Jim Sorensen

Is Jim Sorensen a warrior or what? Silly question. Anyone who sets M40 world records at 800 and 1500 (as he did two years ago) has to be one tough cookie. But his Oshkosh experience adds to his legend. He went to nationals intent on running the 8, 15 and 5K. But he finished only the half-mile after suffering an incredible one-two punch of sickness and injury. Al Oerter once said: “These are the Olympics. You die for them.” Jim’s motto: “These are masters nats. You upchuck for them.” And while I’ve seen many runners compete sick at nationals (notably a food-poisoned Doug Smith, who escaped a Decatur hospital to run M65 sprints in 2004), few have shown the intestinal fortitude of Jim under these conditions in his debut masters nationals. In the interview below, Jim, 42, kept his sense of humor and understatement, noting: “Oshkosh didn’t go as planned. I came in feeling fit and confident that I would win the 5K, 800 and 1500. I was excited and eager to race. I entered four races, planned on running three, started just two and only finished one.” In the 1500, he stepped off the track after about 380 meters — felled by a recurring calf injury.

Jim (left) accepts congrats after winning the M40 800 at Oshkosh nationals.

Here’s my quickie Q&A with Jim, conducted in late July 2009: 

Masterstrack.com: Did you ever find out what made you sick on the flight to Wisconsin? How did the illness develop? Spare no detail.

Jim Sorensen: It was either a stomach flu or food poisoning from any number of places. Not sure, but I started feeling sick about two hours before landing in Milwaukee. My stomach hurt badly, I had two trips to the bathroom, and then about 20 minutes before landing it really hit me. I threw up in one of the bags provided and it filled up immediately with only an inch to spare, but not enough room to actually close it shut with the twist tie without spilling it all over the place.

The problem was, I knew more was coming out and I felt horrible: sweaty, nauseated, head hurt, etc. I rung the bell because no one was allowed to get up. The flight attendant came over and I just handed her a bag of vomit. I didn’t even say anything, I just gave her the bag. I then filled another bag halfway up and threw it away when I got off the plane.

All that makes for a funny story. At least now it does. So it was 12:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, and the next few hours involved a trip to the airport bathroom, getting the rental car, getting my bag, and driving to the hotel in Oshkosh 90 miles away. All that took about 2.5 hours because I stopped at gas stations for, well, the bathrooms.

I was also looking for food, even though I had zero appetite. But I had thrown up all my food so I knew I was depleted and wanted something for the hotel room. I did find a place open and ate half of a chicken sandwich, which I threw up at 6 a.m. Back to square one. No food, no appetite, but knowing I should try to eat.

I slept about 2 hours that morning. I stayed in the hotel all day watching “Matlock,” “The World’s Wildest Full Throttle Police Chase Videos” and “Seinfeld.” Having a TV really helps when you’re sick. Otherwise you just stare at the walls.

Around 1 p.m. I ventured out into the sun by driving the rental car in one big square through town. I then went back to the hotel room. I also ventured out for the packet pickup and ran into Steve Chantry and met Francis Burdett. I still wondered if I could do the 5K or 800 heats the next day.

But when I was on the toilet at 1 a.m. Thursday morning, I knew the 5K was out of the question and I was hoping the 800 heat would be canceled. It was.

Tell me about your 800 at nationals. Splits? Race strategy? Any surprises?

Well, I had actually felt much better on Thursday and Friday, but more so on Thursday. Maybe because that day was contrasted with the day before. Since the 800 final was now my first event, the new plan was to run hard from the beginning and try to post a good time, perhaps match the meet record set by Tony Young of 1:53. or at least run a SB.

It was very windy that day, but on the first lap the wind was manageable. I hit 56 and was on pace. But the wind was significant on the second lap, and I think I got fatigued trying to fight it. Nicholas Berra came up on me the last 100 meters. I heard the crowd, looked over my shoulder, and threw in a surge to hold him off. I was disappointed with the time (1:59.58). I usually run even splits in an 800. I must have been 56-62.

Tell me about your aborted 1500. How does your calf feel now?

Well, I think that 800 took something out of me. It shouldn’t have, but I was having a tough time recovering. I woke up the next morning and my right leg seemed off in warm-ups. I was actually more concerned about my left hamstring. It started bothering me about a week before nationals and was acting up Sunday morning. Plus I was still trying to get that 800 meters out of my system.

