USATF Masters Outdoor Championships - Spokane, WA

       An outing with surprises.

This is long and very late. Best read in chunks! Other things have taken priority. And, I procrastinate. Now, Hurricane Florence has passed and the WMA Malaga Spain Meet has ended with our US Masters doing wonderfully.

Early up on Tuesday July 24^th, 03:15, DST. My flight was at 05:35 and I needed to get my boarding pass at the Southwest kiosk. Uber was late arriving by eight minutes but not a problem at that TOD. Becky Bowman, also on the same flights (of which we had two), was already at the gate when I arrived. During the flights, she kept her mind active by playing a wood block game. I read or slept. 

At change of flight, we both got coffee and ate something for energy. In Chicago I was taken by the patriotic design on a plane on the distant tarmac, Turns out, it was a SouthWest Air plane.

note the eagle emerging from behind the shield

I was very surprised at the Washington State topography as we approached Spokane. What trees there were were isolated and scattered. Big swathes of light-brown areas between a tree and the next closest one. Very odd. I was expecting heavily wooded areas, thinking forests and logging. Wrong.

I was staying downtown with Angela Staab at the event “host” hotel and Becky was staying closer to the track, where other SoCal Striders (her team), and others, were staying. It was around 1:30 or noon PDT, when I got to the hotel. Angela was not due until around 10 p.m. I did the usual things one does after arrival, then at about 2:30 decided I wanted to get something to eat. (Having had just yogurt, the energy bar, and Southwest cookies and being the last day they were giving them out - peanuts – boo hoo),

I ventured out to find that there was no sidewalk leading up to Division St, so I walked along the embankment. Seeing a Wendy's on N. Division St. I crossed only to find that the street then split and Wendy's was in the middle of the split. 

=

I had to get to a median that became a sidewalk. I for sure was in an industrial area. Ahead was what reminded me of a cement plant, though its logo was Coast Trading Company. Big (120ft) silo tower in midst of squat buildings. This was originally a granary, with eight concrete towers, purchased and sold several times, last used as a granary around 2002. It was purchased in 2004 for $750,000 by a real estate investor who bought it just because he liked it -- and the price. He had ideas of condos and offices, with retail on bottom level. However, it still sits undeveloped and empty.

 It was very hot. I had felt the heat on my bare skin while waiting for the traffic light to change. A burning type of hot versus the heavy Southern summer heat. I had forgotten what the heat of the Southwest was like. I had not thought the NorthWest would be similar.

I had a coke (to combat sleepiness) and a bowl of spicy chili. I then ventured out, determined to find a residential side street in the midst of the industrial Division St. Why? Because, being a native NYCer, I like walking and discovering niches of photographic wonders. Walking, one can learn much about an area that is missed when driving. I had no idea where I was going and took note of the streets I passed so I could find my way back (very important!). I turned right down Boone. To my right was the old granary and ahead after a few blocks were residential apartments. 

Suddenly, I was upon Gonzaga University. I had no idea it was even in Spokane. This, being summer, was a quiet area, with only a few people in sight.

 I had not realized Gonzaga was a Catholic University until I saw a grotto with religious figures and, of course, a church, St. Aloysius. Gonzaga was founded by a Jesuit, Father Joseph Cataldo and named after an Italian Jesuit Saint, Aloysius Gonzaga. Interesting stat: more than 99% of students receive financial aid, according to Gonzaga's website. Considering that the estimated yearly cost, including books and transportation, room and board is about 60K, it is not surprising.

paving stones

The obligatory grotto

The bit of the campus I saw was pleasant. Wide red tinted blocks paved the street leading into the main entrance from Boone. I strolled down this street but did not take any of the side streets, except for when leaving. As I mentioned upon first encountering Gonzaga, it was an oasis amidst the stark functional business area along N Division.

I found my way back to the hotel and eventually had the quandary of what to do about eating dinner. I ate the peach I'd brought from home. I was not about to cross N Division St again. Eventually, I ordered a Caesar salad to go that came with a thin, hard, flattened piece of cheese (an ugh. Not eaten.) I brought it up to the room but while ordering it, I discovered that the BACK part of the hotel was along the Spokane river with a path that led to the Spokane River and bridge across to Riverfront Park on Havermale Island.

 Had I found it earlier, I would have found, eventually other places to eat. I took a stroll, crossing the bridge adjacent to the dam, created during the 1920s. To my right after crossing the wooden bridge, I could see cranes as well as cars on a nearby major road. Ahead and to my right were paths along and through the park. There were grassy hillocks occupied by folks playing or laying around. Others walked along the various pathways. I came upon the clock tower, originally functioning as part of the Great Northern RR depot. It is wound, by hand, with 99 turns of a crank once a week.

 On one side was an attractive painted piano being played by a young man. Later I saw painted on it PLAY ME. 

 Beyond the clock tower was another bridge which I took to the other side of the river, after hearing Beatles music from there.

Here, I discovered one of the area's delights: living there since 1974, the brass Garbage Goat, sculpted by Sister Paula Turnbull, and eating small scraps of garbage if the internal vacuum is activated by a button. 

Sister Turnbull's Garbage Goat

Next to it is the Looff Carousel, which that evening was hosting a private party. 

Looff Carousel

Adults were riding the ornate creatures. Giraffe, tiger, and of course horses. This is where the music had been coming from. Farther on was a fountain in which kids were running back and forth getting doused. Then followed gondolas which went on a short, high, trip down to the river and back. Off to the side was the Washington Water Power hydroelectric power building from 1890, updated more recently with underground generators. Alongside, led steps to an overlook and path down to the river quite a ways below.

Not far from this, across W Spokane Falls Blvd, was River Park Square containing restaurants, including two where we later ate, Tomato Street and Twigs Bistro, as well as shops. One can walk through to exit on W Main St to find more restaurants and shops.

Angela finally arrived around 10p.m. PDT. I think we were up until close to midnight. But we had no events other than packet pickup the next day.

We learned that Spokane is pronounced as Spo Cahne as in Cannes rather than, as I had been calling, it Spo cane as in sugar cane.

Wednesday July 25, 2018

Packet pickup day. Angela and I had breakfast in the “Windows” room of the Centennial Hotel. We sat where we could overlook the walking path along Spokane Falls river as well as see the bridge leading to Havermale Island. No rush this morning so we had scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee, and some toast. Then we were off on our adventure to Cheney, which was southeast of Spokane. We experienced the joys of WAZE, which told us too late to take a left onto Browne from the spinoff of Division St, so we eventually took another left (Howard?) which brought us to a right turn at the next light on 3^rd with an immediate, and I mean immediate! right onto I-90E. We repeatedly made this mistake until almost the last day. (Turning on Browne eventually led to a more straight forward entry to I-90, eliminating that right turn before the entrance to I-90.) We both commented on the paucity of traffic for a weekday.

The drive to Cheney was pretty. Once outside Spokane proper we encountered apparent wheat fields. 

rolls of wheat (hay?)

heading towards Cheney

  A few sparse trees, a farm or two and one place alongside the highway that was intriguing. It was a home or shop with all sorts of figures, weird and otherwise, scattered around outside. I think it was Mike Ferguson's roadside auction house. Had we had more time, it would have been a great place to investigate. (way out west roadside auction) When we turned onto the road leading to Eastern Washington University, there was an electronic sign indicating no watering between July something and the 31^st.

We parked in a lower lot and headed towards the building where they were giving out the event packets. This was the beginning of out meet and greet those folks with whom we have participated in track before. 

This is the fun part of a National or major Meet. Right off the bat we met Becky Bowman who was on her way to check out the track Next was Lesley Hinz (Georgia), then Jeanne Daprano, also from Georgia. All track notables. Inside, before we got to the packets we met those we have a good time with, also track notables: Barbara Warren (WV), Christal and Jerry Donley (CO), Mary Robinson, Mary Hartzler, and Barbara Hensley (OH).

Becky Bowman excited to be there

Jeanne Daprano

Angela Staab

Mary Hartzler & Barbara Warren

Angela Staab & Mary Robinson

Barbara Warren wants to occupy Mars. Not so sure Christel Donley does!

We did survey the track before we left. Temp was in the 90s, where it would remain for the rest of the week.

Note the stands blocking view of turn towards finish

 On the way back to the hotel we did some food and drink shopping. We had soup and salad at the hotel, then we went walking into River Front Park as I showed Angela what I had discovered the night before. She was as thrilled with it as I. I showed her the Garbage Goat (which we later fed after a helpful Ranger told me I had to press the button on the wall to activate the feeding.)

Stands, behind which is the far turn of the track

Angela playing the piano

Metal Runner race along W Spokane

That evening, we went out again (waking Angela's legs off – and she had an 800m the next morning) to eat at an Irish restaurant, O'Doherty's on W Spokane Falls Blvd. The interior was plastered – ceiling,wall, and support posts, with autographed dollar bills, all from those who had taken the challenge to sing karaoke at the bar.

honored dollars 

I had the Butte Pastie (a name we had had fun with in our earlier travels) which turned out to be a mammoth gravy rich upside down pastry concoction much like Shepard's Pie and Angela had Irish stew and salad. I was in dreadful abdominal discomfort after, from having eaten so much on a stomach not accustomed to that heavy and that much of a meal.

Thursday July 26, 2018.

On the road leading to an upper parking lot, we could look down upon the football stadium and red track. When we parked, we saw the two Marys: Mary Robinson and Mary Hartzler. They would both be competing in throwing while Angela was going to throw the weight and run the 800. I was going to watch various events, such as the 800m and the 400m prelims of the younger women.

