TrackTown, USA: The first day of a big 4-day meet is always a scramble. Gathering our posse. Gathering all the necessary parking passes and wristbands. Settling-in to our seats. Then there is the gossip and athlete speculation. There is a lot of talk about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone running the 400m, instead of her usual 400m hurdle race. This lady just likes to test herself!
But we didn't need to be to Historic Hayward Field until 2p today, so we went to lunch at a very good Thai restaurant, Sabai. It truly is authentic Thai cuisine and the heat level was intense. You know why Thai iced tea is milky and sweet - it helps calm the pain in your mouth.
There were a few finals today, but most events were heats. (See links below for the full schedule and results.)
It was hot when the meet started, then clouds rolled in and was hot and steamy. Still, a great day for a meet - but the seats in the sun were basically empty. Our seats are on the straight-away, in the shade after 2p, very close to the finish line and directly above the long/triple jump pits. Noah Lyles inspired us and Tara Davis-Woodhall gave us yet another scare by leaving it all on the line on her final jump! Tara may have a career on screen after her athletic career is over - this girl is an entertainer.
The meet wasn't over until 8:30p and nearly every restaurant in Eugene closes at 9p. This is an on-going problem. Apparently restaurants around campus can't read a newspaper to realize every night this weekend thousands of hungry people will be flooding out of Historic Hayward Field in search of food.
We knew McMenamins 19th Street Pub would be open, service would be lousy, food would be great, and they had a lot of tables open. Unfortunately, they also had a lot of windows open, as their air conditioning was on the blink. Rat farts. We had food and walked to our hotel, past the trackside tower lit up in USA colors this week:
Tomorrow we have some business with the University, and then will plant our backsides in the stands at the track for Day 2 of the USA Championships.
Until my next update, I remain, your busy correspondent.
Links:
See results here
Full schedule and television info