April, 2007
April, 2007
Teammates & Friends:
What a way to end the Indoor Season! The Reggie Lewis Center was filled with more Mass Velocity teammates than
ever before and the performances of a great many, some watched by hundreds and others competing in relative obscurity,
enabled MVTC to take third place in club scoring. Let's put this into perspective. I've claimed that Mass Velocity
is the "fastest growing Masters track club in the US." At the 2005 Indoor Nationals we hadn't yet made
the transition from "virtual" club to an actual USATF club. Starting out just as a way for a handful
of sprinters to stay in touch via the Internet, Mass Velocity TC made it's first official debut at the 2005 Penn
Relays with one hastily put together team wearing homemade singlets. The following year we had more Masters relays
entered than any other club. By the 2006 Indoor Nationals Mass Velocity had secured 11th place out of 91 scoring
clubs. This year the Big Red Machine took home the third place trophy. Not an excuse, but we accomplished this
while we were hard hit by injuries. What other club in USATF history can point to such a meteoric rise? And we're
not finished yet!
In this newsletter I have some extended coverage of the Masters Indoor Nationals. The imbedded streaming videos
will run best with a fast broadband connection. I have also borrowed some of the sample images from PrettySporty.com.
Cheryl did a magnificent job getting great shots under less-than-perfect lighting conditions and I encourage any
of you who admire photos of yourselves to patronize her.
Mary
Roman - set a new American Record in the W70 Super
Weight.
Bob
Matteson - scores more points for the team than anyone else (scoring
in the 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 3000m) and in the process sets a new American Record for the M90 200m.
James
Morton - makes USATF headline news with his commanding win in the M50 800m. Perhaps even more exciting was the 400m where
James got boxed in down the stretch resulting in a two man tumble at the finish.
Roger
Pierce - Watch the video if you want to see Roger will himself
across the finish line in first place. It was simply his sheer determination to win and a dip across the finish
line that landed Roger on his back.
Susan
Wiemer - Competing in the Pentathlon on Friday, Susan took first
place in W40. A fantastic all-around athlete.
Brian
Rowles - Surprised himself and all his family that came to watch
by taking first in the M40 Triple Jump and third in Long Jump.
Brady
Mayer - Took second in the M50 Triple Jump.
Carroll
Blake - finished fourth in the M55 200m finals which included
Bill Collins and Charlie Allie.
Cochise
McBride - finished fourth in the M50 finals in the 200m.
Gail
Johns-Rees - edges out 3 SoCal runners to take
first in the W50 400m and second in the 200m
So many other people were responsible for scoring points with 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes, in multiple events
and on relays. I hope I haven't left out anyone. If I did, please let me know and I will make sure to give credit
in a mid-month missive.
Team Scores
Combined Team Scores
==============================================
Pl Team Points
==============================================
1 So Cal Track - Fleet Feet 397
2 Florida Athletic Club, Inc. 268
3 Mass Velocity Track Club 209
4 Potomac Valley Track Club 182
5 Nike Central Park Track Club 139
6 Houston Elite 128
7 Athena Track 126
8 Atlanta Track Club 120
9 Philadelphia Masters 112.50
10 Golden West Athletics Club 77
11 Shore Athletic Club of New Jersey 76
12 Long & Strong Throwers 65
13 Midwest Master 62
14 So. Calif. Striders T.C. 58
15 Greater Boston Track Club 55
16 New England 65 + Runners Club 43
17 Southwest Sprinters Track Club 39
18 Adirondack AC 36
19 Over The Hill TC 35
20 Green Mountain Athletic Association 34
21 Boston Athletic Association 33
21 Bohemia Track Club 33
23 Speed Athletics 32
23 NY Master Sports Club 32
25 Genesee Valley Harriers 28
26 Syracuse Chargers Track Club 26
27 Maryland Masters Track Club 25
