August, 2007
August, 2007
Teammates & Friends:
I want the August Newsletter in your hands before the Outdoor Nationals so we can concentrate on that special meet
in either the September Newsletter or as a Special
Edition Newsletter. There is plenty to cover from
this past month so let's get going.
It's hard to imagine that any of you haven't already seen James Morton on the cover of USATF's Fast Forward, Summer 2007 edition. But for those who might have missed it - here it is.
James isn't the only one getting ink . . . .
The Comeback Kid
Kim Williams writes "Thought you might like to see this article about
Susan Wiemer.
It was in the Portland Press Herald. Good mention of corporate track and Mass Velocity.
click on logo above for article
And Kim Williams herself gets into Prime Magazine along with new Mass Velocity member Ce Shen
Finally, Bob Matteson gets an Orono send-off story
and a write-up in Ken Stone's Masters Track Blog
Faster than the hands of time
Bob Matteson enjoys a laugh during a brief rest period while working
out at Williams College's Weston Field earlier this week.
The 91-year-old masters track champion says there is no big secret to his remarkable athletic achievements at such
an advanced age.
"I'm just a determined S.O.B. who's lucky to have some genetics behind him," says Matteson.
Click
here for the complete article from the Bennington Banner
Robert Miller (M55)
- from
Jefferson, MA "Went
looking for clubs that are not road or distance clubs , found your website. I look forward to being a member. I
have just begun my journey back to competitive running. Like all old jocks I tried to rush the program . I paid
the price with an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined me for two months from the track. I would be anxious to
be able to share other's training regimens and if possible workouts."
John O'Brien
(M55) - from Ballston
Spa, NY
Learn more about both new members by reading
their mini-bios on the Meet
The Mass Velocity Community page on
the MVTC website. Is your mini-bio in need of an update? When was the last time you looked at it? Fill out a new
mini-bio
here.
IT'S A BOY!
Bob Pomeroy and new son, Declan Robert Pomeroy
"We are overjoyed to announced the birth of our first
child, a son:
Declan Robert Pomeroy
Born at 8:06 on Wednesday July 25 at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston.
7 lbs, 5 ounces and 20 inches.
Declan is doing great now despite the drama he created coming into the world. After a difficult delivery, Declan
inhaled meconium in utero and was rushed to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and put on a ventilator. We're
very grateful to have been at such a fantastic hospital (Brigham & Women's) where a full team of incredible
doctors and nurses from their world-class NICU were in the delivery room at the first sign of any trouble.
Declan surprised everyone with his quick recovery. He was taken off the ventilator early the next morning (within
18 hours) and quickly surpassed the doctors' expectations for his progress. He "graduated" to a medium
NICU unit and was taken off oxygen and IVs. Then he immediately began charming all the nurses.
He is coming home today (Monday, 7/30) after 5 days of evaluation. Words can't begin to describe our excitement
over the arrival of our precious new little boy!
Bob and Tiffany"
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter.”
Satchel Paige
"Congrats
to our own James Morton for his front page photo and accompanying article in the summer issue of "Fast Forward",
the official publication of USATF. Way to go James!!" - Dave
Neumann
"Fantastic!
With Congrats." - Gail Johns-Rees
"Wasn't
that something to open the mail and see James in his red MVTC suit on the front cover, then the great story and
additional photos and ink about MVTC as well? It was ALL good! I think I also saw a mention in the article about
James getting married in August? More congrats on the way there too then! Also, sorry I couldn't be there to cheer
but congrats to all of you who participated in the "MVTC Invitational" in Springfield ... otherwise known
as the USATF-NE Masters Championships! Larry, you've created a big red machine indeed. Good luck to those of you
competing in Orono, Maine at the outdoor championships. See some of you at NH (Aug. 12) and ME (Sept. 8) Senior
Games perhaps as well." - Bob Segal
"When viewing James O. on the front of the OFFICIAL USA Track publication,
I say way to go James O. to a great humanitarian--but I must say way to go Coach Larry--because James is decked
out in the Mass Velocity regalia! The great article--and BEAUTIFUL TEAM PICTURE--are results direct and indirect
of your 2005 master's sprint track club vision. You created a club that's gone national, international if you include
Roger, and soon to be Ian. Wow. Mass Velocity is the place to be for the fleet footed middle aged set-- and the
one off 10,000 meters. I'm glad you decided not to put your hat in the '08 presidential election, I KNOW it was
difficult for you! Now we have you all to ourselves. "Ask not what Coach Larry can do for our country, he's
running Mass Velocity and doesn't have the time!"
Thanks, Terrence [editors note - I swear
I didn't put him up to this!]
"Just
a note of thanks for all the support and encouragement each of you have extended to me over the last two year.
My accomplishments on the track can be directly attributed to the support and kind words I have received from many
of you as I have pursued my love of track & field. None of us – humans – do anything alone; our accomplishments
can always be linked to others, and I have been linked to many of you. Let’s keep running, growing and having fun.
With great gratitude," James Morton
"Larry,
Ordered the spiffy red uniform, and am registering online as we email for the NHSenior games. Larry you sound just
like a coach - telling me I look fast - great job, my head can't fit through the door anymore." - Bill Devine
From Lou Ronsivalli -
"Hello all; Just wanted to wish you a happy
summer and provide an update since I last saw many of you at winter track meets nearly two years ago! I have had
terrible back problems for the past couple of years and have been unable to do very much in the way of workouts
beyond a little elliptical machine and jogging without disabling myself.
Unfortunately I started taking ibuprofen on a regular basis which eventually caused all kinds of red flags in my
blood tests regarding liver function and actually prevented me from getting life insurance for quite a while!
