Closure in New Jersey and lotsa Family....

Linda, Curt, Angela, Phyllis (Angela's mom)

Diane, Leslie, Mark

Mom and Curt

Leslie

Mom

The car I sent

Mom and Russ's wedding at the church 'farmhouse' in Kingwood (west of Flemington). Uncle Bud (LJ's 2nd husband), LJ, Mom, Russ, Russ's mom. Sept 14th, 1985

Zoe in a collage at the reception

Russ and Ryan, Russ's daughter Heather's son. He has Downs and was born right after 9/11

Cousins Tova and Tara, Diane's daughters

Linda, Diane, Mom

Curt's crab legs from Saturday night

LJ's house in Saddle Brook

School across the street from LJ's. I spent lots of time there shooting hoops or hitting a tennis ball against the building. 

My pork roll breakfast before the service

dinner near the Boardwalk in Pt Pleasant on Friday

Phyllis, Curt, Russ's daughter Heather

First picture of the three of us in decades. I wasn't letting them leave until we got this shot.

Curt and Linda

The Final LSD; now commence the taper!

This year's marathon training plan was a step up in several ways.

First, the approach...I was tired of not really knowing how hard I should be training, so I broke down and got a lactate threshold test done. The results gave me my optimum training zones, and training by effort is a much better way than training by pace. Effort can change based on a number of factors: how you feel, how well you recovered, what you ate, how hard the wind blows, how steep the hills are, you name it. Meanwhile, training by pace doesn't give you any leeway at all.

I've always trained by pace. And I've repeatedly fallen short of my goal: qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Ok, this time it's gonna be different. Every run is mildly or moderately annoying in terms of effort. No runs are easy, none are brutally hard, but they are all in the yellow zone and sometimes close to red.

Something must be working: not a lick of injury or strained tissue since I started in September. And my fitness has improved dramatically, and very consistently as well. It's nice to do a workout without any knowledge of pace, then to upload the data and start celebrating another faster run.

The other change was the long runs. In the past, I've done 18, 20, 23 for my longest efforts. This time, it's two 20's and a 23. The first two runs went very well, and now it's time for the big boy.

Only life intervened to make it interesting. Due to a family thing, I had to travel to the East Coast for the weekend I intended to run 23 miles. The forecast back east was lousy, and I didn't really want to run with my body clock all wacked, either.

Plan B; wake up at 0300 on Thursday, eat quickly, and get out the door by 0400. Easy peasy, except this was following 3 nights of lousy sleep. Oh well; time to get it done.

It's really dark at 0400. Except for my headlamp, my shoe lights, and the reflectors on my Camelbak.

It helps a ton to have all gear gear all laid out the night before: Body glide, vaseline on legs (I was running in shorts in the 40F air), compression shirt, gels, emergency money...

I ate too much oatmeal for breakfast, and felt very full for most of the run. Oh, and I remembered that I had an overdue library book, so i carried it in my hand for 2 miles until I passed the library.

First car to pass me: a police cruiser. I'm surprised he didn't ask what the heck I was doing out there at this insane hour.

A gel every 30 min, a salt stick right after. Just pounding the food. Not a problem, I love to eat.

A gorgeous black kitty with green eyes hiding in the brush near the Hwy 97 Overpass. Actually, all I saw were the eyes. Later, I look up and see 3 deer within 5 feet of me; not sure who was more surprised.

Listened to a long podcast: Billy Hardwick, retired Pro Bowler and dad of Chris Hardwick, host of The Nerdist podcast. I vaguely remember Billy, as I was a bowling fanatic as a kid. Even dropped a 7-10 split once, though there was a lot more luck than skill involved.

23 miles is a pretty long solo run in the dark.

With about 7 miles to go, I switch from podcast to my race playlist. All songs at 180 beats per minute, matching my run cadence. Time to get busy. And the sun is coming up!

I tear open my last gel with my teeth, then squeeze. Unfortunately, I didn't tear a big enough hole. What happens when a liquid under pressure is forced thru a small opening? It goes everywhere. including all over my gloves. What a mess.

The last mile is uphill, and my hamstrings are starting to make noise. Just then, buddy Frank drives by and gives me a shout-out. Just what I needed.

Here are my last three long runs all at the same effort level:
20 miles, 8:43 pace, flat terrain
20 miles, 8:32 pace, 50 feet of climbing
23 miles, 8:32 pace, 650 feet of climbing.

Lots more hills, same pace.

That's a big win. Now the taper.

I've done the work, and now the best thing i can do is not screw it up!

To be continued (on May 1st).

2016 World Indoor Championships Day 4

Last day, and we're on our best behavior. Even the cones have signage...