Throw related events were held downhill and south of the track, behind the indoor track warm-up area. The throws events were behind schedule. Angela was concerned about a conflict between her 800 and the weight throw. She talked to the officials at the weight throwing area. They said they would have someone take her up to the track by golf cart should they run out of time. Throughout the competition, the officials were understanding and went out of their way for the competitors who had intersecting track and field events. Some of the women would take a few throws and then a cart up to the track to hurdle or long jump or whatever their event was. Irene Obera had to take advantage of this while in some of the throwing events. (for those unfamiliar with T&F, Obera is a renown phenom. Many world and American records. Now 84, she competed in seven events in Spokane, including high and long jumps.) Along with Angela, Mary Robinson, Christel Donley, Mary Hartzler, Barbara Warren, and Gloria Krug were there for the hammer and or weight throws being conducted this day. All of these ladies also did track or jumps (or both.) Some folks specialized in only throws.

Angela got fifth (6.95m) throwing a sixteen pound weight. That would put my back (or shoulder) out! She managed to get to her 800m in a combined age group race. 

W70-84 Daprano,Staab, Hill, Simpson,Frable, Worsley 

Jeanne Daprano W80 comes in first. Of course! 

Angela Staab - one bionic hip

Angela was second (5:23.22) in her AG on her bum knee, (oh – did I forget to say how she got that?) to Cora Hill 4:12.211, our eventual relay mate. Jane Simpson, also having done the 800m in the earlier pentathlon (in 6:25.23), was third with 5:53.96. I managed to get in a few photos of other 800m races and 400m prelims the younger folks had to run (because more competitors.) I watched Lesley Hinz (now in 60 AG) run the 800m to almost exhaustion, with a time of 2:34.95. She ran fast and it was hot. I thought she had terrific time but she was a bit disappointed that she had not met her goal time (she was shooting to beat the existing outdoor world record of 2:33.09.)

Lesley Hinz

Before Angela's 800m, I had watched Anne Sluder from Charlotte's Carolina Track & Field Club run the pentathlon  80m hurdles in 13.27.

800m W60-69 start Hinz, Steinbach and others 

For dinner that evening we returned to O'Doherty's, this time joined by Barbara Warren (looking for gluten free – which they had!) and Barbara Hensley and her daughter. Having learned my lesson, I thought, I ordered something lighter: corned beef and cabbage. Plus, Angry Orchard hard cider. I was bowled over when I saw the size of the glass the cider arrived in. Huge. I bet 18 ounces. I did finish it. Barbara Hensley ordered the Butte Pastie. I left the restaurant, once again feeling like an over stuffed sausage. The walk back to the hotel, uncomfortable.

Friday, July 27^th 2018

Angela and I both had the 400m and discus today. The 400m first. We encountered very little traffic. Surprising for a weekday, but it was after peak commute time. I went to the indoor warm-up area as did Angela who turned in her discus to the inspection area (also in the warm-up building – which was quite large, containing an indoor track as well as the facilities for the football players, including industrial size washing machines and a rock climbing sculpture.) I warmed up for about an hour, not seeing my major competitor Mary Robinson, who was off somewhere by herself warming up. I slow trotted, did some lunges, a few half high knees (not a friend of mine), butt kicks, spurts of short sprints, and slow travels around the track. Every so often I had to take sips of Red Bull (the can was much too large!) and before I left, the small bottle of beet juice I had mixed earlier. My knees were taped. They would not be a problem. I was worried that my breathing would fail me (end up gasping, with tight chest, as often happened during Camp Gladiator “warm-up” run around a shopping center complex (estimated to be 400-440m by our trainer) A run I hated – but not as much as the big loop around the larger portion of the complex. This past year, I have been last and generally end up walking. (For a few months, I was having more severe problems with these runs.) So, here I am having to run a 400m.

Actually, I had arrived feeling a little more confident, at least to the extent that I did not think I would have leg or knee problems – no pain etc. Any way, Angela managed to get in some warm-up, though not much, having hung around at the other end of the track talking. She was probably the wiser of the two of us.

10:19. There were only four of us, Rose Green having opted out of this Meet in favor of going to WMA in Malaga, Spain in September. (Which turned out to be a smart move as she won five Gold medals there, winning the 100m, 200m, 400m, and ran as part of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay team. Besides, I kept forgetting she has aged up and is no longer in our AG) ) So, it was Mary Robinson on the inside in lane 3, me lane 4, Angela lane 5, and Jane Simpson, lane 6. At the start I went a little faster than a jog then backed off a bit. I passed Angela (though, I hardly recall this because I am concentrating on keeping a decent pace.) Half to 3/4 of the way down the back stretch I sensed Mary coming up on me. I sped up a bit. By the time we approached the back of the stands, Mary was close on my shoulder. Now I increased speed again and tried to maintain it because by the time we came out of there, she was next to me. I started running even faster, or tried to. We were next to each other then she was a bit ahead so I tried moving my legs even faster. NOPE, my right leg refused. Neither leg would turn over at a fast or even decent pace. I can't really describe it. I had never encountered this reaction before. Yes, in the past I have had burning legs, or weak rubbery, uncontrollable legs, but this sudden lock up in which the muscles just refused without even a forewarning burning was unexpected. I watched Mary gallop away. I walked. I was disheartened to say the least. Mentally, at this point the race was over and I had given up. I am expecting Angela and Jane to pass me momentarily. People yelled at me to run. Barely walking and they want me to run. A joke, but I began to jog. However as I closed on the Finish line my legs did hurt and then my breathing went. Why? I was hardly exerting myself. So, here is how the 400m ended: Mary Robinson 1:37.62, me 1:49.01, Angela (looking hardly winded) 2:13.65, and Jane 2:22.44.

another 400m disaster

In looking at the video, I see where my running is quite choppy and Mary's is a smoother lope. She looks as if it is no effort at all, whereas it is obvious I am straining. After I stopped running and started to walk, I see where I am a bit off balance. However, after she finished, Jane looked the worst of all four of us, in terms of how she felt. It took a lot out of her. But, then, she also does a lot of events.

I ended up in Medical having been led off (my breathing was a horror at this point) – trying to catch my breath. So, there I am sitting in Medical, missing the younger age groups running the 400m! They made me sit there for quite awhile. I did get ice for both quads which now ached. My BP was similar to what it was a week earlier in the doc's office 187/70. Surprised it wasn't higher considering my mental state.

Once I was allowed to exit Medical, I found Angela and we both decided to get something to eat since discus was not until 12:45. I was still in a dark mood. Not so much at having lost but in how I lost (and, once again, having to walk) If I had lost by a few seconds, I would have been disappointed (though I would have enjoyed racing Mary all the way to the Finish), but not disgusted and down in the dumps. But I was not down enough not to eat! We found a Subway and I got a veggie six inch sub.

At discus, we were in mixed age group, with the usual folks. Gloria Krug (87) there to compete with herself, Irene Obera, Mary Robinson, Ann Carter, Karen Huff-Pawlett, Joan Berman, Roslyn Katz, Kathy Bergen, Joann Marriott, and a lady I did not know, Janice Bradley. 

Glorria Krug

Carter Staab Warren

Listening to Official before start 

All of whom could throw a better discus than me. A few only did field events. Joan Berman always makes me smile with her comments and light hearted demeanor. But she can throw a mean discus! In fact, she threw farther than any of us! 18.42m (60' 5”) Irene had to leave after three of the six throws to make another track event. One gets three throws and then the officials reorder the list from top to bottom and one gets three more throws. I have found that there are always those who will try to help by pointing out possible tiny improvements to one's form. When it comes to my turn, I somehow only remember to do one or two and walk out of the circle realizing Oh! I forgot to…. And so it goes. Invariably, I rarely throw as I might when practicing at home. Nonetheless, it is still fun. Just having the challenge to try to improve makes it an adventure. And where else can I be with this caliber of competition?

It was eat time again. We almost had Barbara Warren join us, but she and the group she was with ended up eating at some rah rah place. Angela and I returned to W Spokane Falls RD and the River Park Square. We went upstairs to Twigs Bistro, recommended by Jane Barnes. We sat overlooking Main street. Two nuns, in full habit, passed by. An unusual sight these days. However, it seems Spokane is home to numerous convents and religious societies. I think the nuns we saw were from the order of Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, based upon their attire. There are two religious groups who still adhere to pre Vatican II (1960) precepts: a Latin Mass and not accepting the validity of any Pope after John XXIII. One is a strictly cloistered group of nuns who maintain absolute silence and except for medical or dental requirements, are not seen by outsiders. The other is a small group (35 in 2015), much like traditional old school nuns except, they too, maintain pre-Vatican II concepts: Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen, whose habits are blue. There are at least two other more modern orders.

I ordered Twigs Roasted Brussel Sprouts: Pan-roasted sprouts with bacon, shallots, and roasted garlic then finished with a touch of brown sugar and chili flakes. Crowned with a sunny side up egg and chives. This was just the right amount of food and very tasty!

Saturday July 28^th

Today, I had the 100m and Angela and I had the Javelin. Javelin was at 8:30 so I had yogurt for breakfast and Angela went for the eggs etc. I had practiced javelin after the South Carolina Meet, trying to use what I had been shown. Of course, once I was actually required to throw the jav in competition, I managed to remember only one (how to hold it) which I did not execute well. Though my throws were not far, they at least stuck most of the time. That is better than last year's outing. My run ups were so so. None of the fancy side stepping approach for me. Just straight down, throw, and hope not to foul. . Joanne Marriott threw the farthest, 15.30m (50'2”) followed by Mary Robinson 14.28m (46'10”). Karen Huff-Pawlik got third with 11.23m (36'10”). Angela and I got fourth and fifth.

