Archive for November, 2011

Another masters track futzes with age groups, loses M30/W30

I have a Google News alert set for “masters track,” which means I also get links to stories about masters cycling. I found it amusing that the wheel-spinners also argue about age groups — and when their sport should start. The news? Velonews reports: “There will be one less stars-and-stripes jersey up for grabs at […]

November 30, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Latest review of masters sprint studies confirms why we get slow

Masters Athlete author Peter Reaburn of Australia asks and answers the age-old question: Why do [adult] sprinters get slower with age? His answer: “[Studies] concluded that aging sprint runners preserve their stride frequency but appear to reduce their stride length as they age. Moreover, this reduced stride length appears due to reduced propulsive ground reaction […]

November 29, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  46 Comments

Jim Hershberger dies at 80; masters track pioneer, KU benefactor

When I was a student at the University of Kansas in the mid-1970s, I interviewed Jack Greenwood and Jim Hershberger — two masters track legends. I spoke to both by phone, never meeting them in person. Wish I had. Now Jim is gone. His obituary appears in several states. The best might be this one […]

November 29, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Masters chairman denies records held hostage to drug-testing

Gary Snyder, chairman of USATF Masters Track & Field Committee, has denied a contention made by AP national writer Eddie Pells that “USA Track and Field … requested a USADA presence at its masters national championships this summer after international organizers told the American track organization it would stop accepting U.S. records if it didn’t […]

November 27, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Is WMA snubbing its nose at road running? Expand beyond track?

A comment was posted by a Canadian the other day on a blog entry from September. But it’s worth highlighting today. The athlete said: “Masters road running age has traditionally started at age 40 for decades and many road running events like the New York, Toronto, Berlin and London Marathons still honour that tradition with […]

November 26, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

Drug-test extortion? Who threatened USATF over masters records?

Why did USATF launch drug-testing for masters track? According to this story by Eddie Pells, a national writer for The Associated Press: “USA Track and Field … requested a USADA presence at its masters national championships this summer after international organizers told the American track organization it would stop accepting U.S. records if it didn’t […]

November 24, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

Worth the wait: Pasadena Senior Games results with photos

Cynthia Rosedale, in charge of the June 4 Pasadena Senior Games, sends a results PDF for all sports that includes some nice track and field shots, such as the one below. She writes: “Better later than never! … See everyone in June 2012! HUBBA HUBBA!” (Hubba hubba goes over some current masters heads. Trust me, […]

November 23, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

George Mathews’ masters drug-category proposal seen as DOA

According to minutes of a Nov. 16 conference call, the USATF Masters T&F Executive Committee is not liking George Mathews’ idea for a new competition category for medicated masters. Minutes said: “George Mathews is suggesting some changes and provided a summary of those changes in a document that attendees received prior to the meeting. Bob […]

November 22, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  20 Comments

8 cities bidding for 2014 indoor and outdoor nationals? We’ll see

Mike Travers, chair of the site selection committee for USATF masters track, reports on the possible bidders for 2014 USATF indoor and outdoor masters nationals: “2014 Indoors: Boston, MA; Gainesville, FL. 2014 Outdoors: Bloomington, IN; Winston/Salem/Wake Forest, NC; Norfolk, VA; Savannah, GA; Tulsa, OK; and Joplin, MO.” Mike also writes: “Tentative list. I expect some […]

November 21, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  41 Comments

Just to be totally confusing: Christine Kennedy is top USATF master

Last Friday, while I was snoozing, USATF named W55 roadie Christine Kennedy as USATF Masters Athlete of the Year. Wait, didn’t we just hear that Nolan Shaheed, Johnnye Valien and Flo Meiler won the top awards? Yes, but the powers-that-be (masters track chair Gary Snyder, masters LDR chair Don Lein and maybe others) apparently got […]

November 21, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments