Author Archive

Monday, 5/7/18

Hayward Classic results.

Check out Stuart McMillan’s Very Stable Idiot Week

Treadmills Were Meant To Be Atonement Machines

Dave Barry’s Manliness Manifesto

Diversity? …Chilling: Growing Up Jewish in D.C.

…epic 4 x 400 leg where she walked down an Olympian who had a 2.8 second lead.
Video

Q&A with Suzy Wojcik

Suzy Wojcik is 76 and knows how to throw her weight around. In 2017, Suzy was age group ranked 4th in the U.S. hammer, 4th in the weight throw, and 2nd in the world superweight competition. In 2018, Suzy is 1st in the U.S in the hammer and weight throw. Suzy was raised in Palo Alto, Calif., and early on played sports, her specialties being swimming, basketball, and volleyball. She lettered in basketball and volleyball. She was an avid cyclist, tennis player, and golfer. After 25 years as a certified volunteer track official, she attained emeritus status.. In 1992 Suzy met Jerry Wojcik at the OTCM annual dinner and later they married.. When not competing, Suzy and Jerry roam the west in their 1987 Westfalia Vanagon.

1. Unusual for girls of your era, you competed for Palo Alto High School against other area schools. In what sports? How intense was the training? With the same level of coaching and support?

I competed in basketball, swimming, and volleyball for the high school and our coaching staff was excellent. We had daily practices and competed on a regular schedule.

2. Any sports or other outside sporting activities during your 29 years of marriage? Were Rich and Rebecca involved in youth sports? If so, in what way were you supportive?

I loved to play golf as an adult and played in club competition. Rich played basketball, and Rebecca played volleyball. Our whole family was active in cycling and did frequent touring and also organized rides.

3. You traveled around the world attending meets for National Masters News, undoubtedly meeting a constellation of geezer gods and goddesses. Name and describe a few of your favorites.

We loved the travel for NMN and I was active in the politics for the USATF masters committee as secretary and then vice chair. We met many of the top masters athletes all over the world and went to meets in Gateshead, England; Brisbane, Australia; Kamloops, Canada; and Durbin, South Africa.

4. You are among an honored gang of serious, loyal, and longtime Hayward track officials. Plainly, there is no Tracktown USA, indisputably center of U.S. track & field that is Eugene without the officials and volunteers. It’s hard work. What’s the inside story that keeps the dedication and excellence alive?

These officials love the sport and most are dedicated to becoming long term officials. Many work for 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years.

5. What’s the usual and/or Wojcik training for senior throwers? What’s a typical week?

Including strength training at the gym, we throw at the local field, often South Eugene High School.

6. What are some of the tough choices you’ve made that made you who you are?

Deciding not to fold after my first marriage ended after 29 years. I made the decision to look forward, not back, and made a new life for myself. I find myself not the slightest bit sorry about choices I have made that opened up my world and gave me a new start and new perspective.

7. Name three of your personal heroes, and why you admire them so much.

1. My father. He was much admired because of his ability to achieve many things ahead of his time, and because he was a multi-sport athlete, champion sprinter and quarterback, and well respected for his devotion to equality for
all mankind.

2. My sister Nancy since she has suffered much through the death of a spouse. She creates wonderful life-sized sculpture with her work in bronze and ceramics, and is gifted with ability to counsel her friends and family.

3. Lance Deal, because he has strength of character, talent, and the ability to focus on the goal at hand.

8. What special moment or insight caused your devotion to track and field?

I worked at the finish line as a timer during the WAVA world masters games in 1989. It was a life changing experience that caused many changes in my life, and a dedication to participation both as an official and competitor.

9. Quotes you live by, or quote often.

“Get on with it” “Go forward, not back.” “Work hard, and have fun doing it.”

10. What stuff do you do, besides throwing, that most people would consider insane?

I take my VW Westfalia out and go on long trips to Vanagon events like Busses By The Bridge in Lake Havasu, Ariz., or go to a gathering of Vanagons and VW Busses to an outing called Descend On Bend, by The Hole in the Ground, with 500+ other like-minded crazy people. We listen to music, gather around the campfire, and examine each others Vans. It’s a big party, really, with a lot of different people who have done remarkable upgrades to their Vanagons.

Weekend, 5/5-6/18

How Heart Rate Variability Tells You When to Hammer. Too techy for most of us?

Video: Why Run 100 Miles?

Magness: How to spot bad science and fads. …How ’bout gear obsession? I don’t care about your shoes.

Nick Willis on Kiprop

Jen Miller/NYT: Race Volunteers, Sunscreen, Ticks, etc.

Parenting by Bill and Melinda Gates. No cell phones until age 14.

Ken Goe/Oregonian: Galen Rupp and Chris Derrick deliver. …And more

Colleen Milliman, 92, smashes 800 world record for 92 year olds. Video. …Conditions were very good. Cloudy. Low 50s.