Christel Donley won the next AG up with a throw of 12.7m (41'8”) with Janice Bradley second 12.01m (39'5”), Joan Berman third 11.27m (36'11”) and Irene Obera 10,89m (35'8”).

In the AG 85 Gloria Krug won with a throw of 12.42m (40'9”) and 85 year old Sierra Gold, Betty Stroh, from Montana, throwing in competition for the first time, did extremely well. I think she had her coach with her because she kept going over to the fence after each throw to consult. She was a little lady I was to see later in one of the track events. Like Irene, and Christel she had to leave for a track event after only a few throws

I had fun at the jav event, joshing with the lead Official who I suspect was a former Marine or AF officer, referring to her as Sergeant Major. She was probably a retired Colonel!

7/26 W45 pentathlon hurdle lineup - Anne Sluder in purple

7/26 Anne Sluder taking it to the pentathlon

7/27 - Ann Sluder 80m hurdles

The 100m was scheduled for 10:23. Angela said she would hang around for it But it was hot. There would be six of us. Those of us who have run it before in this age group knew that Kathy Bergen would more than likely win. And by a huge margin. This time, I only warmed up, so to speak, for about 15 minutes. I was thinking maybe I had depleted my energy yesterday before the 400m so I was just going to take my chances today. I still drank my beet juice and this time I had a smaller can of Red Bull. I saw Lesley Hinz and her coach Tom Hinz. Lesley was now with their new team: T.H.E. (Tom Hinz Elite) Track Team. A new member of T.H.E. Track Team, Sue McDonald winning, I believe, her first Nationals 400m race the day before was also there. On Thursday, she had set a new American record, AG 55, in the 800m. Also, perhaps the first time, running it in Nationals. So, Tom has the women's 55 and 60 AGs well covered!

I decided to try using just one block for the 100m. I had practiced a few times on grass and decided I would push off with my right foot. I doubt it really makes much of a difference except a few hundreths of a second gained from not rising from a 3 point stance. In lane 5, I was boxed in by the two speedsters: Kathy Bergen on my left and Mary Robinson on my right. Joanne Marriott in lane 2 (Joanne is a superstar in the throwing events, especially discus), Ann Carter in lane 3 and Jane Simpson in lane 7. Mary and Kathy were using both blocks and Ann and I were using one. The other ladies did not use any. I sort of crouched at the SET and hoped not to lose my balance. This being written after the fact, I have a vague recollection of an awkward start (which goes along with some other awkward things I did in the Meet). Kathy was off and gone and I was trying to catch up to Mary who was a bit ahead of me. There is no tactical thing for me in the 100. Just go as fast as I can. If I make any adjustments during a race, it might be to my arms (swing them faster as I get closer to the Finish line) but most of the time all that I am aware of is Mary. We are generally in close proximity (she may be ahead or we may be even) and I end up trying to move my legs faster. Kathy won in 16.41 and the rest of us were more than two seconds behind her. Big gap. Mary and I came across next, followed by Ann Carter, Jane, and Joanne. This time Mary was not waiting for me to straggle across the Finish as in the 400m. I had no problems breathing or with my legs. That is the one thing I like about the 100m – not far enough for bad things to happen (unless one pulls a muscle). But, on the other hand, it is not far enough to play catch up with someone way ahead with any real hope of doing so.

The 100m and prior day's discus were the only times I got to see Ann Carter, who had competed earlier in her favorite event, the Pentathlon (as did Barbara Warren, who was second in her AG with 1915 points). Ann won her AG with 1347 points followed by Jane Simpson, 1258 points.

I tried to watch my younger track pals run the 100m (I have an interest in all age groups, but particularly in the ones in which I know a runner or two.) We were walking back on the infield when the W65s ran. I saw that Jane Barnes was in the lead but did not see what happened at the end. She did win but immediately went to the ground. I knew she had arrived with an Achilles issue and was hoping to get through the prelims and races of the 100m and 200m. She said later that she felt the Achilles starting to scream about 20m from the Finish line. In watching the subsequent video, I could not see that she slowed down but it did catch her going down after the Finish and grabbing her foot. Medical eventually iced and taped it but there would be no more races for her at this Meet. Such a disappointment. And, she was scheduled to go to WMA in Malaga Spain in September. Sometimes the fates are not kind. So many of these Masters compete in less than 100% condition. Probably on average, I would suspect maybe 80 to 90%, some less than that. But they want the joy of competition and to see if they can. It is tough to concede to injury (or age).

I keep trying to find a better way to start the 100m and 200m. I have gone from a standing start (no good because I lose my balance in anticipation), the three point start wherein I rise from a partial kneeling position and swing one arm back and up on the SET (maybe lose time in rising but at least not off balance), using a block start but quite problematic because of knees, so though I may practice on grass, I am not now using a block start. Currently I use a one block start. I definitely have a start problem. Then, there is the fact that I can't run with high knees or a big kick back. Too much for my knees. So, I end up taking shorter steps, at a faster pace if I can. Also not the most efficient,

Angela and I had lunch with two of our Piedmont Pacer teammates: Kevin Gobble and Matthew Holtry. Holtry, AG 35, practically gained all of the Piedmont Pacer points by competing in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000 and 10000 race walks! Are you kidding me? By the 10000m race walk, he was beginning to drag as all of this activity caught up. Kevin competed in the 10000m race. Because of his schedule, he usually only gets to do one event unless it is in our home base, NC. We went to Twigs for a very nice lunch and a chance to catch up with each other. The only time I see these folks is during a Meet.

Afterwards, Kevin had to leave and Matthew had to rest up. Angela and I almost went to the new Mama Mia movie, but the showing times did not fit in. We walked back to the hotel and lazed around by the pool until dinner. Angela had had her eyes on the water slide and gave it a go several times. She loved it! I, on the other hand, tried once and panicked after hitting the water, because I was gasping for air. So much for my swimming days!  While at the pool I enjoyed the live music from Soul Proprietor (Angela was not as keen on the style of music.)

Angela letting the kid out.

We had decided that this year we would go to the USATF Masters Award banquet. It turned out to be a good idea. It was held at the Spokane Convention Center, in the open air beneath the white peaked tents on the upper floor. There was wine to be had (in my case cider based), in the buffet area salmon chunks, various vegetables, potatoes, ham (I think), fruit and cookies. 

Mary Trotto, looking quite different than when steeple chasing!

Hall of famers and honorees

Kathy Bergen, standing still!

 We happened to sit at a table with Mary Trotto, Sandy Triolo, and Latashia Key. Kathy Bergen and Joanne Marriott were both AG 70-79 Athletes of the Year, Jeanne Daprano and Gloria Krug were AG 80 Athletes of the Year. And not for the first time for these folk! Many other younger well deserving luminaries were recognized as well. Those I recognized were LaTrica Dendy, Antwon Dussett, Sonja Friend-Uhl AG 40-49. Charles Alley and Myrle Mensey AG 60-69. The always thrilling Bob Lida was Overall Male Athlete of the Year, Kathy Martin Overall Female Athlete of the Year, and wonderfully (though not present) Julia Hawkins as Centenarian! (100m World Record 39.62)

Sandy "Speedy" Triolo, USATF Masters Communications Subcomm Chair 

Gloria Krug and John Seto (keeper, creator, and master of the Masters worldwide rankings Masters Ranking )were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Sunday July 29th

Meeting our pals in the parking area, as usual. Staab, Hartzler, Robinson

We had to check in for the 200m by 8:14 so, allowing for warmup time, we left the hotel by 7:19. Again, very little traffic. In fact, during our entire time in Spokane, we never saw traffic at all similar to what we find in NC. Pleasant surprise. Our one problem was that the 200m and the shot put were at the exact same time. Ugh. Many of us doing the 200m had this issue. Angela and Mary talked to the officials and they were incredibly understanding. They arranged for a cart to be at the Finish area so that we could come off the track and get immediate transport down to the shot put area.

Again, I limited my warm up time. This time there were five of us including Angela (who runs 200m through 800m). Jane Simpson was in lane 2, Mary Robinson in lane 3, Kathy Bergen in lane 4, I was in 5 and Angela in 6. The outcome for first was again quite predictable (in a sense we are running two races in one: Kathy's race with herself and then the rest of us.) In the stagger setup, Angela and I were farther down the track. Kathy and Mary used blocks, I used the one, and the other ladies used none. So, the gun goes off. Kathy rapidly passes me on her way to the lead and Finish. I passed Angela and then it was Mary and I the rest of the way. About half way through, after coming out of the curve, a fleeting fear of leg lockup flew through my mind (probably as I neared where the 400m disaster occurred.) But I had Mary on my left to focus on. We were both going all out and once again making a race of it. I love that part of it. Mary makes me push as much as I can. Outcome not known until the end sometimes, because we are that close to each other. Kathy was, gasp, six seconds faster than the second place person. Six bloody seconds!

Like most of the others, I had to rush off the track, grab my stuff I'd left at the side of a tent and try to change shoes. The cart was there and I ended up getting in with my shoe not quite on. It was Mary Robinson, Angela, Irene Obera, and Jane Simpson in our cart. I sort of recall Jane's shoe falling out and it having to be retrieved (or we thought it had fallen out.)

