February, 2007

Teammates & Friends:

I tried to cover the mid-January meets with some mid-month missives so we could concentrate on Mass Velocity's first-ever appearance at the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden in this Newsletter.

By now many of you have heard about or have seen the Millrose results on-line. Many times the results are all you need to see but in this instance, there is a lot more to the story.

Please take the time to read all the perspectives and commentary. You'll be proud you're a member of a great track club. All the details are below, so let's get to it.

Frank Garufi - from Glastonbury, CT. "I just sent a dues payment to join Mass Velocity Track Club. I have been running for many years; used to do mid-distance road races, but haven't done any road races in a few years. Right knee pain has limited my running distances. When I decided that I would like to give sprints a try, I did some Google searches, Mass Velocity's web site showed up and was the nearest club that seems to specialize in sprints. I have never run sprints on a track but am interested in giving it a shot."

John Huth - from Newton, MA. "I'm fairly good friends with the NS track coaches. The guy who volunteers to coach hurdles gave me your card. I'd been saying that I saw guys at the Penn relays running the 50 and older 100m, and was wondering if I could get into shape to do something like that."

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"Larry - great photos and videos, and I laughed hard over your commentary regarding Souppa and Taft - not even Charlie could have expressed it better! - Warren Graff"

"Nice job Larry (with the Dartmouth Relays photo essay). It certainly reflects how much fun we have. - Kim Williams"

"Not having sprinted in over 28 years, I tore my calf last spring trying to train for outdoor season. I was wondering if you can suggest any MV member that I might be able to speak to/email, or book to read, regarding the proper progression of training to best avoid further injury. Thanks, Dan Maloney"

"Hi Larry; Lots going on. Chronic back problems prevent me from participating in sprinting activities – it just gets worse slowly. My back started hurting my final year of competing to the point where I could not really work out as I had been, and after each meet, I was in pain for two days. The funny thing is that I can do distance running without any problem, and can even throw the javelin without much long-lasting effects. I threw the javelin all of last summer but only did distance training after that. The previous winter, I did no sprinting training but only competed at Dartmouth and did pretty well. Maybe I can compete again but without any training. We’ll see. In any even, I am not “disabled” so I am happy to work out at the gym and do some 3-5 mile runs during the nice weather. Not sure if I want to remain a member, but for now, please keep me in the database with this new address. I hope to see you again at some point. - Lou Ronsivalli, Salem, NH"

"I want to wish every one good luck and success. I am still doing therapy for my torn meniscus. I hope I will be able to compete at the Prince George Championship in February. Maybe only the throwing events and give the knee another months rest before the Boston meet. Somehow we have to get more Connecticut members so that I have someone to train with. - Mary Roman"

"In December I competed in the Florida Championships and finished first in the 100 and 200, and third in the discus. I am now in the 70 year old age division, but I did not improve on my times from earlier in the year. I hope to run at Dartmouth. - Dick Camp"

"It was our pleasure (helping our 4x4 team by putting together a GBTC relay to run against). Cahill and I often talk about our running in the decades to come, and your group is always inspiring. I hope Millrose works out, that's a good team. Keep 'em healthy! I enjoyed reading through the newsletter, it is very nice." - Dave Callum, GBTC

"I know we have a lot of MVTC runners not on the list yet. http://www.mastersrankings.com/ . Some of it gets pick up automatically, but not all meets ask for your age, so some manually intervention is needed." - Bob Pomeroy

The USATF-New England Indoor Championships, which includes Masters-Only Championship Events in the 60m, 200m 800m, Weight and Long Jump will be held on Sunday, February 18th at the Gordon Track at Harvard University.

Entry deadline is 2/16/2007. No on-line registration, Entry Form must be mailed in.

