Night before last, RJ and I decided to hit the town for dinner. Newman’s came highly recommended.
Perfectly cooked. The halibut and shrimp were outstanding.
In the morning during my outside lunge workout, another nice view of the tower.
Another full workday; I’ll be glad when my plate is a little less full.
Speaking of which: Thursday’s track events begin with a 5:20pm umpires meeting. The dining hall opens at 5pm. No problem for a Naval Academy graduate who knows how to eat quickly….I was waiting forlornly/impatiently when the door opened, and my chipotle chicken was gone in 3 minutes.
Still looking for an updated bag; the swag tent here is a little thin.
Off to the track.
World’s slowest National Anthem singer. Her ridiculous pace meant she had to breathe in the middle of phrases. And she was doing her American Idol impression. Someone, please yank her credentials. And bring back the Rexius Boys!!
Women’s long jump in progress, with the effervescent Tara Davis. Her BF Hunter is sitting behind me, with his black shirt, black coat, and black cowboy hat. These two are adorable together.
When RJ is on assignment at Annapolis years ago, his coach’s son needs occasional babysitting. In 2016, Junior wins an Olympic Gold Medal. Yesterday, RJ sees him up close for the first time in years.
How cool is that?
Cooler than the track. It’s getting HOT out there.
In between events, I duck into the tunnel. 2 reasons:
1) It’s air conditioned
2) I can’t text or take pix while on the track, but when I’m hidden…
Between events, I pass the peanut gallery. RJ and Company are hooting and hollering as usual….he has many buddies here from back in the day, former competitive runners who are now coaching their own Olympic prospects. Many of their horses are staying at Command Center #2, the other rental house where RJ has been destroying the outdoor grill with his madness. As I walk past on the track, I ask how the horses ran….RJ squeals, “Everyone who showed up for Taco Tuesday made the next round. My tri-tip is LIT!”
At the 200m start, I stand in front of the catered section below the tower. I nod to a coach who is enjoying the food, and he says “Thanks for all you do.” Sure wasn’t expecting that, so thank YOU, Coach. I tell him “I have the best seat in the house, but I wouldn’t mind a cool drink.”
He says, “want a beer?” Coach, you have no idea, but I can’t drink on the track. Thanks anyway.
I’ve never seen anyone happier to walk out for a hot 5000m race than Grant Fisher. I’m sure he’s just here as a pace setter, since he already has his Olympic slot in the 10,000m race sewn up. Nope; he’s going for the double.
Seriously? 800m runner Sarah Hendrick is chewing gum in the starting blocks. And I almost have to DQ the phenom Athing Mu; she carelessly sets up her gear in the wrong lane. These kids today…
No harm, no foul. She was just confused, and long before the starting gun. I do NOT want to be the guy who throws her out of the race.
Poignant moment after the women’s steeplechase. Bend’s Mel Lawrence runs probably her last race and finishes 7th, out of the money. As she’s walking off the track, she shares a long and misty hug with her sister Collier.
Meanwhile, the Southern Cali contingent cheers on Emma Coburn after her 143rd national championship (and third Olympic berth).
Nice sunset.
Joanie runs into long jump king Mike Powell. I say big deal: doesn’t EVERYONE have a 30 year old world record in their pocket?
No one has ever jumped farther than Mike’s 29’ 4.5”, set in 1991. Serious hops.
The ambient temperature is rising, and so is the competition.
Lots more to come!
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