Similar to many other field events, each person throws three times before the officials re-order the throwing order from leader down to last. On her third attempt, Joanne Marriott went into the lead, just a bit farther than Mary Robinson's distance. Joanne increased the lead with her fourth throw of 7.29m (23'11”). On her sixth throw, Joanne fouled. To this point, Mary's longest throw was 7.07m (23' 2- 1/2”). So Mary primes for her last throw. Not much crank up and heaves the shot 7.20m (23' 7-1/2”)! Arrgh! Short by 5 inches and a smidgeon from snatching victory from Joanne. Roslyn Katz got third (6.79m 22' 3-/2”). I got fifth (5.40m 18' 0-1/4”) and Angela seventh with 4.85m (15' 11”).In the next AG up, Irene Obera threw just twice because she had to leave for another event and got second to Christel Donley. Irene 6.08m (19' 11-1/2”) to Christel's 6.67m (21' 10-3/4”). Janice Bradley got third with a thr0w of 5.87m. (19' 3-1/4”)

Gloria Krug was the only one in her AG (85) and threw just four times with the longest being 6.50m (21' 4”)

Of the three or so things I was supposed to remember re form when throwing the shot, I may have remembered one or two, but not in the same throw!

Mary Robinson, Angela and I all had the 4x100 relay to do later in the day. Angela was hungry so she went off to the distant Subway and I stayed to watch Matt run the 1500m, talk to Lesley and Tom Hinz, Jane Barnes and Maureen and others. I watched Kay Glynn pole vault. I did not know it was Glynn, someone I had heard of before. She vaulted well and looked to be in her forties. She did not take too long between vaults (maybe that is one of the rules.) She was wearing a patriotic looking outfit and used gloves for the pole. Tom Hinz came along and we talked about the vaulter. I thought I saw five letters on her name bib so we concluded it was Kay. A legend. Two hip resurfacing after age 60, AG65, and she vaulted 2.70m (8' 10-1/4”). From where I stood at the railing, it looked like fourteen feet or higher!

Kay Glynn prepping for vault

Our relay, with Mary Robinson, Angela Staab, Cora Hill and I was set to go off at 1:25. It was a hot day, in the high 90s. When Angela returned, three of us practiced passing and receiving the baton. I usually have a problem whether it is passing or receiving. If passing, I don't slap it into the receiver's hand well (recalling Birmingham National Senior Games relay where I had to pass to our anchor Mary.) I also don't receive well – sometimes standing still rather than moving forward. This old dog has not learned this trick well. Cora and I practiced her pass to me (I was running anchor.) It seemed to be okay.

Behind the track, Cora and Angela , before practice baton passing  

We had a long wait. There were delays due to prior events still ongoing. Our team was running as non Club (surprisingly, there were few Club teams – where all members belong to the same club.) Barbara Warren was running with Mary Trotto, Jane Simpson, and someone's mom who they were giving the opportunity to run on the track, Ingles last name. We were in different age groups. Mary was our lead off. We were running with multiple age groups, thirty and up, so many whizzed by pretty quickly. Becky Bowman was to my right, anchoring for her non club team (having won Gold in the 100 and 200 – that sure makes sense!) Because of the placement of the stands, I could not see part of the backstretch. I did see Angela pass to Cora and then had to wait to see Cora emerge into view. As she was maybe ten to fifteen meters from me I started moving forward, looking back. When she got to me, I had trouble receiving the baton. I thought it was going to drop and desperately grabbed for it, then ran like hell to make up for lost time. I think I should have been running ahead faster because Cora was so fast and on me, such that we were too close when the baton was being passed. I really had no idea what happened until Mary sent me a photo one day the next month which, funny enough, partially loaded on my cell's email, showing only two arms. I think Mary said: What's wrong with this picture? I recognized my ring so realized it must be Cora's and mine and oh, boy! It was worse than I thought! Easy to see why I thought I would drop it since I got Cora's arm instead of the baton. Only the reach over with my other hand saved us.

Well, kiddies, this is NOT the way to do it

Looks like I have a long way to go in exchanges!

Oh, yeah, the existing non Club record was 1:24.88. Our time was 1:29.94. My fumble probably cost a least three seconds, possibly five. If I had run faster such that the exchange would have been good, we might have just beaten the record.

impending disaster caught (probably by Rob D'Avella!)

Relay team: Robinson, Staab, Hill, Guardino

And so it goes. Another National Meet done. Spokane put on an excellent Meet. Well run and organized. The Officials were superb and easy going but kept things running. The Check-In table ran smoothly with Mother Hen Sherry Hott in control.

That night Angela and I took our customary walk through Riverfront Park and ate at Tomato Street, which turned out to have great Italian food! Superb garlic bread. I am not quite sure what I had, but it had tomato sauce. This may have been it but if not – I bet this was still good AUNT ROSE’S PASTA Mushrooms, white onions, roasted chicken, fresh basil, tomatoes, feta cheese, alfredo sauce, mostaccioli pasta with garlic & olive oil and onion butter.

Monday, July 30^th

Angela and I had decided to stay an extra day to see the area. Coeur d'Alene Idaho beckoned. It was a short pleasant drive, just short of an hour I think. There was little traffic in downtown Spokane as well as on the road to Idaho. Waze led Angela right into the heart of Coeur d'Alene, by the lake at Independence Point. 

After feeding the one hour meter (which we fed many times), we eventually walked the semi-circular, about a mile long, floating boardwalk. An experience in itself until one makes the adjustment. Coeur d'Alene floating boardwalk One ascends stairs about midway to an overpass that allows boats to pass beneath and then we descended back to the boardwalk. I liked the blue tarps covering docking areas. A cigar-like boat was docked near the far end, reminding me of the original TV Miami Vice series.

Couer d'Alane docks

Angela on floating boardwalk

Looking a bit off balance

sleek!

We did some shopping and eating of ice cream 

Excellent ice cream!

before actually getting lunch (Angela) or something to drink (me). After the shopping tour, we decided to try stepping into the lake. There was one problem with this: you had to traverse the sand to get to the water's edge. OMG! I probably ran faster than I did in the 100m to get off that searing sand. Shades of being seven years old being forced to cross the hot sand to get to the water. Hated it! Still hate it. Angela was sure her feet suffered burns. The water was such a relief. 

Cooling our feet! Notice Angela's USATF toenail.

We got out by way of a rock ledge along the side. After meeting Mudgy the Moose and Millie the Mouse, we decided on taking the boat tour around the 25 mile Lake Coeur d'Alene. 

Millie telling Mudgy she loved hiding in his antlers

Mudgy has a great view of the lake!

Angela got into a conversation with a gentleman who was taking his elderly (ha ha – who am I to call someone elderly?) mom out for her birthday. They were native to the area so he told Angela much of the history and other interesting items while I surveyed the scenery. The large homes along the shoreline reminded me of NH's Lake Winnepesaukee homes and docks, except for the hills, Steep inclines led from some homes nestled way above to the water.

It was about 4 p.m. When we decided to return to Spokane. That night we again walked through Riverfront Park, but this time we passed through the mall out to W Main street and ate at P.F Chang's. I think I had pepper steak. Angela ordered edamame as a side. We did not finish it and did return with a box or two. Not touched after our return.

My haul

We both departed on Tuesday. I was not up for left over Asian food at 4 a.m. I suspect Angela did not eat any before she left later.

WMA (WORLDS) Malaga Spain update: As mentioned above, Rose Green W80 won the 100m, 200m, 400m and was on the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. Lesley HInz won Gold in the 1500m, silver in the 800m,  and just missed on the 400m. Jeanne Daprano won silver in the 1500m, bronze in the 200m, 400m, and 800m, and was part of the 4x100m team that took Gold.  Sandy Triolo was part of 4x100m relay team won Gold and set new world record. Christel Donley got silver in the high jump, and 80m hurdles, Gold in the heptathlon,  Although I have not mentioned the men in the Spokane event, the reliables Charles Allie, 70,  and Bob Lida, 80, hauled in many Malaga medals (among them Gold in the 100m, 200m. Allie also getting gold in the 400m)

Jane Barnes after some recovery work on her Achilles (not done yet) won Bronze in the 100m and was fifth in the 200m. Their 4x100 relay team won 4th. 

Ah -- you have reached the END! Congrats  if you got here.

CG Games Prelims July 14 & 21 2018

Trainer making sure camper touches toe

Having participated in CG Games Prelims two years ago, I had no intention of doing so again. Once and done! Two years ago there were four events to get through, this year five. I am also two years older and slower. With far less endurance. I had surprised myself in 2015 by actually finishing the events. The Games also were after USATF Masters Outdoor Nationals. Not so this year. What was the chance I would get injured? (Achilles?) Plus, it would take away from time to train for track. So I was not interested in doing them again.

Yet, I did. Justification being, well, I could go to the Saturday training sessions (which did impinge upon my track training) but that did not mean I would actually do the Games. I squeezed in track and field practice on Sunday or, once schools ended for the summer, during the week, even after a morning CG session. I just reduced the number of iterations or focused on only one thing while at the track.

I missed one training session while in South Carolina at a Masters Meet, so at Game time there was one event I had not done except for portions during CG Camp sessions. I knew that the Endurance event would be horrid. This one entailed four approximate 400m runs, two with a 15 pound sandbag, the other two without the bag. One performed three exercises , the first with 10 iterations, the second 20 iterations and the third 30, followed by a weighted then unweighted run then repeat mat work and runs. I could not do either weighted or unweighted run without many walks. The first, or maybe it was the second, time I did it, it had rained and we had a light drizzle pop up whilst at the Saturday session. The training took place at a local park and the run portion was partially along a paved area, a short dirt path and two wooden bridges. This time I was wearing softball cleats as had been suggested previously since much of our other run related events were on grass. Rubber cleats on this day was a bad move! When I hit the second bridge, I had gone no more than two steps when my feet were flying forward horizontally, head headed for bridge I hit banging my head a little then got up. Asked if I was okay by a few ahead of me, of course I said yeah. But I gingerly proceeded to the end of the bridge and the next times passing over it, I walked slowly and held the railing. It was still slippery. Rubber cleats and slippery wet bridge do not go well together.