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Okay, let's get to the

The longest-running sporting event held at one of the world’s great venues, Madison Square Garden

[from USA Today] "Widely considered the most prestigious indoor invitational track and field meet in the world, Millrose has been through three Madison Square Gardens, two world wars, and one Great Depression. The timing of events has progressed from judges with stopwatches to fully automatic electronics, the constant being that officials still wear tuxedos. Above all, Millrose has survived the demise of a once vibrant indoor circuit that the USA monopolized." It's been called "part track meet, part circus and part social event."

The bib that each relay team member wore:

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Lessons Learned:
Memoirs of a Millrose Athletic Supporter
by Larry Libow


Millrose pass worn
by "Coach Larry"

Roger, Carroll and I are walking out of the parking garage directly across the street from the Garden, on 33rd Street. Few things went as planned or expected, but the travel arrangements I made with Roger and Carroll to rendezvous in Connecticut and our arrival in NYC went like clockwork and was better than expected. Just about nothing else was!

As is well documented, Mass Velocity was able to put together a quality 40+ relay team and get a certifiable FAT time that was good enough to get an invite to run at Millrose only weeks before the entry deadline. We could submit our relay plus name 2 alternates, all with 2007 USATF membership certification - and we did.

In the weeks leading up to Feb 2nd's Millrose Games we were told that the relay entry materials would be mailed to each team coach. No one seemed to know how many athlete passes would be in the packet so we didn't know if one or both alternates could get in or if the coach (that would be me) could get in as well. We knew there were discounted tickets available but everyone kept holding off on buying them while we waited for the packet to arrive. With only days to go, there was still no packet and our contacts at Millrose (Jim Reilly for the men and Mary Rosado, Millrose masters coordinator) had not communicated anything. On the Wednesday afternoon before the Friday meet, I received a call from Jim Reilly who informed me the packets were not mailed out and I was to meet him outside the Garden on 33rd Street where he would give me 5 passes.

So as we walked out of the parking garage on 33rd Street I got a call from Reilly telling me to get our packet at the Affinia Hotel at 31st and Seventh. With 4 athlete passes and one for "Athlete Support" (that would be me and hence the title of this memoir), I made calls to everyone coming by train, plane and automobile (literally) and gathered them in the hotel lobby. Everyone made it to the hotel but unfortunately a difficult decision had to be made.

Mike Needham, who joined us in NY, was not feeling well and felt he couldn't perform at his best. A decision needed to be made whether Carroll Blake or Ian Smith, both of whom were there, would run as alternate. Although prepared to, I asked to be relieved of making the choice and after everyone discussed the situation, the four original members of the relay took a ballot and decided that Carroll would run. The unselfishness of Mike for coming to the Garden and deciding that, for the good of the team, he should bow out and of Ian to make a plane flight in and out for a chance to run if called upon, must be recognized and applauded. I cannot overemphasize that to come so far, to get so near and to not compete is a tremendous testament to their commitment to the team and the Mass Velocity Track Club.

From the hotel we all made our way to an entrance on 31st and 8th Avenue where everyone from grade school and high school teams to college and masters teams waited to be let inside. When the doors opened everyone had to go past security where passes and bags were checked. From there, the same crowd that was milling around outside, now milled around inside waiting for permission to go upstairs to the warm-up area.

[Note: terrorists are advised not to read any further.] While some of us were inside the lobby, three of us were left out on the street with no passes. The plan was for me to get inside and then sneak 3 of our passes out to them. In a worst-case scenario they would end up buying tickets at the box office. But a member of our team (who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons) opened a door to the outside and ushered the three inside and to the left, past security, where they now waited with the throng until we were let upstairs. From that point on, no one looked at or cared about the passes and Roger, Ian and Mike headed into the seating area where we would meet up with them after our event.

While the team changed into their uniforms and started warming up, I went over to the check-in clerk who asked for the relay entry form. "It was in the packet of material that was mailed to you," the clerk in a tuxedo told me. Of course, the packet wasn't mailed and the multi-part form was not in the packet I had just picked up. I found a form, fought for a pen and now we were officially entered to compete.

