You'd Be Forgiven For Thinking I Don't Like Track Anymore

Last year, I was all up in just about every track meet in the Northern Hemisphere season. I'm this year embarrassed to admit that I only just learnt today that the USA Track and Field Championships are underway in Des Moines, Iowa.

Probably the most exciting thing I've noticed is that Sanya Richards is now sporting a new extension to her surname - Ross. That means she got married! Which I have a feeling I kind of knew was happening anyway, but still. She is placed seventh after the 400m semi-finals, which kind of makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with her, but meh.

The heptathlon, which has long been my favourite track and field event (after the men's 10,000m, but only when it's being raced at major international championships - otherwise it's boring as shit) is being dominated as per usual by the nimble Hyleas Fountain, who I love. As a general rule of thumb, I love all heptathletes, because they are basically superwomen. One of my old training buddies is New Zealand's best heptathlete - Rebecca Wardell, and she is just out-of-this-world talented. Prior to competing in heptathlon, Rebecca was a top-notch 400m hurdler, and since making the switch, she's competed at Commonwealth and Olympic Games, as well as at World Championships. Don't even get me started on Sarah Cowley, who used to be one of my sister's competitors in her high school high jumping days, who now also dominates heptathlon. Actually, once when I was competing in Australia at their national championships, I managed to video one of Sarah's long jump attempts on my cellphone, then showed it to her once I saw her again back in New Zealand. She was... probably a bit confused, but flattered all the same. I think.

Here's Hyleas pwning the 100m hurdles race, anyway. Yay!

My other favourite event, the women's 200m, is looking lacklustre due to the well, lack of Allyson Felix. I love Allyson Felix. She ought to have that "zoom, zoom, zoom" song from the Mazda ads playing when she runs, seriously. And I've heard she can leg press something like 300lb. Pretty sure she weighs about 95lb. That's just silly. Turns out (after some judicious Zimbio and usatf.org stalking) that Felix is just running the 100m at these Championships - turning in a swift 11.27s for first place in the final. Into a 2.5m/s headwind. Get. Out. Of. My. Life.

I know, I know. Women should be running that fast, anyway. But still! Here's a picture (just in case you doubted me when I said how much she leg presses).