So there was that. One other event, the Agility entailed the icky shuffle (along a ground ladder, repeating two steps in, one out) and a six inch yellow hurdle to jump over ten times. I was a disaster at the icky shuffle when I first encountered it. Want to talk about crone meeting agility? Coordination not my strength. The brain would not coordinate the feet. Eventually, I got it (after my trainer patiently went over it with me and with subsequent practice, initially along with help from some hard cider and a CG trainer at a CG party, and the rest in my driveway.) The hurdle petrified me. Several years ago during a pre-Christmas indoor session, five or six were placed for us to jump over as we ran forward. Terrible. I hit them, missed, and had a mental collapse over not being able to pick my feet up enough. So, I dreaded this portion of the Agility.

The Strength event required initially a prone position lifting a 15 pound weight alternating arms, twenty times. The elbows had to go above waist. That was followed by ten, then eight, then six iterations of pushups followed by raising a 15 pound sand bell from below chin to above eyebrows. It ended with a repeat of the alternating arm lifts of weights. I could manage that,

When the Prelims arrived, there was still one event I had not done and that was the Peak. Those of us doing the Prelims arrived July 14^th at Durham County Stadium before 06:30. Many were nervous, pacing, worrying, chatting. We were checked in, our contestant number written on our arms, and off to participate in a rah rah group warmup exercises. Some were a bit too exuberant during this, almost knocking one of us off balance. Then, it was off to queue up for the event one wanted to do first. I had two that I knew I would not do well in and wanted to get them over with. I am like that – get the most dreaded thing out of the way first. I chose as my first, the Endurance. There was a very long queue because the event was short a few trainers and some trainers were timing two competitors at once. These folks are so brain adapted, they easily handled tracking two at once with a stop watch in each hand. Actually, quite impressive. For this event, Amy was the trainer with the mis or good fortune to get me.. All trainers were equipped with a thin rod, used to indicate if ones body or appendage (knee for instance) was not high enough (In Strength, the knee had to rise to the level of a cone when doing pushups.) I watched those ahead of me. Some struggled a bit with the second round of mat exercises, some got wiped by the track runs and some had no problem at all.

Endurance Event section.  Note the sticks.

I got through the ten sand bell thrusters, twenty squat jacks, and thirty high plank toe touches okay, though the thrusters just about wiped me of breath.

trainer timig while camper does thrusters

Trainer intent on another trainer's toe taps. Loved watching this!

 Now came the part I dreaded. I picked up the fifteen pound sand bell and began my trot. One had to trot from the starting point in any lane all the way back to the start, drop the sand bell, and trot around again without the weight. The Endurance event was being held on the far curve of the track. I barely got a third of the way in front of the stands before I had to walk. My pals in the stands yelled for me to move to lane one. So I did. I trotted and walked the rest of the way. I carried the sand bell behind my neck. When I went to shift it forward so I could drop it by the start, it slipped from my hands and hit the ground. Tick tock. But I was not going for time, just completion. Picking it up, I dragged self back to the start, dropped it and went out again. The unweighted lap was not as hard but I still lacked energy. I was using this lap to catch my breath. Back at the mat I repeated those exercises, willing myself to get through the thrusters without stop. Finally, the dreaded laps again. They did not get easier. I finished in 15:40.29.

CG Games Endurance Event

Next, the Peak event. A fellow Camper, planning only to do a few events after having had to miss about a month of Camps, decided she would do it with me. More than she'd intended. Of course, with our other pal watching, egging us on, this sort of made it a pseudo challenge. I managed to get Trainer Dea, the trainer who had herded me two years ago in a similar event. Though the day was warm, I did not need gloves to keep from burning my hands. I had to bear crawl, dragging a fifty pound speed sack (a sack loaded with sand bells) weight to the fifty yard line. I was beginning to feel my quads go at about thirty yards but got the bag across the fifty yard line. The return trip consisted of tossing a 15lb sand bell forward then broad (frog) jumping to it, hands touching ground, followed by dropping chest to bag before progressing forward. Sort of sucks the air out of one. I had gotten a tip from a fellow Camper during our Saturday practice times to take short hops rather than long (like I could broad jump far! NOT!) We had practiced some but not all the parts of this event.(I could see my fellow Camper in my periphery vision, ahead) Back at the start it was turn around and just throw the sand bell to the fifty yard line and back to the start. So far so good. Still breathing. Now pick the sand bell up and run to the speed sack at the fifty yard line, turn around and drag the sack backwards to the thirty-five yard line then run forward to the start line to finish. (The other Camper and I finished close to each other. Terrific for her since she was working her way back to full strength) Amazingly, I was not as winded with the Peak as I had been with the Endurance event. It took me 8:02 (eight min 2 secs)

CG Games Peak Event

The third event I did was the Strength event, I had done this several times during the Saturday practices, but I found it tougher this time around. This is where a stick might be used if one's limb is not high enough. Twenty high plank dumbbell rows, followed by ten, then eight, then six repeats of hand release pushups each followed with the same number of sand bell overhead presses, The last set of overhead presses were tough. The final plank dumbbell rows were almost a relief! This one took me 2:53.

CG Games Strength Event

Three down, two to go. I took some time to sit and chat with pals before attempting the next event which I had decided would be the one with the yellow hurdle, the Agility event. It was a time to watch and cheer on those I knew who were doing the nearby Endurance, running the track. That was a nice thing about the Games – so many one knows, in all shapes and conditions, giving their all to the events they chose to do. One whole group, from Dea's CG Camp, was there all dressed in blue-purple shirts touting being from Da Block (Dea's Camp) encouraging each other in each event; running along with a runner on the track.

Time for Agility. I had been practicing the icky shuffle in my driveway so thought I could do that and the running and shuffling okay. I drank some fluid (I accidentally left the can of BANG! at home. It had BCAA (Branch chain amino acid) which someone had posted helped recovery. Having looked it up in the USADA and 411 list, I thought it would be okay. Yep, sure was – sitting on the counter at home!)

Earlier there had been a hurdle out on the field to practice with. I had decided to try since I had never jumped sideways over one and dreaded it. I had the option of stepping one foot at a time over, which would entail a 30 second time penalty. That would be okay. Time was not a factor. Coming in last would be fine – as long as I could do all five events. When my turn came I decided to try the hopping over the hurdle. What was there to lose? If I knocked it over, I would just pick it up and do one step at a time. Agility starts off with a sprint box drill – forward, side shuffle, run backward, and side shuffle again. Not a problem. Now, the hurdles! I got all ten hops done. Yippee, Next the icky shuffle followed by the in and out of the small yellow circle. Run to a corner cone then back diagonally to repeat the sprint box drill and done. My time in this one was 1:19.

CG Games Agility Event

The last event, Interval, was another one I dreaded. The 70 second time during practice had always found me way behind the eight ball and walking the last sprints, totally wiped. In other words – an ugh. One sprints out 15 yards to pick up a cone, run it back and toss over the start line and, importantly, touch the start line with your hand before sprinting out to the next cone (except for the last cone of a set, when one just runs across the line) . At the 15 yard line there were two rows of four cones. The object was to grab all four before 70 seconds was up so one had some rest time because once the time was up, you had to go get the next set. Each participant had a trainer timing them. Once a set of cones was completely back, their timer stopped their clock (meanwhile the master 70 second count kept going. At the end of the 70 seconds there were three tones then a whistle which started the next 70 seconds. One false start was penalized – two and one was out.) The next set of cones was at 25 yards out, consisting of two rows of three cones each. The last set was 35 yards out, two rows of two cones each. 

 One really had to conserve energy because that clock seemed to start up again real fast. By the time the 35 yard sprints began, not much was left in terms of energy. Somehow, I got through this without walking once. I was not fast and there was oxygen deprivation but I got through it. I was very happy that I did not walk. One factor could be that for two weeks, ending a week and a half prior, I had been on medication to reduce any lung inflammation since I had been having trouble running even a block. I also may have managed my speed better (slower) in the real event than I had in the practices. My time was 4:36.

CG Games Interval Event

I got all five events done in one day. This I considered the highlight of my year. I had not initially thought I would get through these, but with the help and support of others, I did.

I returned the next weekend, July 21. I was going to take photos and cheer but ended up re-doing three of the events. Why not? I was there. The weather was cooler (overcast actually) and sometimes I just like to challenge (punish myself). This time on the Endurance event, I screwed up some of the mat work – missing a hand touch on the squat jacks, having to redo, and I messed up one thruster needing to redo. The horrid runs were a little better – fewer walks but still slow. This time my time was 15:10. The repeat of the Strength event was only a little better 2:49 with the Interval being the best at 4:15. I was not alone in seeing better times. Many others said their times had substantially improved. Two years ago, the results were similar for those who came back the next weekend and repeated. Part of it may be that the fear is gone. One is familiar with the event and already has a time, so what if they do worse? They might, however. improve. Which many did.

I mentioned watching folks encourage each other. I again saw that this second weekend. Matt running and encouraging Jolene, a mom of a seven month old baby, around the track. Jolene is typical of a CG Camper. She is dedicated, went to camp almost up to child birth (crazy folk) and has stuck with it. Dea's folks chanting and getting their person to the end of their event. So many of the Campers are happy people. Smiling even after the worst and always trying to do their best, while supporting those of us in a lesser category.

Many of our RDU Trainers and Campers qualified for the Finals in Austin in November. Nationwide, their percentage of qualifiers in relation to relative size is impressive. Last year, they came in first in several of the team categories and quite a few competing individually were in the top twenty. As they had the year before. Such drive and enthusiasm shows. I loved watching the trainers compete!  They are such a close group and competitive.  Serious stuff.  They put so much into it that they are wiped when done. This shot typiffies (at the end of her Endurance event.) I had the luxury of being in the Recovery Boots watching from outside of the field.