I was told that in previous years athletes were allowed onto the Garden track to get a feel for short straight-aways and very narrow turns on the 4-lane, 160 meter track. Not this year! Competitors were given a 50 meter piece of carpeting to run on in the warm-up area. Our guys had no idea what the track was like until they stepped on it to run. Of the 6 mens' masters relays, we were the only team that had not been at Millrose last year and I think our inexperience showed.

The other teams were damn good and our team just couldn't quite figure out the stride for the track or how to pace themselves on this crazy oval where it was impossible to judge how far it was to the next passing zone. I heard one of the ESPN commentators say that the Millrose track adds between 2-2.5 seconds to any runner's 400m time. If that's the case, I would argue that our Millrose time of 3:46.58 would have been a 3:38.00 or better on any other track and that everyone's splits were much better than they appeared to be.

We went in with high hopes and a 6th place finish was totally unexpected. I know that Carroll Blake, Dave Neumann, Terrence Haynes and James Morton gave it their all. They took the results with good spirits. I'm sure they enjoyed their brief moment on the floor of Madison Square Garden running in the historic 100th Millrose Games as the honor and privilege it was. They are not newbies anymore and will be much better prepared for the 101st Millrose Games, as will I.

It's safe to say that the MVTC 4x400 relay that competed at the 100th Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden came up short. But what a thrill.

The qualification standard had been set high, yet the team had met this standard with an
excellent relay time in late December. Some of the members had worked out hard
together at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston throughout January.

Making the trip to NYC were the original four relay members (Mike, James, Terrence, Dave),
two excellent alternates, Carol and Ian, plus Roger, and Larry, without whose tireless behind-the-scenes efforts we would not have run in the first place

All attendees met in the lobby of the Affinia hotel, across the street from the Garden. Two days before the trip, we learned that Mike was ill and did not feel well enough to run.
That left the team with the very difficult decision of choosing the alternate who would.
With less than two hours before race time, a choice had to be made and everyone present had a chance to weigh in. Many factors were considered but with little time to spare,
Carol was the unanimous decision.

Ian Smith, the other alternate, had recently joined MVTC, and had arrived in NY extremely fit, and with 2006, 400m times better than the rest of us. I want to say that Ian was extremely gracious, especially considering the time and expense he undertook to travel to NY eager to compete. All MVTC members welcome him to this great club, and know without a doubt he will impress us all with his talents and fellowship in the future as an individual and relay member of the MVTC.

Regarding the race: Outside a back entrance to the garden, hundreds and hundreds of coaches and athletes assembled in the cold under gray skies, then were allowed inside to have their bags checked. After more waiting and waiting, the flood gates opened and we were herded into a huge utility area. Athletes of all ages, male and female, began putting on uniforms, pinning on bib numbers, warming up, and trying hard not to crash in to one another.

Meanwhile races were going off. We could hear the announcers and the crowds. The relay squad and Larry had time for one final meeting. Relay order was finalized and strategy discussed. The small track, which we couldn't see, would require 2 and 3/4 laps per 400m leg.

Then a tuxedoed official came into the huge area, chock full of athletes and coaches, shouting. "OK, Masters men 4x4, let's go! NOW! Follow me". We jumped to our feet and followed as he began taking attendance. "All right gentlemen. Grab a basket. Sweats off, let's go. You're next!

Less than 30 seconds later: "OK. Teams. Line up here NOW, in order, leadoff leg first" We could barely see the Garden floor, and a small section of the raised track. Just then, an official appeared screaming, "All right, let's go. Leadoff legs follow me, second legs that way, third and anchor legs this way".

We pushed through the heavy gray curtain and then WOW! The lights, the crowds, the noise, the celebrities, the famous small oval track. It was show time! Within a minute of standing next to the track at our respective relay zone, and having had no opportunity to even run a straight-away or turn, the gun went off.