Friday, 5/4/18

I Don’t Hike to Lose Weight

When Crappy Gear is OK

Original Dirtbag Alexandra David-Neel Explored Into Her 2nd Century

Nature Is Risky. That’s Why Students Need It. …A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. ~John A. Shedd

Gritty. Boston Marathon pix

Hey! Bloom in your own good time. …Perhaps you remember our Q&A with Colleen Milliman. Becomes a runner at 90. Then first female to race a mile at 91. On Sunday we expect her to break the 800 world record. …Today we interview Suzy Wojcik.

It is dangerous to make everyone go forward by the same road, and worse to measure others by yourself. ~St. Ignatius of Loyola

Foothill Finals results …Signal story.

Steve Magness: We suck at predicting our own behavior. Why we need a coach. Even Magness needs a coach.

“How Do You Read So Many Books?”

Thursday, 5/3/18

Asbel Kiprop, best 1500 runner of the decade, busted. LetsReflect.

Diamond League/Doha tomorrow. Details. With Jenny Simpson and Clayton Murphy. Few other Americans.

Colorado River vs. Colorado?

Health hack for the elderly

Witty, wacky, waggish. And wise? The Redistribution of Sex

Silliness for a slow day. Peter Sellers Reads The Beatles’ “She Loves You” in various accents

Wednesday, 5/2/18

Like: Behind the Scenes of Desiree Linden’s Incredible Boston Marathon Win

Laugh: 100 of the best clean jokes and one-liners/

Race! Every Race is an Opportunity. …At this point, with good or not-so-good results, I’m always happy when I’ve raced.

Justin Gallegos and Nike Flyease in Sports Illustrated

OMG! Americans Are A Lonely Lot, And Young People Bear The Heaviest Burden. …Even with smartphones, cell phones, twitter…?

Ken Goe asks, Can anybody explain what USA Track & Field is doing?

Tuesday, 5/1/18

2018 May OTC Newsletter>

From NYT and probably all you need (or want) to know about Sex, Sport, and Why Track and Field’s New Rules on Intersex Athletes Are Essential

Tips from Desi Linden. …Who knew racing was such a shitty business?

11 Reasons Spring Running is the Absolute Best

Video: Selfies, Millennials, and Narcissism

Are you or someone you know a marathon addict? The Year I Learned to Quit

Alex Hutchinson considers supplements.

Jonathon Marcus: Knowing Is Not Enough

Is Matt Centrowitz Sr. a hardass? Watch. …”There might be some carnage out there.” …Tonight is Don’s track workout with the gang, and coach is cranking it up, some real fast stuff to finish. Who’s nervous?

Must read. The Loving Place for Children That Assumes Beauty

(Mis)education in America

Monday, 4/30/18

Remembering William Nack

Can the Placebo Effect Enhance Athletic Performance?

Register Guard story on Justin Gallegos

What Muir Really Meant by ‘the Mountains Are Calling’

NYT reviews Varina

Bruce Tulloh, barefoot champion of the 1960s, dies

SCV Hurdles: Foothill League Finals – Hurdle Preview

Alex Hutchinson: Training Makes Runners More Efficient, but Not Cyclists

5 things to do to live 10 years longer.

Calculate your BMI

Weekend, 4/28-29/18

Farewell, Old Hayward Field. …The Eugenians we talk to, who actually run and race, are ready to move on, anxious to see the new structure up and open for business.

Most podcasts are unfocused, rambling, and to be avoided. But when Magness, Hutchinson, and Marcus get together… Listen. …And then, fercryinoutloud, read Endure and Peak Performance.

How Strenuous Exercise Affects Our Immune System

Just finished Charles Frazier’s Varina. Almost as good as Cold Mountain.

Penn Relays today on the tube, 9:30 AM to noon, PST, NBCSN.

Jen Miller/NYT: Yes, You Can Take Walk Breaks, etc.

Skyler Mikesell, captain of The Master University’s Men’s Track & Field team, tells his story. Video

Justin Gallegos finishes the Eugene Half Marathon in 2:03:49. Got a huge cheer at the finish. We were there, but failed to capture a decent finishing photo or find him in the crowd thereafter. Congrats, Justin!!!

Ken Goe challenges Lauren Fleshman’s (nutty) comments, and posts links to article/video on Justin Gallegos. Here.

Michael Saruni (1:43.25) sets a new NCAA 800m Record!!! Video

Friday, 4/27/18

Semi-Rad: The Gas Tank Is ¼ Full, Or ¾ Empty

Kipchoge’s track workout video.

Brad Stulberg: Do It Better

Ben Franklin’s List of 200 Synonyms for “Drunk”:

Breakinng from 2002. St Patrick’s Day 5K results …More here.

And before that. Southfork 5000. …More here.

OMG, on a tear in New Orleans, Layne Witherell – Wine Maniac!