Don Neidig calling it quits — latest ailment is too much to handle
Reluctantly and poetically, Don Neidig is hanging up his spikes. The M65 superstar and indoor world record holder (200 in 25.47) has battled a series of ailments in recent years, but the latest have sealed his fate. In a letter to friends that he allows us to share, Don writes: “One beautiful day in October as I was training on the track at NMSU in Las Cruces, I got halfway through my routine with a hurting left ankle, lack of fluidity, and without enough energy to continue, and I realized it was over. Although I am disappointed in not being able to continue with this grand experiment, I shall not complain. I’ve had a good run at it for sure. I certainly had more goals in sight, and I will miss the excitement of competing, but I think this is the end of it.”
Don (far right) battled Steve Robbins and Peter Crombie at 2010 nationals.
Here’s what Don wrote about his decision to slow down:
Dear Friends in Track & Field, and others,
I want to bring all of you up to date on my current situation as a participant
in track activities. A number of persons have been asking what’s going
on, and I’ve been very tardy in getting this message out, as it is a sore
subject, and procrastination is such a good friend.I am still running a bit, just for exercise and general health, but it is unlikely
that I will be returning to competition. I want to explain the reasons for this,
not just as a matter of information, but for your possible use.I have had several persistent problems which, taken as a whole, have now
become more of an obstacle than I am willing to put up with. First, ever since
I re-entered this sport in my early 50s I’ve had osteoarthritis in my big toe
joints. Surprisingly, this bothers me more in walking than in running; and
for some reason it hasn’t gotten worse with age. This one I can cope with.Second, I have an overpronation problem in both feet, particularly the
left foot. There have been several consequences of this: plantar fasciitis, and
posterior tibialis tendinitis. Bouts with these have knocked me out of
training and competition for months on several occasions, which is why
you’ve seen me in-and-out of appearances over the years. But, again,
I’ve pretty much learned how to compensate and avoid some of the worst
effects.A third problem (subtle and more insidious) also has its origin in overpronation.
With my left foot, the ever-progressing collapse of the arch structure has led to
an impingement where the fibula joins the talus, causing pain and sometimes
swelling. I’ve had ups and downs with this one, but the long-term trend is
becoming harder to deal with. Alas, being the left foot, running the turns was
becoming especially difficult. For the last 5 or 10 years, I had been doing much
of my training running the opposite direction on the track. Medical science can
do little more than provide me with non-steroidal topical analgesics. They work
just a little bit.Next, after years of enduring those gut-busting workouts that are so
essential for the 400 meters, I noticed that I no longer felt I had the energy
to do them. This became apparent, say, about 3 years ago, and my 400
meter performances showed it. Old age? “Low-T?” Maybe not, as tests
showed I was in the low-normal range. Fortunately, my 200-meter times
were not affected more than would have been expected due to aging. I was
able to set WRs in the 60 and 200 in Albuquerque in January 2010, but
neither was accepted as official because the company that did the timing
was not properly registered with USAT&F. Nevertheless, I was able to
better even that 200 mark with a WR in the indoor 200 in March 2010 in
Boston. Turned out I got that just in time before the next problem showed up.Beginning in the Spring of 2010 I started noticing a strange lack of fluidity
in the fast sprints. Very hard to describe. Not stiffness or joint pain. More
like my legs just wouldn’t move as fast as they used to. This was not a matter
of strength loss, as my lifting capabilities remained unchanged. This may have
hindered me at the Nat’l Outdoors in Sacramento in July 2010 (or was it the
heat!). I rallied a bit for the Rocky Mountains Masters meet in September 2010,
but for the first time in my life my feet were bothering me so much, and I felt
such lack of energy after the 100 and 200, that I scratched on my third event
of the day (the 400).Then one beautiful day in October as I was training on the track at NMSU
in Las Cruces, I got halfway through my routine with a hurting left ankle,
lack of fluidity, and without enough energy to continue, and I realized
it was over.Although I am disappointed in not being able to continue with this grand
experiment, I shall not complain. I’ve had a good run at it for sure. I certainly
had more goals in sight, and I will miss the excitement of competing, but I
think this is the end of it. My 15-year experience of training and competition
has blessed me with improved blood chemistry, reduced weight, return of
some lost muscle, and many new friends. I expect to continue with some
running for exercise. And who knows, if things improve I may even try
the local senior olympics again.I would encourage any of you to forward this letter to persons for whom
I have no email address. Best of luck to all of you. I’ll be keeping an eye
out for what you’re doing.
