Larry Barnum, an M60 middle-distance man who runs his 800 at my 200 pace, also outpaced all entries in our modest essay contest. He’s been sent a masterstrack.com T-shirt for his efforts on the topic: “Why masterstrack.com is valuable to me.” But my co-webmaster, Dave Clingan, and I also decided to award T-shirts to two others, whose essays touched us. The pair were Liz Palmer and a gent who goes by the handle jumpinAl. Six others submitted strong essays as well.

Here is Larry’s winning entry:

Okay, I like Mastertrack.com. But I don’t spend thaaat much time each day, and only once or twice after daylight, checking out Ken’s blog, the Forum lists, and each additional entry from Master’s around the globe. Well, yeah I look to see what meets are where, comparing current and past times, rankings, but I can take it or leave it. Really.
But valuable? It hasn’t lowered my monthly payments, even though it’s free. It hasn’t brokered a peace in Bosnia (are we still fighting there?) okay, then even in Charlotte. It’s not gonna cure cancer or even plantar fasciitis. But yeah, it’s enjoyable, incredibly informative, often inflammatory, and usually entertaining. It keeps Master’s connected. It is our source, pulse and center for those of us who not only run, walk, jump and throw, but think, feel, and dream Track.
It’s administered by two guys as gifts to this community; one, outspoken, knowledgeable, dedicated, yet, by his own admission, maybe not the fastest outta the blocks or over the hurdles, and by another, who’s one of the top 800-1500m runners in the world, with reason to boast, who’s soft-spoken and unassuming. Sorta like this audience, where the average and elite athletes, as readers and writers, contribute as equals their own thoughts and experiences. So thanks for making MT.C such a valuable venue for keeping all of us on track.

(Dave and I liked how Larry captured the iconoclastic spirit of the site — with a hint of humor and lack-of-seriousness. And he even rebelled against the 200-word limit. But Larry! I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that I’m a slow starter! In fact, my reaction time is very good. It’s only in the last 97 meters of a 100 that I get beat.)
Here’s is Liz’s entry:

Masterstrack.com is priceless, because it has opened up a whole new world of information for me. A little over a year ago I didn’t know this sport for masters existed. Now I’m not only aware of its existence, I’m knee-deep in participation! Masterstrack.com gives me news, updates, advice, and “behind the scenes” views that would rival any news show or magazine. And it’s infinitely more entertaining!
A Masterstrack T-shirt would also be valuable to me. It would expand my wardrobe options. I could wear it for errands on the weekends, as an after-workout cover-up, and as a key part of my work outfit on casual Fridays. I would be lookin’ quite chill in such a shirt.
No matter if I win the shirt or not, I still get to log on to this site and soak it all in. My experiences with masters track have been greatly enhanced by it, so thanks Ken and Dave for doing what you do, and for making it even better for the rest of us.

(Dave and I would be knee-deep in shame and guilt not to send Liz a shirt for her thoughtful, heartfelt praise. Yours is on the way as well.)
Here’s jumpinAl’s entry:

It’s game day.
I wake up with that same feeling in my gut as 40 years ago….nervous excitement that isn’t produced by anything other than impending competition. I turn on Sports Center and it has a different feel, because today I’m in the game myself. Jeter ain’t got nothing on me today. This morning I feel like I deserve to wear sweats, because I’m trained and ready to go, not just another old fool at the mall.
The bar is at 1.60—certainly not a PR, but I rationalize that I’m on the down-side of the age-performance curve that I found somewhere on masterstrack.com. Just one more jump and maybe I can flatten the slope of the curve. One more jump and the ride home will be ecstasy. One more jump and maybe I’ll go up in the rankings. Summon all those last-second, motivational, mental images, because here we go…..
I open the rankings—Charlie and Wayne certainly had good meets, and heck, John’s an Olympian anyway. Should I do more weights and plyos, or let the knee rest and heal?? More cardio?? Maybe masterstrack.com has an answer.
So when’s the next meet? I can’t wait.

(Dave and I loved the storytelling qualities of this essay, which touch on how one person could find masterstrack.com of value without saying straight out: It’s valuable because….. jumpinAl would ace any creative writing course. And even if we don’t know your true identity, we think you speak for all those anonymous souls who visit this site and take away whatever hope, knowledge or inspiration it contains. We thank you all!)