You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S. Lewis
Alachua County, Florida – USA Track & Field (USATF), the Olympic national governing body for the sport of track & field, awarded the USATF Masters Indoor Championships to Alachua County in 2025. With the World Masters Athletics (WMA) announcement just weeks prior, this marks the second major event award for the Alachua County Sports and Events Center (ACSEC). USATF Masters Track and Field Committee Chair, Jerry Bookin-Weiner, stated “The USATF Masters Track and Field Committee is pleased to award our Indoor Championships to Alachua County. The Alachua County Sports and Events Center in Celebration Pointe is an ideal location, and we are confident the local organizing committee will deliver an outstanding championship and overall experience for our athletes.”
I didn’t go. Never got there. Nope. Happy to hear everybody, even the non-winners, had a great time. But I couldn’t make it.
Planned since last year, because when the hell in my lifetime is this event ever coming back to a nearby town? About here I should tell my wife we have a hotel reservation for next January’s World Cross-Country Championships in Tallahassee. (Refundable for a legitimate illness. Already thinking bone spurs., if necessary. My vascular specialist says it’s okay to ride at sea level.)
On the eve of my departure to Gainesville, I was struck by a miserable malady, so bad I could not even watch March Madness, which I’d waited for since this same time last year. Couldn’t read in bed. Stomach upset so, I feared brushing my teeth. Suffice to say, didn’t think to make a final journal entry of the day’s activity. Started out good, seem to recall. Was really looking forward to the World Masters Athletics Indoors Championships 2025.
I even got new shoes.
‘All gassed up’ can take on a whole new meaning at my age. Rarely feel all that sharp any morning, so I pushed through the awakening malaise, first cup of coffee, dogs, always the dogs. Shower, travel jeans tighter from the wash, new pink shirt. I look so good, I could puke. No trouble whatsoever.
I can do a couple things in a dizzy whirly haze but driving one hundred miles on the Interstate – you know it’s gonna be multiple lanes of manic motor mayhem – is not one of them.
Game day decision, you can’t do it. Maybe tomorrow. There’s always tomorrow, right? Free beer then, if you come back.
Still sick the next morning. My sleeping bag and yoga mat still waiting in the car’s backseat. My buddy found this place on Where?Bnb in a handy location at a great rate. Completely unfurnished, so think glamping. No beds, no electricity yet. “The Rec Center is just two minutes down the street; we can always clean up there.” Here’s the best part – a two-foot high platform I can sleep on. And get up from.
Really hoped I could get to Waffle House. Hoped to hear the musical stylings of Marty Liquori. Get a hug from John Parker. Perhaps in that order. Not to mention all those Facebook athletes who make me so happy with all their doings that I can’t do.
Eighty-year-old pole vaulters – what are they thinking? I hope they’re thinking… wheeeeeeeeeeee!
A mother of triplets who started running for “me time,” Clare Elms is now the fastest woman in her age group, smashing 24 British and World records this year alone. Would have been special to see such an athlete in action, but no. I’d be smiling like OG.
Would have been special to see Dave Lee make his comeback or Allen James OLY fight to the end of a race perhaps better aborted.
Like my trip.
Saw reports from a number of athletes I surreptitiously admire on Facebook. Folks I’d hope to startle in person.
Steve Brumwell
After battling acute Bronchitis in late February, early March, I’m feeling blessed to have competed at the World Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships this past week.
Despite my obvious lack of adequate training in preparation for such an important meet. I’m feeling so proud to represent the USA and blessed to be part of such an amazing gathering of athletes here in Gainesville 2025.
I ran the M65 3000 meters (13:13) on Tuesday, the 1500m (6:05) on Friday.
Saturday, I took part in the Celebration Point 5k road race …. An event tied to the World Championships as a community/exhibition race.. I finished 8th overall and 1st in the 61-70 age group. I ran (23:29) on a course with some challenging inclines and under somewhat uncomfortable Florida weather conditions.
Allen James
Struggled mightily in the WMAC M60 10km walk as my A-fib started around 3am and it’s still going on about 30 hours later. This was going to be my last race before starting to prep for an ablation procedure, which includes dropping my mileage way down.
I haven’t walked this slow in any of my 20km walks. I’m in great shape, but when A-fib hits you can’t supply adequate blood supply to your muscles. I simply needed to finish for the team without endangering my health. As it turns out, we won a team silver medal and apparently I got the individual bronze medal.
Overall, a fun time seeing great friends and that’s what makes competing at World Masters events so worthwhile.
Always the dogs. The old dog is sick and I don’t mean me. Lily is on the verge of death and my illness gives Mrs. Dog something else to think about. Bad enough she can’t solve all the world’s problems, I’m sick, too, and now her dog is dying.
Happy I am to be home with both my girls. Everybody feels like crap but Ragnar. But I digress. That’s how life works, seems to me. A series of digressions.
Every dog I have ever had to put down has overheard the call to the vet and become instantly rejuvenated. Except for Hagrid, who waggled to the door and waited.
Hold on! Lily is deaf – blind, too – but now the old girl is bouncing around like she’s eaten recently and knows who she is. Something of a miracle that somehow repeats itself if you will just look for it. No longer house-broken, she’s a good girl. That has never changed. And now I have to stop before I cry.
Better get my sleeping bag and yoga mat out of the back seat. I miss her already.
Everybody but Ragnar has a 2:30 p.m. appointment 3/31/2025 at the animal clinic. They’re real nice there.
Guess I was back to my old self Sunday night. So, a seventy-two hour adventure.
Friday I was sitting in my recliner with a resting pulse rate of eighty-five. That’s sick.
Monday, we put the old dog down.
Lady Lily AirBender BlackSnack, age fourteen, enjoyed – she really really did – her last meal – a handful of miniature Milk Bones and a paper cup of whip cream. And a sedative.
She went out happy.
Masters Phenomenon Clare Elms Looks Back On Her Record-Breaking Year
The 60-year-old endurance athlete might dread the thought of having to talk about her running prowess, but her exploits have been impossible to ignore.
Jan 28 – British Masters 3000m Championships, Sheffield, First, 10:48.14 (missed the world record by 0.01)
Feb 2 – Ealing Road Mile, 5:33 (world and UK best)
Feb 18 – BMAF Championships 1500m, Lee Valley, First
Mar 17-23 – European Masters Championships, Toruń, First in 800m, 1500m, 3000m, cross-country individual and team
May 6 – BMC Oxford Mile, 5:30.88 (UK best)
Jul 17 – Wimbledon Mile 5:26.13 (world record); 1500m split 5:05.04 (UK record)
Jul 27-28 – BMAF Championships, Derby, First in 800m and 1500m
Aug 6 – Tonbridge 1500m, 5:03.95 (UK record)
Aug 15 – Aldershot 1500m, 5:02.22 (UK record)
Aug 17 – Southern League, Ware 800m 2:29.64 (UK record)
Aug 17 – Southern League, Ware 1500m 5:02.09 (UK record)
Aug 26 – Tonbridge 3000m 10:33.34 (UK record)
Aug 31 – Veterans AC 1500m Championships, Tooting, 4:57.14 (world and UK record)
Sept 4 – Tooting Mile 5:25.19 (world and UK record)
Sept 21 – Westminster Mile 5:21 (world best)
Sept 28 – Canterbury 5000m 18:35.95 (UK record)
Oct 26 – Wolverton 5 30:44 (world best)
Nov 16 – Masters International Cross Country, Belfast, W60 gold