Showtime for Irene as she trains for Lyon.
, whose W80 debut season saw her break nine world records, has set her sights higher in 2015: WMA World’s Best Masters Athlete. That’s what her training partner
Alan Kolling says in the 7-minute video below. It’s a beaut, showing Irene stretching, striding and doing hurdle drills. She also tells how
Wilma Rudolph gave her a private tutorial in how to run the curve in the 200. Irene made the Olympic Trials in 1960 (second in the 200 heats in 25.7) and 1968 (seventh in 100 heats in 12.1). Her masters career began in the late 1970s but had a few sabbaticals. Alan explains why: She got bored with no mountains to conquer. But he persuaded her to compete in the 2010 Sacramento nationals and 2011 Sacto worlds, and kept her going with the lure of records in new events, including the hurdles. Now Irene is planning a trip to Lyon, France. She could easily the the lion of worlds. Happy Thanksgiving, Irene and all!
2 Responses
Irene Obera is “The Truth”, and it’s been a great pleasure to announce her. She looks like a college sprinter on the track, and I can’t say enough good things about her.
I am sure that Irene will do very well indeed in Lyon, France, next year. I wish I could be there.
Irene was so grateful for the added exposure not just for herself but for Masters track as well. And the challenge in being interviewed “live” without any clue as to what they might ask me (even though I repeatedly said I wanted them to focus mainly on Irene) is sounding relevant . . . and intelligent! Irene knows that achieving WMA AOY is an incredible challenge, but mostly because of the abundance of natural talent this side of the Atlantic, including Kathy Bergen, Kathy Martin, Jeanne Daprano, Flo Meiler, Christel Donley and this year’s US nominee and good friend Joy Upshaw. Peter, we will greatly miss your warm and uplifting support in Lyons.
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