In Derby Country again - 2023 Indoor Naionals Louisville.

 Louisville Indoor Nationals. 2023 Norton Healthcare Spots & Learning Center. 

Thursday, March 9

Our adventure all had to do with flights rerouted and connections missed (Mary Smith), and where people were actually staying.  

The idea of waiting for Mary Smith at the airport, who was supposed to arrive at a similar time as us was not to happen. Fog on her route and rerouting screwed that up.  She did not know if when they got back to her original exchange point, Dallas, she would encounter Christel Donley  there.   Christel had left Colorado after Mary.

Barbara Warren was across the river in Indiana; Cora was supposed to be in the same HOME2 Suites as Angela and I, and we thought the Ohio Marys.  Our first disconcerting moment was when Angela told Cora our room number and Cora said she was right at the door.  But she wasn’t.  Cora was at another Home2 Suites downtown!  So she was at the correct room number but wrong hotel.

The drive from our Home2 location near the airport to Cora’s put us on the highway, I-65N.  Poor Angela trying to merge in was ignored by speeding drivers.  When we got off, we were in downtown heading for S Hancock St to find Cora. We then went to the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center Complex – supposedly only 3 minutes from Cora’s Home2 but not really!   We ended up on Jefferson then W Muhammad Ali Blvd. It was a circuitous route and took more than 3 minutes.  When we got to the Norton Center, Mary Trotto was leaving as was Barbara Warren.

The track was in its banked position when we entered.  It seemed to have a higher degree of tilt than I recalled the Albuquerque track had, but that was several years ago remembered with deteriorating memory cells.  Cora and I walked the track. I tried a few short jogs, still mentally hesitant in making any running attempt. The two Ohio Marys showed up while we were there. They made Angela and me happy that, yes, we were at the correct Home2 Suites where they were staying.  We were at the track for a bit as some of us socialized.  Cora and Angela discussed Cora relocating to our Home2 Suites and the timing of Cora’s return flight home since Angela and the TNT team expected Cora to run all three relays, the last being on Sunday a few hours before Cora was to depart.  Angela promised to get Cora to the airport immediately after the relay ended. 

Cora Hill

Mary Robinson Mary Hartzler

 Barbara had already said she would pick Christel up at the original arrival time 5:55. Barbara had been to the event site and was going to try to find something gluten free to eat before going to the airport for the new expected arrival time of around 7 pm.  Actual arrival was 8pm!  Both Christel and Mary were on the same flight. And then Mary Smith could not find the address of the hotel where she was to be staying as her daughter had made the reservation.  Several days later she mentioned she had had it in three different places in her belongings.  Just too on edge to find it. Christel did end up in our Home2.  Once we had learned there were multiple Home2s in Louisville and Cora was at another, Angela and I had worried about which one Christel had booked. The three of us, Cora, Anglela, and I stopped at a Subway (after giving up trying to find parking for a place Cora had suggested). There was just one woman behind the counter. Alone! She was so tolerant of our trying to decide on what to get. I think I had a cheese and veggie sandwich. We worried about her but she said she was from Chicago so could handle herself.

Christel, tired, at the correct hotel!

Friday March 10

I was the first down for breakfast.  It seems I need a Minder.  I had decided on oatmeal so filled a bowl with what I thought was oatmeal, took one hard boiled egg,  and grabbed a wonderful biscuit.  Yes, I was going to have carbs which I had been avoiding, worrying about being able to fit into the USATF Half Tights.  But how could I resist a genuinely perfect Southern biscuit? (I would skip it if it were one of those ham biscuits my softball pals so love.)  So, I sit down at a table suitably isolated from others (immune issues caution).  I take my first spoonful of oatmeal.  Whoa.  Quite a surprise.  It is not oatmeal. It is the, ugh, gravy with ham bits for the biscuits!  Did I eat it all? Yeah, though thinking of the arteries in process of being clogged.  The coffee and biscuit were good, though.  Angela and Christel came down and had the do-it-yourself waffle. And some egg concoction.

Angela, Christel, LG

The only thing Angela and I had today was the 400m.  Of all things for my first event!  I had hoped to be in better condition when I signed up. But I was a week away from not being able to even get my left leg into the car without curses, ugly scrunched face, and pain.  I watched some of the events with Mary Smith in the stands. Women race walkers were on the track. So many different styles it seemed.  Some close to a walking mode, whereas others had an exaggerated turkey trot. Kathleen Frable won the 1500m in her age group in 11:03.36.

After, I decided to try to warm up. I was concerned about the mental aspects of trying to get the left leg to move properly.  The fear that would result in a stiff non-bending knee. (Even four sessions of preceding PT could not conquer the absolute fear and resistance to attempt to do other than jog.)  Mechanics were not there. Plus, the memory of how dreadful the VA Southeastern Masters had been on February 11th was fresh in my head.

 The warmup was off to the side of the track. 60m or about that.  It was not overly crowded.  I walked mostly at first before I attempted to run.  Mary Smith warmed up as well, doing classic moves.  Mary Robinson had already done a first warmup and later reappeared to do another.  Mary Hartzler was outside on the harder surface in the cold. I might have joined her but hard surface was not good for the knee.  Eventually, I got to where i tried some very short sprints.  Not all out but enough to see I could.

 I was in the 400 with Mary Robinson, Mary Smith, Georgia Kightlinger and Angela Staab, in the 80 AG.  Mary Hartzler and Cora Hill ran it in the younger AG.  The track had been raised into bank position after being flat for the race walkers.   Normally I love banked. When I can take advantage of it. But this time I knew that was not to be.  In lane 3, I could feel the tilt while waiting for the start.  The gun fired and then fired again. Mary Smith had moved a fraction. She got the green card. She was in lane 5. She said the tilt got to her. Angela was in lane 6.  Georgia lane 2, Mary Robinson lane 4. I barely recall the event. I started off slowly got around the bend and saw the yellow cones straight across the lanes not far after the curve so one could cut into lane 1 just before reaching 200m.  Angela did not cut in immediately, later telling me that her coach said it took fewer steps to cut diagonally.  So I did not cut in right away either but figured in my case it made no difference as i was going so slowly.  An official motioned that I could cut in so I did but by now I think I was starting to walk.  I know for sure that I walked on the backstretch.  It was not my knee but my lack of endurance.  Breathing was crap. I basically walked the rest of the way until the last 80m or so when I ran.  Came in last of course but better than i had in VA on February 11 where I basically limped the whole way for a time of 3:18. Here it was 2:49.

