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FLRC Newsletter - Apr 2004 |
| Track Memories & Behind the Scenes Scoops... | |
While many of you are eagerly anticipating the upcoming trail and road running circuits, some of us are sad to say good-bye to the indoor track series. Many thanks to track v.p. Tim Ingall for the incredible job of producing such high-quality --and fun!!! -- events for everyone. The indoor series is a volunteer-intensive drama, and many thanks to everyone who turned out to fill the jobs.
Here are some of my personal favorite memories and behind the scenes peeks of things you might not have seen while you were running...
The post-Hartshorne women's miles champagne toast in the women's bathroom in Barton Hall. Phyllis Radke came to the Hartshorne Mile to offer support to her gal pals in the mile races. She also smuggled in a magnum of really good champagne for us to drink. Phyl, Suzy Myette and I ran around Barton and rounded up every masters female miler we could find, especially the women from Buffalo and Canada -- and additional cheer-us-on pals like PJ Peterman, Sally Rusby and Michelle Thompson (the Chargers left too soon, and so did Lorrie). We huddled in a corner of the bathroom, giving toast after toast and finished off the bottle. The only thing we missed was singing, "Oh Canada!" as they do in cross country.
Three shy Canadian women arrived at Hartshorne for the first time, along with seasoned vet Karen Kennedy. All coached by the men's elite 2nd-place finisher, all three newcomers had incredible elite-level races, although they were essentially new to the sport. Agathe Nicolson moved from the back of the elite pack to the front, and grabbed third at the wire. When I walked over to tell her she was third, her eyes filled with tears of joy.
National-class masters runner Tom Dalton was standing alone on the sidelines, waiting to warm up for his elite mile race at Hartshorne. A college track kid came over to him, and said, "Are you Tom Dalton?" Surprised, Dalton looked up and said, "Yes I am." The college kid shook his hand and said, "You're a legend, man!" Dalton had a big grin on his face as the kid walked away.
"Suck it up and suffer!" and plenty of other pump-it-up e-mails exchanged between Lorrie Tily and me pre-Hartshorne. We both had goals; we were both nervous and we got each other going.
Watching the Herb Engman-Suzy Myette-John Saylor 1,500 showdown at the February meet. Herb especially found his mojo, and roared to the finish ahead of the other two. In fact, anticipation was so high for the FFD rematch mile, some of us called it FFD Millrose Games.
Having all Hartshorne Mile races go off one after another, without delay. That meant that everyone, including the elite men, stayed to watch everyone else race their respective heats. It added to the cameraderie.
Handing out the bottles of Gatorade to each relay team who completed the Valentine's Day 2 x 400 meter. Everyone, not just the teenagers, was excited to hear they could pick out a bottle to share with a teammate (Tim's idea). Most popular flavor: blue.
Seeing Tom Hartshorne come back from a broken leg (hockey) to running a 2:13 800m and a 4:57 mile at age 50! It seemed like just last summer (it was) when we stood talking in Wegman's about broken legs and broken collarbones.
Victoria Smith's goodies. Victoria arrived at each meet with a bag full of cookies and other treats -- enough for everyone. Thanks Victoria, for your wonderful gifts.
Talking with Sue Aigen about being 50 and racing 10-year-old girls head-to-head in the mile. Both of us ended up trying to stave off little girls kicking past us and zooming to the finish line. Sue asked, "How did those little girls get so fast?" When Sue and I were that age, we weren't running track (girls didn't go that).
Watching Casey Carlstrom winning the Roger Messenger Masters Mile at Hobart; and watching Katie Danner put together two super mile/3K races.
Watching the Ithaca United Track Club, the scholastic kids with their coaches from all over our region, the Learn sisters and dad Roger from Troy, Pa., and all the other kids racing their "elders." Their full-throttled gusto adds a lot of energy to our meets.
Pacing Phyllis through the first 800 meters she's done in years, and meeting our goals.
Cheering on Charlene Templeton, who had the guts to try her first 3,000 and mile at our meets, with added encouragement from Joe Daley.
Racing Joe Reynolds, Lorrie T. and Sue Aigen in the 400 and 200-meter sprints. We all ran faster than we thought we were capable of doing. [Lorrie won!] Karen Grover, Natasha Way and I also put together a three-person team at FFD, and we held our own against the boys.
Rick Hoebeke creating the Charlie McMullen memorial award and giving it out at the Hartshorne post-race banquet at the Station. In fact, some of the best speeches and inspiring stories are overheard at that banquet each year.
Seeing Tim Ingall's face each meet as the crowds arrive at Barton Hall. Family Fun Day is especially gratifying because it's an act of love and honor for his father.
The quiet grace of regular volunteers like Tom Meyer, Bruce Roebel, Dave Jones, Herb E., Joe R, John W, Heather... who have lots of responsibility and do those tasks with humor and patience. Also, my table partners in registration: Sandy F., Thaisa, Heather, Phyllis, Sal and Frank Rusby, who can move those bib numbers and money exchanges faster than the speed of light.
The incredible loyalty of several Syracuse Chargers, Buffalo Checkers and Rochester runners who drive a long way in bad weather, and never seem to miss our meets. Many names, too many to mention and not leave someone out.
The boom is back. Our meets are big and bursting with energy, just like when Jim Hartshorne was in charge. Our seeding methods allow for less intimidation, but afford the opportunity for teens to race masters, and know firsthand you're never too old to run -- and do it well.
Remember: Outdoor track is coming (if the snow goes), and the ESGames are in Binghamton in July.
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