Our competition was in a word, AWESOME. I'll let Terrence describe their size and speed. And then it was over. In a heartbeat. In the end, we didn't run as well as we had hoped. But we ran. And we finished. A lot of reflecting on the long trip back to NE. Many memories for sure. To all MVTC members, whatever your age and event, keep on training and trying to achieve your goals.

"Mass Velocity is TRULY a band of brothers and sisters."

"Placing one foot on the Madison Square Garden track an hour and half before running the Master's 1600 meter relay isn't quite enough practice time on THAT track!"

"Thanks for EVERYTHING Coach Larry, you were the rose in Millrose."

"Down goes Haynes, down goes Haynes!"

"I can't think of a BETTER bunch of fellas to spend a Friday night in the BIG Apple with!"

"Wow is Gail Devers STILL fast"

"Some of the pro running back sized master's 4x4 runners will be playing in the new National Football Over Forty League next fall..."

"It's a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong drop in the Millrose pole vault!!"

"Maurice Greene WISHES he was as handsome as James Morton!

"Mass Velocity made a name for itself on the biggest stage in indoor track."

Athletes came from miles around -
to run the Oval in New York town;
We gather awaiting our first glances -
of the track and all who gathered;
We shared nervous smiles and curious glances,
as each fleeting moment brought more excitement;
The Mass Velocity crew was present in great numbers,
ready to run in the crowd's thunder;
With a choice to be made,
the 4 x 400 team pondered;
And with care and grace,
a team was offered;
With the seconds ticking toward 6:01,
we busied ourselves with warm-up fun;
As Coach Larry offered last minute instructions,
we steeled our nerves and readied our muscles;
With last minute words of encouragement shared,
the call of "Masters 4 by 4 Men" filled the air;
We grabbed our spikes and moved as commanded,
hoping a casual loop of the oval would follow;
But casual it was not to be,
the race was on by 6:03;
Carroll held his own against their horses;
Dave was steady, demonstrating strength of purpose;
"T" was fast and battled relentless;
And James closed with "mass velocity" conviction;
We came, we ran, and in the end,
we were lucky to have shared this experience as "grown" men!

Special Thanks!

I would like to take the opportunity to extend heart felt thanks to everyone who made this experience possible. Thanks, especially, to Coach Larry who worked tirelessly to get us an opportunity to run. Thanks to Carroll who marshaled our workout in preparation for Millrose; we trained hard and desired to be there. Thanks to Roger for his expertise and special way of keeping things in perspective. Thanks to Mike who put the team first, selecting not to run when challenged by illness. Thanks to Ian who was a true gentleman and someone I am proud to call a teammate. Thanks to Mary Beth (Dave's wife) for the hospitality. In fact, thanks to all the spouses who support our antics. And, lastly, thanks to the horses that ran the race - remember: "we came, we ran, and we did it as 'grown' men."

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Millrose Photos and Video


The relay team of [L-R] Neumann, Morton, Blake & Haynes
in our corner of the high-class, warm-up area


Dave Neumann, Terrence Haynes


Coach Larry wearing all the passes as the team warmed up


James Morton & Carroll Blake

I think you will come to the same realization I have, that years from now we will all look back on the 100th Millrose Games as the time when, in apparent defeat, the Mass Velocity Track Club truly defined itself as a great team. We were beaten but unbowed. You've heard a lot of people thanking lots of other people. This is because our appearance at Millrose was the result of a true team effort both on and off the track.

My thanks goes out to Warren Graff who helped me sort everything out, to Roger Pierce, our "elder statesman" who traveled perhaps further than anyone to support our team and always put things in the proper perspective, to Mike Needham and Ian Smith who made huge personal sacrifices for the team, and for our four guys who literally hit the floor of the Garden running, not knowing what they were getting themselves into - Carroll Blake, Dave Neumann, Terrence Haynes and James Morton. Thank you everyone for this heroic and historic effort!

"Coach"

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