National Senior Games releases schedule for 65-and-over groups
The folks at National Senior Olympics have released a June 21-26 schedule for age group 65 and up. See it here. So whose ox is gored in this sked? Less than a week out, many people have already made their mind up: This may not be worth the trouble. How do you view this slow-motion train wreck?
16 Responses
Although I chose Sacramento over Houston, I see a tough sched for the M65’s and over for the 400M – two heats on the first day (prelim and semi), with the semi at NOON during the hottest time of the day? Think about the 80 and 90 year olds running at noon! Couldn’t this have been scheduled for 6 or 7 pm? At least there is a rest day between the semi and the final for M65 & M70
Whoops – misread the schedule for M75’s and over 400M – they run their prelim early in the am then go straight to their final two days later and don’t run at noon (but the M65 and M70’s do run their semi at noon the first day).
It surely isn’t too friendly to the sprinters and the usual doubles of the 200/400.
The June 23rd schedule has a 200, a 400final, and another 200, all before noon. Of course, it lists M65 200 semis twice, so the first one might actually be the prelim.
I am sure 2 x 200 and 1 x 400 is just what you expected in three hours.
For the faint of heat, the sun is worse at midday, but the heat is worse at 6 PM, so take your pick.
I fear the sun, Courtland, more than the temps, and so I would prefer 6 PM even if it is 2-3 degrees hotter than it is at noon. Let me look at the projected highs for Humble (from Accuweather) for the next few days. Will be right back.
OK, the projections are as follows:
June 17 98
June 18 99
June 19 100
June 20 98
June 21 95
June 22 93
June 23 92
June 24 86
June 25 89
June 26 90
June 27 90
June 28 96
OK, doesn’t look too bad. I, of course, will not be there. Nobody asked me to announce and, after all, I have never announced Sr Games at any site, anywhere. As for competing, I am too slow.
I really don’t understand the reasoning behind this schedule. This time of year, it doesn’t get dark in Houston until 8:30 or so – why not have an evening schedule for some of the events, say from 5:50 or 6 until 8:30. Also from the photos, it looks like the stadium has lights so it could go even later. The lighting bill might be a factor there. There might also be a desire to avoid the usual late afternoon summer thundershowers in Houston. Not a problem this year, Houston is waaaay down on rainfall since the end of last summer
I really thrilled by the javelin schedule – the 65-69s throw at 7:00 AM – I would rather throw when its a little hotter say at 11:00 AM. hot but not yet the hottest part of the day. The arm and shoulder will be looser than at the earlier starting time. Also, I might actually be awake by 11. I think the 85 and older throwers are going at 3 PM or so – that’s smart, that is absolutely the hottest part of the day
Peter,
If they had any sense they’d hire you. But if it turns out to be a train wreck maybe you’re better off staying home. I’m hoping, whatever happens, it doesn’t involve me standing out in the sun any longer than necessary.
Thank you, Gary. Well, it’s too late to hire me now, as I am engaged in plowing through some chapters for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). No, I am not writing them; I’m the editor (although sometimes that amounts to rewriting entire paragraphs or even pages).
Since you’re an Iowa boy, you are used to the summer sun, but I do believe that Humble/Houston is rougher than Des Moines or Dubuque. Correct me if I am wrong.
I typically run in the late afternoon all summer out on the rural blacktop I live on. Nothing taller than a corn plant for shade. And it can get pretty humid here. That training should help for Houston, but then I’ve never been there – have just heard the horror stories of the heat and humidity. I’ll be able to tell you more a week from now.
OK, Gary, I will be expecting a complete report from you on the Sr Games, including the following:
1. Weather and provisions for shade.
2. Provision of ice, water, sports drinks, oranges or bananas, cooling tubs, and medical aid.
3. Efficiency of the meet.
4. Quality of the announcing, especially of the throws.
In the interim, good luck to you. I look forward to your report on this Web site.
High yesterday (Friday, June 17) was 100 according to Accuweather but only 98 per http://www.weather.com. These temps are for Humble, the site of the meet. The younger men and women (50-64) are doing T&F right now, but I have heard no results.
Anyone have any highlights of the action? Weather should be better for 65+ competition, which starts next week.
The meet director, who is also a USATF official; promised the night before, to run the 100’s with the wind. Guess what……we had headwinds which were over double what would have been allowable as tail winds.
Thanks, Who’s Your Daddy. Yes, I read about the headwinds on another posting. As you know from this site, USATF Masters is running this meet, not NSGA.
Sometimes things don’t work out the way they are planned — I bet there was a lot of objection at the site to switching direction for the 100, but personally I have no idea what happened (am sitting here at my computer in Fairfax, Virginia).
It appears that who ever made up the schedule has not competed in any major meets (USA or WMA), has no idea how long it takes to complete all of the heats of any event, what the normal doubles are (like 100/200 or 100/400)or what it would take to do 4 races in 4 hours (from 8am to 12 noon on 6/21/11) Hope they have good medical personnel!
I just returned from Humble after 3 days of throwing. There was no escaping the heat, humidity or wind. The best time to compete was 7am but it was still 85+ and humid with the craziest headwind I’ve seen (for the discus). Its a real nice facility, rivals most colleges. However After 1pm the place was empty which bit for the 60yr throwers who basically had no medal ceremony.
It was a fun meet, and I think if promoting healthy lifestyles and having fun was the goal they accomplished it. The medals were real nice as were the people who ran it, judged it and many who volunteered. The throws ran very efficiently. Water and Heat related treatments were readily available.
The only side bar note/caution was they recommended a hotel (a nice one starting with H and ending in T) in a questionable part of town, and one of the throwers was late getting to an event because the tires on his rental car had been stolen. The local Police told him it happens 3-4 times a week around that hotel and was warned by the locals the area had some crime issues. He packed up and moved to the Woodlands.
I’d go again!
Interesting, Ed. Thank you very much for the detailed report. I remember three things about my days living in South Carolina: early heat (hot by 7 AM), plenty of humidity, and quick changes in weather. Guess that Humble, Texas, would be about the same.
Don’t remember getting any tires stolen, however.
Initially I was bummed to find out that I would throw three days in a row at 7am and couldn’t imagine who the smarty was that came up with the schedule. I was up at 4:15am each morning in hopes my body would be ready to compete. I live in Austin, TX and usually practice around noon so I was not worried about the heat. I PR’d in the Discus and am thankful that we threw in the early morning. The wind was a little difficult and only got worse as the day wore on. I doubt I would have PR’d at noon. So thanks for the 7am schedule. рџ™‚
Regarding the facilities, staff and volunteers: FANTASTIC!! Throwing areas were easily as good or better than those at Spokane or Stanford (my only other National meets). The people were great and as friendly as can be. I hope all athletes remember to thank these high paid officials and volunteers for allowing us to play!!
Finally, it’s always a treat to meet and compete with those names I only see in the Rankings or see once a year at National meets.
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