For now, I will accept these season bests.

4/21--meet at Widener.

My daughter and I made our way to Widener, arriving at about 11:50 for a 1:05 race--the 400m.  (The 400s race wound up starting at about 12:50.)  The day was pretty mild, partly sunning and in the early 70s with a slight wind.  I warmed up but felt a little tight.   I just kept at it until I could feel some of the tightness subside.  I was assigned lane 6 in heat 4 of 5.  Initially, it appeared that I would be in the outside lane by my lonesome but, as it turned out, there was someone in lane 7.  So, I believe lanes 2-7 were occupied.  Like all the other guys, I used starting blocks.  When I got down into my blocks, I heard a voice say that I wasn't ready for this race, that it just didn't feel right.  (I wasn't particularly nervous or excited.)  Then, I decided on a race plan: relax during the first 200, let the guy in lane 6 pull me through the 200, and do not lose ground on anyone--even those I could not see in lanes 2-5.  The gun went off.  I got out reasonably well.  I ran the backstretch relaxed; the plan was working.  I got to the 200 mark and started my push.  I ran the 3rd 100 "hard," which probably means I maintained my same pace.  I came off the turn tied for 1st.  I tried to get my knees up but it wasn't working so well.  I broke down with 50 meters to go.  By this point, I lost my lead to one guy. I was passed by a second guy and a third pulled nearly even with me.  I held him off and ran 53.71 to his 53.72.  I outleaned him.  Oh yeah--I had decided to wear my old spikes.  They're now my lucky old spikes!

After I cooled down, I relaxed for the next hour or so and then transitioned into my preparation for the 200, which was scheduled for 3:15.  Again, the meet was running ahead of schedule.  The warm-up for the 200 was unremarkable.  I felt pretty good and confident.  I was assigned lane 3 of heat 4 of 5.  Lanes 1 and 2 were scratches.  The other lanes were filled.  I decided going into the race that I would relax on the turn and then get my legs up going into the straightaway.  This was the plan as long as I didn't lose ground on the turn. This plan worked reasonably well, but in retrospect I slept on the turn.  I could've run it more aggressively and still accomplished my goal of getting my knees up and relaxing on the straight.  I came off the turn tied for third and blew by the guy on my outside when I hit the straightaway.  I couldn't quite catch the others as I ended my campaign in 24.72.  This could've been a faster race.  (TNT runner Kyle Lanier confidently declared that I'd break the 24-second barrier.)  Perhaps in due time.  For now, I will accept these season bests.