TrackTown, USA: We didn't need to be to the track until late afternoon, so we had a lazy morning, then headed out to find a Sunglass Hut. I lost my "sports" sunglasses a few months ago. They vanished, forcing me to use my "fashion" sunglasses for golf and walking. Fashion is fashion, but the pretty glasses slip and slide when I am walking/jogging/golfing/bicycling. Time to replace, and mission accomplished at the Sunglass Hut. We found another Duck Shop in the mall. Nothing we needed, but we did notice they have a supply of garden gnomes at the Valley River Center Duck Shop, so get yourself down there.
Then we went out in search of a late lunch before heading over to the track, and for some reason went to P.F. Chang's. We went to this restaurant when it had only one branch in Scottsdale (gosh, maybe 20+ years ago?), and thought it was pretty good. These days, P.F. Chang's seem to have a bad rap due to the high-calorie and high-sodium content. Now the 300+ restaurants are owned by an equity firm, so I guess it is a mega-chain. The restaurants are so pretty though, but the food is not authentic. We will not go again, but did get our feed-bag-on today with their $13 lunch specials.
Maybe we are spoiled by Taiwanese cuisine? There is no celery in Kung Pao Chicken. Spicy Chicken was not spicy. We should have gone back to Cafe Yumm! Do you like this restaurant? Did we just order the wrong things? I think the lettuce cups are good, right? Please comment below.
Then it was back to Historic Hayward Field for the 5th day of competition. Two finals tonight - women's discus and women's steeplechase. Valerie Allman killed it in the discus with a throw of 70.73m/232 feet. Nearly every other contestant is still in college. Allman won the silver in the discus in Budapest last summer. Be sure to watch for her in Paris. Valerie Constien won the 3000m steeplechase in 9:02.22. This is a meet record and the fastest time Constien has ever run. The top nine finishers tonight ran their best times ever, and have the Olympic standard required to compete in Paris.
There were so many heats today, it was mind-numbing. No big surprises.
No other racer even visible in this photo.
We did run into a guy we know. World's Greatest Athlete/Duck, Ashton Eaton, was in the hospitality area this evening with his family. It was so nice to see him again. Of course, he wanted to have a photo with us:
Back to our RV after the races to re-watch the event... but after the first hour, NBC cut-over to the debate. (Bummed, because we had also taped the debate.) It's not like we don't know what happened on the track, but we do enjoy seeing the events again, and listening to the NBC announcers, and the live interviews trackside with the victors.
One sad note today. I received notice that the latest Sports Illustrated was available for viewing (digitally, on my iPad). Athing Mu was on the cover.
Until my next update, I remain, your "5th Day of Competition is in the books" correspondent.
Olympic Trials Information:
Meet schedule
Where to watch
Meet results
Campground Information: Premier RV Resorts - A bit confusing, as we have a frequent-flyer discount card, but we would be paying about $78 per night (we have several nights free on this visit with our punch card). The park is full-service, with every amenity (though the pool is teeny) and is very dog-friendly - with a dog wash. Small shop with limited groceries, RV supplies, Duck stuff, ice cream and ice. It is right on I-5 so quite noisy. The most conveniently located campsite for a visit to Eugene, but is isn't really very convenient. We stay here all the time. Like, really, all the time.
We haven’t eaten at PF Chang’s in some years. Used to eat there years back
in Monterey…… but closed long time ago. Could be reopened lately.
Never was our favorite .