprayed with brine, so I was not too worried. The race start time had been changed from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. due to the earlier forecasts of snow. I liked the later time. While I was on 147-N, it began snowing. Discernible snow. A little more than a dusting. Oy. But it was supposed to be a fast moving weather event and then it would warm up.

The race start area was on Parrish St, right by Scratch Baking, which was supplying the Finish line “pies”, and across from City Hall.

 

It was cold. And, of course, damp with the flurries continuing. Pi-K is a 3.14K or 1.95 mile race. 271 folks had signed up for this but not all showed up. The cold weather and snow threat probably a deterrent.  Many were bundled up which was a good thing because it got chilly while waiting.

              
Some had brought their dogs who would await with spectators at the Finish line Brrr! The beneficiary of the event was Habitat for Humanity. A rep took the microphone at about 9 a.m. And spoke about Habitat. I could not hear her, even when lifting my headband off my ears. Feeling chilled, I could only think: let's get this thing going!

The race started about 9:03 running out of the parking area onto Mangum then off onto streets I did not know. Not knowing Durham, this would be an adventure. It was not a huge crowd but I could still see those in front of me despite my slow pace. We started in a business section but eventually passed into residential streets. The homes varied from modest to those that reminded me of ones I found in lots of small towns: large homes set above the street on a snow covered rise.

I was not running fast so had time to enjoy this outing. Better yet, it was short enough to end before I ran out of energy. At the close, we ran back into the small shopping section from the other end, to cross the Finish line. In retrospect, looking at my Garmin data, the race route resembled a thick drunk arrow – from tip out and back.

What awaited the finishers were the most incredible Scratch Bakery pies, offered in chocolate and apple.

I chose the apple. Almost indescribable: slices of apple and thick crimped crust. This was a meal in itself. I would have run a few more miles for another one. (well, maybe run but for sure walk jog!) Probably the best little pie I have ever had. Really – the crust was perfect. Not anything like one finds in a supermarket (thin, wimpy, and slimed with shiny coating). No, this was robust, thick, and baked to perfection. The apple slice filling was just right: not too sweet and not too tart.
 

215 people actually ran and finished the race and got pies! 137 females and 78 males. According to Precision Race's It's Your Race, 12:15 was the average pace and 23:55 was the average finish time. The first male was 15 and finished in 11:23, with a 5:50 pace. Youth!  The first female was 21  and finished in 14:33, with a pace of 7:27.  The last batch of finishers came in at 41 minutes.

If I did not already have too many t-shirts, this would be one to have. Front for the math lovers and back for the pie lovers!
 

ABQ Indoor Championships as Patient Zero

ABQ Masters Track - fun  Not this time.

I had less than a month to work on improving my deficiencies. The primary one being slow leg turn over and the secondary stamina or breath improvement. Or, maybe the latter should be the primary – if one can't breathe properly, leg turnover does not exist.

I figured I would do what I could. No miracles were expected.

I began a few morning outings to a nearby green way (after a morning boot camp) and jogged a little, sprinted a little. The breathing was still a limiting factor but at times the legs moved better. A week after the SEM JDL outing, I went to the Middle School track. I tried two 300s before abandoning that idea. There was no doing these. If I could not do the 300, there was no way I would be able to do the 400 unless something changed. (no scifi miracle in the offing.). I did 2x200 and 5x100s and called it quits. By the last 100, my breathing was smooth and the running far better.

I was coming to the conclusion that any track distance greater than 200m was in the past.

Monday evening, I went for the social 3-mile nOg Run Club outing along the sidewalks of Raleigh. Not too bad a trek this time. I had bouts of energy for some sprinting. Well, this was encouraging. Of course, I was not running at track speed and could not really determine how far each spurt went. Nonetheless, I was pleased.

I signed up for a 5k race on 2/11/17, figuring that maybe returning to road racing might help the whole breathing endurance issue. So, on a breezy and cool Saturday morning a week before USATF Masters Indoor Nationals, I ran the Cupid 5K in Knightdale.

