Since I bought a modem in the late 1980s, I have never been away from email for this long. I had my son collect the mail every few days, I have read about 1400 messages since yesterday. I skimmed many of them and got lost in the middle of some threads (Olestra, sweat, praying mantis). I cannot recommend this method o
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I will not write a report of WC5 now - too late. However, thank you Ruth, Terry, Tom, Juanita, Stephan, Larry, Mike, Chuck and Dennis for the efforts to make the event possible.
It was the first WC I have attended since I joined in 94. I will be envious next May when I miss number 6. (I am one of those people who can only attend during the summer school vacation months. :(
The first post I read when I got home was Dennis Halpin's "It won't be long," telling how he would be leaving *for* WC5 the next day. I enjoyed meeting Dennis a few days after he wrote that and yes, Dennis, I received the recipes you sent to me after you got home.
Then Doug Dodds was wishing everyone a great time and wishing he was going. It was a great time, I could write a long report but so many have already. Ted Glenn even posted his as late as this Wednesday, which "robbed me" from writing one from the historical perspective of three weeks.
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I read all the anti-climactic (to me anyway) posts about the upcoming JimP vs Scott battle. It reminded me how shocked I was when Scott lost; probably more than he was. I tried to have Ted give a few seconds to Jim in their 400 race; again I was surprised. The photos by Hinkmond and Steve Patt were great, I see myself looking stupid in the background as Scott hands over the money. I think I missed the feeling of competition with my lousy hamstring injury. I would not have even tried the 400, but I had hopes of running the 10k in around 39 and being part of the "DRS within the race" race. Walking the last 2 miles of the 10k was my only lousy part of WC. When I finished and saw the slow times run by some people faster than me, I knew I would not have run that fast. So perhaps it was best I had an excuse.
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Hayward Field:
I passed on Saturday morning's run as I knew I could not run too far. However, I had to run on that track. I got into the slowest mile heat. I think some people thought I was being funny. I know I looked funny running the 9:33 last place mile, but that was the fastest I could push myself. At least I made some people's day - I think I was lapped by almost everyone.
Leslie WIlliams had written on 7/2:
> I plan to run the mile challenge. I expect to finish last. DEAD last. > I plan to start a new sub-list afterwards - DLRS. :)
Final results, courtesy of Ruth Obadal included:
>20. Leslie Williams, 8:03.5; 21. Linda Werner,
>8:22.0; 22. Allan Rube, 9:33.3.
**Next time, you are dead meat Leslie. Give me 90 seconds and I will race you for $20!!
If nothing else, I proved how a lack of flexibility can be detrimental to one's ham health. Benny Yih not only ran his mile several minutes faster than I did, he is part of the stadium stretch photo posted by Steve Patt. He is the only male who could reach the step below the one he was standing on while I could barely reach the step above the one my feet were on. I always had thought only women runners could stretch that far. Steve gave me a copy of the photo, Benny, and you serve as my inspiration :). <aside, after all this time I had to think a few seconds to remember how to type a smiley.>
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The bagpipes were great. I am one who found an appreciation of the instrument at Hayward Field. If you don't get the power of the pipes I guess you have to hear them at an inspirational setting. The music they make is the closest to human crying I have heard from an instrument.
I enjoyed reading all the WC reports. Many contained details I had forgotten or were about events I missed (Sat morning runs). I think I liked Mike's poem and flower posts the best. Mike Van Meter wrote on 7/11:
>All of my life I've had this kind of secret wish that someone would send >me flowers. I know, a silly, romantic and passionate wish that has never >been fulfilled -- until now.
>Every response, note and post about the conference has been like a bouquet >to me. Yes, it's one of those silly romantic notions I'm prone to, but >it _is_ true. Thank you to all.
**My feelings exactly. A great present awaiting me when I arrived back here in Nashua.
Finally got to Ted Glenn's post on the WC, written only a few days ago. What took you so long?? >Wandering around the airport I bumped into Mayor Koho and later >met Donna Rode (that's pronounced "Roe-dee") who explained to me the proper >way to pronounce Allan Rube's last name (that's "roo-BAY").
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