Manteca Senior Games
Manteca, CA
Saturday, May 15th, 2010
This day has been long anticipated. I’ve put in a lot of work, often times exhausting and often in lieu of other activities (like work) that would have been more productive to other areas of my life. I started at a fat 214 lbs and I am now a strapping 195. I’ve stopped tobacco, I’ve stopped alcohol and I’ve taken to healthier eating. All this I believe has been tremendously beneficial and in it’s way has provided me with the things that I really needed in my life, namely a better relationship with my family and better health. In spite of the time taken from work and career I think that good things have come to me. We are not broke, my writing partner is patient with me and ready to continue our pursuits when I am to refocus on writing, I’ve made new friends and like I said, I am in excellent health, clear-headed, and my relationships with family and myself are better than ever.
The one thing that has suffered is my writing skills. No doubt it is obvious to my readers that I am not putting forth much effort in writing this blog. It is not terribly interesting to read. It certainly isn’t clever in any way. It mainly is a cut and dry training log. I apologize for my lackadaisical approach. I am too tired to think. In a way, that’s a good thing.
Now, about the meet…
The drive from Lafayette to Sierra High School in Manteca is 60 miles. I left at 7:15 and arrived at 8:15 leaving myself an hour an a quarter before the start of the discus, my first event.
The folks at the gate were very friendly and gave me a t-shirt an a goody bag filled with merchandise from local merchants and tons of information about the city of Manteca. Originally I’d hoped to patronize a restaurant after the meet, this wouldn’t work out unfortunately but I like the idea of holding events like this Senior Games to promote a community. I hope the town continues to find it a beneficial undertaking.
I was one of the first athletes to arrive. This is not unusual for me. I require a long warm up and focus period – always have since the time I was a youngster through my many years of competitive baseball. Without the time I never feel ready and I hate that. I feel like I can’t fully compete and less warm up increases my chances for injury.
My left achilles tendon has been sore for nearly two weeks. Today it started off not bad but experience has prepared me for the worst and I knew that it could easily blow today. I was prepared to scratch the long jump (my second event) if it were sore and faced the possibility of also scratching from my third and final event, the 200 meter dash, if it were really sore. I hoped that a good warm up and careful monitoring would allow me to compete to my fullest – but I wasn’t counting on it.
I was surprised that there was little in the way of warming up by the other athletes. I’d guess only 25% gave warm up much attention. I saw a lot of this lack of preparation in men’s senior baseball – it’s mind boggling! Weekend warriors is another name for full-time idiot. I don’t mean to be cruel, but what’s the point of going out and popping a hammy? So many of these old folks today were all taped up and complaining about their ailments – why aren’t you getting warm? How can you approach competition in this manner.
But I did my jogging. I did my skips, backwards runs, karioke, strides, builds etc. So far so good. The achilles did not complain.
The first man I met was a lovely fellow from Sacramento named Ken. He was in the next age group (55-59). It was also his first meet and he was nervous. He’d thrown disc back in junior college and had recently picked it up again. He didn’t know what to expect. I was hoping the best for him.
We joined the other throwers – there were plenty of them too – to check in, weigh our implements and start our practice throws. As a newbie I didn’t know the etiquette for number of discs to take in the ring with you for practice so I used my competition disc only. This was probably the right move as most throwers took one and not two in. I’d hope to get off 6 warm up throws – 2 from standing, 2 from full and 2 from other positions. When I got in the ring for my first standing throw I told myself that if I just got off a solid, pretty throw with confidence, I’d be fine for the rest of the competition. And that I did. A solid pretty confident standing throw. I walked out of the ring from the back (ta da!) and went off to retrieve my disc. I got back in line and repeated with another decent one.
By this time the line of throwers had grown considerably. It was fun chatting it up with all these big guys – we were all pulling for each other, and I was to learn this is not something that happens in all events. I also realized there was no way I’d get in four more warm ups – probably only one more.
I got in the back of the ring for a full throw. Did the routine and got off a respectable enough throw and knowing there were several throwers behind me wanting to throw, I did the stupid thing. I DASHED for my disc and EEEP went the achilles. Shit! WTF was I thinking?! Ok… now I had jeopardized the long jump and 200. I knew I’d be able to throw on it – but run on it? Fast?…
They called the event. I was put in 4th spot. Good omen. Number 4 – that’s my number. Wore it for years.
Also I re-introduced myself to Randy Wilson, one of the founders of the alleged Norcal Throwers club. Randy coaches throw at one of our local high schools and is currently coaching a great kid who can throw like a superhero. Between tips for me on how to throw and talking about the superhero kid, we would have a fine time at the event and after the meet. I really like Randy. He’s a great guy – and a helluva thrower!
There’s not a lot to say about the competition. I was relaxed, I was down the middle, over 90 feet on all four throws with my third one my best at 103 feet 4 inches (31.5 meters) which topped my goal for this meet of 28 meters! Very happy about that. I didn’t scratch and managed to remember to exit the rear of the ring every time.
The very best thing was the camaraderie shared among the men. We cheered each other on – really pulling and encouraging one another. That was great. And my new friend Ken had an okay first throw, two lousy throws then ripped off a 134 footer on his last! Way to go Ken!
I ended up 4th in the event – way higher than I expected to go.