This was its second year but the first time for me. The course was mostly, though not totally, flat but consisted of lots of turns through residential streets. My legs were achy from the prior day's Camp Gladiator workout. I started out at a medium pace but still had to drop to a walk before we hit the street from the parking lot of the Town Park. I alternately jogged and walked depending on when energy ran out. By the time I closed on the Finish, my legs were done. As was I somewhat. It took me 33:28 to do the 5k. Slower than I would have liked, but it was done.

The next day I went to the track again doing partial 200s then talking while walking with others. I ended by doing 6x100s. My conclusion now is that maybe 100m is the max distance I should be doing on track. However, in five days I had the 400m coming up in Albuquerque

Monday, 2/13, I woke up with a cough.

Huh? I had no idea where it came from. I quickly started taking Sambucol Black Elderberry syrup, hoping to nip this thing. Tuesday, it was no better. Still coughing. More black elderberry. By Wednesday I resorted to Mucus Relief DM after checking its active ingredients on the USADA (Global DRM) site. Both were okay. I retired to bed by around 8pm since I had an 05:50 flight.

Thursday morning I was still coughing, but not as bad. I took the Mucus DM pill before leaving and I was okay during my flights.

However, once I got to Albuquerque and met my pal Angela and her cousin, things had changed. I began long spells of coughing. The other two said I could have bronchitis. (or worse). The dreaded 400m was the next afternoon. Ugh. I took one more Mucus Relief DM. A Raleigh pal had texted that I should try sleeping with socks over Vicks VapoRub on my feet. Well, let's give that a try.

The hotel and Convention Center in Albuquerque is downtown, where not a drugstore exists and the few food related stores are hard to find. Angela and her cousin and I heard of one off of Copper Ave, and we began trudging to this area. We found a small snack – food store along Copper.

Copper Ave

Maybe not THE store but close

It was quickly evident they did not have Vicks VapoRub so I left and waited outside trying to take a photo of a distant building reflecting the sun, while the other two were browsing the small interior. Three late teens early twenty folks were standing around looking bored, one bumming cigarettes off of another.

Angela and her cousin exited the store, Angela on her iPhone trying to locate a drugstore. I had abandoned the effort and we started to make our way back, though Angela kept doing her searching, head down, while crossing the street. (can't teach these kids anything!) Along the way, she related how, while in the store, a kid at the counter grabbed the pack of cigarettes from the clerk's hands and ran out the door. Yep, Downtown any where. Stash the iPhone, Angela.

I decided to give it one last shot. I would try to find the semi-supermarket I'd found a year ago on my first night in ABQ. The ladies returned to the hotel and I doggedly trudged towards what I hoped would be a magical cure for my cough. I followed 3^rd St for a while until I got to Central. I followed that but I was not recognizing the area. I asked a lady if she knew of a store that might carry Vicks and she directed me down 1^st. Well, okay. That was not what I had done last year but she seemed pretty positive. I took the right and walked down 1st. By this time, my feet hurt as did my achy legs, and breathing was not as it had been last year. I was ready to give it up by the time I encountered the ABQ Amtrak – Greyhound Bus Alvarez station. Pretty fancy looking in a Southwest way.

However, beyond it, down the street seemed to be emptiness and a boarded up building. No store in sight. One young lady was sitting,smoking, on a wall near the station. She eked out a negative response. It was only 3/10^th of a mile between the Copper Ave store and the RR station, but it seemed so much farther!

I was happy to get back to the hotel. The ladies had found a solution to the Vicks issue: they had arranged for the hotel shuttle to take us to a drugstore near Old Town (one, I had actually walked to the prior year). So I got the Vicks VapoRub. Perhaps salvation was in the offing.