I was actually winded.  Angela was having trouble getting her breath, though she said she had done her usual curtsey when she finished.  I was not too happy of course because of walking etc. I told her that I was going to scratch out of Poland’s 400.  No way would I repeat this there and with only 2 weeks before going, there would not be an improvement. (Angela not ready to accept that.)

Mary Smith won in 1:38.97, Mary R second in 1:46,84, Georgia 2:05.52, and Angela in 2:20,78.

Kathleen Frable in the younger age group won her 400m in 2:05.65.

It was a tight race in the 65-69 age group between Leandra Funk and Susan Lloyd, with Leandra winning in 1:16.36 and Susan 1:16.49.  I think Susan is getting better as she ages.

NC local Rick Pack (AG 40) ran the 400 in 56.17, coming in 4th.  Now with the Hive (Atlanta Track Club) I rarely see him at track events.  One quick Hi as he was hurrying back into the track with two cups of what looked like coffee.  Wearing a yellow top.  William Rhoad’s favorite color.  William is an 80-something renown for running barefoot and doing hurdles etc.

The knee did ache afterwards.  I was glad to get my ibuprofen hours later. 

Christel had so many people come up to her.  She was kept quite busy.  Her first event would be the 60m Saturday with me.  She looks fabulous though.  This has got to be both hard and good.  So many memories yet helpful distraction except for when everyone expresses their concern and condolences.  She holds up well. For now.

Another experience after we left with Angela trying to find Chipotle for Mary Smith and Cora Hill.

interesting architecture

many places downtown were in disrepair

Christel and I turned our noses up.  Not for us.  So Angela got us to Cracker Barrel not far from Home2 where we ordered to go while Angela went off to get ready for her TNT Team dinner. We waited at Cracker Barrel for quite some time.  Two old ladies though were well looked after by a young server who was handling take outs.  We got the hotel shuttle back to Home2.  Christel and I had a delightful meal in room 420. Sweet potato was yum. Christel had a fish fry dish with broccoli and I had chosen a flat meat patty and broccoli.

Saturday March 11

I did not sleep well. Awake at 4am, I managed to stay in bed until 4:45.  I needed to take a shower and go eat by 6.  Angela was planning to get up at 6.  Our first event, weight throw was at 8, to be followed by the super weight.  I got to the breakfast area at about 5:55.  This time I grabbed the instant oatmeal packet. I added water from the hot water container and also grabbed a biscuit.  Quire a surprise when I began to eat the oatmeal.  The water was cold. I had gotten it before it had heated up.  But the biscuit, of which I think I had two by the time Christel and Angela ate, was wonderful.  Along with the coffee.

The weight-throwing event was interesting, watching the other competitors.  Gloria Krug just slings it out, others do two or three swings back and forward before releasing the weight out and yet others, like Angela, swing between legs then to the side of her right leg then releasing out towards the ring.  Mary Robinson has an easy swing three times with a smooth release. Ours was a mixed-age group. 75-94.  Barbara and others were going on and off to their other events.  Barbara and Mary Trotto in the same age group battle it out.  Trotto winning the weight with a throw of 8.79m to Barbara’s 8.23m.  In my age group Mary Robinson won throwing 8.03m to Angela’s 6.28m.  Flo Meiler won the contest with Tami Graf 7.38m to 6.10m.  Gloria Krug’s best throw was her first 5.74m, farther than my 5.01m.

After the weight came the superweight. 16 pounds.  Mary Trotto and Barbara Warren switched places with Barbara throwing 6.25m to Mary Trotto’s 5.92m.  The results in the older age group did not change winners.

Krug, A Staab, Lou G, Mary Robinson, C Radle, Flo Meiler, Tami Graf, Mary Trotto, Barbara Warren

In the afternoon, I had the 60m along with Christel.   Christel had not been able to do much training but came to the Meet as sort of an emotional boost as this is where she has spent so many years, competing and officiating.  A track with folks she knows is like coming home to a cocoon.  My opinion. We warmed up together for the 60.  Though I could pick my foot up, i had no power.  I was still reluctant to try running fast (what’s that?) so sort of jogged. Christel gave me some tips, such as keep my head up!  

Earlier we had seen Kathy Bergen and her hubby arrive.  I was glad to see she made it. As well as seeing Colleen.  These California folks have had a lot of dreadful weather issues.  Kathy came into the warmup area as I was about to leave.  There is only so much I can do and why waste energy. I had arrived at the Meet knowing I was lucky to be able to simulate running but for sure would not be competitive.  I missed the endorphin kick from running fast but knew it would not be surging through my body this weekend or maybe ever again. At least not from running.

When the race began, Kathy Bergen was to my left, in lane 3.  Georgia Kightlinger lane 1, Mary Robinson lane 2, I was in lane 4, Flo next to me in 5, Christel in 6, and Gloria in 7.  They had age progression starting from the left in this mixed age group event.   As expected by me, Kathy surged out in front with Mary Robinson and Georgia battling each other. Kathy 10.50, Georgia 12.07 and Mary 12.33. I came in last in my age group 16.33.  Slower than either of the 88 year olds (these are not your off the shelf 88 year old folk) Flo or Christel who finished in 14.62 and 14.92 respectively. Close.  I thought that Gloria had also beaten me but when I looked at the results I saw that this 91 year old finished in 30.50.

I could not get any speed,  but the time was better than my limping 60m in VA.

Angela Staab 1500

Angela ran the 1500, in 11.:48.72 the only one in her age group.  Her younger TNT teammates skipped it.  Kathy Jacobs (NC) also ran the 1500m along with the famous Kathryn Martin who came in first 5:54.19, followed by Norma Hudnall (ATC) 7:51.61.and Kathy in 9:28.51.

Terry Ozell

Kathy Jacobs

Christel went off with some relatives later and I returned to the hotel with Angela.  She was going to be doing two relays with a planned start at 7 pm. I did not plan to go and watch, recalling the Landover Indoor in which the men’s teams and non-teams ran the 800m ahead of our relays. And we were there forever. (Landover relay situation will be forever memorable.)  Kathy Bergen was also going to be running a relay with her team and also recalled Landover.  She was hoping it was not going to be a late night because we had the 200m in the morning.

