Bill Collins, 2005 Michelob ULTRA GeezerJock of the Year

GeezerJock of the Year

You couldn’t have selected a better GeezerJock of the Year than Bill Collins. [“GeezerJock of the Year,” GeezerJock, Winter 2005]. I’ve known Bill for years and he is a phenomenal athlete and individual. While not all of us are the elite athlete Bill is, we still get the thrill of competition. I believe that what we Masters athletes do, and the age at which we do it, make us the greatest athletes in the world.

Wayne Bennett

Arlington, Texas

Collins a ‘true gentleman’

I was delighted to read about my friend Bill Collins. He should also be recognized as a true gentleman on the track.

Zbigy Zlobicki

Farmington Hills, Mich.

“One-sided accusation”

In response to T.J. Murphy’s article on the “Family Feud” between USA Triathlon and WTC [GeezerJock, Winter 2005], USAT takes exception to Mr. Murphy’s one-sided accusation of who is to blame for the recent split. For the Honu race, WTC had asked for 15 rule dispensations. USAT granted 14 but would not allow a stand-down penalty rule. Ben Fertic conveniently has forgotten that when we met in April, USAT firmly stated that we could discuss their intent to incorporate stand-down penalties across all of their races in the U.S., but in fairness to our members, we would not do so in the middle of the racing season. USAT has granted a stand-down dispensation as a courtesy to their self-designated world championship every October, but to allow such a divergence from our rules for a “normal” race would be an insult to the 900 race directors that direct more than 1,800 sanctioned races each year under our strict rules and regulations. USAT even proposed a separate affiliate relationship for 2006 to train their officials and allow them to fulfill their global goals yet stay connected to the National Governing Body of the sport for the good of the athlete and many of our 60,000 members. Unfortunately, their Global Tri Group was already well developed and the Honu incident gave them the excuse needed to launch it for their profit and our loss. We are disappointed that Mr. Murphy did not take the time to contact us and ask about our side of the story.

F. Skip Gilbert

CEO/Executive Director, USA Triathlon

Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Fills a real need”

Enjoy your magazine: it fills a real need for Masters athletes. I’d like to propose that in addition to “Geezerjock of the Year,” you also have a “Hall of Fame” and a “Hall of Shame.” The former would be for those who have not only achieved sports wise but have made a lasting contribution to the betterment of their sport for all participants. The “Hall of Shame” would be individuals or media outlets that deride, insult, ignore or denigrate the physical needs and accomplishments of those after 50. To illustrate, USA Cycling (USCF) has consistently and stubbornly refused to accept that regardless of age riders want to compete. But by making the age cutoff at 70-plus for men and 55-plus for women, except for time trials, they force riders over these ages to race many times with those much younger then themselves. I know — at age 87 how can I compete with 70-year-olds?

Gordy Shields

San Diego

Ground Pounders footnote

I had the pleasure of reading the article titled “Semper Five” [GeezerJock, Fall 2005], the account of the Ground Pounders (the five men who have run every Marine Corps Marathon, which began in 1976). I would like to add as a footnote the one member who dropped from the club, Commander Charles E. Stalzer, U.S. Navy (Ret). When Chuck stepped up on the start line (at the first Marine Corps Marathon), he was 48 years old, and he ran a 3:28:58. He ran this year in a time of 5:50:33 (5:07:54 gun time) at the age of 77. The reason I bring him up is that he had a 25-year streak where he ran from 1976 through 2000. In 2001 he had an injury which prevented him from running. He has since returned to action and has run each since 2002 for a total of 29 Marine Corps Marathons.

George Banker

Member, Ad Hoc PR Committee

Marine Corps Marathon

Washington

Queen for a day?

April Chun does not express the view of most women [“Letters,” GeezerJock, Winter 2005]. I, for one, don’t run races to feel like “queen for a day.” Multitasking is for the office, and I save the socializing for after the race or for long training runs. Sport is sport, and competition is competition — don’t color it pink or blue.

Liza Recto

Lexington Park, Md.

More for “ordinary geezerjocks”

Sam Clemence

Syracuse, N.Y.

Too much track

Way too much emphasis on track and field sports — in our culture, individual sports are not valued as much as team sports. In my view, the real stories are not the exceptional individual jocks, but rather the everyday guys/gals that play their sport on a daily or weekly basis. Anyway keep up the mag. It is usually enjoyable. I am 63.

Bill Haddox

Jackson, Miss.

“Excellent article”

I had to comment on the excellent article on Richard Abrahams [“My Workout,” GeezerJock, Winter 2005]. Anybody who swims with a Masters group knows his name and his incredible accomplishments, but now I’ve been both inspired and motivated by his training. Although nowhere in his league, I’ve learned more about crosstraining in this short article than most of the books I’ve read or seminars I’ve attended.

Bill Vick

Plano, Tex.

“A bit offended”

I’m a bit offended by two articles in your winter 2005 issue. In “Medicare adding focus on prevention,” Bruce Japsen wrote, “But turning 65 years old — the age most sign up for Medicare — means those who are not ready for a hip replacement or a nursing home…” This is a slap in the face to all of us who have had hip replacements well before 65. I had mine when I was 50, and believe me at 56 I’m not ready for a nursing home. Also, the GeezerJock Doc listed recommended sports for those with hip replacements. He said stationary bicycling and using weight machines were recommended. What about cycling on the road and lifting free weights? I’ve been weightlifting about three months post-op and road cycling nine months post-op. My doctor says I can do both within limits. Just because we’ve had hip replacement we don’t have to give up rigorous exercise.

Bill Unsworth

Franklin, Ind.

Of goggles and pace clocks

As a 63-year-old geezer, I must correct the esteemed June Krauser’s recollection [“Legends of Masters Sports,” GeezerJock, Fall 2005] on that goggles and pace clocks didn’t come along until the early 1970s. Some of my teammates at the University of Georgia had goggles, although I didn’t. And I remember using a pace clock before I completed my college eligibility in 1965.

Coke Ellington

Montgomery, Ala.

“Thank you”

Thank you for sending me the excellent GeezerJock magazine. One thing I would like to see in the magazine are articles about players with serious medical conditions who continue to participate in sports. As a senior basketball and tennis player who has just been treated for a lowgrade prostate cancer, I’m starting to get back on the courts. I’m sure there are many senior players out there who would like to hear about others with serious medical conditions still participating in sports.

Jim Viggiani

Manassas, Va.

Hope

I subscribe to many running magazines and being a senior runner I usually look in vain for information regarding seniors. Where can older runners find suggestions for getting up to run one particular 5-kilometer race? What are the best programs for older runners to keep from losing time year by year? Your magazine offers hope, and I wish you well. I’m 87.

George Whitney

Orange, Conn.

Supporting our advertisers

Your magazine is great. I coach Masters swimmers at one of the largest health clubs in the U.S., the Michigan Athletic Club. Thanks to Glenn Jeffers on his article [“To your health (club),” GeezerJock, Winter 2005]. P.S. I do drink a lot of Michelob beer.

Wally Dobler

Lansing, Mich.