The three of us later went to the track to pick up our bibs (two of us) and partake of the track. I walked around it a few times. I really like this banked track. I would like to fly on it. But that did not seem possible this year. My attempts at trotting brought more heavy breathing and a few coughs. I could go no farther than 100m or so without having to stop. Well, I had felt the same way last year. Maybe things would improve.

Angela wondered what the 90ml signs meant on the USADA table. I always think of the police IA division when I think USADA. One does not want to be too noticeable and yet I did ask them what it meant. 90Ml is the amount of urine collected during a test. Angela and I wondered if we would be able to produce such a prodigious amount if called upon to do so, since we both made bathroom stops during the day. 90Ml is three ounces, less than half of an 8 ounce bottle. I just checked my mini bottle (8 ounces) and it is still a maybe. We had a nice informative chat with the representative so i am glad we stopped. i learned something. (How about an : I gave 90ml shirt?)

For dinner, though I was not sure how much I would eat, we went to The Standard diner, on Central, where we were joined by Barbara Hensley and her son. I decided to have wine. I think I had the pork loin and vegetables. I finished most of it. I definitely finished the red wine!

Fortunately, Angela wears ear plugs. She did not seem to awaken during the night bouts of coughing and blowing nose. My feet were slathered in Vicks under my socks.

My first event was shot put. I knew it would be somewhat of a mess since I had never thrown a shot before. Heck of a time to try, but why not? My coughing was less of a problem during the event. Upright is better than lying down. There were not that many in these older age groups so we combined the 75s and 80s. Gloria Krug

Gloria Krug

was one of the competitors and I had already heard Peter Taylor announce that she had set another American record, in a jump event. What's new? During the practice period, I received some tips from Christel Donley and others, though I could not really put them adequately to practice. I was not going to do any spin or slide, but sort of shift hips and heave. Practice indicated I had to focus on keeping this 2kg (4.4 pounds) solid ball against my neck (elbow out) and not shoot my arm out to the side as if throwing a softball. There were only three competitors in my age group, Joann Marriott, Ann Carter, and me. It was clear after the first round who would come in first in our little group.

Gloria set off throwing another record for her AG. Most of the throwers did a spin or modification of one. I just shoved the thing out there, watching it drop not far from feet. It took me until the end of the rounds to understand I had to not be tardy in exiting the circle once the shot hit the ground, because the officials could not take the measurement until I had done so. I hopped and skipped out a few times when the brain engaged. Once I had some valid “puts” in, I took a chance and tried starting facing away from the target area, turning and throwing. FOUL! Okay, that's a done.

Shot was an interesting activity and I enjoyed being with the other women. They were all good hearted and tolerant. Yes, I was third. I would have been last regardless of how many there might have been. But that is okay. This was a learning expedition.

Angela did not have an event until our 400m at 1:30pm. I got back from shot in time to still get breakfast at the hotel (Christel had also had breakfast on her mind.) I was keeping my distance from others since I was still coughing. I had some scrambled eggs and slices of bacon and, what was now becoming my standard, hot tea with lemon. I was thinking of myself as Patient Zero by now.

Upstairs to rest. However, a coughing bout hit and my breakfast decided to leave. Well, great! This was more than annoying.

My 400m was prior to Angela's. I tried warming up outside by running the perimeter of the convention Center. The idea was to slowly build up the blood flow so that breathing would be easier. As I do before a road race. Others were out there as well. I managed to run through the short tunnel area and around the curve but then crudded out. Huffing and puffing. It did not feel good. I turned around and went back inside. A good plan but not for me today.