In Women Super Masters category, age 50 and above, 434 women nationwide had registered. Of those 434, 245 did some but not all events and 190 did all five events. (what happened to the rest? Injury, other commitments, weather, or not enough confidence?) I ranked 105 of the total 245. Shocking, actually. I was hoping to be next to last and would have been happy to be last. Really happy that I did better than I expected. Event and ranking within

                                Endurance     Interval        Peak                 Strength       Agility

Louise Guardino 105 15:10.88 92  04:15.32 93  08:02.40 117   02:49.25 154  01:19.78 169

I strongly doubt I will do CG Games again, however. Even one year can bring degradation. Besides, I don't want to be the oldest who ever did them. And, why push one's luck?

American Masters T&F and South Carolina Open & Masters Meets

American Masters Track and Field Championships

Having been distracted by life, I did not get to these reports as soon as I should have so memory fades and bits and pieces disappear.

I certainly should have written about the first ever American Masters Classic T&F, held at Durham County Stadium on April 14^th, since it was hosted by Piedmont Pacers Track Club. Kevin Gobble and other Pacers put the event together and worked it as well as competing. This was quite an endeavor. Most of the usual track events except hurdles, pole vault, and I think hammer were available to compete in. Race events ran the gamut from 100m to 10,000m. About 250 folks registered, many local to NC but some from Maryland, W. Va.,  Canada,  and the Atlanta Track Club.

Willis, Jacobs, Wilton,Szymkoski, Staab

The field events were held in the area above and to the side of the track. There seemed to be a lot of men competing in those field events. Every time I went up there from the track (not a good idea to try to fit in both field and track in a one day event), folks were still sitting around waiting their turn. It was a warm day. This was the first outdoor track event of the season for me and perhaps for many others as well. (Turned out to be my best outdoor 400m of the year at 1:41.20, sigh)

Rick Pack, a Piedmont Pacer in his 30s ran the 100 (12.82) through the 800 {2:28.83) in his usual fast times. I often wonder how people run this range since they differ so much in training. But I guess if you have it, you have it! Some love track dust. Becky Bowman was just starting back from an injury (not quite recovered) but did her usual 100 (14.6), 200, and 400 (1:25.47). We even had Barbara Knight Warren from WVa., the legend, competing. I am surprised at the traveling track folks are willing to do just to compete.

Rick Pack

Barbara Knight Warren

This was a successful meet with no major glitches. Hopefully, it will become an annual event I liked that it was early in the season because there are so few Outdoor Meets in the area.

South Carolina Open and Masters Track Classic June 9

I debated between doing the South Carolina event at Furman U. Greenville SC, a 5 hour drive, or the SouthEast Region Masters Championships in Birmingham, AL. I was not sure what the participation might be at SEM, so I chose the South Carolina event. Good choice.

The drive was not too bad. I met Ann Carter there and we had dinner (and wine) the night before. She had transported hurdles, which it turned out they did not need after all. My biggest problem with the Meet was finding it! Ann had told me which way to go, but WAZE sent me a different way so I had a hell (yes, hell) of a time finding the entrance to Furman (WAZE kept sending me on odd ball roads which bordered Furman but no entrance. ) So, anyway, I get there and now I cannot find the track. No signs at all. I stopped at this one building which was an athletic something, open, but no one inside. Outside, another car pulled up looking for the baseball field, just as baffled as I was. They had a tournament to play (I encountered other baseball players searching as well) Furman needs more signage! I finally got pointed the right way by a fellow jogging wearing a Furman sweatshirt. Else, I would still be roaming, cursing up a storm. The track was nice, once I found it. (The baseball fields were right behind the track.)

Many of the NC track folk I know were there: Rick Pack, Becky Bowman, Jane Barnes, Lane Wilton, Anne Sluder, Melanie Walker, Nicole Kelly. Atlanta Track Club folks, Jeanne Daprano and Terry Ozell took the trek to SC., It was a hot day. The track distances went from 50m up to 800m then the mile and 3000m. In the beginning, there was a delay for the start of the track events. I recall putting the spikes on then taking them off, going to get water and having to run back to put the spikes on because they were going to start. I like the 50m except that it is not enough of a distance for me to build enough speed. Becky Bowman did it in 7.71 and Jane Barnes (next AG up) in 8.2. I slogged in in 9.89.

Terry Ozell

30 and up men 100m start

I watched Rick Pack run a very fast 400 (56.57) while waiting to do discus. 

Rick Pack -- beautiful form!

I caught a glimpse of Anne Sluder doing 80 short hurdles (13.09), and Lane Wilton running the 800 (2:47.63). I missed all of Ann Carter's jumping events etc because I was either on the track or waiting for discus. There was a huge delay getting to discus. I think it was the weight throws that preceded discus. Lots of men throwing. I believe they put a Hold on the throwing in one of the cages while a track event was ongoing since it was adjacent to the track. Discus got started quite late so any conflict I had been worried about was non existent. The event officials had said not to worry any way since they would fit me in. By the time I got to discus my throws were short, though I got some tips from Patricia Clemmons I could not put them adequately in practice.

It was a long day by the time I got home (fortunately missing the rain.)

Daprano and crone at end of day

Crone and Rick Pack

Subdued in Landover -USATF Masters Indoor Championships 2018

Landover

March 16-18, 2018

Prior to USATF Masters Indoor Championships in Landover, MD, I went to two indoor meets in Winston-Salem, NC at JDL Fast Track. The first was a Youth, Open, and Masters Meet, Jan 14, in which Angela Staab and I went to see how we would do. For Angela, this was her first meet with her new bionic hip. We were of course the oldest and stood out among the younger folk. One problem with going to this combined event was the lack of area in which to practice. Loaded with high school teams, JDL was packed to the max. It was a bit chilly outside so my outside practice did not last long. Neither Angela nor I really warmed up before any of our events. I saw some swift high schoolers, one being 14 year old, Kendall Harris, who ran the 800m in 2:31.37 in his first ever track meet! In the 400m there was a 40 year old, an 18 year old (who had turned 19, ending up being listed as Open) and Angela and I. I ran the 60m and 200m with the 18 year old. I left knowing much work needed to be done. Angela was happy with her 400m and weight throw but felt some discomfort from the outing.

The second pre-Landover Meet was the SouthEast Masters Indoor Regionals on Jan 21 at JDL. I did the usual three events (400, 60, and 200) and shot. I stunk at shot. Among others that were there were Barbara Warren, William Rhoad, Lesley Hinz, Lane Wilton and some of her other Carolina Track Club members as well as our Piedmont Pacer teammates. Atlanta Track Club as always was well represented. So a week after the initial meet, I did a little better in the 60m and the 200m but, oh, boy! That 400m! Based on the prior week's attempt, I had decided to hang back a bit on the first 200m. I began my speedup just prior to entering the last curve and felt really strong running the straight away 60m or so. I felt fast and not out of breath. It felt good. Until I looked up and saw my time. Almost FOUR seconds slower than the prior week. I was stunned. It had felt so good coming down the home stretch, feeling better than I ever had before in a 400m. Yeah, no wonder! I apparently slogged too much on the initial 200+ meters. Aaargh.

Between then and the Landover Meet, I practiced on greenways and bridle paths three times and the track twice. Mostly, I tried some 300s (no 400 for me!) and then 3 or 4 200s and similarly 100s. I also ran a social five-miler and, the week before Landover, Pie Day Pi K (1.96 miles) in the rain (the reward small apple pie was the incentive.)

Leading up to the Landover event, I lacked enthusiasm. (and still do.) Basically, I was going through the motions in Camp Gladiator and life in general.

Thursday, March 15, I started off for Largo, MD for the Landover Meet. I took two 8.5 oz. bottles of Coca Cola© along, in case I began to feel drowsy. (At most, I drank about half of a bottle during the entire time away.) On my way out of town, I got a Starbucks Quattro (4 shots of espresso) which I did not start drinking until an hour into the trip. It took me to Fredericksburg, Va, without generating a need to make a stop, though I did, also picking up a Milky Way Midnight Dark bar. In Fredericsburg , at WaWa (really?) I got a regular coffee for the rest of my trip. I was grateful for the decent driving weather up to Landover and even more grateful for the WAZE app which gave plenty of forewarning as to when one would be moving to the right lanes or left lanes in the mess that is I-495 around D.C. It did take me off I-95 once to avoid, I imagine, a tie-up and put me back on later.

I arrived at the hotel about the time Angela was landing at Dulles. We decided that I would go to the event site and see if I could pick up both of our packets while checking out the drive from hotel to venue – Wayne K Curry Prince George's Sports and learning Complex. It was a short trip. Upon first seeing the track, I was impressed. Viewing it from above, it seemed immense, with the stands and track below. 

 I was too early for pickup, so took a walk around the track. I encountered Lesley Hinz also checking out the track. I was standing in one of the finish line lanes, 2 or 3, talking for a minute or two, when I got brushed (bumped) by a fellow sprinting the lane who said something like “move!” I had not seen him prior to stopping and talking. This was a younger guy, maybe 40, who was obviously fast, and IMO, full of himself. When I am practicing at a track at home and others are out there (Gaelic football players or others) who stand in my lane as I come around from a 200m or 100m, I veer around them. This fellow though he had the right to be perhaps annoyed, was plain rude. There is a NY term, rhyming with muck (no, not the one starting with “f”!), that applies nicely to him, at that moment in his life.