The men’s long jump was to follow the women’s triple jump and start at 10:30. By the time I finished my last throw at 10a.m. I saw other guys already jumping into the pit and hustled over.
I checked in and was told that since it was early I could have as many run thru’s as I needed. With my tender achilles I was hoping my steps would be okay and one run-through would be enough. Much to my dismay they had moved the board 6 plus feet closer to the pit. I had walked off the steps when I had arrived earlier in the morning and now needed to walk them off again. I did and ran a run-through that turned into a senior moment when I actually jumped off the board. The guy told me I was spot on and assured me this jump wouldn’t count.
My goal was 14 feet and this mark would soon weigh heavily into my decision making for the remainder of the day.
I took my first jump – good solid approach, and I think the plant was pretty good. It didn’t feel like I slowed down or reached. I went 13 something. Ok. Close. Do another.
My achilles was getting sore but other guys had begun showing up so that gave me some time to stretch it out. I made my second jump, about like the first – 13 feet 10 inches. Two inches short. (That’s what she said). Ok. Closer still. Do another.
13’9″. Dang! Ok. I can do this. One more. I gave it my best and it felt like my best and I was supported by a couple of the kids working the event who gave me applause (I’m not exaggerating) saying it was a great jump and worthy of applause. They measured it off. 13″ 8″. Bummer.
My goal was 14 even. I finished at 13’10” (4.22 meters). Short by two inches but good enough for the silver medal. I was beat by Chip Crowl, an athlete in my age group whose progress over the years I had followed as a guy whose numbers were what I aspire to attain. They’re reachable, but I’m not there yet. Nor would I be in the 200…
I had a little down time before my race so I ate hard boiled eggs and almonds, drank an FHS sport drink and watched some racing. There were a couple of seriously cut and good looking women running for a team out of Sacramento and boy could these gals run. The fastest took the women’s 50-54 100m in 12 something with the other (gorgeous girl) a pretty close second. In the men’s 100, Chip ran a good race finishing a close second.
When they called the 3200, I went to check in for the 200 meters. I drew lane 6 and proceeded to the start area. I would be racing Chip and Steven Beck among other. The mood was completely different than the feel-good discus competition and the rather easy-going long jump. These guys were focused, quiet and intense. I wanted to talk but no one else did. I tried to start a conversation with Chip but he ignored me so I did my warm up. Probably better idea than talking any way.
Well now by achilles was really a threat to blow on this event. I seriously considered scratching but decided I’d run and just pull up if it was just too much. I could barely stand to be on my toes though and knew all I could do was try to go under 30 seconds which I thought I could do at 95-98% effort.
The event was called and I was in the first heat. I got my blocks and realized I had grabbed two left pedals (the blocks required unique left and right pedals) I held up the field as I chased down the right pedal. I had to hurriedly get set up and hadn’t had time to get my mind set.
But I’d run the race in my head over the past couple of days. I’d go out hard for 40 meters, float the turn, kick back in coming into the straight away for 20 meters then cruise-control the remainder. I’d read that’s the way to do it. So why not?
I couldn’t do my two plyo jumps on “take your marks” because of my achilles. I backed into the blocks. Seemed ok. A quick “set”. Gun! Grab the fly, stay low, hard to the turn, hard! Ok. Float… Chip and Steven blew by me on the curve. Well that’s ok, I thought, catch them in the end. I came out of the float and had no kick. Couldn’t risk it and I had not practiced it. Chip was already 15 meters up and Steven 10. Cruise control (whatever that was). They continued to gain a little more but not much. I couldn’t see anyone else gaining on me so I shut down a couple percent then totally hit the wall 10-15 meters from the end but pushed through in third place. Chip and Steven were doubled over longer than me – no doubt they’d given 100% to my 95% – what a mother fucker, I said to Steven. He agreed. I congratulated them both and the other runners. I got my time.
My goal was a sub 30 sec. I ran 29.27. Good run! And my tendon was still attached.
On the walk back to our gear I talked to Chip about the race and told him how he’d blown me away on the curve. HE SAID the race is won on the curve. You have to go all out then go into cruise. Next time I might try that.
Afterwards I picked up my two medals and had a nice conversation with a female runner with the Sac club – great girl – not one of the two sprinters I’d mentioned earlier – but a sweetheart and pretty hot in her own right. The totally hot gal – she was eyeing my from a near distance. Well, maybe she was.
Talked to Chip quite awhile afterwards – a great competitor – kind of a hard ass about it but I like that. Very much like many of the men I’ve competed with and against in baseball. Yes, Chip Crowl is ok by me.
Then I talked to Randy for a long time about a lot of stuff. I think we will be friends for some time.
Finally I went to my car, phoned my wife and cut out to catch the last half of my daughter’s soccer game in Pleasanton. They tied 2-2. A great day and I reached my goal on 2 of the 3 events and was close enough on the long jump to be satisfied. I know if I continue with my training and am able to rehab my Achilles I can reach the goals I’ve set for the Pentathlon competition at the Nationals in July. Those numbers again: Long Jump – 15 feet; Javelin – 40 meters (this is a stretch); 200 meters – 28 seconds; Discus – 35 meters; 1500 meters – 6 mins flat.
Go fat man!
Living with Pentathlon Madness 