I was watching earlier events when someone called me. My group was on its way out to the track. I still had long pants and road shoes on. For a moment i thought this might be a sign for me to scratch. i did not know if i could make it twice around. However, I got behind the group with spikes partially on. We walk to the infield area where we receive instructions. There were five of us. I think I was in lane 5, Rose Green in 4, Mary Smith in 3, Jeanne Daprano (80) in 2 and Holly Visser (83) in 1. Don't really know other than I was on outside lane. At the tine, I thought Holly was in my AG. I knew Mary and Rose and probably Jeanne would be way ahead of me. So there we are, and Peter Taylor is announcing. He says what a great field this is (yes, with Mary (National Champion Indoor 2016), Rose (National Champion Outdoor 2016) and Jeanne (National and World Champion many times over)). Then he mentions me as former National Champ. Aaargh! I felt like crap (yes, I said it) and embarrassed to be on the track today. I looked back to where Peter was last year. Not there. But then I saw him as my head swiveled back forward. His station this year was towards the far end of the announcer's platform. I think I gave him a partial malocchio (evil eye.)

The race starts. Mary goes by, Rose goes by, Jeanne goes by. I follow along, lagging, but still moving on the back stretch. We round the bend and I manage to cut into lane one with the others way ahead. i am laboring at this point I got no farther than close to where I started on the curve leading into the back stretch again. I could not run any longer, I had to walk. I could hear the fifth person coming up on me but I did not have the energy or breathing power to get moving. I watched her go by and increase the distance between us. Dang! I tried a trot but had to give it up. This was a disaster. I walked the entire backstretch. The next AG was lining up at the start and Peter was announcing their names and creds as I rounded the final bend. I forced a jog to the Finish and it was an effort! What a shameful outing, but I almost did not care, struggling with the breathing. Ugh. An ugly outing and yes, I should have scratched. Mary Smith won it in her usual fine fashion in 1:26.46 with Rose Green coming in in 1:31.33. My time was my personal worst: 2:23.64.

Angela ran her 400m, scoring a time faster than mine though she felt it was one of her worst. She felt the effects of the altitude and indoor track dust, coughing at night. Had we been in the same heat, she could not have said she was chasing my behind. It turns out the fifth person in my heat, Holly Visser, is in another AG and though she beat me by 21 seconds (oh, yes!) I still got bronze. A well UNDESERVED bronze.

Except for one event, I received bronze in my outings just by being there since there was no fourth. I would not feel as badly had I performed better. Running better than myself is my main objective (though it would be nice to win) and I trailed substantially behind myself in the 400m! My worst, my last.

That night Angela and I ate in the hotel. I was not sure I could eat much so I had a salad and hot tea with lemon. This night, I sat up in bed to try to sleep. It reduced coughing somewhat but not by much. I had stopped taking Mucus Relief DM since I thought it was making me feel a bit nauseous. I had told Angela I was not sure I could do a 200m. She had planned on us doing the relay but I said hold off since I might have to drop out. (Turns out that was a mistake. Future plan: register and scratch if have to!)

Saturday, 2/18/17. On the menu today the 60m and 4x200 relay. Angela checked and said I had a fever. I did not feel feverish but sure had a raw throat.   Coffee would help. I had some cereal and bacon then went over to the track. Angela had shot put. My 60m was at 11:45. The walk over to the Convention Center was an effort. Each day, it seemed screwy that I trudged the few blocks (maybe equivalent to 1.5) breathing like an old lady (don't say it!) to run a track event.

I went through a warm up of mostly walking, doing the runner's stretch, and some jogging. Not much point in going outside after yesterday's experience. Eventually I did a few short sprints. Interesting the way the runways (made of rubber?) were arranged in the warm up room – the longest ones were diagonal – and then there were shorter ones arranged both lengthwise and horizontal in the room. One had to be aware of where other runners were to avoid hitting the same spot concurrently.

I was running the 60m with Kathy Bergen (World and National Champ), Rose Green (up and coming as Peter Taylor mentioned), Ann Carter and Joanne Marriott. When we arrived at the starting area, there was no Joanne. The officials were getting ready for a GO when Joanne arrived, still in pants and non track shoes. Sort of as I had been in the 400, only she was even later! The lanes were, from my left, Ann Carter, Joanne, me, Kathy, and Rose. I know Kathy and Rose used blocks. I am not sure if Joanne did and Ann maybe used one as she has in the past. As I did last year, I did a three point stance at the SET. My block usage leaves too much to be desired.

