A Very Good Day At The Penn State National

I had the pleasure to spend a long amount of time with some of my favorite people yesterday at the Penn State National Indoor Meet.  Having to be dropped off nearly an hour early for the meet so the girls could attend the PSU Student Housing  Expo at the HUB, I was pleased to see that Greg Fredericks brought Coach Groves early too!

I had the pleasure to speak with Coach and Greg for an extended time.  It is wonderful to see that Coach is happy in his new residence, relates the food as "good" and only occasionally gets into trouble.  About exactly as any of us would figure.

Greg also delivered the raw materials that will become the ultimate PSU Track Alum Annual Award at our Reunion and Coach Groves Golf Tourney weekend.  Coach Bill Whittaker is commended for donating the item for our cause.  You all will enjoy the item's unveiling at the next Awards Dinner.

I also got to talk to Steve Shisler. whose son Alex Shisler finished 3rd in the 400M Invitational!  Beth Shisler could not be there, as she had traveled "for work".  That same excuse becomes mine next week when I miss the Sykes and Sabock Challenge and Coaches Reception.  I will be at the meeting of the Association of Miserable Curmudgeons while the rest of you enjoy yourselves.

Tim Backenstose made a surprise appearance and got to see a very fine 800M with Brannon Kidder and 3 other top NCAA finalists duke it out on the Ashenfelter Oval.  Brannon topped them all with a 1:47.01 time, near the top of this year's qualifying marks.  We both also witnessed a school record 1-Mile by Tori Gerlach with a 4:37.83, eclipsing Bridget Franek's previous record.

But my favorite part of the day was convincing the energetic dynamo Billy Francis Cvecko to become a contributor to the blog!  With his criss-crossing of the Continent and his millions of friends, he can't help but be a boon to our efforts. He isn't our Undersecretary of Fun for nothing!

I always thought there was a chance that Billy WAS the Lion until I finally saw them both in the same room.

 

Coach Groves Is Early For The Penn State National

Coach Groves and I showed up early for today's big indoor festivities.  He was thrilled with yesterday's PSU victory in the Mens DMR. It was the 4th fastest in NCAA history.

Let's Help Hanna Humphreys' Dad's Movie

Well, the movie about his passion anyway! 
 

Joe Humphreys.

My father always told me about his greatest PSU Phys Ed. Class while at PSU.  I never took the course because I took Coach Groves' Fitness and Games twice, but I know a lot of you had Fly Fishing as a 1 credit gym class.

They're making a movie about Joe Humphreys, father of State College Native and PSU Track Alum Hanna Humphreys.  You can help in the production of this worthy cause at Indiegogo.  I already have.

Feel the Bern Part Deux

Remember Jimmie Carter keeling over during a run?  Remember Bill Clinton finishing his runs at McDonalds?  Remember George W. Bush running 5Ks in under 7:00/mile?

Maybe President Bernie Sanders could out-do them all?

Celebrity Runners Are Everywhere!

Including 6 feet under, sadly...

First up, I'll bet none of you knew that Abe Vigoda was an avid workout nut and jogging was his main cardiovascular exercise.  The first time he was prematurely called dead in the news was in 1988 1982 while Barney Miller was still in production.

"An exercise enthusiast, Vigoda had just returned from a five-mile jog when his agent called and told him to report immediately to the office of Danny Arnold, who was producing a pilot for a police station comedy."

Next, Presidential candidate Barney Miller, er... Bernie Sanders was also a high school runner.  He even braved the hills and dales of Van Cortlandt Park.

Last, but not least is Ludivine, a female bloodhound who was simply let outside on the farm to pee.  But being a bloodhound causes a certain wanderlust it seems, so a Half Marathon later and Ludivine is a bona fide running star.  1:32:56 isn't bad considering a stop to sniff a dead rabbit and other such distractions. She was 7th overall and the first female runner. This will end up benefiting a worthy high school cross country team, so I'll not criticize this "viral" meme.