27 GCS Triad Racing Team 25
29 Colorado Masters Throwers Association 24
29 Northport Running Club 24
31 Liberty Athletic Club 22
31 Portland Masters Track Club 22
33 Club Northwest 20
34 New England Walkers 19
34 Merrimack Valley Striders 19
36 Front Line Racing Team 18
36 East Islip Track Club 18
38 Carrboro Athletics Club 16
38 Greater Long Island Running Club 16
38 U.S. Marine Corps 16
38 Pike Creek Valley Running Club 16
42 Hammer Idaho 15
43 North Jersey Masters Track & Field 14
43 Raritan Valley Road Runners 14
43 Dirigo R.C. 14
43 Western Pennsylvania Track Club 14
43 Vision Elite Track Club 14
43 Badgerland Striders, Inc. 14
43 Ric Rojas Running 14
50 Baylor Elder Age Runners (BEAR) 13
50 The Finger Lakes Runners Club 13
50 Whirlaway Racing Team 13
53 Philadelphia Athletic Charities 11
53 Sprint Force America Inc. 11
55 Arizona Flames Track Club 9
55 Bozeman Track Club 9
57 Vault High Athletics 8
57 Central Florida Walkers 8
57 LeMans Track Club 8
57 University of Chicago Track Club 8
57 Pacific Racewalkers Org (PRO) 8
57 Oregon Track Club Masters 8
57 Mj0lnir Connecticut Track Club 8
57 Bell Athletics 8
57 Walk USA 8
57 Parkside Athletic Club 8
67 Run N Fun 7
68 Checkers Athletic Club 6
68 Island Jumpers 6
68 St. Louis Track Club 6
68 Pacific Striders 6
68 Greater Springfield Harriers 6
68 Santa Cruz Track Club 6
74 Westchester Track Club 5
75 Brooks - Fleet Feet Racing 3
75 Christ Life Track Club 3
75 Sneaker Factory Road Racers 3
75 The Running Company 3
75 Winners Circle Running Club 3
75 The Woodlands Pole Vault Club 3
75 Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club 3
82 Texas Track and Field Club 2
83 Colorado Springs Striders Track Club 1
83 Carolina Godiva Track Club 1
Streaming Videos
[The Playlist will pop-up automatically and other videos can be
selected by clicking on the playlist]
[NOTE: Very Fast Broadband Connection
Recommended for Best Performance]
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In
many ways I feel blessed to be able to run. When I committed myself to the surgery in the fall of 2005, I only
hoped that I would be able to compete again. I had, in fact, researched one athlete who had competed in downhill
skiing after liver transplantation. I had hope and desire, but lots of uncertainty.
It was Larry who asked me after my first post surgery race- a 59.6 in the 400 at Smith College in March of 2006
- whether I was interested in joining Mass Velocity and running in the Penn Relays. My immediate response was,
"Do you think I can do it?" Larry said, "Yeah, you have a month to get ready." Several of
us laughed recently because I showed up at Penn with a sore calf (probably from pushing to hard to get ready),
very little confidence, and no races under my belt. Larry and I kept it a secret that my last race was a 59.6.
My point is that Larry encouraged me to join Mass Velocity and gave me cause to believe I could compete again.
I can't say enough about our teammates. What a great group of men and women! The caring and commitment we have
for one another is heartwarming. We are truly lucky to be members of Mass Velocity and to have each other as friends
and teammates.
I want to especially thank Carroll and Roger. In particular, our team owes a debt of gratitude to Carroll for
marshaling our Tuesday night workouts; he got us into great shape for the indoor season, while also keeping us
injury free by providing workouts and leadership that made sense. As for Roger, he is our spiritual leader; he
leads by example and through fellowship. He always provides sound advice at just the right time.
As a result of the leadership on our team, we had a fabulous indoor season. We ran well, built relationships among
ourselves and with other athletes, succeeded in putting our team on the map.
To those of you who were not among us because of injuries, please heel quickly - we miss you!
See you under the sky and against the wind - the outdoor season is upon us. . .
Run fast, run free, but not far.
"Thanks Larry. From nothing to this Great club that you created.