Boom! Off go Kathy and Rose. I am aware of Joanne immediately to my left. I just went as fast as I could, trying to separate from Joanne.

start

half way - look at Kathy go!

The other two were way ahead. After getting ahead of Joanne, I was not aware of anything other than the finish. Last year, Kathy set a new American record of 9:49. She was a tad behind that this time: 9.74. She will break it in the future. Rose finished in 10.54 and Ann came in ahead of Joanne. I was 8/10th second slower this year, finishing in 11.9. Still, better than I had hoped and better than at JDL Jan 22.

We were not able to do the relay because we needed to have turned in the form Friday night. Kathy Frable and Barbara Hensley were surely disappointed as was Angela. That famous gold baton stayed in the suitcase. I watched the 4x200m relays, taking particular pleasure in seeing the W55 non-club team  of Susan Loyd, Leanda Funk, Vicki Fox, and Lesley Hinz come in in 2:07.81. Unofficially, they broke their last year non-club American record by 1/10th second. The W30 Southwest Sprinter team of Moulds, Juarez, West, and Grant were spectacular (hey -- they are kids!) with their 4x200m time of 1:51.69. I do not know if this is a record (Grant being 33 put them in the 30-34 AG and Masters records show from 35 up.) Think about this: the Hinz 55 team was only 16 seconds slower -- twenty year difference.

You could call me a fan, I suppose. Leslie Hinz's 200m prelim of 30.94 was fun to watch.  Surely, she is now a sprinter! (Leslie's prior National titles were as Leslie Chaplin. She is obtaining new titles as Hinz.)

Angela and I had lunch at the hotel. A disaster. I made the mistake of adding pepper to my chicken soup. Oh, boy. I think the waitress was ready to call 911. (Calm Angela was not perturbed.) I went into a paroxysm of coughing with asthmatic throat closing. Pretty scary, actually.

Two of the races stand out – the 90 year old 60m race between Dixon Hemphill (92) and Orville Rogers (99). Dixon has long legs and a long stride. These gents started out together then Dixon pulled ahead. Maybe halfway down the 60m, Orville began churning. The crowd is usually supportive and appreciative of these guys but today they were cheering like mad. It truly was a race to the end as Orville closed the gap and they both seem to have hit the line at the same time. Orville took it in 18.00 with Dixon coming in in 18.05. 5/100^th of a second difference. A really thrilling race. Yeah, the youngsters are fast and can dazzle the eyes, but sometimes it is more than the speed that makes an event.

The other jaw dropping event was the M80-84 200m on Sunday. Bob Lida, racing phenom, has turned 80. Well, heck, he does not run like an 80 year old. He took charge of that 200m and streaked to the Finish line well ahead of second place Robert Cozzens (no shame to be second to Lida!). Lida set a new American record coming in at 29.84! @@@@

Saturday night, Angela and I went to The Library Bar and Grill on Central for dinner. The shuttle parked in the middle of the street (an odd setup – there is a middle stop and drop lane here.) The interior is lined with books donated along the way, many large screens devoted to sports (Lobos basketball on a few), a long bar, semi dim lighting and wait folk dressed in what might be termed very short Scottish skirts and halters.

The food was outstanding! I was going to have a grilled cheese but chose something else which I cannot remember and does not appear on the online menu! Whatever it was, it was good and I finished all of it. Angela liked her meal as well. Plus, the prices were most reasonable. (When one thinks that I paid seven bucks for a bowl of soup at the hotel – and this was a modified price since I did not have salad) twelve for a tasty dinner is outstanding.

We called for a shuttle pickup when we left the restaurant. Nightlife was active by this time. It did not take long to notice the place across the street.