I got the shuttle to Cracker Barrel again after having ordered online first. This time meatloaf, which I probably have not had in more than 30 years, and sweet potato as well as asparagus again.  I had not gotten back to my room before Christel texted that she was back and the dining room in 420 was open.  She had brought leftovers from her meal with her relatives.

Angela and her TNT team of Mary Trotto, Nancy Berger, Angela and Cora Hill did two relays in the 79AG (Berger and Trotto under 80)  Trotto had scoped out that there was no USA or WMA record for an Indoor team relay W75, so they set it. They ran the 4x800 in 22:43.88.  

Rick Pack, Jr. ran the 4x800 with his Atlanta Track Club mates, winning the 40-44 Age group in 9:56.03.  Rick as anchor had some great splits! (33.20 being one of them) 800 is his specialty, it seems.

In the 4x200 relays, Kathy Bergen’s SC Strider’s Track Club won the 65-69 AG (Kathy giving them oomph by running down in AG)  They broke a Club 65-69 4x200 USA record with a time of 2:39.58.    Angela and her TNT team established a USA record for Club 75-79 with a team time of 4:01.01.

This made Angela very happy.  TNT established records during the Outdoor Masters in July.  Angela has found her happy home and brought in Cora Hill as well as Nancy Berger with whom she had run non-club at the Armory last year.

Sunday, March 12.

I made no mistake at breakfast this time.  I know I had a biscuit but don’t recall if I tried oatmeal again because again I was early (before the 6 am opening time)  Christel was concerned about getting to her HJ competition in time to sign in. It started at 8:15.  Angela and I had the 200m at 8:52.  As an observer, it is sort of interesting to experience a vehicle ride with Angela (hot blooded driver who does not like heat) and Christel, though from Colorado, who lacks sufficient meat on her bones so feels the cold easily.  Once upon a time, I too felt the cold more easily.

Christel got to her event in plenty of time.  She won her age group and incidentally tied the World record with a jump of .92m (3’0.25)  Kathy Bergen also did the HJ.

Angela and I had shot put along with most of the 75-94 AG throwers. Warren had to run off to other events but she still threw farther than Mary Trotto 7.42m to 7.01m. Mary Robinson was first in our AG with a throw of 6.38m, to Angela's 4.90m. I was third since there were only three of us. In the 85-89 group the competition was between Christel and Flo Meiler as it has been for years. Flo came out ahead this time 5.43m to 5.10m (Christel with a complete shoulder replacement -- ugh!! Not the same as what it replaced.) Gloria Krug threw 4.51m.

Warren on her tight schedule 

Mary Trotto can make us happy

Gloria feeling cold

Christel

I was looking forward to seeing Kathy Bergen racing with Mary Smith, as I had never seen them race each other.  I don’t know that they ever have.  I was in the warmup area with both of them.  Mary Trotto made me chuckle when she said she was only doing the 200 as sort of a warmup for her later relay so would just ease through it.  That was what I figured I ought to do since trying to do anything other than that would just be laughable.  Angela had scratched out of the 200 wanting to save her energy for her final relay, plus she had an 800m to do.

Mary Robinson was in lane 2, Kathy in lane 3, Georgia in lane 4, Mary Smith in 5 and I was at the topmost part of the bank in lane 6.  I could really feel the tilt so just angled my feet to remain stable.  I had no trouble staying in my lane and could not really tell who was in the lead as we ran the backstretch of the 200m banked track.  I was aware that I was last.  I would have loved to have gained speed coming around that last curve as it banked down but there was no get up and go in me. I sort of ran a steady pace. As if in a road race and not a track event.  And so it goes. But I did not walk.  

I honestly was surprised that Mary Smith had beaten Kathy and it was not really close.  Mary Smith’s time was 39.02 and Kathy’s 41.54.  I know Mary had to be experiencing an incredible endorphin rush. She had so worried about this race. But then, she worries even when not pushed.  Mary Robinson was third in 45.73 and Georgia finished in 47.16.  I came across in 60.46.  My knee felt fine. I wasn’t huffing puffing.  Just a nice stroll in the park, only it was indoors. 

Angela and Nancy Berger of TNT did run their 800m.  Cora Hill did not.  They had the 4x400 relay to do. Kathy Jacobs, really stuffed up, was going to do the 800m then drive the 7+ hours back home. Yet she ran it, coming in second to Norma Hudnall 3:56.44 to 4:49.04.  Kathryn Martin had scratched.  Mary Smith and I sat in the stands after the 200m.  Christel would pop up now and then, being corralled by officials and other competitors.  I did eat two of the nice soft large pretzels. With salt.  I also bought a shirt.

Christel and I were instructed by Angela to have our stuff ready to go because as soon as their relay ended she was hustling Cora to the airport.  Mary Smith would also be coming along so she was another little duck who had to be ready for mama Angela.

Angela Staab handing off to Mary Trotto

Determined Mary Trotto

Mary Trotto handing off to Nancy Berger

Cora Hill bringing it home

TNT women 75-79 did their 4x400 in 9:55.85, establishing a USA record.

Angela set another record getting us out of the Meet and to the airport in plenty of time for Cora to catch her flight. (If there was not a long TSA line or she had pre-TSA clearance.  The line each time I saw it was horrendous.)

Apparently, I need to make it clear that I am UNATTACHED. I do not belong to any club. When Piedmont Pacers broke up, Angela went with TNT and I chose to remain Unattached.

It is such fun watching the men run the 200m. As the ages get younger the speed picks up. There was one fellow many were excited to see and had their cells up to record. He is either a current football pro or just retired. Whoever he is he was FAST.

Willie Spruill at the end of his Meet

Angela, Christel, and I ended up at Cracker Barrel after abandoning the idea of going to a historic restaurant Mary Trotto had found. Brown Hotel Restaurant. Some of us were tired. Fortunately, Mary had Tami Graf to go with (Mary Smith had also decided not to go – she was in the same hotel as the other two.)  We had an exceptionally long wait, I bet it was at least a half hour before getting to our table. Masked up to get to a corner table.  And then a long wait for our food.  We all ordered steak.  This was the best steak (Medium rare) I have had since Toronto.  