A Day For Blogging, And A Little Podiatry Thrown In

With the monumental snow still snarling most of York, I am here at "work" mostly twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the occasional patient.  This gives me time for what I really enjoy... Blogging about Track and Field and motivating other alums into attending our Reunion and Golf Tourney.

Efforts are already underway to expand upon the 800U meme that has acquainted us with Olympic Silver Medalist Yevgeni Arzhanov.  Phil Passen's embrace of "the beautiful sport" led him to Yevgeni and Phil is efforting to expand upon his brief reply to our questions previously posted!

And the string of Phil to Yevgeni has extended further, with Once Upon a Time In the Vest's George Brose getting me in touch with Sid Sink, All-American Steeplechaser and roommate of Dave Wottle at Bowling Green University.  I am about to message Dave in hopes he will also accept an honorary membership in our Alumni Group with Sid, as Bowling Green no longer even has a team!  This could lead to some great discussion on training and its changes over the years and hopefully more.  Keep your fingers crossed!

It turns out that Sid Sink was the coach of both of Bridget Franek's parents (Tom & Rosalie Franek) at Bowling Green.  It is no wonder that he describes her parents as "very good distance runners". Here's a couple of articles about Sid (and Dave Wottle), our latest Honorary Member!

Retired coach was world-class runner at BGSU

The Age of Innocence 

Murph Byrne, Bob McComber, Sid Sink, Rick Schnittker, Dave Wottle & Steve Danforth

 

 

Chief Laundry and Morale Officer Larry Mangan also is quite pleased with our latest couple of posts.  He relates that news of Yevgeni completes a weird trifecta involving him and each of the 1972 Olympic 800M medalists.  He was recruited by Dave Wottle at Walsh College and had the pleasure of occasional distance runs with Mike Boit while in Eugene, Oregon. 

I am literally astounded how almost every one of us is linked to each other in this glorious world of Track and Field, despite many miles and even time itself!

There Is No Snow In Miami

Following the record snowfall in Central PA (I actually ended up with 30 inches here in York!) I have a coveted day off work.  I would normally just sit around and take phone calls from confused, little old ladies cancelling their appointments for the next 3 months anyway.

So I am running a two-a-day workout like the days of old.  Well.... ummm, kinda.  A 3 mile run slowly on my treadmill followed by a 2 mile run slowly on my treadmill later after I recover a bit.  But hey, it counts!

Doesn't it?

Here's a few other people who are doing much more than I am:

• 800U's Chris Mills ran the Miami Half-Marathon with his State College boyhood friend Darryl Washington.

• Group Friend and Honorary Member Dane Rauschenberg lectured at the Miami Running Expo AND ran the Marathon.  The next day he found his way to the South Beach launching point for The Raven's daily run.  (Every day at 4:00PM, 5:00PM in summer, for 40 straight years, regardless of anything!)    (Raven Run)

Yevgeni Arzhanov Gracefully Accepts Our Invitation And Gives A Brief Interview

Yevgeni Arzhanov (Евгений Аржанов)

The snows came and kept coming, and for the first time in a long time outpaced anything the meteorologists had predicted.  Apparently with Tyler McCandless getting engaged and preparing for the Olympics Trials Marathon, he wasn't able to correct his colleagues.  So I'm stuck here in under more than 2 feet of snow.  (25.5 inches here.  Anyone have more than that out there?)  My honeydew list includes actually digging my car out of the white stuff so that I can go to work and get the phone calls for appointment cancellations on Monday.  Other than that, I plan on resting comfortably on my lounge chair today.

Spott Moskowitz pondering his next meal.

The Matterhorn ate my car.

And our newest honorary member of the Group (and 800U) Евгений Аржанов, Yevgeni Arzhanov, gracefully responded to a few questions we sent his way.  

Blog Central (skwilli): What are your memories of the 800M Finals in Munich, 1972?

Yevgeni: 

Thanks, David (skwilli), thanks Philip (Passen) for my membering in 800U. In final 800 m 1972 Olympics Munich I was make two mistakes. First - I was begin my finish spurt very early. Second- I was begin spurt very fast. Dave Wottle no forgiven my such mistakes.

