I’m back!

Not only blogging (for the first time in a year), but also competing at USATF masters nationals. We’re in Sacramento — at American River College, not Sac State like 2010 nationals and 2011 worlds. I couldn’t resist entering my umpteenth nationals at age 70.

Today was arrival day for many. After 2 p.m., bib numbers (with names on one of a pair!) were handed out. Declarations were made for Thursday events. Sign-ups began for massage and chiro sessions ($60 for 20 minutes.) Weather was nice — mid-80s. (But no such luck the rest of the meet.)

Shuttle hurdles guru Jeff Davison and Masters Committee hero Bill Murray chalked lines on the soft track for the shuttle hurdle relay and put white Gorilla tape down for the start of the 80-meter hurdles.

USATF.TV began setting up cameras for their pricey broadcast, and FinishTime crew tested their cameras and timing systems. I was told the prevailing wind blew toward the start of the sprints, but the wind appeared to be light and blowing toward the finish today.

In the morning, I paid $2 for all-day parking. But in the afternoon, a gentleman handed out pieces of paper allowing masters tracksters to park for free. I presume one gets these daily.

I encountered old friends from SoCal and across the country. Christel Donley, now 89, has overcome many physical and emotional issues, including the loss of her dear husband Jerry the pole vaulter (and pioneer masters administrator). Christel is the only American entered at Sweden worlds who has been to every world outdoor masters meet since 1977 (Jerry competed in the 1975 inaugural meeet).

I chatted with national masters chair Jerry Bookin-Weiner, a hammer thrower overcoming his own medical issues, who sat in a golf cart with vice chair Robert Thomas, a world-class age-group quarter-miler. Neither will compete this weekend.

But Jerry will step down from the chair role this December, and Robert will run for chair, he confirmed to me. (Unsure who his competition will be).

I’m rooming with an M70 thrower/hurdler from San Diego, and he checked out the shot put area. So I joined him — only to learn from a USATF official that the dirt sector wasn’t eligible for records. (Update: Bookin-Weiner tells me that the sector was fixed several days ago and was surveyed. “It’s fine,” he said. My apologies for jumping the gun.) A sloping field negated records at 2013 masters nationals in Olathe, Kansas.

At dinner, we went to a Mexican place on the same street as the college called Xochmilco Authentic Mexican Restaurant. I ordered half a chicken chimi, and barely finished it (plus beans, rice, sour cream and guacamole). A four-piece jazz band called Martini Crush entertained us. Sadly, they aren’t back the rest of the week. The diner books bands only every Wednesday.

A jazz quartet called Martini Crush performed for some ⁦@USAMastersTrack⁩ athletes and officials at a Mexican restaurant Wednesday night not far from masters nationals meet venue. pic.twitter.com/67aeZKJm5s

— Ken Stone (@KenStoneMedia) July 18, 2024

Before leaving, we ran into our meet’s start crew. All Pacific Association officials, they include John Busto — who started the 400s at the recent Olympic Trials in Eugene. Other starters this weekend are Cori Evans and Chuck Buettner. Their coordinator is Tom Hutt. (Dare not jump the gun on them. Thank them sometime.)

And me?

I entered four events but will contest only two — the 100 prelims Thursday (it would take a miracle to make the finals) and the 300 hurdles Sunday, when I will become a man. Worldwide, only 200 gents 70-and-over had a recorded time in any hurdle event last year. I’d love to be among them — even if 27-inch hurdles are baby barriers, and even if it takes me the rest of July to finish the race.

I dropped the high jump, because I’m not ready to clear a college high hurdle. And I won’t try 80-meter hurdles (over 30-inch barriers) until I get over a bad case of the yips. (I veer off when getting close to them.) Give me time.

My bride of 43 years is trusting me with her Sony A9 silent camera, which can shoot 20 frames a second. So I’ll be jam-packing a portable external drive with images. (But not when I’m running, thank you kindly.)

A high of 100 is expected Thursday. But the 5Ks will be run in the morning and the last heats of the 100 — featuring the submasters — are set for 2:38 p.m. But pity the 4×800 relays. They begin at 3 p.m.

Pray for them.

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