I ought to make note of the fact that many of the older competitors (I don’t know that many younger ones) were having sinus etc issues. They say indoor tracks kick up particles that really irritate them.  And of course because of USADA drug verbotens – can’t take anything for it until the Meet is over and they are on their way home.

We saw many run down areas of Louisville. I have seen similar in Raleigh. Oh, yes, on one of our drives to the track, we passed a street in which homeless tents were edging almost into the street. Around the corner were run down cars also serving as homes. How fortunate we tracksters are to have homes and also to be able to afford to go to these Meets.

So here it is a week later. I have concluded that besides the knee issue my major problem is that I have no muscle mass. The knee had made even walking an issue. Forget running. The only thing I had been able to do the week before the Meet was a recumbent bike. And not fast.  There is no way I can gain muscle mass before Poland.  The Marks I had indicated when I registered were from NYC Indoor last year. No matter if field or track, I would be last.  The competitors are very strong. And now I am even slower. It is embarrassing, imo, to be representing the US in such a poor manner. I would have at least liked to have made a decent showing. I will do as many planks as I can before I leave on the 23rd but in the end I may scratch from all of the running events. 

To end on a positive note – congratulations to the TNT women. They set goals and reached all of them. Tweety Bird will be dancing for many months to come. 

To all of those still capable of competing – have at it and enjoy every minute. 

 

Huntsman, No sweat. October 2022

 Huntsman – No Sweat

While at the NSGA National Games in Ft Lauderdale, it was hard to miss the fellow wearing a huge red white, and blue hat. He was there representing the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah, offering a chance to win the entry fee in a raffle. Angela Staab encouraged me to fill out a ticket. She did as well. We would be notified sometime before October if we had won.

That was in May. Since then I got Shingles and had to cancel my trip to Finland for the WMA Outdoor Championships in Tampere. The shingles which included sensitivity to clothes etc lasted into July. Unable to train I did nothing for six to eight weeks. Anything touching the shingles areas was horrible, along with the frequent shocks. So by the time USATF Outdoor Nationals arrived in July, I was less than ready and performed accordingly.

So when I found out that I had won free entry to the Huntsman games, I considered it but did not make up my mind until sometime in September. But I began going to the gym, N95 masked up, to try to improve endurance and strengthen my quads to ease my knee pain. I followed the endurance plan of using the bicycle (not a spin bike) doing twenty iterations of 45 second pedal fast then one minute slow pedaling or walk. I do think it improved my endurance based upon some short sprints or slow jogs I did during the time after Outdoor Nationals and at the NC Senior Games Track September 21. I still was not much faster.

During this time my knees were not an issue. I did not have much knee pain. I could stretch the quad after exercise and I could get in and out of my car without pain. My quads were strengthened yet I still had wrinkled legs. One day I was looking online for something and came across a site that recommended fewer reps and heavier weights to build muscle. So, on 9/16 I changed from a regimen of 4x15 leg extension at a weight of 75lbs using both legs to one of 4x3 leg extension at weight of 85 lbs and similarly for the leg curls, leg press, and calf extension. At first this did not seem to be a problem however after two more gym visits using this regimen, I began having knee pain. Getting in and out of the car hurt again. On 10/5 I went back to the original reps and weight. That was my last visit to the gym before flying out to Las Vegas for the drive to St George Utah.

Saturday October 8

The Huntsman World Senior Games schedule for track and field was from Monday October 10 through Wednesday October 12. I had planned to fly out Saturday October 8 and return Saturday October 15. I decided on airport long term parking paid in advance. My scheduled departure flight was at 11:20 so that I would have time to drop my dog off at the Vet boarding facility earlier. That meant that I would land in Las Vegas at 4:15 Vegas time. I was renting a Hertz car and the information I had was that I had to take a shuttle to the rental center. The shuttle would be found in the center medium between doors 10 and 11 in terminal 1.

Now, here is the thing – I had packed a week’s worth of clothes, a small sling bag and track shoes into one USATF Brasilia backpack, with dimensions 20”H x 13” W x 7” D. I think I weighed it once it was packed and vaguely recall something like 20 lbs. Definitely under the 40 lb limitation. I also had a small red carryall. Twenty pounds does not sound like much. For sure the backpack was loaded. I was using the red travel cubes, organizing clothes into days etc. This made for a neatly packed but chock full backpack. This was all fine until I began trudging through the Harry Reid LV airport.

I tried to find the 10 and 11 doors and was looking to my right. Each step, however became agonizing with the extra weight of the backpack putting pressure on my left knee. Horrible. I began limping as well as inwardly cursing because I could not find the darn doors. Turns out I walked almost to one end of the terminal and had to backtrack (after asking someone) to find those doors which had been indicated – on the left. That was followed by a very long wait on a line for the shuttle. My knee was not happy.

Next came Hertz. I had requested a compact car, which I got – a Chevrolet Spark. I had looked up my credit card coverage for rental damage as well as my own car insurance so when the agent asked if I wanted to add their coverage – at $29 a day – I declined. He then went through a slew of horror scenarios, starting with saying that Nevada was a No Fault state and my insurance might not cover an accident or damage. This was followed by other possibilities – someone could hit the parked car or the car could be stolen. They would cover this type of occurrence but I could not count on other coverage I thought I had. I still declined. Next came the fuel issue – rather than having to worry about filling the tank before I returned the car, they could fill it at a charge of $5 per gallon whereas outside it could cost $5.50. I also declined that.

So out I go to the area where the Hertz cars were stashed. It was in a covered area so not that well lit. My car was in zone 3. I had to call the one attendant I saw to find it. It was a Chevrolet Spark. The color is described as Red Hot. Yep, Right off the bat I could not figure out even the simplest thing such as how to open the trunk. I had to pull out the manual from the glove box.(not the only time during this trip!) First I took a photo of the CA license plate (to aid my memory in the future) Then I began an inspection and immediately saw the front driver’s side had a dent. I took a photo of it. So I hunted down the Hertz fellow again and showed him. He said to tell the checkout attendant in the booth when I exited. So I did. And she told me just to tell them when I returned the car. What sense does that make?

