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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR--APRIL/MAY 2006
“Nice one”
Your February/March issue was a nice one for us track and field folks. I have competed with (but not against… different age group) Anselm LeBourne, Emil Pawlik, Bill Collins, Daniel Bulkley and Phil Raschker at several meets over the years, and all are world-class athletes and fine people. In my opinion, Phil is the greatest track and field athlete of all time.
Don Kane North Plains, Ore. The writer is the editor of Portland Masters Track Club News
“Thank You” Being a part of the last GeezerJock of the Year contest proved to have a lot more surprises than I had anticipated. Winning my age group was the first surprise, and I realized belonging to two bike clubs and participating in a variety of triathlons gave me a lot of friends. The next surprise was the large box that arrived just before Christmas, containing great sporting clothes, luggage, water bottles, a cap and sports bag (from Michelob Ultra). Later the trophy arrived. And that was not all…finally the t-shirt and cap arrived. I had surmised this was going to be the sole prize. This shirt and cap always bring smiles, questions and a chance to talk about the excellent magazine. A big thank you to whomever should be thanked!
Irene Camp Tucson, Ariz. The writer is the 2005 GeezerJock of the Year winner for women 70-79.
Another “Thank You” The recognition that your award has provided me has been tremendous. I’ve had a lot of fun with it. The trophy is displayed with pride and will inspire me to “keep it up.” Thank you for all of the wonderful items that I have received from you. My plan is to try to get more geezers involved in sport in the years to come.
Bonnie MacRae-Kilb Calgary, Alberta, Canada The writer is the 2005 GeezerJock of the Year winner for women 40-49.
When they’re 63 I thought you might be interested in my opinion about the ESPN2 coverage of the recent USA Track and Field National Cross Country championships. I was delighted to hear that there was going to be coverage, so when I returned home, I anxiously turned it on to watch. To my dismay, there was absolutely no coverage or even mention of the first two events of the weekend at Van Cortland Park in New York. I felt very slighted as a Masters runner that ESPN2 didn’t even mention us. After all, we put out a lot of effort to make the trip and compete with the same seriousness and intensity as the young folks did, yet we didn’t even rate a mention. Hopefully, when the powers that be at ESPN2 turn 63 years old, there will be more recognition of Masters runners!
Judy Moir Nederland, Colo.
“Glaring lack of soccer” There seems to be a glaring lack of soccer for us older players. At the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, every sport is offered except soccer. Here in California we have some over-40 tournaments, but this is once or twice a year. There are many of us in our 50s who have been playing soccer for 25 or more years. We can still play but really do not wish to play with 30-year-old players. Even if a seven vs. seven tournament were held in the Senior Olympics I am sure we could field some teams. Anything you can do to assist interest would be greatly appreciated.
Debbie Perry Modesto, Calif.
Not enough golf I have just received my latest copy of GeezerJock. As a new participant in the Senior Olympics, I find the magazine deals almost exclusively with track and field athletes with some cycling thrown in on occasion. As a longtime player of almost all sports through high school except track and field, I was wondering why the golfers were left out. The golfer that won my division (70-74) scored in the 70s on a very difficult course. We are athletes, and as such I think we deserve as much recognition as any other sport. I know what it’s like to cycle 300 miles in one day as a participant in Cycle Across Missouri. I’ve done countless century rides on a competitive basis, so I know how hard these sports can be. But it’s also very hard to compete against 90 other golfers on a very hard course. How many men in their 70s can consistently score in the 70s? Thank you for the opportunity to vent.
George Clifton Fairview Heights, Ill.
“Nothing to keep me reading it” I have gotten a few copies of GeezerJock, and while it is a nice publication, there has been nothing thus far that interests me and my sport area. So, I am asking that you drop me from the mailing list. I may try it later, but there is no use my getting the magazine if there is nothing to keep me reading it.
Donald Williams Town not provided
More aquatic training While reading the February/March issue, it occurred to me that aquatic training should be mentioned more. You are aimed at the “mature” athlete and the best way to stay injury-free is to include water training (not necessarily swimming) in a regular training schedule. Water walking, water running and deep water work can increase strength and stamina without stressing the joints. Water is 12 times denser than air, so be assured that the workout can equal anything offered on land or through machines. Rehab for injuries is more rapid when done in the water. Aquatics are also a great way to combine the mind/body work that all athletes need.
Diana Duda Glenwood, Ill. The writer is an aquatic exercise specialist.
“Missed a great opportunity” I really enjoyed the article “The Other Scottish Pastime,” [GeezerJock, Winter 2005], but it missed a great opportunity to mention that most modern field events are a derivation of the Scottish Heavy Events.
Wallace Olecik Enumclaw, Wash. The writer is the co-director of the North American Scottish Athletics Championship.
Update heart rate charts I teach senior fitness classes and many of my students are in their 70s and 80s. It seems the traditional charts for finding their max heart rate (220 minus age), and aerobic zones no longer fit the parameters since the numbers that we come up with are only slightly higher than their resting heart rates. Also, various medications can affect heart rates and blood pressure. What would you suggest as to having them determine their aerobic zones? I love your magazine. Keep up the great work.
Letters, GeezerJock, 2033 W. Hutchinson, Chicago, IL 60618.
Please remember to include your name & hometown. Sending a letter to GeezerJock automatically grants permission for the letter to be published in the magazine, on our Web site or both.
Correction In "GJ Interview: A Masterful Athlete” (GeezerJock, February/March 2006), it was erroneously reported that Phil Raschker was a member of a national junior team in West Germany. She was not. GeezerJock regrets the error.
Cycling