In the packet pickup area there were oodles of free goodies, including some sweets and lots of Gatorade©, plus towels to pick up and stuff into the commemorative bag. George Melichar, USATF Inclusion Committee, was there providing good vibes in the crowded area. I had a photo of Angela's license on my phone but did not need it to pick up her packet. That was good as then she would not have to rush to get it before pickup shut down for the evening. We both had the 400m at 10 a.m. so had to be there prior to 9, to declare. We were concerned about a long early morning queue to pick up the packet before 9.a.m. It was just as well I got Angela's stuff because it took her TWO hours by Uber to go from Dulles to Largo. Yes, it was during peak traffic but it seems she also got the D.C. Scenic tour (WH, probably Supreme Court and whatever else was on her route.) It seems they avoided the D.C. Beltline and took the circuitous way.

It was near to 6:30 p.m. when Angela arrived. By the time she got settled, we were both starving. The last I had eaten was my Milky Way and an apple. Before Angela even got there, she was texting me to find a good place to eat. Me – who knows from nothing! She wanted me to ask at the desk. We did that once in Baton Rouge, I think, and ended up with a so-so meal. Instead, I did a google search and came up with Old Towne Inn in Largo.

It was a simple drive to Old Towne Inn, mostly along Lottsford Rd. Along the way, we saw someone being ticketed on the other side of the road. (and again upon our return later, another one being ticketed.) Parking was at a premium when we arrived at Old Towne. When we entered, there were about three steps up into the restaurant proper. It was crowded. One of the two cops standing there told us it would be at least a 45 minute wait. Ugh. We thanked them for the info and decided to go to Outback, which we had noticed on our way there. It took us awhile to find it because we did not go far enough down Lottsford. We did find it and once seated, anxiously awaited our food. I ordered a garlic roasted filet with potato and broccoli and Angela also ordered some scrumptious meat. I devoured my meal but ¾ of the way through, began having piggy pains of an over stuffed goose. Real pains. It also pained me to have to leave some of my food, but I did. The discomfort lasted most of the rest of the evening. Not what one should be feeling the night before the dreaded 400m.

The Meet packet contained a pretty nifty, high class, booklet, detailing event schedule, including number of heats an event might have based on number of participants in that age group. (This was a six lane track, except for the 60m which had an additional two. ) It also listed every official! (A nice feature for the officials who work tirelessly during such a meet as this.) The Meet organizers (hosted and planned by Potomac Valley Track Club) had also been good about pre-Meet informational emails. All in all, I thought the organizers did a bang up job. (There was one hiccup, if it could be called that, described later.)

Friday, March 16. The dreaded 400m.

It was dang freezing! 36 degrees with wind gusting to 34 during our outings outside. Angela and I got there in plenty of time to check in (actually, too early so we had to wait until later.) 

Angela removing cold weather wrappings

A note about the spike check: they chose to wrap a yellow (or was it blue?) tape on the end of a shoelace. Several times during the event, this wrap thing came off. I had it replaced a few times then just forgot about it. No one ever looked any way!

I spent the time slowly warming up. Walking, with some leg kicks and butt kicks interspersed. I was not about to do lunges until my knees warmed up, else they would bark. I trotted the track with Coreen Steinbach and then transferred to the warmup area, eventually jogging slowly then picking up my pace as knees felt okay. Eventually Rose Green and Mary Robinson showed up to also warm up for the 400m. I did not yet see Marie-Louise Michelsohn, who was supposed to be running the 400m. Mary was being careful not to stress her knees which were criss-crossed with KT Tape. Not being capable of running 100% this outing, the race would therefore be between Marie-Louise and Rose. While warming up, I saw a lady who resembled Marie-Louise but it was not. Come time to check in and no Marie-Louise. She did not show. Well, okay. Too bad. I am not nervous. Well, maybe. I worry that I will not get beyond 300m without having to drastically slow up or walk. There are four of us since Marie-Louise did not show: Mary Robinson, Rose Green, me, and Angela Staab.

We watched the 80 year olds run their 400m. Jeannie Daprano led from the start and retained the lead as expected. We were led onto the track. I was in lane 6, Rose in 5, Mary in 3 and Angela in 4. I may have started with a few fast steps but then just tried to keep a steady pace as Rose passed me while we rounded the curve into the backstretch. I sensed that Mary was near but I tried to keep up with Rose. We rounded the curve towards the break line (cones) that would allow the runners to move into lane 1 once we passed beyond them. Remembering well my hesitation 4 years earlier in an Indoor 400, I sped up to cut into lane one before Mary got there and then I stayed on Rose's heels – in fact too close so I backed off when we turned back into the backstretch again. I stayed near Rose as we traversed the length of the back area. About half way around the last curve I pulled out into lane two to try to pass Rose. Now we were both heading down towards the finish line. I still had enough energy to keep pushing and as we closed on the Finish, Rose pulled ahead enough to take it by 2/10 of a second. What I did not realize until looking at the video yesterday, is that several times Mary was right on my heels and almost on me – once when we headed towards the cones, she had the edge until I sped up to cut in and then at the last turn, once again she was right there. I was only aware of Rose while on the final backstretch and heading to the Finish. Had Mary's knees been better she would have probably passed me somewhere in that run.  

Rose, after win.

I felt good at the end because I had managed to finish without walking and had felt as if I was running as fast as I could without my legs giving out and my breathing hanging in there. Probably the best I have felt in a 400m except for the Jan 21 JDL outing when I thought I had done well only to discover I was slower. This time, I was faster than at JDL so I was happy. After returning home, I wondered if I had cut into lane two too soon thereby using up energy I could have used in the last 60m or so. However, had I waited, I might not have had enough distance left to even get close to Rose. Those split second decisions based on partial prior experience are not always correct and each race is different from the last. One is a different person physically in one way or another. Rose was off that particular day, allowing me to get close.

and so it goes

We still had to figure out who would be the fourth in our 4x200 relay. Mary Robinson had found that there was no NON CLUB 4x200 record in our age group. So, we needed someone no younger, which left out a few potentials. We were going to try for Kathy Bergen if she was not running the relay with her SoCal Striders group. Turns out they had asked her to run with their younger group but Kathy had opted not to run any relay since the relays were at night and the prelims for the 200m was early Sunday morning. (IF all showed up. Two of those registered had not shown up for other races, so there was a possibility that if they did not show, we would not have a prelim.) But we had to be there at check in nonetheless before 7 a.m. So, here we were, Mary, Angela, and I with no fourth. Barbara Hensley was too young, Jeanne Daprano, though older, was fast, but was running with her Atlanta Track Club. Someone discovered that Carolyn Langenwalter, , the next age group up from us, barely, was not running with anyone, so we enlisted her and she was delighted to be able to run a relay.

Angela and I and Kevin Gobble our Piedmont Pacer leader, there for one day to compete in the 3000m, sat and watched the afternoon events.

Angela greeting Kevin Gobble, in from the cold!

We watched the men's 400m races. Several men had to pull up with what seemed to be hamstring issues. One, just after first turn into the finish side straightaway, and another at the far end, just as entering that curve. Angela said the most dangerous time for pulling muscles in that event is while in an inner lane and accelerating while in the turn. She indicated that most came out of the curve before accelerating unless in an outer lane. She had broken a leg in CA. during a National Senior Games event when speeding up in a turn. We watched younger Piedmont Pacer Matt Holtry attempt the 1500m race walk. He had not had a great experience in his prior attempt, so had been practicing and was hopeful. Prior to his event we had watched the women compete, several of whom were yellow carded then DQed. Despite the strict rules for this event, there still were different styles evident. This is not an event I would try for even 100m! Matt finished his race walk without a hitch, winning his age group. I bet his shins were barking when done.

Because of the number of race walkers etc., Kevin's 3000m event would start too late for him to make his flight back home from BWI. He had been in town for work and had hoped to compete but it was not to be. Sigh.

Sitting for that length of time had made bionic Angela feel uncomfortable. She was ready to get back to the hotel.

That evening, Friday, Angela and I decided to try to get to Old Towne Inn early so as to beat the crowd. We managed even to get a decent parking spot. I ordered

Sauteed shrimp tossed in a spicy alfredo ajun sauce with julienne red pepper and green onions, served on top of penne pasta. I usually do not order shrimp but this sounded SO good! And again, I was hungry. It took quite awhile for our meals to arrive so I dug in. It was good. But after the preceding evening, I knew when to stop, so unfortunately had to leave some food still on the plate. But at least I left not in pain!

Saturday March 17, 2018

Weather still very cold but not as windy. Today, because there was a competing gymnastics event, the track folk were banished to the far outer limits parking area. From there, we could see the FEDEX stadium, home of the Washington Redskins. Huge. The walk back up to the venue was delightful in the chill. Saturday I had the 60m and Angela and I both had afternoon shot put and the evening 4x200 relay. Today, I had more than Rose and Mary to contend with. It was a forgone conclusion to me that Kathy Bergen would be out there way in front. Two of the registered competitors did not show up, so there were five of us. We watched the older group (hah! Most not much older than me, except for 102 year old Julia Hawkins!) Julia was there with her red outfit and flower in her hair. She was running with the 80-84s and one 85 year old. The 80s consisted of a competitive group - Christel Donley, Flo Meiler, Carolyn Langenwalter, and two other ladies. It was a very competitive race between the first three finishers with only hundreths of a second separating them. Julia trotted down the track in her steady no nonsense way, to a battery of photogs and reporters.

Our group lined up. Kathy, Mary and Rose were to my right and Jane Simpson to my left. They got us ready but then called a halt twice. It seems the reporters at the far end interviewing Julia were blocking the finish area. I do wonder why they were not moved off the track, out of the way. I expect there was a psychological impact of priming for a start and then not going. In my case, I had decided to try to use one block to push off from (versus a 3-point start). When the gun went off, I was the last to get going and watched the others, except for Jane, rush down the straight away. I managed to catch up to Mary though I don't recall much of that event other than my cruddy start. It was not my worst start but the usual last to get going start. Kathy (9.88)and Rose(10.78) had long since finished by the time I came across the line. No news there!