However I knew I had a timestamped photo on my cell so I proceeded out. I had connected my cell to the USB port so I could use Waze after putting in the address of the hotel in St George, Utah. I had adjusted the rear view mirror while still parked. It was 5:19 by the time I started driving. After I got out into daylight I tried to adjust the side view mirrors. The driver’s side worked but the passenger side mirror stayed showing me ME! I could not get it correct using the adjustment levers. Aaargh. Out I go onto the streets heading to I-15N. Once on the interstate, I stayed in the right hand lane because I dared try to pass without a functioning side view mirror to see when it was clear to return to the right lane. The rear view mirror would help but there was also traffic so I decided to stay where I was until well out of the Vegas area. It was around 5:30 by now. I had hoped to get out of the airport area by 5 so that I would get to St George by 7, before or just at sunset. So I thought back in NC. I spent a lot of time on and off in that first hour trying to get the passenger side mirror to work. There was not as much traffic as I had expected there would be. It did not take long for traffic to thin out.

I could see semi-mountains off in the distance to the side. It quickly became seemingly unoccupied terrain. By about 6:30 (18:30) it was close to getting dark. I had not expected it to get dark so soon, thinking that since out west, it would be a later sunset than at home. I had not taken into consideration the three-hour difference from back home. There, it was already 9:30.

I could find no stations on the radio and could not get the Viola Davis audio book I had purchased on Spotify specifically for this trip to play. I was hesitant to mess with it too much since I did not want to lose Waze. Though actually once on I-15N there really was no need for it until I arrived in St George and then the Ramada was easy to find, right off of St George Blvd. So I drove the entire way in silence.

Moon

the emptiness

By the time I hit what must have been the Virgin River Gorge area, it was already dark. I could vaguely see the high wall of rock on both sides of the highway. The road twisted and elevations changed as I continued on. The Arizona DOT has a good description of how creation of this interstate along the path of a deep gorge was accomplished. ( https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/road-trip-i-15-virgin-river-corridor-hidden-engineering-marvel ) I saw the moon off to my right initially and wanted to take a photo – not easy while driving with the cell USB connected for Waze. I actually did get one when the moon appeared to be in the sky in front of me, but it was not as good a photo as would have been had I been a passenger taking photos.

I think it was supposed to be a 130 mile drive to St George and approximately two hours. Eventually I began to see signs for subsequent exits – there had been none for at least an hour. I had wondered what would happen if a car broke down on this desolate part of I-15. One could be there for a very long time. No exits for gas or EV charging. When I got to the exit for St George Blvd in St George, it was a very short drive to the Ramada on St George Blvd. I was relieved, as during the whole trip I kept thinking about the Hertz guy talking about accidents etc. For the rest of the time I was in Utah until I returned the car on the 15^th, I was concerned about someone hitting me or me hitting them. I was careful where I parked to avoid parking dings.

After checking in I unpacked some of my stuff but not much. Then I went downstairs for the ice machine (first floor only) so I could put some on my knee. It was about 8:30 (20:30) when I arrived at the hotel. With the time difference between Vegas and St George, this seemingly three hour trip was actually only two hours. At 22:46 Eastern time, I texted Angela and Barbara that I had arrived. That would be 20:36 Utah time. Almost 9p.m. Not at all what I had envisioned. I did go out and get some food to go from a nearby place within a half block walking distance. Zupas. They had sandwiches, soup, and salads, as well as desserts. I got half bowl of soup and a half sandwich. I was to get many meals to go there as the week went on. All except Sunday when they were closed. Zupas and Starbucks ,as well, was staffed with teens or young twenties. All very nice and polite.

Zupas

Sunday October 9

The hotel breakfast area was well stocked with choices: scrambled eggs and sausage, cereals, fruit, juice and of course tea and coffee. One fellow constantly checked to see if anything was getting low. I had cereal and some scrambled eggs, plus juice and coffee. Today was a free day. I only had to go to pick up credentials which was at the Dixie Convention Center not far from the hotel. I got gas since the drive from Vegas had used about half a tank it appeared. The street just beyond the Convention Center was blocked off. Maybe for road racing events. There was also a museum there which I did not have time to visit. I picked up my credentials etc and asked at the Information desk which areas I ought to visit. Snow Canyon was mentioned as well as the more familiar Zion and Bryce National Parks.

I put the address of Snow Canyon State Park into Waze. This being a Sunday, there was not much traffic. There were a few residential condo-like developments along the route I took. Mostly sandstone color. Everything there seemed to be shades of brown or brown-red. The developments were spaced well apart. I saw few shopping areas and the ones I saw were small. There was a $15 charge to drive into Snow Canyon State Park. One could leave and return later the same day with no charge as long as the receipt was taped to the front window,

The first area I parked in was the one for the Lava Tubes. Immediately I discovered that my Canon did not work, telling me too low a battery charge, despite putting in fresh batteries, so that camera was useless for this trip. I think it may be a problem with the Canon since this is not the first time this has happened. Annoying!

Snow Canyon path to lava tubes

Lava debris

The path leading towards the lava tubes was sandy. The view of the reddish formation in the distance was spectacular. There were a few desert growths as well as patches of lava debris.. The path was speckled with small rocks but mostly smooth. A couple was behind me when I came to what appeared to be the end of he path. No lava in view and this seemed quite a short path. I was talking to the couple behind me saying I thought the path had ended when someone came clamoring down a large rock on the side. It seemed that the path continued on the other side of the rock. I let the young couple go up it first. While I was debating whether to try it, being in a wimp stage, the fellow reached down a hand to help me up. From thereon the path was traverible.. While we walked, the young couple said they were going home to Florida the next day but were seriously thinking of moving to this area. He was a fireman . Both were from an area not impacted by the recent hurricane. We came to the first lava tube. There was a drop down to the level of the opening. I was not about to try it but the couple walked to the other side and found a way down. I did not trust my knee to support my weight so I did not even try to descend. The sign nearby had indicated a flashlight was needed to walk through the tube. The guy used the light on his cell to light it up for the short distance he walked into it. Another young couple came along to join them. Thirty-somethings. I commented that the second fellow was wearing sandals. Not a good choice for this terrain.

the adventurous 30s

Two women came along, both were softball players who had a game the next day. Neither one of them was up to going down to the tube entrance. Later, the two women and I came to another tube which both went down to look into. The softball ladies, both from California, would be playing the next day on the same team, the Sho-Me 55 (based out of Olath KS). They both had been coming to Huntsman for softball for several years. This year they were playing on separate teams as well as together the next day in a playoff game. Patti Fabrizio had just retired and had already played during the week on Stars 60 (San Diego); Carolyn Potter had played on BlueCrush 50 (Mission Viejo).

second lava tube down there

Patti taking photo of Carolyn

wimp me. Patti down near tube

I wondered if the tubes had an exit point and how they actually came to be. An ebook by Miriam Bugden The Geology of Snow Canyon State Park had the answer :As a river of lava flows, the surface cools and forms thin rind or crust. The underlying hot basalt and trapped gases continue flowing through this fragile tunnel and eventually leave a cavern behind.