Doug rarely needs to loosen up...

Any guesses what this is?

Here's a hint:

The incoming ramp is to the left. "Vesuvio" is the machine that produces the fake fireworks for the athlete introductions. Clever, I know..

Double Olympic Champ Gail Devers is on hand today, and she clearly still does not know how to cut her fingerclaws.

How does she scratch her nose? Very carefully!

Talking with Starting Line Clerk Dan: he's worked two Olympic Games and is a wealth of 'behind the scenes' lore...

Dan Story #1: In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the women lined up for the 100m start, and Gail took off her sticky hip numbers and threw them on the ground. Since the numbers are required by the rule book, Dan gave her another pair of numbers. She stuck them on, waited a minute, then peeled them off again. Dan gave her more,, citing the rules. Then Dan's boss waved him off, and she won the race.

Dan Story #1: at the same Games, the women's 4x100m relay was lining up to start. Each team is given a standard baton to use by the officials, and everyone has an identical one. Leadoff runner Chrystie Gaines says the American women have their own baton, and she refuses to swap it with the official version. She puts her baton down on the ground and does some strides. While she's down the track, Dan switches batons and throws hers in the nearest garbage can. Then he hides where she can't see him. Turns out the US women won gold, so they should thank Dan for that.

Another rainy 4 mile run this morning, and my workout week is complete. The legs are starting to come around again.

Funny: on Friday, I was exhausted and ready for this track meet to be done. Today, I'm ready for more.

Marquis Dendy get introduced for the long jump while wearing a porkpie hat. Then he does monster jumps wearing a ballcap backwards. He and his ridiculous springs win his first world championship; he must have broken lots of things while bouncing around the house as a kid.

During the 3000m introductions, Lee Emmanuel dumps a bottle of water on his head as he jogs down the track. Shoot, all he had to do was run outside for the same effect. The event turns into an all-out drag race with 1200m remaining. Ryan Hill was slightly gapped at 3 laps, inched his way back up, then went from 5th to 2nd at the tape with that buttery smooth stride of his. He will do much damage on the outdoor tracks this year when he can uncork those long legs.

Ruth Beitia wins the age group HJ competition for competitors 37 and older, while placing second to 19 year old Vashti Cunningham. I'm not sure whose accomplishment is more remarkable. According to the announcer, Ruth is the 26-time Spanish champion. 26????

Robby Andrews starts the 1500m very well, way up front. Then he falls back to his familiar 'tail end Charlie' position and can't quite make up ground. Meanwhile, Nick Willis does an explosive move with 300m to go, but Little Centro is right on him. And then right past him. Huge win, and a very loud arena sees the 'hometown' boy make good for his first major championship. He rarely finds himself out of position, just a tactical perfectionist.

The music between events is "Somebody to Lean On" by Pentatonix. My daughter would love that! She's going to the Portland concert in a month, and she even has a backstage pass to meet the band. She about lost her mind over that revelation.

Me and Ishmael, hurdle crew captain. And UO hurdler from days gone by. It was only recently that his best college performance was nudged out of the university's all time top ten. That's 30 years of staying power. His son is 24 and has been on the hurdle crew for 16 years! There's potential for a 60 year volunteer pin in about 4 decades.

Every victory interview focuses on the huge crowd support. International Olympic Committee, are you listening? We want the 2024 Games in the US.

Jamaica's Omar MacLeod wins the men's hurdles in a wind-aided time of 7.41 seconds. Big cheering section out there.

The Polish women take a surprise 2nd in the 4x400 relay, and screaming so loud that the marshals have to clear them from the track lest a riot break out.

(did anybody take notice that a 'wind-aided' time indoors probably isn't likely?)

Vernon Norwood, he of the 400m DQ, runs an angry anchor leg on the men's relay to put it away. The Belgian team comprised mostly of Borlees (three of them) drop the baton; I guess the next holiday meal at their house might be a little strained.



Team Bahama, with a nearly 40 Chris Brown. These guys won Olympic Gold in 2012.



Retired stud decathlete Rex Harvey asks me who the gentleman in the white shirt is, and of course I know...

Dwight Phillips, 5 time long jump World Champion
 

I guess I'm getting some cred among the officials!

My work on the 400m break line is complete without a hitch; I didn't want to make a mistake and have someone trip. One of the International Technical Officials, a very high muckety muck, shakes my hand and says "Good job." That's worth a lot in this biz, where nit picking happens all too frequently.

Game, set, match. Great competition, great job hosting the meet by Oregon and the USA. We got a big thumbs up from the IAAF, so hopefully they'll remember that when they decide if Los Angeles should get the 2024 Games.

