Doug Smith snaps up Canadian Masters Runner of the Year
Canadian Running magazine could have found someone faster or more decorated, but its Masters Runner of the Year award for 2014 went to a gent with perhaps the most dedication to the sport — Doug “Shaggy” Smith. An M60 steepler, Doug competes, organizes meets and photographs his countrymen (and women) at major events. He’s been doing this for decades. Without him, Ontario Masters Track would be a shadow of itself. But he’s lucky to live in a hotbed of masters athletics, so he has plenty to celebrate. (Same with me in San Diego.) I consider him a brother in Cameraland, and love to shoot beside him. I just wish I had half his running talent. Kudos on the award, Doug. Long overdue.
Doug lands in steeple at North Carolina nationals, keeping his momentum.
Read the rest of this post »
Keith Bateman’s book bonus: videos on how to run, fix knees
Aussie supermaster Keith Bateman and co-author Heidi Jones have begun posting video extras to their new book “Older Yet Faster.” Here’s Heidi with a knee exercise. Below is how Keith begins teaching his running technique — kind of like starting floppers out with a scissors. But I thought running was supposed to be a natural movement, not something that starts with leaning forward during butt-kicks. “This is ‘Keith’s Game-changer,’ a unique drill which really is a game-changer for Keith’s clients every day,” Keith writes on YouTube. Now how about a how-to-hurdle clip? (Especially alternating lead legs.)
Kristi Anderson ‘bewildered’ over yearlong drug suspension
Kristi at work.
Kristi says she won’t let competition ban cramp her Colorado running plans.
Read the rest of this post »
W50 LDR Kristi Anderson accepts 12-month doping suspension
So much for the theory you can get a drug waiver after the fact. Kristi Anderson, a W50 marathoner, was slapped with a 12-month doping suspension despite USADA accepting her explanation that she was taking banned DHEA under a health-care provider’s care. In her case, the positive test came at a Pikes Peak Marathon in August. She didn’t try for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which masters tracksters are supposed to seek at major WMA or USATF meets. But in 2011, a USADA spokeswoman told me: “The FIRST time a Level 2 athlete tests positive for one of the substances listed in 1-4 above, they will have an opportunity to submit medical documentation to USADA to demonstrate the medical need for such medications. If the medical file substantiates that the athlete used the prohibited substance only for medical needs, and if the medical file puts to rest any suspicion of doping or the intent to dope, then the athlete will not incur an anti-doping rule violation.”
Watch Myrle Mensey on TV give shot lesson in narrow hallway
Myrle Mensey, the record-setting thrower and our Athlete of the Year a year ago, threw the spotlight on her young proteges this week in a St. Louis TV segment. (See it here.) Promoting her Throwing and Growing group of girls and a Dec. 27 throws camp (masters invited), Myrle put on a mini-clinic in a narrow hallway lined by framed posters. Not a place for a sector foul. But she showed rudiments of the shot, using a partial ring. Not sure what the shots were made of. But a Missouri state champion shared her testimony (you don’t have to be short and stout to excel at throws.) Myrle looks great at 65.
Masters Mile in Paradise: Aztec Invitational is March 27, 2015
SDSU’s track sits atop a parking garage.
Ibuprofen depicted as key to longevity — if you’re a worm or fly
OK for steady diet or a danger?
Welcome Chris Stone, supershooter, to ranks of the Mighty 60s
My talented and beautiful wife, Chris, who has competed in nationals and worlds while also covering them with her Nikons, turned 60 on Saturday. It was a wonderful day. Her best girlfriend (from age 5) traveled from Tucson, as did her brother Ed. We spent the day at San Diego’s most scenic spots, from Cabrillo National Monument to various piers and Mount Soledad Park. She used her new Nikkor 12-24mm wide-angle lens (also great for covering masters track). But we celebrate her birthday Sunday, so please join me in wishing her well in the best age group (which I joined in June). She’s a key reason I can do this blog. Her support and indulgence are legendary.
Chris was at the end of the Crystal Pier in San Diego’s Pacific Beach on her birthday Saturday but still is just beginning to plumb her photo skills.
What’s the point? Travel across ocean just to run in the heats?
Some folks have been puzzled about non-Europeans being invited to compete in the late-March Eurovets indoor championships in Poland. Now it gets even more mystifying. A top masters official tells me: “I have had two explanations [about “out of competition” entrants] that do not answer the question, so I will summarize as this: Outsiders can enter [the Eurovets meet], but they will only be able to compete in the first rounds of competitions in lanes or field events [with] more than 8 athletes; they will not be able to compete in a final round in these events. In the long distance events where there are no heats they will be able to compete in two pools.” Say what? Sounds like complete absurdity. My source agrees, saying: “Basically they have not thought out the rules properly at the present time.”
Renee Shepherd, in training run, removes Raschker’s WR in 60
Renee (right) edged Liz Palmer at 2010 Sacramento nationals.