After visiting Dr. Rainville at the New England Baptist Spine Center again, I was scheduled for and received a
“facet block” procedure which most people would recognize as a cortisone injection series – it was four shots,
two each to my L4-5 and L3-4 disks. The desired effect is a reduction in pain intensity that would allow me to
perhaps begin some workouts again, and eventually maybe participate in track once more. I am hoping for the best.
They say the workouts are good for my recovery and long-term prognosis.
Meanwhile I continue to work out at Planet Fitness here in Salem NH, and hope for the best (feeling pretty good
today, though I know it is too soon to tell). Also, I look at the pictures and read about what MVTC members have
been doing for the past year or so thanks to Larry's newsletters and e-mails. Look forward to seeing you all again
when this is behind me.
Best regards, Lou"
Becky Connolly
responded - "Hi Lou, I was wondering where you
have been. I'm so sorry to hear about your back. The ibuprofen reaction is very, very scary. Boy, I think most
people would have thrown in the towel after what you've been through. The fact that you are trying to get through
this and finding a way to run again is inspiring. You have a great love for the sport.
I know this will sound hokey and new age, but have you tried acupuncture? I didn't believe in any of that stuff
myself until I tried it. I have suffered some lower back pain myself and it really helped. I know the idea of someone
sticking needles into your back sounds like Voo Doo, but believe me, I felt great after my 1st session. Just a
thought.
Get better Lou . . ."
As did Gail Johns-Rees - "Great to
hear from you Lou! Hope you have the same response to the ‘block’ as my husband has had. Peter had severe back
pain several months ago. He had cortisone injection at Northeast Rehab by a doctor who specializes in pain management.
He's had NO pain since. He was able to resume running and all regular activity within a week or two. Everyone's
issues are different but I'm hoping that you have the same response.
Becky’s suggestion regarding acupuncture is a good option too. I had acupuncture a few years ago for my back and
it helped me enough that I was able to maintain fitness level. My suggestion is to also maintain as much flexibility
as possible. I remember that you were always good about that. I've just ordered a book ‘Stretching for over 50”.
It was recommended by the woman who won the 400M in my age group in Kentucky. Her name is Lorna Forde, former Olympian
from the 70’s. I figure that she probably knows what she's talking about!!
Good to hear from you. Keep us posted."
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Steve Vaitones writes
"Larry, Thanks for providing the help on Saturday. I hope this can become a regular outing, and I'll work
on getting some additional rewards for those who worked."
Kim Williams writes
"I wanted to make a small donation to thank the team for their volunteer help at the meet." [editors note: Thank you Kim (and Warren) for the donation to the Commerce
Track Team Booster Club]
Speaking of which.....
having obtained my USATF Level 1 Certification
I can now officially go by the title of "Coach Larry"
I hope to use the information and training techniques I learned at the Level 1 school to assist us in our training. To that end, I purchased a book from the UK called Training For Master Athletes with the money that was donated to the club by Mike Travers at the Bay State Games. In each of the upcoming Newsletters I intend to devote a section on training tips, nutrition and vitamins, drugs and natural supplements, avoiding injury and recovering from injury. I'd like to get an active forum going so we can easily share all the valuable information we all have obtained through the years.
x
JAMES MORTON:
Beyond Organ Donation and National Champion
The story in Fast Forward might have given you some indication about
the involvement James has with the Springfield community and what a busy person he is. This summer James took on
yet another responsibility as the driving force behind the Springfield Youth Olympics. From the local newspaper:
Springfield Youth Olympics Meet Coordinator
James Morton said that the meet was among the top events that he has been involved with.
"This is one of the best community activities that I've ever seen because of the interactions between the
kids and the parents and the community," Morton said.
Morton said that what was important to him was providing kids with a positive experience that they could share
with their parents as well as promoting track and field and overall health.
I assisted James in any way that I could and I must agree that the two-day event was a grand success. The joy the
kids had running and being on the winners stand, regardless of the order of finish, was absolutely wonderful. Here
are a few shots from the event:
The "Man"
For
All Springfield Youth Olympic Event Photos, Click Here
NJ Championship Meet
When I was on vacation at the shore in New Jersey last week I participated
in the NJ Championship Meet at Monmouth University. It was a beautiful day and it was a real nice surprise to run
into a couple of our teammates (50+) from the Penn Relays including Larry Zwick and Rockdale Hudson. Both Larry
and Rockdale ran very well. My daughter Mary who was the photographer, coach and fashion coordinator (red and blue
for the holiday Dad) helped me get to the starting lines on time. Here are a couple of pictures for the file album.
The last two pictures are the start of the 200 meter race. Notice in the last picture I am ahead of the guy in
the white shirt. That is Archie Glasby. No surprise, he was ahead of me at the finish line.
Tom Gillen
Every
now and then athletics and politics become intertwined. As we head towards the IAAF World Championships and next
summer's Olympics, I think back to one of the saddest chapters in USA Olympic sport - when President Carter prevented
our athletes from competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
But the reason I mention this is because it dawned on me that when all of us gather at track meets, there's no
discussion of politics or religion or anything that might ordinarily be a a hot-button topic. I'm sure we all come
from diverse backgrounds and that amongst us, there are conservatives and liberals, democrats and republicans and
people who might, under different circumstances, not get along or find anything in common. But all of that is put
aside because we share something far more important. We gather for the joy of the sport and the camaraderie of
like-minded men and women who are both our competitors and teammates. We cheer for anyone, first place or last,
wearing Mass Velocity red or not, and we put aside all differences because the one great common denominator is
that we are athletes first.
Best of luck to all the Mass Velocity men and women at the Outdoor Nationals and to all our friends who will be
there as well. Run fast and stay healthy!
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