Nationals Week(end)

Sunday, July 31--

Saturday, July 30--My race was at 1:55. I had a solid breakfast and spent the late morning just relaxing in the shade with teammates who were also scheduled to compete in the 800. I went to the clerking area upon arrival to "declare" that I would run the race. I warmed up and stretched a bit from 12-12:30 and then again from 12:55-1:25 before having to report for race check-in at 1:30. I warmed up in pretty comfortable conditions, running in the shade for most of the time and on Baldwin-Wallace College's indoor track across the street. What was unusual, though, was my warm-up pace; I felt like I was going in slow motion. I don't know whether I was just unconscously trying to conserve energy, but I must've been warming up at 10:00 pace. I didn't feel a pop in my hop or pep in my step.

For the 800, we started in lanes. I got out okay and broke at the turn, finding myself in 2nd place behind Kyle Lanier, who prior to the race told me to win it. I surged ahead and found myself in the lead at the 150 mark. At the 300 mark, I heard my son say 43-44. I was then passed by Kyle and another, younger guy. At the 400, I saw 60-61 flow across the timer. I felt myself go a little flat, as I got passed again. I then tried to pick it up on the back stretch, passing Kyle. I cut into lane 1 with 200 to go, but felt myself having a hard time holding on. I figured I had hit the 600 mark in 1:32. Kyle went passed me on the outside with 150 meters to go, as did Andrew from Central Park Running Club. The last 100 was a bit slow, as I lost nearly 2 seconds on Kyle and 3 on Andrew, not to mention the other two guys. So, I was disappointed as I felt I had trained to be able to run faster than 2:06.14 (2:05.9). I knew that breaking 2:00 would be next to impossible, but I did feel that 2:02 was within reach.

To make matters worse, I was approached for random drug testing by the USATF as part of their anti-doping campaign. I was told that my place and time had been randomly selected. Coincidentally, I had just read the information USATF had placed on the website reminding people about random testing. There is nothing like finishing a bad race in 90-degree heat, being dead tired, and having someone tell you that after you cool down you'll have to come with him. I was able to get out of the harsh sun, take off my spikes, slow-jog a little and say hello to my family before I was taken away, all the while being watched like hawk by the gentleman. In fact, he told me not to worry and to take my time because he had to keep me in sight the whole time. As we neared the tent, I was asked to sign acknowledging my "rights" or something of that nature. I did. I had to place my water on the ground as I did so, because the guy told me he was not allowed to hold it for me. Figures as much! When I got to the tent, there was another "victim," a 40-year old woman who was with her daughter and who had just run the 800 as well. I sat there with several anti-doping officials and had pleasant conversation for some 30 minutes, all the while drinking what seemed to be gallons of Gatorade. I learned that the woman had gone to William & Mary, had ties to the Philadelphia area, had recently relocated to Tennessee and, most impressive, had run 2:10 moments ago. I learned that two of the testers--I'll call them--had ties to PA--Penn State University and West Chester University. One even lives in Manayunk. I was in good company. After quite a while, I signaled that I was ready to fill the cup. I was escorted to the port-a-potty, where the gentleman proceeded to tell me how to use the cup. When I was ready, I generated body language that read, "Okay. You can leave now. I'm good." To this he said, he had to be in the room. I said OK. I then turned to fill the cup. He then mentioned that he had to watch. Rather than turn away from the commode I stood where I was. The gentleman then made his way around to ensure fidelity. I did not take it personally or feel humiliated. He was doing his job, and I guess I had to do mine.

The 1500 was even worse than the 800, but at least there weren't any port-a-potty heroics. I think I psyched myself out of the race. And my family knew it; it was the first thing they said after I finished. I got out comfortably and found myself in the middle of the pack of 7 at the 400 in 68 seconds. I continued to 2:18 at the 800, but I felt myself losing ground and leaving the race mentally. I saw 3:19-3:20 with 1 lap to go. I had very little left, and I wasn't sure if I even cared. I heard what seemed like pleas for me to kick it in or just finish the darn race. I guess it was just that ugly. I finished up at 4:36, the last lap being a jog of about 76 seconds. So, I ran the first 800 in 2:18 and the second 700 in 2:18. What a stinker!

The 4x800 was fun, though. I ran the second leg. I got the baton from Chuck and saw that Neil from our team was nearly 100 meters away and the TNT runner was about 20 meters away. I caught the TNT guy at the 150 mark, as I went out fairly aggressively. I then settled down. I could feel he was still trying to hang on to me. I didn't know for certain how fast I was going but I was hoping I was moving well. I felt myself making up ground on Neil, but by the time I got to the 500 meter mark I knew it would be impossible to catch him. I did make up some 25-30 meters though, most of which was probably in the first 500. I handed off to Carl Stocking, who is close to Chuck's age and who had kindly come out to Ohio just to do the relay! He had planned to run other events but work commitments nabbed him. Carl ran a good race. In all fairness, he, like Chuck, was running in the younger age group--30s and 40s. We lost some ground but John Goldthorpe made some of it up. We beat TNT with John's 2:10-2:11 split. I apparently ran in the 2:08-2:09 ballpark.

Despite my farcical races, overall the trip was worth it. Washington, DC., colleges in Ohio, peeking at the Browns training camp, the NFL Hall of Fame, family time.


Friday, July 29--Went to track at just before 7AM to check out the track, warm up, and do some strides. I also registered for the meet and whatnot. Visited Kenyon College in the morning and Dennison University in the afternoon.

Thursday, July 28--en route to Ohio.... Stopped to visit Oberlin College. It was during the information session at Oberlin that I realized I had forgotten my team singlet. Oh smack! Arrived at hotel in Middleburg Heights/Berea. Went to track area, but it was storming. Came back to hotel and did a couple on the treadmill while watching Denzel Washington's "The Bone Collector." I had dinner at Damon's with several teammates and two others, Andrew Hogue and Tom Fitzpatrick from Central Park Running Club.

Wednesday, July 27--Off to DC. In the late afternoon, I wound up doing 5.5 in and around the National Mall with my son, whom I had tack on an additional 1.25 mi. Easy pace at or just under 8:00.