Reflections and Fragments

Reflecting on my time in Charlotte
The races rattle around in my memory as if they are ghosts of a time past
A fragmented glimpse of a finish line or a spectator smiling and waving
Friends and handshakes
A moment of laughter
Periods of reflection and friendship
Staring down the track before the start, knowing show time had arrived
Shared meals and smiles
Fatigue and welcomed showers
A brown eyed girl with video camera at the ready
Heat, sweat and exhaustion moving athletes, officials and spectators perilously near dehydration.
The starter’s commands and the crack of the starter’s pistol
Medals hung from ribbons that dangled around smiling faces
Ascending the medal platform barely suppressing a smile
Hung heads and brave smiles of the others
Lightning storms and mass crowd retreat to the safety of a parking garage
Distance runners struggling in suffocating heat
Staggering displays of speed and athleticism
Brightly colored racing uniforms
Crowds of athletes anxiously waiting for the official posting of times and results
Igloo coolers of Gatorade and water too quickly emptied
Crowded tents; people seeking protection from the sun and hell-like heat
Rude and inconsiderate race officials
False starts
Clean starts
Valiantly chasing my coach, the World Record holder in my two finals races
Handing the baton (with a gigantic lead) to the same speed king described above in the 4x100 relay and watching him sail to gold
My name being called throughout a prelim race by legendary announcer Peter Taylor
Friends in the stands calling my name after a race
Smile meeting smile
Challenges survived
Goals achieved
Success granted to some
Success denied to many
A cooling breeze too quickly gone
Hotter than hell heat too long persistent
Long cool showers in the hotel
Sweat soaked, wet racing clothes
Sleepless nights as competition loomed the next day
Dinner, smiles and laughs with friends
A remarkable restaurant in downtown Charlotte
The sad face of a very tired Brown Eyed Girl whose feelings I callously hurt
The returning smile of Brown Eyed Girl after I apologized, something I learned from my female blog friends
Coming back to all of you and your tequila bottles and swimsuits
I hope you had as good time as I did
Let’s do it again, except for hurting feelings

In one of those odd twists that happens sometimes, I got both a laugh and a little disappointed when I saw my name in a USA Track and Field press release during the weekend. The story was about my coach and friend, the legendary Bill Collins. In the article you will see that they describe me in a less than flattering way. This, despite the fact that I just proved I was the second fastest 200 meter runner my age in the US, losing only to the man that has run this distance faster that anyone our age in the history of the danged world! (Which is a long time). Yes, the runner-up mentioned in the story is none other than your blog friend Seven. Oh well, better to be a tardy 2^nd than a distant 3^rd.

If you would like to see the race described in the press release, I have placed the video here.

Below is a photo taken during the race somewhere around the 130 meter mark of the 200 meter race. World Record holder Bill Collins leads and teammate 7 chases from behind (same uniform) and would eventually earn the silver medal. Everyone in the race is between the ages of 55 and 59.

In the 100 meters I earned the bronze finishing behind Bill and the current World Champion Marion McCoy.

Teaming up with Bill and Houston Elite teammates Mark 'White Lightning' Hastings and Charles Allie, I managed to come home with gold in the 4x100. So there you have it…a trifecta, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

In a closing note to all the above I would like to thank Lynilu. She wished the spirit of Mercury to enter my body. And Lynilu, I want you to know that I actually affirmed your image while waiting in the blocks for the start of the 200 meter final. If you watch the video you might see Mr. Mercury himself slip inside. What a wonderful affirmation.

I owe you one.