KNOCKOUTS Gentlemen's Club. Two ladies, scantily dressed were lingering outside. There were no windows and this was a single story building. I wondered about the exits (stampede, fire?) I hoped there was a back door because it was tightly stuffed between buildings. Angela noticed one of the women was well endowed. Okay. Parked at the curb, with the trunk open and an umbrella and a chair was a sedan. The owner stood by the trunk. I had to walk up the street to get a glimpse of what was in the trunk. It seems he was selling apparel for the women of the evening. He had a clothes rack with skimpy shorts and skirts hanging in the opening and other apparel (smaller items) inside the trunk.

Four 30-something folk exited the restaurant, the man saying that people who venture inside the Gentlemen's Club have been known not to exit. Up the street from us were four or five men, with a dog. They were feeling quite well. Young couples strolled by on occasion as well as scroungy looking folk. Meanwhile the shuttle has not arrived. There was a steady parade of vehicles trolling the area. We are a bit concerned hanging out on the street but entertained ourselves watching the action. A car stopped and one of the women leaned in and spoke to the driver. The car moved on. The two women had gone inside. One couple approached the building and stared at the limited writing on the wall for at least six minutes and eventually went inside. Folly? After a good 15 to 20 minutes our shuttle came along.

Sunday, I only had the 200m. I was still worried that I might not go the distance. Would there be another embarrassing walk? Angela had the 800m in the morning. I had two bowls of cereal (rice krispys) and some bacon. Did a warm up, lacking enthusiasm. Angela had run her 800m and was going to also do the 200m. Notable is that Kathryn Martin (65) set a new AG American record in the 800m (2:44.35) to go along with her new mile record (6:01.46). Jeanne Daprano (80) also set a new record in the 800m (3:53.53).

Both Jeanne Daprano and Ann Carter scratched out of the 200m, leaving just me, Kathy Bergen and Rose Green. Rose was in the outermost lane, then Kathy, then me. Kathy set her blocks up. They were recalcitrant. Then Rose attempted hers. She kept moving the pedals but could not get them right. After awhile she gave up and put them to the side. I did not use blocks but did the 3 point at the start. Kathy finished first, setting yet another new AG American record of 34.02, followed by Rose at 37.03 and I slogged in at 43.82.

Kathy Bergen

I was able to maintain breathing along the back stretch and finished without walking though I was coughing at the end as well as gasping. That was a little too fast for me at this time. It beat my JDL time, but not by much.

I watched Leslie Hinz run a terrific 30.68 200m final, similar to her relay finish the day before.

Some of us not competing at the time celebrated Barbara Hensley's birthday with a fabulous carrot cake her son brought to the Convention Center.  Two years ago at JDL (Nationals was in March) we celebrated Mary Robinson's birthday.

This was not my best meet, but why complain? (Whiner!) There were others suffering injuries.  At least two 30-something women were helped off the track with hamstring or other injuries. One's left foot was shaking, the two supporting her had to stop; another was in a wheelchair, face contorted with agony. These were just the ones I saw. No doubt there were others. I heard some talking of pulled this or that so they were not competing. I was a lucky one. No injuries, just poor performance.

I saw Irene Obera (USATF Athlete of the Year) in passing, looking great and smiling as is her way. She is on a break and enjoying being a fan with her coach Alan.

My return home was a nightmare because of the coughing. I am surprised others near me in the ABQ Southwest terminal did not get up and flee. One lady gave me a Cepacol which I was most happy to receive. It helped a little. I also took one of the Mucus Relief DM tablets. I was desperate to stop the fit of coughing. The kind lady gave me a second one she said to take in two hours. I would be in Houston by then. When I got to Houston, as soon as I sat down in the terminal, the coughing returned. Sort of a thing in the back of the throat. I had to take the Cepacol right then, though I still had about three plus hours to go before landing. On the flight with about a half hour still to go (we were late) the urge to cough returned. There was a Wake Forest sophomore baseball player (with a shiny black glove he took good care of) next to me. He did some homework before sinking into his music. I did not want to alter the future of Wake Forest baseball! (I think it was Jake Mueller, an infielder.) Root for Wake Forest, Demon Deacons!