And from the National Park Service, this description During long eruptions, lava flows can be channelized into a few main streams. Flows that persist for many hours can solidify on the top and sides of the stream, leaving a tube for the liquid lava to flow through. The solidified lava is a good thermal insulator, so the lava flowing inside remains liquid much longer than an exposed flow. Lava tubes can transport lava several miles from an eruption site.

After the lava has drained from the tube, a lava tube cave is left.

petrified dunes

looking up at gap between walls

The softball ladies went on their way and I checked out a few more places in Snow Canyon. The Petrified Dunes. This is described in the park brochure as a moderate outing but with some steep slopes and uneven surfaces. Most of it was fairly easy to walk by switching to a higher or lower slab. In my too large “clown” shoes (as described by a softball pal) I found on a few sloped slabs that my side stepping foot would slide downhill in the shoe. Not particularly encouraging. But the slabs were beautiful. formed in sort of rolling mounds. Some went quite a ways up. After descending back down via another route, I went to Jenny’s Canyon, described as “easy” with few slopes or steps. Interesting because I sure found some steps composed of rocks that led upwards. I went part way and decided to come back down, encountering an older couple who lived in the area and had come for an outing. The lady was a bit cautious stepping down. As was I. Just before the flatter area there was a crevice as if a slice of rock had been carved out. The crevice went from wide to narrow closure.

petrified dunes in distance

Carolyn and Patti

The path up Jenny's Canyon

When I left the State Park, I put the address of the track venue into WAZE and took the short trip there. I did not see the track but knew I was in the general vicinity so I turned around to return to St. George.

On my return, I decided to get gas at Canyon Crossing. My lips and throat were quite dry so I bought 2 bottles of drink. I was finding that there would be no sweat in Utah! I spent at least 15 minutes trying to figure out how to open the fuel door, rummaging through the owner’s manual again! Initially it said that the door would not open unless the ignition was off. Well, yeah! But it did not easily show where the release was. It turned out to be about midway along the floor by the driver side door. (and I was not the only one who had this problem, I find when looking at a youtube video!) The cost was $4.39 / gal (Oct 9).

I returned to the Convention center to talk to some folks at the transportation desk, inquiring how that would work. You booked pickup time to go to your venue and when ready to return, one would call the transportation center for a pickup which could be a half hour wait. I booked a pickup for the next morning since I wanted to see what the traffic would be like on a weekday morning before deciding I would drive to the venue.

I found my way to Smith’s supermarket on my return to St. George and bought pears, plums, and a banana, plus a RedBull to save for return trip to Vegas. That evening I tried to go back to Zupas but I found it closed on Sunday. I ended up at Carl Jr’s and got a kid’s size hamburger. While eating the hamburger later, I found that I was still hungry. I made the trek back to the first floor for ice for my knee.

Monday October 10

The shuttle arrived in plenty of time. It was just me and another competitor, who had been to St George before. The driver talked about the planned entertainment for the next evening and said those events were usually good.

My first event was javelin and then later shot put. I had no running events today. My knee was an issue just walking to the javelin throwing area on the far side of the track. I was way early so tried several left leg stretches for a tight quad (stand back to bench and place back of foot on the bench).

The stretches were not working that well. I walked and tried to stretch while watching the men in the older age group throw. I talked to a lady who was there to watch her husband. They had a long drive home so would leave right after he finished throwing. As it happened, he threw the farthest. Eventually Elsbeth Padia and her daughter Angela showed up but Gloria Krug never did show for any of the events for which she had registered. Other than for Elsbeth, I did not know any of the other competitors. Elspeth commented when she saw Marg Radcliffe (Canada) arrive that Marg had moved into our age group. One other lady,Wendy Dickson from Moab UT was in our group. The battle for first was between Elsbeth and Marg. Marg won out throwing 21.87m to Elsbeth'ss 18.07m. Wendy and I had similar distance throws. I could not run up to make my throws as the knee was a problem. I sort of hopped and threw. I edged out Wendy with a throw of 9.71m to her 9.3.4m. Linda Cohn won her 65 AG with a throw of 28.97m.

view from shot put area

Brenda Matthews

The weather, btw, was glorious. Sunny maybe a bit on the cool side.

I saw Brenda Matthews and Linda Cohn over by the Long Jump area. They both won their age group. Brenda also did the triple jump, winning that. Linda Lowery from Georgia was also there and she won her age group. Donna Zukas, who I had seen at the WV Senior Games was also there doing shot put and no doubt other events. I was surprised at the number of people who had come from the east coast to this event. Mary White, who I met the next day was from VA. And very fast.

Elsbeth Padia and daughter Angela

In the shot put it was the same four of us in our exalted age group. This time Elsbeth beat Marg with a throw of 8.16m to Marg’s 6.79m. I threw a bit farther than Wendy, 5.15m to 4.56m.

Marg and I were going to wait for the shuttle so I called for it. We had watched another event. I told Marg they had said it could be a half hour but she wanted to get back sooner so she went and found Elsbeth and we got a ride from them. I think Elsbeth and her daughter were flying out later or the next morning.. I tried to call to cancel the shuttle but could net get through. After I got back to the hotel I called and apologized. I went back to Zukas to get a half sandwich and small salad. There, I met two more softball players, probably in their 50s. I think they played on the Spokane Sparx 55 team

that won silver in their division.

