Olympic Trials Day 4 and Rest Days

(Day 1) 

(Day 2)

(Day 3)

Best place to run into Olympic Gold Medalists? 

The COVID testing center (we have to get re-tested every 2 days).

Gwen Jorgensen, 2016 Rio winner in the triathlon, now competing in the 5,000m/10,000m double here. 

COVID testing continues to be the social event of the Trials!

Decathlete Joe Delgado and current Naval Academy is in 11th place after 6 events. He finishes in 5th place….that’s what we call a solid negative split (better in the second half than the first). I’m trying frantically to get an all-Navy photo op together for this evening. 

More Olympians in the stands. 

Here’s Cool Hand, the best Navy runner in history (except for the guy next to him). In 2017, Luke went from unrecruited collegiate walk-on to All American, and I had a front row seat. Now he flies a chopper for the Corps: Semper Fi, Lieutenant!

My trusty steed, for 31 years now. Bought this bike in Seattle, where I’m moving back to shortly. The frame was sandblasted, repainted, and drizzled with neon streaks via chopstick. Artwork! And the best way to get around campus parking restrictions. 

Steeplechaser Isaac Updike controls the first semi-final, even bumping fists with another guy in the home stretch to celebrate an easy win. Then he refuels with this beast…

Another steepler trips on the last lap water jump and belly flops. He’s about to scramble up, but realizes it’s over, so he simply lowers his head back into the water. Hey, it was hot out there!

The women’s 1500m is a drag race from the gun. Purrier and McGee run away with it, and Heather MacLean grabs 3rd after getting added to the final on a protest. A New Balance sweep!

Over the years, I watch Stanford’s Elise Cranny come up just short in so many races. Today, she gets the big one: a solid victory (and an Olympic berth) in the women’s 5000m. 

Recognize another world record holder? John Gregorek on the left: he has a 4:06 mile to be credit. Ok, not the fastest ever….unless you do it in blue jeans like he did. 

The party house has some coach friends of Ron’s along with athletes. The recycle bin is filled with water and ice for a full body recovery. 

Dani, Olympic Trials 8th place, with a personal best in the final!

Earlier, Dani takes a dunk in the ice bath garbage can. Ron shakes his head and says, “It’s a shame, throwing away a perfectly good white girl like that.”

(I think he stole that line from Cusack’s ‘Better Off Dead’)

RJ is hitting the grill HARD. His tri-tip goes well with Bob’s margaritas. 

Ron loses a bet with Claudette (awesome 800m runner for UO back in the day). Never wager outside of your lane, RJ!

Claudette and Joanie

On the off day, I leave Eugene at 0500 and head back to Bend for a hundred errands, including a front hub repack on my car. I bring Zoe some food, and she shows me her latest finds: $2 total. 

Kid is going places, I tell you. 

Then she gives me my Father’s Day present, courtesy of rock photographer Neal Preston:

I have the most loving, generous kid in the world. And the coolest.