TrackTown, USA: We didn't need to be to the track this afternoon until 4p. Having our RV washed at 1p was our only other engagement. Our friend, Charles, did go for a long run on Pre's Trail this morning and sent me this fabulous photo he snapped while standing over a pedestrian bridge across the Willamette (rhymes with dammit) River:
The RV washer showed up early, and finished early enough we had time to do the grocery run we were trying to cram-in tomorrow. We are leaving Eugene early Monday morning and will be doing a long-haul drive (going on a little adventure, Dear Reader), so needed to stock-up. After filling the fridge, the wine "cellar" (under the dinette seat), and pantry, we are ready to hit the highway Monday.
I've been a bad blogger and have neglected to snap photos of everyday scenarios in Historic Hayward Field during the Olympic Trials. After going through a metal detector, and having our tickets scanned, we enter the meet along Agate Street (between the UO Law School and the track stadium). There are a ton of really good and fun food booths/trucks/vendors along Agate Street, but we take a quick left to enter the stadium.
Though the temperatures were into the low 80s, the sky was nasty. I saw lightning miles off, and the skies around the stadium were dark and nasty.
Finals tonight included the men's discus and 200m. Of course, Noah Lyles won the 200m and, of course, Christian Coleman came in 4th. Coleman is not having a great Olympic Trials. We assume Christian Coleman will be in the relay pool, as he is a fantastic relay runner. In the discus, not all of the top finishers have met the Olympic standard, so who knows who will go?
The women's long-jump final was very exciting - but for an odd reason. So many of the jumpers fouled. Few were getting a fair jump. It was a bit frightening. Even America's most entertaining jumper, Tara Davis-Woodhall, finally made a fair jump on her third attempt. Davis was obviously stressed, but as soon as she made a jump (without fouling) she was her usual joyous self). Placing second in the long jump today, Jasmine Moore, also won the triple-jump gold a few days ago. I hope Moore gets to fly to Paris in First Class.
In the women's 200m final, Sha'Carri Richardson did not make the team, finishing fourth. No matter, we are sending a fantastic 200m team to the City of Lights with Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown and McKenzie Long. Our Oregon Duck shot putter, Jada Ross, made the US women's shot-put team (in 3rd place) behind Chase Jackson and Raven Saunders. The crowd went crazy for the NCAA champion.
The women's 10000m team is a bit undecided. Tonight Weini Kelati won (in a not very great time), and she is the only entrant with the Olympic standard. 3rd place winner, Karissa Schweizer, has already qualified in the 5000m. 2nd place winner, Parker Valby (University of Florida) still does not have the Olympic standard. Valby won the 5000m and the 10000m in the NCAA's a few weeks ago. Who knows who will be running the 10000m for America in Paris? Not me.
Another exciting evening back in our RV for cocktails, appetizers, and watching the recorded NBC broadcast of the meet we just watched all day... and had a noisy ten-minute cloud burst. Of course - we had our RV washed today!
Until my next update, I remain, your "one more day" 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.