Tuesday October 11

On the schedule for me today was the 200m at 10:30am then the 50m and discus both at 1:00pm. Ugh. Parking, I knew, would be an issue just based upon where Elsbeth had parked on a street the day before. School was in session so parking in the school lot was not allowed. The drive was scenic. I was using Waze but wasn’t sure which street to park on. When I came to Lava Flow Dr I saw a few cars parked so I went up a ways and parked. Turns out I was quite a distance away so had a long walk to the field. My knee began squawking not too far along. Once I got to the track I tried to stretch the left leg using the steps to the bleachers. I met Mary White there. She had hoped to do a relay, but one person she had talked to regarding the relay had backed out. So no relay the next day. Mary was in the younger age group. She is quite fast, doing the 200m in 42.85. I certainly was not in that league so it was just as well I would not be in a relay.

I used the small grassy area near the check-in table to try short slow runs. I was not putting full weight on my left knee so the attempts were less than satisfying. I stretched and kicked the leg forward hoping to get whatever was impeding the bending would release. I think they ran two age groups together W75 and W80. There 3 in the W80 and two in the W75. Kathleen Harper-Hall from St. Michael Barbados, a tall thin woman, ran 52.85 winning the age group. I was second in 54.78, still being a bit cautious and not going full out at the start, recalling the debacle in the 200m in the Outdoor Nationals. I had brought a plum to eat for lunch and watched the younger women run the 200m. Brenda Matthews won her group with a time of 37.57. Willie Spruill from NC was in an age group with eleven competitors. He was still suffering from a pulled muscle incurred during the summer (possibly in Finland.) He ran with his trademark Veteran’s ballcap and toothpick.

Linda Cohn

Elsbeth Padia and daughter Angela

Willie Spruill

Before the 50m, I and Marg Radcliffe trotted over to the discus competition area to tell them of our conflicting 50m and we would be late checking in. No problem the officials said. There were five of us in my age group this time. Marg won the 50m (10.61), Kathleen was second (12.77) and I was third (13.22). Far outclassed but I knew that before the start.

Marg and I found our way to the discus throwing area. There were the same four in my AG – Elsbeth Padia, Marg Radcliffe, Wendy Dickson and me. My first two throws were fouls. I was pretty sure Wendy had thrown farther than me. Marg and Elsbeth were dueling it out with Elsbeth coming out ahead throwing 16.80m to Marg’s 15.80m. As it turned out, I just edged out Wendy throwing 10.39m to Wendy’s 10.21m.

Marg asked if I would give her a lift since her motel was not too far away from mine on St George Blvd. I told her yes but the car was parked a long way away. By this point I was limping again. When we got to the car, the alarm went off as I unlocked it. Marg figured out how to stop it with the key fob. It seems every time I unlocked the car, this happened. Not until my last morning in St George did I figure out why. The Spark used an ignition key (not a Start button) so I had been assuming that I had to use the key to unlock the driver side door. Nope. If I used the button on the key fob, the door would unlock with no alarm. Sort of a hybrid feature. Marg had me go a different way back to the motel areas. She knew the routes well after having competed many times at Huntsman. Her two Canadian roomies were at the pool. Their rental car, with the Canadian flag added, parked.

This evening I went to a nearby place, Super Chix Chicken, and got some a salad with chicken. Starbucks was right there so I stopped in to get a pumpkin spice frappacino with whip cream. There was a small white board behind the counter. It said – # Days without accident. And there was no number! Could that mean none? <g> I mentioned it to the sales lady who laughed and said they tend to fall a lot! And the staff was all in early twenties or late teens!

Wednesday October 12

I had the 100m at 11:00 and the 400m at 12:45. There would be five of us in the 100m. I had been told by the California softball ladies that Cathy Nicholson was fast. Indeed she was. She ran away with it. Winning in 19.84. Marg Radcliffe was second in 21.38 and Kathleen Harper-Hall third in 23.95. I was fourth in 25.26.

I ate a plum afterwards and had a huge soft pretzel with mustard in between my events. I also kept trying to stretch the left quad. I was thinking that maybe I ought not do the 400 because my knee was hindering running while I tried warming up in the infield. I told Marg I might not do it or if I did, I would run poorly. She was not doing the 400. Meanwhile, Kathleen was feeling poorly. Prior to coming to the states for this event she had been in the hospital. She was really suffering with gut problems so lay on one of the tables. She said she would scratch from the 400. I suggested she wait before doing so because maybe she might start feeling better. Wait until just before. Shortly before we were to start she decided she would try it though still feeling like crap. I had taken two ibuprofen and removed the knee sleeve, since it had put pressure on the back of the knee.

They mixed age groups again, this time three AGs – 75 through 89. Kathleen Frable was out front at the start. I did not push too hard, hoping to not run out of energy. I remember seeing Frable way up ahead. She was first in her age group, running 2:10.12, after having come in third in a morning 5000m race walk. As it turned out, I came in second to her, first in my age group, (2:21.63) with Kathleen Harper-Hall second in 2:25.00 and Florence Anderson, a Utah resident, third in 2:28.51. Notable was the 2:31.22 time by Helenann Phillips in the 85-89 AG.

The Frables

I was done with my events. Marg and I were ready to return to our hotels but Marg saw someone she wanted to talk to so wandered off. Turned out, she got side tracked talking to yet another person she knew. I couldn’t find her and was wondering if she had gotten a lift from someone else when she finally appeared. She is a fun person to talk to as she has had a few interesting experiences when at these games in the past.

Unusual for a Senior Game are the Shooting Benchrest, Shooting Handgun and the Shotgun Sports competitions..

That evening I had a regular size hamburger from Carl Jr’s. It was not as good as the junior one I’d had earlier in the week. But I also got another Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappucino.

Thursday October 13

I had decided I would go to Zion National Park. It was the closer of the two Zion and Bryce Canyon. It was mostly an empty road drive towards Zion. Once near and into Springdale, the town right outside of the National Park, there were mostly hotels, motels, eating places, gift shops etc. Lots of signs re a shuttle from within Springdale into the Park. There were lots of people walking within the town so I imagine a lot of people visit Springdale and take the shuttle into and around the Park. Actually, it was two shuttle services. One from and around town into Zion and another within the park confines. There were signs indicating that inside the Park parking was limited or full. I wondered if I would have to turn around and find some place in Springdale. My Senior National Park pass worked allowing me free entry into the park and I fortunately found a parking spot.

a portion of Virgin River

Zion National Park

Once parked my quandary was which direction should I be going? And, I was thirsty but did not have anything to carry water in since I did not pack a water bottle. Fortunately there was a visitor center and gift shop. I bought a bottle of water and found an extremely lightweight backpack, an Osprey Ulta-light Stuff Pack (40D nylon ripstop, 4 ounces) within which the bottle etc went. Perfect. There was a map indicating relative locations of trails and areas to visit as well as the difficulty level. From the Visitor Center there were signposts pointing off to various routes. I had decided on Watchman’s Trail, supposedly of moderate difficulty and a two hour round trip excursion. I crossed a road and ended up on Pa’Rus Trail, an easy trail and mostly paved. I met a lady walking her dog. I went only a short distance because I was really trying to find Watchman’s which it turned out was on the other side of the stream so I went back to the road, walking along side it to get to Watchman’s which for a very short distance paralleled Pa’Rus. Another lady was there with her small dog, which she said was a service dog. I think she said it was her mom’s but she was on a trip with it, finding that it was good company.