20 Responses
Beautifully said, Don. It was a great pleasure to announce you as you flew down the track, and I will miss your presence.
Don,
Your records speak for themselves.Your forced retirement is a great loss for Masters Track. I still regret not ever having been able to compete with you in the Worlds or Nationals on a Relay team.
I believe you could have helped us set some records which would have been solid for many years. Such is life…..Be well my friend.
Roger Pierce
Best of luck. You’re obviously a great athlete. Maybe you could fill us in on your next grand experiment as it unfolds.
I’m sorry to hear that another great one bites the dust. The curse of having muscles and talent!! I’ve “retired” three times. All the best in whatever success I’m sure you will find next.
Don,
I have not had the pleasure to meet you but have great respect for what you have accomplished in masters track…..I know a little about gut-busting 400 meter workouts…. I tell my students “never say never” All the best to you from Arizona,
Sully
“Older, slower, lower”, well maybe not.
Never say never from Sully is a good way to sum this up. As a new masters sprinter I am also thinking about quitting. I have never won a sprint at Nationals or set an American/ World record. I’ve had surgery on both knees and have shrapnel remaining in my leg. It hurts to train and even sometimes to walk. So, I am also thinking about quitting/ retiring.
Wait a second!! On second thought, screw it!! I’m going to continue on and do the best I can!!! I love to sprint and when I can’t I will run. Then jog, walk, limp, crawl, or use a walker to get to the finish line.
(name withheld so as not to be ridiculed by the Elite Masters)
Yes, many people will miss Don at Bloomington. For those who are going, the good news is that the schedule is now up.
Roger Pierce, your 400 final will be at 3:42 PM on Friday. Ed Winslow, your 400 final will be at 4:24 PM on the same day.
Personally, I like the change from Saturday to Friday for the 400, a change that was instituted last year. I wonder whether you two distinguished gentlemen like it, or whether you preferred the old way of running the 400 on Saturday.
PS Sully, I forgot to look at your scheduled time, but it will obviously be between Roger’s and Ed’s. Sully, did you like the 400 on Saturday, or does the 400 on Friday suit you better?
This is the sad by-product of our sport. It is very, very sad to lose Don’s talent. It makes me remember all the truly great Masters who no longer competing becasue of permaneny injury. Those of us who remain healthy should be grateful every day. Thanks, Don, for some great memories.
Mr. Taylor,
I did like the change from Sat. to Friday but sadly will make the meet….Some health issues ….Doctor advised me to stop running, but I took care of it I got a new doctor, hahhah….some minor hip probems I have taken care of through doing a variety of power lifts…. Will miss indoors but will be ready for late spring and summer meets.
Really wanted to compete against Val!
Sully
Thank you, Sully. Sorry you will not be in Bloomington. My apologies for getting off the topic, but many people did not know that the schedule is out (I had no good place to inform them).
I appreciate that Bob Lida got us back onto the topic. Yes, Don Neidig was a great one, as is Bob Lida right now.
I meant to write NOT make the Indoor Nationals.
Sully
Hi Don,
I’m very sorry to hear of your possible career ending ailment. You have been an outstanding athlete for many years and have given credibility to Masters sprinting with consistent strong efforts and record setting performances that we all admire. In 2004 at the AFA in Colorado you pushed me to a WR in the 60 meters. Without your presence in that race I never would have had that great experience. I thank you for that. I hope there is a come back in your future!