What a weekend it was. Watching was as much of a thrill as competing! I am a little sore today after having
run the 400, 200, 800, and 4x400. I was glad to be a part of it, especially rooting on all the members of MVTC
on the track and in the field events." - Dave
Neumann
"I am very happy to be part of this team. I thoroughly enjoyed myself
participating with the team at the Nationals this past weekend. I was especially impressed by James’ performance
in the 800. I know he was disappointed with his 400, but he more than made up for it with his incredible run in
the 800. When I saw him burst out right from the start of the 800 and quickly opened up a huge lead on the pack,
I was concerned that he might be going out too fast. Having never seen him run an 800, I thought he could be making
a rather sizable mistake. But Roger assured me that James knew the 800 well. So I watched in awe (and yelled
encouragements) as he blew away the field and won the national championship event by more than 30 meters! That’s
a lot of ground for an 800 meter run against the best runners in the country. I also enjoyed running in my first
4x400 meter relay since high school. That was a treat. I’m looking forward to the outdoor season." - Eric Bucher
"Congrats on the teams 3rd place finish. That is awesome!!!! Even
though I'm not a Mass Velocity member you guys make me feel like I'm part of the family with all your support and
friendliness. That's what makes this sport so great. Once again congrats and see you guys soon." - Steve Penney
"No wonder Morton can kick my ass in the 400. He only has to carry
around half a liver, and I have to haul my whole fat liver all the way round the damn track." - Mike Fortunato
"Larry, Thanks for the info I get from you. Since I am going to participate
in the European Indoor Championship in Helsinki/Finland the same weekend you will probably compete in Boston, I
won't see you and your club members. I would like to offer three seats in my car for a trip to Louisville/KY
for the Nat. Sen. Games in early July. I would like to leave June 29th and return right after the Games. I would
love if there is anybody who would like to join me. Take care," - Hillen
von Maltzahn
Just as they promised, the M70 quartet of Larry Colbert, Richard Rizzo,
the Rev. Dick Camp
and Robert Lida smoked the world indoor record in the 800-meter relay, clocking 1:54.05 to shatter the listed record
of 1:58.71 set by a German national team at the 2004 world masters indoor championships in Sindelfingen, Germany
(not Linz in 2006 as previously stated). A source offers these details on the record run Saturday at the Armory
track in New York City: "The team made wise decision leading off with the always dependable Larry Colbert.
Larry executed the first 200 with real finesse and totally set his team up for the record. The baton was passed
to Richard Rizzo and he ran flawlessly. The crowd now was standing and cheering as they could not believe these
men were 70 years of age and moving at the speed they were. Many of the younger athletes, this was an open meet
as well, really had no idea that true sprinting was possible at an advanced age."
My source continues:
I heard more than a few remarks about great form and consequent execution. Rizzo handed the baton to Rev. Dick Camp who ran like
a man on a mission -- eating up the Mondo track at the Armory with his great strides; it was a great sight to witness.
Camp handed off to anchor man Bob Lida and the record was well in hand. We athletes who know Bob Lida knew what
to expect, but the crowd sure did not. Lida flew through the last 200 and brought the baton in 4.66 seconds under
the existing record.
I have been watching track races for 44 years now and this was one I will remember. These men exemplify the best
of track and field. They run without ego and bravado and are more focused on team accomplishment than personal
glory. Today was a day I was proud to be a masters track and field athlete.
Tucker Taft writes "Last call for those interested
in participating at the Penn Relays April 27th! Please reply as soon as possible if you think you might be interested,
on either a 4x100 or a 4x400 team. We are putting together teams in the 40+, 50+, and 60+ categories, and we can
put up multiple teams in each category. However, entry forms are due in a couple of days, so if you are potentially
interested, please get your name in! I can pass it on to the appropriate "captain" (Dave Neumann for
40+, and Warren Graff for 60+) if you just reply below.
For those interested in the Penn Relays, and anyone looking for an early springtime meet, there is a meet at the
Dedham campus of Northeastern next Saturday. They have both a 4x100 and a 4x400 relay, so it is a good chance
to practice our baton passing, etc." [See Link Below]
Help Nominate the 2007 Master Athletes of the Year so they can receive their awards at the Outdoor Nationals banquet in Orono this summer. Read the full story at Ken Stone's Blog. I think Mass Velocity has more than a few deserving candidates, so please make your feelings known.
If anyone, especially anyone on a winning relay team did not receive their medal, please contact Larry and I will arrange to get it to you.
I hope this newsletter
captures some of the thrill and excitement and the fun and camaraderie that was the 2007 Masters Indoor Nationals.
I have to admit that not in my wildest dreams did I ever envision that I could have a hand in creating such a
track club as we have become. That one lap we all took with banner in hand - at the insistence of and through
the organization of John Oleski - was the most enjoyable 200 meters I have run in a long time.
We
are in the process of adding new members, many of whom are coming on board because of our promotion at the Nationals
or because they want to become part of a team that cares about one another or as it was put at the end of this
e-mail "By the way I love your red Speed
Suits."
Now
it's time for an official nickname. It might be "The Big Red Machine" or "The Red Tide" or
.... be creative. [Note to Mike Fortunato - keep it clean!]. Send in suggestions or just tell me when you see
me out on the track. I hope those with injuries heal soon so we can all run fast, not far.
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