How you know if you are a real track fan.

[Lynn Cannon]

It's when you need to remember a number (street number,phone number etc.) and it goes like this....you automatically equate the number to be remembered into a track time or field distance. For example, 4253 Jones St.= 4:25.3, a good H.S. mile or 2069 could equal 20.69 a world class shot put etc. Anyone else out there do this? Or am I the only nutty one?

[Jack Philips]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

All the time. Even when I walk down a sidewalk, I can predict when my takeoff foot will hit the crack perfectly as if it were a long jump competition. Track and field is a sport of numbers and people. Both are very important in our sport. When I meet someone for the first time, I really take note of their name if it relates to track and field. For instance, you may know someone with the last name Richards or Jones or Johnson. They are very common last names in the U.S., but all three are Olympic gold medalists. We are very lucky to have such a great sport.

[hj197steve]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

I described once in length how I look at names on road signs, billboards, etc. and hook them up to names of t&f athletes... all the time. Try it, it's fun.

[kuha]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

When I visited a notable friend for the first time, I was pleased to see that his street address was 2739, one of the most legendary of t&f numbers...

[MJD]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

This thread was covered somewhere earlier. I can't find it though.

[Jon]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

>When I visited a notable friend for the first time, I was pleased to see that
>his street address was 2739, one of the most legendary of t&f numbers...



I'm guessing you're thinking of Ron Clarke...?

[kuha]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

But of course...

[spvxv0]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

>>Even when I walk down a sidewalk, I can predict when my takeoff foot will hit the crack perfectly as if it were a long jump competition<<

I do that all the time. My friends think I am crazy!

[HL]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

It's when you have a subscription to T&FN at the first class rate AND purchase a bound volume every year.

[noone]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

I do the "hitting the long jump take-off board" thing too.
And when driving on a highway I go under an overpass with a height of say seventeen feet, I imagine pole vaulting over it.

[BisonHurdler]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

Even when I walk down a sidewalk, I can predict when my takeoff
>foot will hit the crack perfectly as if it were a long jump competition.



I am notorious for doing this. I'm a freak.

But aren't we all?

[tafnut]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

You know you're a real track coach when . . .

You see a long-legged girl at the mall and you think 'High Jump!' first.

You see a kid bouncing around and imagine how you're going to turn him into a triple jumper.

You see a big star basketball player and think, "what a waste - he should have been a discus thrower"

You hear a fast football 40 time and say 'whatever!'

You think all the guys on ESPN 'World's Strongest Man' contest are weanies cuz they won't be a real man and put the shot.

Instead of a 98-pound weakling freshman, you see a great distance runner.

You saw Michael Jordan on video take off from the foul line (he really did - I did not believe it till I actually saw it) and dunk and try to figure out the math on how far a long jump that would have been (with a 5 step approach, no less!).

[MJR]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

You consider watching 12 hours of HS track on Sat & Sun to be a good way to spend your weekend.

[steve]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

I always try to predict if I could triple jump across any given intersection when running my dog. If no cars orpeople are around I try it. Even after getting injured once (duh, it's pavement not sand)I still try, albeit more carefully.

[hijumpsteve]

Re: How you know if you are a real track fan.

every time I drive my car into a parking garage with those suspended metal bars with "Clearance 6'8" (or whatever) I of course imagine myself HJ'ing over them. And then I am indeed such a HJ DWEEB that a built one of my own, it hangs in my basement at my exact PR height, all labeled as "Clearance 6' 5 1/2". Yes I know this is pretty pathetic. Talk about living in the past. But I had fun putting it together.