When I went to the doctor on Monday, he diagnosed bronchitis – with asthmatic complications. He also said I could have picked up something exacerbating my condition in the airport on the way to ABQ. On to antibiotics and a cough suppressant. Took the antibiotics but stayed with OTC for cough (he said I could!) Angela, a week later is still okay. Amazing! I have not had such a bout of coughing for 37 years – some runners I know are not even that old. (and yes, I had the flu shot in December)

Redemption may occur in Baton Rouge, but then again, maybe not.

Ciao ABQ!

Fast track but not this trackster - SEM indoor Jan 22 2017

Hardware failures, mice, and laziness deterred me from keeping up with recent track events. So it is catch-up time.

After the required Senior Games State Finals track outings at the end of September, where I ran on my heels due to an Achilles injury,  I did no running until November, all slow social outings. I ran my first road race on Thanksgiving Day, the traditional Turkey Trot 8k, trotting a spectacular 57 minutes. One more road race in mid December (Rocky Mount's Mill Chill 4-miler) at an easy pace finished out the “running” for the year.

During this period, I had to cut back on Camp Gladiator training and when there, I was tentative: I held back on some things and avoided Achilles stress.

Forget track outings! I finally returned to the Middle School circle during the last week of December, when school was out.

If only the track was this nice!

I had about two more weekend track workout attempts prior to South East Region Masters Championships at JDL Fast Track on January 22, 2017. I was heavier than I would have liked but with all those holiday goodies (some still not consumed) how could it be otherwise? An example is an overflowing plate of sizable fudge squares, chocolate and sugar cookies, and other items brought by a friend, who surely, if one believed in the Devil, would have thought was encouraged by the same. (FOX TV's Lucifer, however, would be welcome.)

Jane Barnes and I traveled to the event together. This was to be her first event since having to go to Florida to get in her National Senior Games qualifications. She'd had foot surgery during late summer. Jane was going to do the 60m and 200m and I was planning on the 400m, 60m, and 200m. I had been thinking that the 400 would be first but it was the 60m. I warmed up outside and some inside. From my outings to the Middle School, I knew my leg turn over was cruddy. Really slow. 

SLOW       SLOW   Really Slow

Barbara Warren was there, all wrapped up in her thigh and ankle wrappings, full of enthusiasm for the multiple events she had in store. She had just entered a new age group, which in track, can be an optimistic, rather than discouraging event.

Barbara Warren @ USA Masters

So the 60m heat was a mixed AG one. In Lane 1 (or 2?) was speedy Jane Barnes, then Cynthia Marcelais ATC, me, and Barbara Warren to my right. I had decided to try my start using one block. Off we go – Jane – gone! Cynthia and Barbara quite a bit ahead of me. I tried but the distance between just kept increasing. I was last across. Jane crossed in 09.33 and I got there in 12.19. I was both disappointed (not surprised) but also glad that I was not slower than the time I predicted – 12.20.

Next up was the dreaded 400m. Only the three oldest were in this one: Barbara, Angela Staab, and me. I struggled throughout. I maintained a moderate pace during the first half but on the second back stretch I was breathing hard with very little left to finish. The same slow pace lasted through the final 60m, resulting in 1:51.75. Maybe my slowest 400m to date. (in retrospect – had I but known! Ha ha )

My pace was a little better initially in the 200m but still very slow leg turnover. The last third was an effort. Legs and lungs not happy. I was a second slower than my predicted time, finishing in 44.48.

I had already signed up for the February USATF Masters Indoor Championships. It wanted marks, so I had used the only ones I had at that point: my Senior Games, run on heels times. Both the 60m and the 400m were not too far off from what I had just done, though the JDL 400m was far worse!

Less than a month to go did not foretell of a great improvement. 😡😡

And so it goes.  😡