Mentor Fred Newhouse

Final order of business: get dressed in my Sunday best and head downtown to the Fan Festival.





 



 

The Festival in Pioneer Place (all the sane people have left by now)



 



The awards podium
 



Top notch officials
 

 And some munchies in the VIP area...

 Good thing I was dressed appropriately:

Thanks, Molly!
 

Sorry it's over. Glad I was here.

Or there.

Or anywhere.

2016 World Indoor Championships Day 3

At least I got more sleep than yesterday's 5 hours. That wasn't enough after a long run, but my body sometimes won't shut down when I have deep workouts like that.

Regardless, I was pretty sore this morning, and I needed to run a bouncy 8. Some of that mileage needed to be done in a military manner (with all due haste). Down the East Bank Esplanade of the Willamette River to the Springwater Trail and back.

Ugh. My legs just didn't work right during the warmup miles. I had to concentrate on picking 'em up and putting 'em down. Miles 6-7 were money, almost a minute per mile faster than race pace. That's plenty for today.

At our pre-meet briefing, I swear our Kentucky good ol' boy chief umpire Bo said, "Try to look impotent out there."  After a double-take, I realized his drawl wanted to say "important."Subtle difference.

I saw Harry Marra, coach of both Eatons, and congratulated him on a double victory. I wonder if he's paid on commission.

Ah, sweet relief: for the 60m hurdles prelims, the adjacent shot put netting is removed, but the thick floor cushioning is still there. So much nicer to kneel on that than directly on the track surface, which has the consistency of 100 grit sandpaper.

Runner's faces always fascinate me. People have different expressions when they are pushing hard:

1) Lolo Jones: slasher homicidal manic


2) Nicole Blood: very late for a doctor's appointment


3) Robby Andrews: oh, wow, golly gee (while at 3:52 mile pace!)


4) Emil Zatopek: please, just shoot me now.


The great Emil Zatopek
 

In the women's 60m prelims, the Marshall Islands and Saudi Arabia are both represented at the bottom of the field. The Marshall woman wins the prize for most awesome compression calf sleeves, day-glow orange.

Women's 800m semi: coming into my turn with a lap to go, the field is literally 5 wide! It turns into a drag race.

The first heat of the men's 4x400m relay is won by the team from Borlee. As in: Borlee, Borlee, Borlee, and Some Other Really Fast Guy. The Belgian Borlees have the world's best relay team under one roof when they add sister Olivia.

Bahamian 'Fireman' Chris Brown runs the anchor leg in his 8th World Championship competition. Since this event happens every two years, that would make the Fireman.....um...very old. And still very fast. The last leg of this relay has four guys in a very furious paceline, all acting like Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder.

Or Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights.

Lunchtime: we're all tired of the concession stand food, so I find out that there is an enclave of food carts near a mass transit stop.

Here's my Cubanito...egg, sausage, ham, jalapeno, avocado.

Food coma!

Female triple jumpers look like a praying mantis, all limbs and levers that are folded strangely.

Men's 800m Masters (over 60). Maybe the best race of the night; two guys at the line, and one of them gives up his body in a swan dive.

Men's 800 final: So much bumping and bashing that I completely miss the finish because I'm writing up two fouls. Those guys should be more considerate of my time.

And after taking 3rd, it's clear that Eric Sowinski has gotten much faster since he cut his hair:



Before



After

Two years ago, Boris Berian was flipping burgers at McD's after he dropped out of college. Tonite, this still-unsponsored guy is the world's best indoor half miler. Brave run from the front, Boris.

Hey, Nike: do you think maybe you want to sign him now? Just askin'. He's only been the best American 800m guy for the last two years. And Phil (Knight): you may have noticed that Boris's run brought the house down. I think the masses like this dude, and isn't that what marketing is all about?

US Women go 1-2 in the 400. Again I can't see a great finish because I'm busy writing incident reports. I hate fouls on the final lap, because I miss all the action!

Women's 1500m final: the leader drifts into Lane 2 and shuts down the trailing runner. I write up an obstruction foul, and I'll be mortified if the report is upheld. This is a world championship I'm influencing!

After the events are done, I jump the train for the downtown fan festival where the medals are awarded. Ms.Praying Mantis gets her gold, and I quickly learn that the Venezuelan national anthem has an awesome trombone line. Need to learn that one.

And it sounds like someone named Max Peck won silver in the men's triple jump. Huh? I didn't think we were choosing astronauts here....Turns out it's Germany's Max Hess is the jumper, and Max Peck is a guy only a NASA junkie like me would know.

Look, it's been a long day, and I'm punchy.