Archive for July, 2009

Sprinters training with distance runners a fine tradition

Pete Magill, noting the wonderful interview with W55  sprinter Sharon Warren at Carmel’s site, was impressed with Sharon’s willingness to train with distance great Marie-Louise Michelsohn. (See his blog post.) Pete recalls how his old USC sprint teammate James Sanford once tried running mile repeats with the Trojan distance crew. (He survived just one.) That […]

July 6, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

False-start rules for masters: Forget what you see on TV!

Being a starter — how hard can that be? Raise a gun and say, “Runners to your marks. Set. Bang!”  Well, the latest monograph on the art is circulating within USATF, and you won’t believe how much you don’t know. Check out this PDF.  It’s  33 pages and 21,000 words long. But it contains some […]

July 6, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Becky Sisley makes history as first American 200m hurdler

Check out these results from the June 27-28 Portland Masters Classic (actually held in Gresham, Oregon). They apparently contested the first 200-meter hurdles for masters women in America — an event ordained by World Masters Athletics for ladies 70 and older. Becky Sisley ran the race solo, apparently, so her time of 42.42 could be […]

July 5, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

National Senior Olympics or bust: Debi Lurie follows dream

Debi Lurie is not a track star. No matter. But her story shines as bright as Usain Bolt — and is typical of our tribe. How a mom in her early 50s defied societal norms to become a sprinter. I saw her run at the Pasadena Senior Games in June, and she contacted me for […]

July 5, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Oshkosh-goers Sisley, Altendorf tune up with world records

W70 Becky Sisley and M60 John Altendorf broke their own age-group world records in the vault last weekend in Gresham, Oregon, Becca’s Peter’s message board reports. The local paper says: Eugene’s Becky Sisley set two world records in the 70-74 age group at the Portland Masters Classic on Sunday at Mount Hood Community College. Sisley set records in the pole […]

July 4, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Lahti organizers promise posting of entrant lists in mid-July

According to the official Web site for WMA worlds in Lahti, entrant lists will go online in mid-July, possibly by July 16. “Competition Managers Raimo Kallioniemi and Pekka Saarenpää and Competition Director Hannu Nurminen have started to sort out the challenging puzzle,” the site says. “This hardworking trio is building a timetable for the Championships […]

July 4, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Earl Fee skipping Oshkosh to nurse injury, prep for Lahti

Canadian masters legend Earl Fee has opted out of Oshkosh, he’s informed meet organizers. He won’t compete in the 200, 400, 800 and long hurdles (or set M80 world records therein) because he tweaked a leg in practice recently and wants to rest up for the real prize later this summer: Lahti worlds. Although this list […]

July 4, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Guido’s latest WR: 200 in 26.48; and W90 discus WR to Italian

Germany’s Guido MĂĽller on Wednesday  warmed up with 100 meters in 13.24 and then blasted the deuce in 26.48 (into a slight wind) to lower his own M70 world record from 26.55 in May. The meet (see results here) was a mixed-ages event in Munich, and Guido’s race was won by a kid born in 1989. Guido, […]

July 3, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

I’m daring Track & Field News to silence Phil Shinnick again

About a week ago, National Masters News publisher Randy Sturgeon sent me a copy of a letter he printed in his July edition. It was from Phil Shinnick, an Olympic long jumper who in 1963 went 27-4 at the Modesto Relays and thought he had a world record. Not quite. For the next 40-plus years, […]

July 3, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

No free airport shuttles for Oshkosh? Then share taxi ride

It’s apparent that Oshkosh meet organizers aren’t offering a free shuttle for athletes to and from the nearest airport — in Appleton. So here’s my suggestion: Post your arrival info and arrange to share a taxi with a fellow masters trackster. I’ve started this share the ride” message board on our Forum. Or you can post […]

July 2, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments