Terri Lowe knows heat and humidity. She lives in Elk Grove, near sizzling Sacramento, after all. But at Charlotte, this 36-year-old athlete encountered something worse: cold stares. Eyes rolled when she finished the pentathlon 800 in 6:48.22. (Her final total was 363 points.) Spectators snickered when she walked across the finish line of the short hurdles in 57.21 — slower than the winning time in the M35 long hurdles. Terri’s time in the W35 400-meter hurdles? She clocked 3:04.08. So what’s the deal? How dare she make a mockery of these events? some folks thought. Therein lies a tale.

Terri didn’t subject herself to the conditions — and stares — for the fun of it. And she wasn’t at full speed either, having suffered a stress fracture in her foot before the meet.
As a member of Sacramento-based Brooks/Fleet Feet Racing, she competed for points.
More specifically, she competed for kidney-transplant patient Brianna McCarthy, the daughter of Brooks club member Dianne McCarthy. Her team used the masters nationals as a fundraiser for the McCarthy family — with points equating to dollars.
Says Terri — known in her club as T-Lo — “I scored 45 points, which converts to $450 for Brianna’s family. I was there for Brianna.” (Another source says the donation amount was $1.00 per point, $100 per PR. Small matter.)
Too few people knew the truth at Charlotte, and I didn’t know Terri’s story until after I’d returned home. But Terri’s club was especially grateful for her efforts.
Fellow Brooks clubber Mary Woo wrote me: “After (Terri) finished the pent 800, she came to me and said, ‘That was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life,’ referring I’m sure to the entire event, not just the 800. I know she struggled with feeling foolish, but helping Dianne and Brianna was more important to her than a bruised ego. Not sure if the team managerment will formally recognize her efforts as that is usually saved for our end-of-year awards banquet. But I know we think she’s pretty terrific and have told her so!”
I contacted Terri to get some further background on her Charlotte experience, and here’s what I learned:
What’s your usual event? Recent marks?
I competed in Hawaii last summer and Boston in the winter. In Hawaii I did the pentathlon, open shot put, high jump, discus, 100m, 400m and 100m hurdles. In Boston I did the pentathlon, open shot, high jump, 100m hurdles. My pentathlon score for my age group was 1,200-something in Boston. Not sure what is was for Hawaii.
How well do you know Brianna’s family?
Pretty well. Brianna’s mom has been part of the Fleet Feet Team for awhile now.
What kind of injury did you suffer recently (I had heard it was an ankle. Not sure.)?
Stress fracture on top of my foot.
Did you anticipate snickering at Charlotte?
Yes. But I figured the word would fly as to why I was doing it.
Did anyone say anything negative to your face at Charlotte?
Not to my face, but I heard the snickers and saw the looks.
How did you respond?
I just smiled and stayed positive.
Do you plan to compete in future masters nationals?
Yes I do.
Terri closed with this note:
“It makes me sad that there was snickering and head-shaking going on. Most people would shy away from track even without a cast. I know that I looked silly out there — but at least I was out there toeing the line and doing my part.
“I am a very easygoing and friendly person. It would have taken less energy to talk to me about my motives than to be negative. Perhaps the snickers and negativity were a result of how the onlookers might feel inside if they were me.
“I guess having guts is a gift and I feel very blessed to be able to overcome things other people wouldn’t even dare to attempt. If nothing else, I hope I at least sent a message to a few people that anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it and competing for someone who is sick made my time in Charlotte, NC, all worth while. I have no regrets.”
Nor do I for telling her story. Here’s Terri in the long hurdles at Charlotte: