Nice little confection from the Boulder newspaper in Colorado, where distance runners gain certain high-altitude advantages. Columnist Mike Sandrock profiled M55 newbie David Albo: “Turning 55, you are a baby, which is a good thing. It means you are the youngest guy in the race, instead of being 54 and racing guys who are 50. There is a big difference.” I love this nugget: “He keeps up on all the latest results, such as Canadian Ed Whitlock’s amazing recent world best of 12:00 in the 3,000 meters, a pace of 6:26 per mile — at age 80. Albo’s response to Whitlock’s time is not printable.”

David is far left, with other Sacto entrants: Laurie Rugenstein, Rich Castro, Luanne Burke and Valerie Eipper. (Photo by Cliff Grassmick)

Here’s the story in case the link evaporates:

Mike Sandrock: At 55, Dave Albo is a spring chicken in new age group
By Mike Sandrock, For the Camera
Boulder Daily Camera
Posted:06/27/2011 06:25:04 PM MDT

Dave Albo doesn’t mind the arrival of another birthday. In fact, he celebrates the day, especially when it bumps him into a new age-group category, as was the case two weeks ago when he turned 55.

That means Albo, as dedicated a track athlete as many prep and collegiate runners, will be among the youngest of the scores of competitors from around the globe competing in the 55-59 age category at the 2011 World Masters track and field championships.

Albo is among several local athletes traveling to Sacramento for the championships, set for July 6-17. The meet is rarely held in the United States, and Albo will face seasoned, sharp-elbowed competitors from around the globe in the 800 and 1,500 meters. If he makes it through the tough qualifying rounds all the way to the finals of both events, he will have to run five races in eight days.

“Turning 55, you are a baby, which is a good thing,” Albo said in an interview Sunday. “It means you are the youngest guy in the race, instead of being 54 and racing guys who are 50. There is a big difference.”

Getting to Sacramento involves a great amount of training, as well as time and expense, but for Albo and his teammates on the Ric Rojas Racing Team, the rewards are great.

“I still love it,” Albo said. “I love the feeling of running fast, even though it is not as fast (as his personal records). It just feels good. It feels like you are using your body right to the edge of what is possible, pushing the limits, having to do everything just right with good form and focus. When you can do all that, you feel blessed.”

Other Rojas racers with a good chance to make the finals in their events include Luanne Burke, who is legally blind, Laurie Rugenstein and Valerie Eipper. Other locals include Dan King, a top masters road racer, and Boulder Road Runners head Rich Castro.

Castro is a prime example of how turning to the track can rejuvenate a running career. At 63, Castro, a coach and former high school and collegiate sprinter, has lost 14 pounds, can hang with younger runners and, he said, is enjoying his fast training.

“I relish the opportunity to challenge myself once again on the track, something that started 50 years ago,” he said.

Albo first came to my attention several years ago when I was down at Potts Field waiting to talk to some post-collegiate runners. As he sprinted by, Jorge Torres stopped talking and watched.

“Nice form,” Torres said. “Hope I can run that fast when I am his age.”

That’s the kind of respect these masters track athletes garner.

Unlike entering a road race and running to finish — an admirable goal in itself — these runners are racing, and on the track there’s nowhere to hide. Fellow track athletes understand how difficult it is and how much work goes into racing well.

At the last All Comers meet, Albo clocked 63 seconds for 400 meters. Then on Monday, Rojas had Albo doing 5×600 meters, at a fast pace. On his non-track days, you might see Albo walking or jogging up Fourth Street. He runs roughly 15 miles a week.

This kind of track training works, as Albo is a past medalist at the U.S. masters championships.

Albo didn’t start running until he was 30. When he turned 40, he decided to try the track, and he has been hooked ever since.

He keeps up on all the latest results, such as Canadian Ed Whitlock’s amazing recent world best of 12:00 in the 3,000 meters, a pace of 6:26 per mile — at age 80. Albo’s response to Whitlock’s time is not printable.

Albo is following in the fast footsteps of his father, a top Colorado prep in 1938-39, who ran 1:58 for 880 yards at Pueblo Centennial High School.

“I do think of my dad when I race,” Albo said. “My body and whatever talent I have come from him.”

That talent, as well as years of training, will be on display next week at the masters world champs. Albo has no time goal in mind but simply wants to put out his best effort on race day.

“My goal is to make finals, and if I do that, it will be a success,” he said. “I am going to have to be at my best to have a chance.”