Don, thanks for your great Masters track performances, and now this generous letter. All
senior athletes can identify with your story of a thousand pangs and pains that accumulate to the point where a tactical withdrawal from the track is the better part of valor. One way or another, sooner or later we all face a reality akin to the one that you recount so poignantly. I certainly do. It’s little consolation, but, to paraphrase Shakespeare, with apologies,
“Life’s but a poor sprinter that struts and frets upon the stage and then is heard no more.”
One piece of practical advice for you and any others fighting foot and leg pangs and pains that just won’t stop hurting one way or the other: ditch the traditional training shoes and train barefoot on grass. I do, in five-finger Vibram Bikkilas. It’s a natural way of running that is restoring my legs’ bio-mechanics from years of abuse in unnatural shoes hyped and foisted on us by the sports industrial complex. And, for pete’s sake, stay away from the doctors and their “diagnoses” and “remedies” as much as possible. What do they know, anyway.
Cheers,
Henry
Don, it is beautiful to see you go gracefully into that good night.
The respect I have for you as an athlete is exceeded only by the respect I have for you as an individual, given your voluntary act of leaving the sport in this manner.
I wish you all the best. Will you try competing in any other sport as a masters athlete, for instance cycling?
#6 Masters Sprinter:I also NEITHER have a National medal has sprinter in the USA and DO NOT EXPECT to in the future,because they are just some FAST ASS guys in my age group (60-64). Add Achilles tendonosis since 2009,could NOT tell you when the last time, I was pain free after a practice or meet.I like your conclusion and will do the SAME. I do KICK SOME CULO, im Central America and the Caribbean when I compete. Some Elite guys probale “will ridicule” you, but MOST wont. I know quite a few of them in ALL events and AGES and they are NICE guys and have help me in MY progression to getting better over the past 6 years beginning with Wayne Bennett( Texas) when he DID not know me from “adam”.I continue to talk to several at various meets.
Sigas corriendo y para el carojo con los demas=keep on running and to HELL with the rest of the people.
Pete, I’ve not given the issue much thought until you asked. With 3 young ones at home and work demands, moving the 400 to Friday has added an extra day (and expense) to a busy schedule. It’s not really a big deal and I wouldn’t think that the change keeps true quartermilers away from competing on Friday. However, specialists in other events might decide to come a day later and pass on the 400. I suppose someone could (or has) looked at 400 meter participation since the change.
All that said, this is only one athlete’s perspective. I’m sure there were positive, big picture benefits to the change.
Thanks, Ed, for your perspective. By your presence, you will add a lot to the meet. Too bad that Don Neidig (retired) will not be there. Nor will Sully (Mike Sullivan) make it, and now we see (other story) that Kay Glynn had a reason not to sign up.
Regardless, Bloomington should be a great meet.
Don set a world record with a broken foot indoors in Idaho and set another WR running the curve in the 200m against a killer wind in CO. (Glad I wasn’t competing) I saw both races. I think we might see him again in a few years. I hope so. He is like me in that he has conditions that prevent a hard training regimen, but not so serious for normal life. The body wants to heal, and it surely teases us about its capabilities. I hope his body does heal, and I hope mine does. Heck, I even entered Bloomington…… who knows?
Don, I am so sorry you are not able to compete any more. I have never had the pleasure of running against you, but thanks for the motivation over the years by just putting up those amazing times. I seem to get injured every year, especially when the big meets are near. I guest, I get exicted and train too hard. Who knows? Now that I am 68 reading your story makes me really understand that I not alone loving the sport, and not able to give your best proformances. I wish you well. Gods Speed
Don, The track world will miss you. I had the honor and priviledge to compete against you in the 60m finals in Boston 2010. I vividly remember chasing you to a world record in the 200 meters in the same National Championship meet. I wish you well, and our fingers are crossed for a complete recovery for you.
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