Jim Oglesby knew the rules, but checked just in case. Before setting an M80 American indoor record in the shot, he says, “I called USATF and they told me that a new record would be with the 3k but must exceed the 11.45m distance [listed for the 4-kilogram shot]. Apparently no one had thrown farther with a 3k since then or they haven’t applied for the record.” [WMA changed the rules around 2006.] He’s no stranger to records, of course. He set an M75 indoor best at the 2011 Jimmy Carnes meet in Gainesville — his first indoor meet. “When I turned 80 last November, I noted that the record was 11.45m (set in ’95) for the 4k in 80-84 group. As you know, the weight has been changed since then to 3k for [80-plus]. … I had thrown farther this past December with a 12.64 at Clermont, so I thought I would be able to do it.”

Using archive.org to look up WMA implement specs, I found this rule change.

He also graciously answered my questions on training, injuries and competition:

I try to work out in the gym once or twice a week and throw only once a week. I don’t throw for a week before a competition except for very light warmups in the gym. I talked to an Olympic runner some years ago, and he told me he did about the same thing. Jerry Vaughn also told me he did about the very same thing. It seems to work for all of us.

I have been working out regularly since we last communicated and throwing both in the Senior Games and in masters events at the National Training Center. I am still practicing medicine 4 days a week and still do outpatient surgeries and endoscopies. I really don’t have the time to hop around the country to do many Regional or National meets (although I would enjoy it).

I have pretty much stuck to Florida as its much less time-consuming and also loads less expensive! I am pretty well satisfied to be listed on the rankings at mastersrankins.com.

I have slowed down quite a bit since June of 2012, when I had surgery on my right arm, so have been working out and throwing much more sporadically. I have not made any plans at this time to throw in the immediate future, due to facing more surgery. I have been lucky and have had some success in the shot these past few years.

I did recover from the muscle tear in my left calf muscle and all seems OK with that now. I did get an MRI on my right knee last year and have a torn right meniscus which is sort of limiting. I am in contact with John Seto off and on. …

Throwing at 80 seems to be a slow motion movie of earlier age throwing. I seem to be able to work out less intensively and less often due to soreness and seem to have more prolonged recovery from soreness as well as from minor sprains and strains. The U.S. record is about 45 1/2 feet and the world at 47 plus I think. My best throw at home last year was 43 1/2 ft.

I think that a WR is doable, but that remains to be seen. Here’s why. In June 2012, I had a wide excision of a malignant melanoma on my right forearm with removal of nodes from under the armpit. (nodes were negative, thank goodness). That has cramped my style a fair amount.

On X-mas Eve, I noted a tiny lump just above the elbow and removal was diagnosed as more melanoma. Last Tuesday a brain scan was negative and last Thursday a total body scan (PET scan) was negative. I am now awaiting advice of oncologist and oncologic surgeon as how to proceed from here. I think another wide excision will be necessary and perhaps some form of chemotherapy.

I don’t know exactly what the future holds at the moment but, as soon as I’m able, you can bet I’ll be back at it. If not, its been a helluva ride — nice people, traveling, camaraderie and lotsa luck with my throwing.