I watched some of the subsequent groups run the 60m: The battle between Joy Upshaw and Sandy Triolo with Joy winning by just over 2/10 of a second; and in another AG the clear win of Jane Barnes, my NC compatriot.

When it came time for the shot put, it was in a side room. We competed in a combined group of 75-84. One lady seemed to be a stickler for rules and was questioning this or that before we started. I have little tolerance for nit picking, but I guess for the Pros, it is critical. Julia Hawkins was doing shot for the first time and Christel Donley was explaining and showing her what to do and to be aware of how to exit the circle. Christel is always helpful that way. Fortunately, the nit picking and semi complaining ended once we began throwing. Every one was courteous and supportive. The competitors exhibited multiple styles of throwing. I think one did a modified spin, most did some kind of windup, and some just threw. All of the 80s threw farther than us younger ones! I managed not to foul but after my first throw, everything was shorter. I tried to recall how I had done the one good throw at Outdoors in Baton Rouge but apparently, I never found it. Needs work.  

Barbara Warren

Since we had the relay scheduled for 7:10 p.m. this meant we had to all be there before 6:10 p.m., Angela and I decided we were going to eat light somewhere before getting back to the hotel. We ended up at a Chipotle not far from the hotel, where we both had salads.

We were back at the track before check in time. The check in area was swamped. It was truly chaos. People were looking for their teammates, the check in crew was calling out for club age groups (was that club or non club he called?) Really pandemonium from this person's perspective though it may have all just been organized chaos. As it got closer to 6:15, we were all there except for Mary. We were beginning to panic. None of us had Mary's cell number. Eventually Angela decided to go upstairs and use the rest room. Carolyn was beginning to feel the pangs of disappointment; I was immersed in a mental cocoon – no feeling at all, withdrawing into nothingness. However, eventually, I got worried when Angela had not yet returned. We were falling apart. The clerk was still calling Clubs. Angela returned then Mary strolled up, not the least bit worried, having been through this mess numerous times before. The USATF Masters Indoor Championships article by Castro, Seto, and photog Rob Jerome in

National Masters News stated that there were 160 relay teams registered. 640 folks crowded in the check in area of the venue! No wonder it was crowded!

I watched some of the men's longer relays. One in particular was dramatic. The Men's 40 to 49 Club relay. 4 laps each runner. The anchor of the Garmin Runners, Mark Williams took the baton and sped off, increasing the lead substantially even before rounding the far bend. His lead kept increasing through two and a half laps. By the third lap he began losing speed (or the pack increased theirs.) The pack was closing in on the last bend. There was about a 20m gap between Williams and the lead runner of the following pack as they came down the finish stretch. Williams just made it across the Finish before being over taken. The effort so exhausted him that he fell across the Finish covering his and part of the adjacent lane and stayed there, as the other runners veered around to finish. The man gave more than his all to bring the win home to his team.

The club teams, men before women, ran before the non club and in the order of longest distance to shortest (800m relays to 200m relays). Rose Green was going to run the 4x200 with the Potomac Valley Track Club with three other ladies who were either new to track and relay or used to a more leisurely distance outing. Having the 200m early morning prelim ahead, she was fine with not killing herself on this relay. I couldn't wait to watch! They had to run against the Atlanta Track club big guns in the 70-74 AG. Atlanta had 81 year old Daprano and Potomac had 79 year old Rose. Just looking at the ages is SO deceptive. These ladies dispel any thoughts of great grandma in her rocking chair. So when Rose's team came out, I was surprised to see some of her folks jogging at a decent pace around the track. No one walked . (More than could be said for myself at times.)

When the non club women were led to the infield about an hour beyond original pre-Meet scheduled time, some had already bagged it. Of the 4 teams listed, one did not start. While waiting, I watched the last of the women's club teams compete in the 4x200. Charlotte Track Club won their 4x200 45-49 AG with Anne Sluder, Kris Kazebee, Lane Wilton, and Melanie Walker. Joy Upshaw's Jackrabbits (love this name) won their 50-54 AG.

Non Clubs do not have fancy names. We are assigned non club A, B, etc. When the time came, our three non club teams lined up. The lead on the track and the rest of us off to the side in the order in which we would follow. Mary Robinson was our lead off, she would hand off to Angela Staab who in turn would hand off to Carolyn Langenwalter, who then would pass to me. As was expected, the younger 35-39 team came roaring around to hand off followed by the 60-69 team with Susan Loyd, Amanda Scotti, Jane Barnes, and Leanda Funk. This team set a new American (USA) non club record finishing in 2:24.05. The thirty year olds (McAllister, Edwards, and two others) finished first in 1:56.53. We did not look too shabby in our runs around the track. Mary handed off expertly to Angela who took her bionic hip around the track in a nice clip then handed to Carolyn who was darn speedy. She was so speedy, I miscalculated and stood too long before moving because she came up on me faster than I anticipated so, once again, I glitched up a handoff. Meanwhile, Angela on the infield is yelling at me that we were going to set a record. I just want to focus on getting the baton and not dropping it. (I am a b.... when focusing during an event) any way, I took off and maybe halfway down the back stretch knew that my legs were not up to par. They were not moving as I had hoped. Oh, well. I managed to get to the finish. Our time 3:21.53.

I am still gasping off the track when Mary says look at our teammate and she is looking back to the infield area. I turn around and there is Angela, sitting in a chair by the edge with some men attending to her. Excitable Angela finished her evening in a grand way, which I am bound neither to relate nor show the photo I later took. Another hallmark that adds to our relay sagas. (Along with the baton that travels to and from Meets never to be used.)

Sunday March 18

Angela has the 800m and a weight and super weight throw and we both have the 200m on the agenda for Sunday. The 200m is scheduled for 8 a.m., a conflict with Angela's weight throw. We made sure to get to the venue (again having to park in the outer limits) well before 200m check in time of 7a.m. As we enter the building, Kathy Bergen is leaving dragging her stuff behind her. She said the 200m was a rollover. Aha! The two who had not shown for earlier events still had not appeared. We headed to check in any way so they would see that we had met the requirement. Mary and Rose also checked in, so now we were set for a 12:23 200m Final.

Legends Mary Hartzler and Barbara Warren

Angela went off to do her weight throws and I watched the ladies throw that hunk of metal. Not something I am likely to try. One wrong move and sciatica might return. Barbara Warren was there for that, squeezing it in among her many events. Hurdles were now ruled out as something happened during Friday's pentathlon events such that her inner knee was not happy. (later determined to be a torn MCL and possible meniscus injury.) She did win her weight (5.45kg) and super weight (9.08kg) throw AG as did Mary Hartzler (also not quite 100%) in her younger AG. Mary Robinson and Roslyn Katz swapped victories in the weight (4kg) and super weight (7.26kg) throws, with Mary taking the super weight. Angela and Jane Simpson also did a swap of third and fourth, with Angela getting third in super weight. 

Mary Robinson throwing weight

Angela Staab throwing weight

Angela won her 800m event. She only walked a little bit once but mostly kept up her steady pace, increasing her lead. National Masters Champion to add to her relay results Then came the 60-64 AG 800m. I knew Lesley Hinz had her sights set on that (as well as the mile the following Tuesday in NC's JDL Fasttrack). Four times around. She led from the start and by the time she was on the last lap had a good lead . Good enough to give her the win and a new World Record with a time of 2:36.57 (Debbie Lee, second, finished in 2:58.77) And, indeed, the next week she set a new Indoor World record in the Mile (5:43.75) Coreen Steinbach handily won her 800m (2:59.49).

There were five of us in the 200m. Kathy Bergen, Rose Green, Mary Robinson, Angela Staab, and me. I have a slip of paper tacked to a kitchen door which has the 100m and 200m times of Kathy and Rose – it's been there for a number of years. Inspirational and a motivator? These days, I ought to just salute and say good going, ladies! I enjoy the 200m and below events. Just to get out there to see how fast I can run – to get that feeling of going all out. I think I skipped the block this time and just did my three point start. Kathy blasted off with Rose chasing her. The rest of us chased them. Kathy (35.90), Rose (37.92). In the end, I did run a little faster than I had in January, but not that much faster.

Angela Staab and Rose Green 

Jane Barnes won her 200m (34.58) with a very close race for second and third between Hannah Phillips (35.07)and Coreen Steinbach (35.28).

All in all, it was a well run Meet, from my perspective. Peter Taylor and Lisa Rosborough did a seamless job of announcing throughout the Meet. The officials were flawless.

My times were also a bit better than at my prior Meet. This was the last Indoor for me. Three. Next year, probably two since I will skip the Youth and Open Meet. Folks like William “barefoot” Rhoad go to as many Meets as they can that are within a driving distance and do as many events as they can in a Meet. He keeps improving or holding his own as a result he just loves to compete as does his cohort Barbara Warren.

WAZE had me go off the road at Lorton (after a very long crawl to the exit while the none exiting lanes zipped by). We seemed to wind here and there. I did notice a very interesting community on a river or large waterway that had a nice mix of townhomes and homes. WAZE also died (went into limbo – directing me somewhere I was not headed) not too far from home.

Next up is the first Outdoor Meet tomorrow American Masters track & Field Championships in Durham, NC. Barbara Warren and William Rhoad and Angela will be there as will some others from Landover. I am three plus pounds heavier. Supposedly it will be in the 80s during the day.