Jay Silvester, the new M70 recordman in the discus, was one of several legends interviewed at the recent National Throws Coaches Association annual convention. About 20 minutes into a chat with Gerry McEvoy, Jay gets this query: “What advice would you give to masters throwers?” His reply is pretty general — but down-to-earth. Jay says you can’t expect to recapture old strength if you weren’t strong to begin with, or haven’t stayed fit over the years. Check out the series of interviews with Jay, Al Feuerbach, Brian Oldfield, John Powell and Hal Connolly. Many of the interviews are conducted by M40 national shot champion Glenn Thompson, the force behind the Long & Strong Throwers Journal. Mary Lasorsa’s photos from the Ohio meeting also are posted.

USATF Masters has been inviting athletes to fill out a skills survey. But some folks just skip the middleman and do their own thing to promote our sport. A good example is Roald Bradstock, the artist and M45 javelin thrower. He wrote me early this month: “I met with Phil Raschker. . . . I talked with her about a new series of images I want to create on Masters, Olympic and Paralympic athletes. These images will celebrate the various sports and promote key athletes from the past and the present. The name of this new series will be called Collaborations. The idea behind this new series is to work together with other Master, Olympic and Paralympic athletes and artists to create a unique, exciting and varied set of contemporary images in different media. . . . Phil has graciously agreed to be my first official collaborater and subject matter.”

Read the rest of this post »

Pete Mulholland, my British masters writer friend, writes: “I have just booked a hotel for the WMA Indoors (in Clermont-Ferrand, France) but understand that accommodation is quickly being filled. . . . Some of the USA athletes who may be combining the meet with a European vacation might like to see what Eurostar can offer.” Here’s the link: stpancras.eurostar.com/?&cid=ukppc Any other advice out there for those attending worlds (besides taking LOTS of money)?

Last June, I mentioned a German’s 10-year-old world record in the M50 discus, and Tom Fahey of California posted a cautionary comment: “I think the official world record by Klaus Weiffenbach for 50-54 is suspect. His teammate Alwin Wagner told me that Klaus couldn’t throw a 2 kg discus 170 feet when he set the record. Most throwers throw the 1.5 kg discus about 21 feet further than the 2 kg. That means that Weiffenbach had the capacity to throw 203— not likely for a man over 50 who couldn’t hit 170 feet with the 2 kg discus.” And so it rested until today — when Klaus himself sent me a long note defending the mark (and hinting of an M60 comeback).

Read the rest of this post »

Edwin Moses, of all people, sent me a video clip perfect for Thanksgiving Day in the United States. The subject line was: Thermal Imaging Cameras at airports. Edwin wrote: “Everybody be careful at the airports. IP attorneys lets get with it.” So what’s the deal? Check out this clip:

Read the rest of this post »

Pete Clarke, an M65 sprinter down in Texas, is ranked No. 1 in his age group for 100 meters on mastersrankings.com — the official USATF seasonal outdoor list. In fact, his mark is an incredible 12.33 seconds — easily bettering the listed world record of 12.53 by fellow American Paul Edens. Don’t believe it. It’s a typo. Seth Brower directed the meet in question (a Nov. 3 affair in Austin), and brother Jeff writes: “(Seth is) checking into it, reviewing the heat sheets. I was not present at this event. The track events were hand-timed, not certified, no wind gauge. It’s no WR.”

Read the rest of this post »

GeezerJock magazine has taken a lot of hits for its memorably cheeky name, and now its braintrust has decided to punt. The 8-times-a-year publication will be retitled Masters Athlete in the first issue of 2008. I learned this first from today’s Chicago Sun-Times, in a Mark Brown article: “(Editor Sean) Callahan . . . had one piece of disappointing news for me. They’re changing the magazine’s name to Masters Athlete, a concession to all the serious older athletes, women in particular, who don’t want to think of themselves as geezer jocks. A pity.” Shocked, I wrote Sean. I asked whether the magazine’s new owner, Turnstile Publications, forced the change.

Read the rest of this post »

Today’s email contained a note from USATF with the subject line: “Fast Forward Express (Master’s Edition).” USATF may not know masters from master’s, but that’s being picky. (National Masters News is similarly afflicted.) The newsy email included links to the rudimentary info sites for the 2008 Boston indoor and 2008 Spokane outdoor masters nationals. The Spokane logo is unveiled, featuring the iconic Monroe Street Bridge. Of course, the Spokane organizers missed a bet by failing to note that 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the first USA masters nationals in San Diego in 1968. Oh well. I’m hoping to induce the LOC to appropriately mark this milestone in August.

Payton Jordan is 90 and full of life, as this latest photo gallery shows. He was in his element as the featured speaker at last night’s Southern California Striders awards banquet. The former Stanford and 1968 Olympic coach is Mr. Positive in all ways. Even when describing a near-death experience. With a light touch, Payton shared a terrifying story about his heart attack on January 16, 2007. Having suffered the loss of Marge, his wife of 67 years, and undergone several cancer operations, Payton was weak when he was having some hot chocolate alone at home that night.

Read the rest of this post »

Two weeks from now, masters track delegates from around America will gather as part of the USATF annual meeting. Well, maybe not from every USATF association. This year’s convention is in Honolulu, somewhere in the Pacific. Can’t hop in the Buick and motor on out. Oh well. For the few, brave and affluent, our meetings will be packed with agenda items — but not elections and not much debate over future masters nationals. (Sacramento is the only bidder for 2010 outdoors, and Boston either will or won’t be bidding for 2010 indoors.) The one event I wouldn’t miss is the Potomac Valley TC’s party Thursday night at the Sheraton. It’s for masters delegates only. Quite exclusive, since I doubt more than a couple dozen will attend.

Read the rest of this post »