Blog Central (skwilli):  Tell us about your career following retirement from running?

Yevgeni:

After finish sport career I working as coach in Ukraine. Later 15 years worked as coach of the national teams of the USSR and Ukraine. After worked as coach in South Korea, China, Tunisia, another countries. Now wait any propositions for job as coach.

Blog Central (Phil Passen):  Do you support Dynamo Kiev in Football (Soccer for us noobs)?

Yevgeni:  

Twice I worked in Dynamo Kiev as coach for physical preparation. I have many friends, former players Dynamo. But......I"m fan Liverpool! Today L-pool vs. Norvich -5:4!!!

Thank you Yevgeni!  When we are able to contact Dave Wottle, we will let you know.  I'm sure Dave will also accept our invitation to 800U because his college actually dropped Track and Field (Athletics) as a sport some time ago.  Then the two of you can actually be teammates!

We Welcome The 1972 Mens Olympic 800M Silver Medalist From Afar As An Honorary Member of 800U

Phil Passen somehow found Yevgeni Arzhanov ( Евгений Аржанов) of the Ukraine (USSR back then) on this vast and wonderful internet.  He sent me a link and wondered if we should add him to our Group as an honorary member of our "800U".

Since I have nothing to do and am stuck inside with more than 2 feet of snow outside, I figured it was a very good idea.  Yevgheni was the leader of what I consider the world's most exciting race of all-time. He led until at least the last 1/2 inch!

We have featured that race on the blog before.  I have watched it maybe 100 times over the years.  And I still think that the next time I watch it, Yevgeni will finally win it.  Let's watch it together and see if Dave Wottle can pass him this time...





I'm hoping I can get some comments and memories from Yevgeni in the near future.

Another Coach Of The Year And More 800 Goodness

Last year, friend and classmate Tom Rapp made the list of Coaches of the Year on the USTFCCCA list for Ohio.  This year, Matt Lincoln made the list for Arizona!  The number of great coaches that have come out of PSU's Program is astounding. It's hard to keep track of all of them.  Congrats Matt.  I really wish I had the time and opportunity to coach too.

USTFCCCA Coaches of the Year

Both of Penn State's 4 x 800 relay teams have the early season World Lead in the event!  

Julie Kocjancic, Victoria Crawford, Elizabeth Chikotas, and Tori Gerlach combined to post a world leading time of 8:45.85 on January 9, 2016 during the Penn State Relays.

Jordan Makins, Bobby Hill, Isaiah Harris, and Brannon Kidder recorded their world leading time at the same meet in a time of 7:25.28. 

A Meet, Greet And Eat That Can't Be Beat!

There is a Meet the Coaches Reception at Rotelli's in State College on Saturday February 6th from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.  I can't stress enough how recommended this is.  The food is great, the atmosphere fabulous and you will be surrounded by the best people on Earth.

Alas, I will be attending the American Association of Curmudgeons Meeting in Philadelphia that week, but Blog representatives will be there.

RSVP Now!

A Lazy Man's Post: 31 Years' Knowledge As Almost A Doctor Summed Up In 10 Items*

1. The flip-flops that women wear are always the "good" kind.
2. Cutting a V in your toenail will give you an infection in the middle AND an ingrown toenail on the sides.
3. All bleeding eventually stops.  (I will pause to let that sink in.)
4. Minor Surgery is surgery on that other guy.
5. Orthotics don't cure everything, just a bunch of them.
6. Alternative medicine cures the provider's financial woes.
7. The art of good medicine is doing the least amount of anything that helps.  Sometimes nothing is the cure.
8. Never utter a woman's age, even if she does so first.  Also weight, for that matter.
9. The longer a patient desires off work is inversely proportional to the true extent of injury.
10. If in doubt, think of gout.

Thanks to KKOB for the image.

*Loosely inspired by the Laws of The House of God, the finest medical book ever written. Even better than M*A*S*H.