I think the hamstring coupled with being only 95%+ recovered from the depletion from the illness were contributing factors to the left calf locking up. Earlier this year, my right calf went. This is perhaps the 12th time this has happened in the last seven years. The calf locks up at usually the gastroc-soleus junction and is sore for a few days. When I start to run again, it is susceptible to locking up again. One step you’re good, the next it locks up again, usually without notice on an easy run.

I took four days off, then ran 4 minutes one day, 10 the next, then 24, and then 40 with lots of stops, then 30, and then, oops, it came back again, so I am back to resting. It’s not as bad as nationals. Usually, when I can run for 40 minutes, its OK. I’m in the clear.

But I think I tested it too much (well, obviously I did). This is a common and mysterious thing that the calves go through. I know many that have experienced this. I have learned that it is something that occurs in the connective tissues more so than the muscles. The calf muscles should be strengthened so that less burden is placed on the connective tissue. Massage to break up the scar tissue and adhesions in the area is recommended. Stretching and loosening that area is obviously good for a number of reasons, but during the injury recovery period it is not a recommended focus.

Any more racing this summer?

Well, I think this is why I tried to get back to running. My fitness is the best it’s been since 2007, but I haven’t been able to demonstrate it. Right now, it’s day-by-day. Racing is on hold and I may just have to call it a season, heal the calf, and get ready for some Fall racing. Track opportunities are dwindling away. One great thing about the Bay Area is that there are always racing opportunities. If not track, then road or cross country.

Off the track, what did you do in Oshkosh? Meet old friends? Go fishing?

My girlfriend Linda flew in early Saturday morning (5:20 a.m.). Yes, I had to pick her up in Milwaukee on race day. She was supposed to arrive Friday night, but her initial flight was delayed. We had a chance to eat out and chat with the likes of Mike Egle, Brian Pilcher and others.

On Sunday, I limped around the Oshkosh Museum and the Paine house and gardens. We checked out the EAA flight museum some. She went on a run on the Wiouwash trail along the Fox River north of Lake Butte des Morts. I stayed in the car and drove through some lakeside streets because I couldn’t walk.

We also drove to the other side of Lake Winnebego, near the big windmills, and ate at a restaurant called Jim and Linda’s. Ha-Ha. The food was decent. Monday, we hung around Milwaukee: Lake Michigan, downtown, Marquette University, the River Walk. It’s a nice city, we were pleasantly surprised.

How did Oshkosh compare with other major meets you’ve attended, including the Trials and USA nationals?

I thought it was very well run. Our track officials are extremely important to the sport. They usually do a great job without a problem. Unfortunately, we only discuss them when something bad happens. And I think we forget and neglect to thank them because we are so focused on our upcoming race. Plus it’s kind of weird going up to a random official and thanking them for working the meet.

But we should in some way acknowledge all the officials and staff it takes to run a meet, especially such a large meet as U.S. Masters Nationals. But I guess that’s why we pay our meet entry fees.

Did anyone within USATF reach out to you after your illness and injury — just to make sure you’d come back again?

Nothing that I can remember. I spoke with so many people that perhaps I am forgetting a USATF person. Many of the athletes spoke with me, and David Cannon and Brian Pilcher helped and went above and beyond the call of duty. David Express mailed me an anti-inflamation patch for my calf and Brian gave me directions to his Bay Area home so I could pick up a compression/icing machine called the Game Ready.

Will you compete at Sacto nationals in 2010 and Sacto worlds in 2011?

 If I am healthy and race ready, I will definitely run in Sacramento. I live 90 minutes away.

What other lasting memories from Oshkosh will you have?

Oshkosh didn’t go as planned. I came in feeling fit and confident that I would win the 5K, 800 and 1500. I was excited and eager to race. I entered four races, planned on running three, started just two and only finished one.

The plan after the 1500 was to enjoy and explore Wisconsin some, but I couldn’t use my calf on Sunday. I limped around museums and from one place to another. Anything that involved walking turned me into a ball and chain for Linda. But I met many new people, got reaquainted with a few others, and saw some old friends, and met Ken Stone himself.

The three or four meals I had with fellow athletes on the Fox River were relaxing and enjoyable experiences. Linda and I were able to explore some, so overall the trip was just fine. Plus all the mishaps make for a good story.

Calf on ice, Jim walks after 1500, accompanied by race winner Charlie Kern.