Jett’s 14.39 over 42-inchers at age 41 gets kudos (at last)
Rod Jett entered the Hornet Invitational last March in Sacramento and became the oldest man to break 14.5 seconds in the 110 hurdles set at 42 inches. His clocking of 14.39 at age 41 went unremarked (by me at least). But Roger Ruth’s latest data dump rectifies that oversight. Rod’s 14.39 over the international highs beats the listed (but unofficial) age-41 record of 15.0 set back in 1975 and tied in 1977. Next up: becoming the oldest to go sub-15 in the 42s. That mark is now held by the legendary Don Finlay of Britain, who was 42 when he clocked a hand-timed 14.8 in 1951. Keep in mind that 14.24 was the M40 world record until relatively recently in the 39-inch hurdles. Stay hot, Rod!
Secret for sprinters told: Get stronger but not heavier
When I was a kid, sprint training was simple: Run cross country in the fall, do repeat 200s/300s in the spring. Run like hell in meets. Rinse and repeat. But now that I’m 54, I’m conflicted as hell — with less time to train than I did in high school and college. Family, work, chores. Should I focus on sprint endurance, weights, short repeats? Heck, I’m lucky to train three times a week. Now I’ve read a brilliant article that might help me sort out my priorities. I don’t normally recommend training sites, since there are 5.2 gazillion online. (How do you choose?) But on our Forum, a poster named Skurry provided the link above. It impressed me. So I’ve also copied it for posterity below. Basically, it says: Get stronger but not heavier. And a training regimen is provided. Great stuff.
Dave Neumann does a Ken Burns on masters track
Dr. Dave Neumann, an M45 sprinter living in Rhode Island, put together a love poem to masters track in the form of this 13-minute slide show with music and quotes. A member of the Boston-based MassVelocity Track Club, Dave used Windows Movie Maker to produce this neat show, which includes shots from indoor and outdoor nationals, and Penn and French indoor worlds. (At the end, note the shout-outs to Steve Vaitones, Gary Snyder, Larry Libow and others. Very classy.)
Masters Track and Field from dave on Vimeo.
Services for Louise Mead Tricard are Friday in Florida
Jane Mead Peter, sister of track historian and masters athlete Louise Tricard, writes that a burial service for Louise will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. “In lieu of flowers,” Janes says, “donations can be sent in Louise’s name to Florida Athletics Inc., 3250 Lakeview Blvd. Delray Beach, Florida 33445, or Louise Mead Tricard Girls’ Track and Field Scholarships, Armory Foundation 216 Fort Washington Ave. NY 10032.”
Throwers get their own winter summit — near Disneyland
Vaulters make a pilgrimage to Reno every January. Now a similar event is planned for throwers.This January, weightfolk are invited to descend on the Anaheim Convention Center (near Disneyland) for the first annual National Throws Summit. “USATF-sanctioned competitions will be held in the shot put and weight throw in the following divisions: High School, College, Open and Masters,” organizers say. The idea comes from Rich Benoy, a former national-class hurdler. “Our model has been the annual National Pole Vault Summit in Reno that has done so much to enhance the expertise of coaches and develop men and women vaulters over the past 11 years,” Rich says. “But there is not another event group more in need of development support than the throws.” My reaction? Heads up!
Where do you want the 2009 masters nationals held?
Gary Snyder’s USATF Masters T&F Executive Committee (and maybe others) will be deciding in the next several weeks where outdoor nationals will go. (See this post for the news.) Usually, this pick is made at the annual meeting in December. But the urgency is palpable, so I can’t blame Gary and Co. for expediting the verdict. People have been clamoring for the meet site (and date) for weeks, realizing that Clermont was doubtful. But you should have a say, so here are some options:
German vaulter, Swiss hurdler are IAAF Masters of Year
Wolfgang Ritte and Christine MĂĽller took events to new heights in 2008.
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The Eurovets Web site reports that German M55 vaulter Wolfgang Ritte and Swiss W50 multi-eventer Christine Müller have been named IAAF Masters Athletes of the Year, based on the recommendation of the WMA Council. The site says: “On behalf of the acting WMA president Monty Hacker, the secretary Winston Thomas informed that two Europeans are the WMA Best Masters of the year. . . . Both European candidates fulfilled all criteria which were set by the WMA Council and they will be invited to the IAAF Gala in Monaco at the end of November.”
Ross Dunton reports Clermont will drop 2009 nationals
Ross Dunton’s email newsletter today carried this provocative but strangely worded note: “2009 USATF MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTE: The meet be held in Clermont, FL. The sponsors have decided not to have the meet. I will let you know as soon as I find out where the meet will held. RKD” No attribution, no sourcing. But he’s often the purveyor of insider USATF news (such as when he discloses Masters Hall of Fame nominees before anyone else.) This appears to confirm my speculations of several days ago. Now we just need official confirmation — and the ID of the new host city.
Jay Silvester makes rare guest appearance at Huntsman
Olympian Jay Silvester, a discus legend who had the bad luck of throwing against Al Oerter, made one of his rare masters track forays last week at the Huntsman World Senior Games, throwing 157-3 in the M70 age group to win by 38 feet. A year ago, shortly after turning 70, Jay set a world age-group record at Huntsman (but now just an American record). Jay lives in Lindon, Utah, an easy drive to the Huntsman meet in St. George, Utah. The three-day meet ended Wednesday, but results are now trickling onto the Web site. The meet attracted a few USATF masters circuit athletes.
Phil Raschker is masters T&F nominee for Athlete of Year
At last year’s USATF convention in Hawaii, a three-man committee chose a relatively unknown distance runner as the USATF Masters Athlete of the Year. A firestorm erupted. Why didn’t they pick Phil Raschker, the world masters Athlete of the Year? This year, expect a more sensible result. Again, Phil Raschker will represent the masters track and field side. (I don’t know the masters LDR or racewalking nominees.) Unlike the Athlete of the Year awards made at the outdoor nationals Athletes Banquet, USATF’s end-of-year honors go to a single athlete at the annual meeting, which this year will be held the first week of December in Reno, Nevada. Phil became the nominee of masters track after a vote by members of Dave Clingan’s Masters T&F Awards Committee.