Goat up by dead shrub

As we progressed, the path began becoming a bit rocky with large slabs to step over. The woman and her dog were way ahead of me as I took my time. At one point, a deer came from my right, crossed the trail, and went down a short way to graze. Apparently, the deer are accustomed to people as it paid no attention to me. The path became a bit more difficult. One fellow who approached on his return said he also had knee problems but had done okay. Seems lots of us over forty have knee issues. The trail presented challenges becoming a bit more narrow (but no drop-offs on either side) with rock slab obstacles. I came upon a group of folk looking up to the right where there were two scraggly bushes. I did not see the mountain goat they said was there. Then I saw it and another one. I think they were grazing. Quite high up, difficult to see.

The trail became more difficult for me. I came upon two folks who had stopped on their way back down. The trail veered right beyond an outcrop of rock. They said that it became steeper farther on. Steeper he said. Plus, there was still a long way to go. They pointed to stick figures way up. The figures were now walking to the left, but were almost tiny, being so high up. Supposedly, once one got up to the top there was a great view of Springdale.

Watchman Trail

somewhere up in distance are people on trail

I may have been maybe halfway up or less. And it was about 2:30. I wanted to be back in St George by around five, before it started to get dark. So, I decided to go back down. Only half way up and my round trip would be close to two hours!

walking back down

Downhill

I got back to St George a little after five. I got another to go meal at Zupas. Soup and a half sandwich. Actually, that was a lot to eat. This time I got a coke to drink.

Friday, October 14

I had noticed when looking at the map that Kanab was not too far away. 80 miles. I recalled that Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was in Kanab. For years I had seen their photos of the animals there and read of DogTown etc. I had thought about how nice it looked with the red hills in the background. So, why not take a trip there. I knew that people would go and volunteer, sometimes a week at a time.

The topography changed at one point to what seemed like large clump of trees just plopped down in the midden of a desert. Many times on my drives through Utah I wished that I had been able to take photos but there were not always areas to pull over and stop without worry about getting stuck. I truly have become quite wimpy. Empty desert areas for as far as I could see. Sometimes with semi mountains or hills in the distance. No towns. Well there was one maybe 40 minutes into the drive. Nice small picturesque homes. But then nothing for the rest of the drive until I was close to Kanab.

The Sanctuary was just off a main road with a long drive to the Sanctuary. There was a corral with two horses and then a Visitor’s Center. When I went inside, I was told one could drive around the Sanctuary but it was a rough road. Since I had a rental that I dared not put a scratch on, I opted not to drive. They did give tours and as it happened one was set to go in maybe twenty minutes with room for one more.

There is a cat room right off of the visitor area so if one was interested in adopting a cat they were allowed to go in. The lady giving the tour had for many years volunteered at the Sanctuary. She decided one year to move from California and got a job at the Sanctuary. She said there were about 400 employees which was much of the town of Kanab.

She drove to Dogtown where we got out to walk around. She knew every dog and their stories, Some had been there for quite some time. She told us that they initially evaluate every animal that arrives there. Assessing their health, disposition, and sociability. A dog is assigned a main caregiver who would be the only one who would feed it. While we were listening, a guy drove by in an open utility vehicle with a dog. The fellow gives the dogs a ride around the area every day. Each dog is also walked twice a day. Some of the wire-fenced areas had adjustments specific to the dog. If a dog became aggressive or out of sorts if it saw another dog, separation areas were constructed such that the dog could not see another. They all had inside and outside areas, including a shaded portion. On site was a medical building and octagonal animal buildings.

The aim of the Sanctuary is to have every animal adopted. Knowing the personality of every animal helps in matching prospective adopters.

When I returned to the hotel, I struggled with packing the backpack. The only additional items I had were the Huntsman shirt and the lightweight stuff pack. I could not get everything to fit in the backpack until I decided to take clothes out of the travel cubes. The unpacked cubes took up very little space. Now I could stuff the clothes, spikes, and everything into the backpack. I put the Huntsman medals and paperback book etc in the red carryall that was also stuffed almost beyond closing. I picked up Zupas dinner and one last Starbucks. I had eaten all of the fruit I had purchased and only had energy bars I’d forgotten to eat. They went into the red carryall.

Saturday, October 15

My intent was to get to the Hertz rental in Vegas by close to 10 am. My flight was not until 12:20. I gassed up in St George by the hotel at $4.97 a gallon. The drive back to Vegas was awe inspiring when I hit the Virgin Gorge area. Now that it was daylight the full glory of the size and coloring of the ridges and angles was on display. Paying attention to the road being foremost in mind, it was still hard not to gaze at the splendor. I had decided on trying to fill the tank when I was close to the exit in Vegas for the airport and car rentals. When I stopped to fill up, at $5.09 a gallon, the tank only took 2.46 gallons! I was about 15 miles from rental return. The exit for that was easily identified. When I dropped the car off I started to tell the rep about the front damage that was there when I picked it up, getting ready to show the photo with time stamp. He said it was okay, no need to. So I am guessing that they were familiar with the car. It was a long wait from the rental center for the shuttle to the airport. I dreaded the walk to my gate with the back pack.

I managed to get to my gate without screeching. By the time I landed, it was close to midnight. I was the last parking terminal bus stop. I had taken a photo of the nearby post when I parked so I found my car after a short search. I got my credit card ready to pay whatever extra charge there was since it was after midnight. But there was no need. The gate opened right up.

Youtube video of driving I15S from St George towards Las Vegas. Nice that someone made the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMj0ikAp-ss&t=155s