[Danny Richie]

Well, I am about to start my journey back and will be home in a few days.

The people in Poland and in Torun specifically were great. It was a fantastic place to visit and I highly recommend it.

It was a surprise to be recognized by someone in Poland just a few minutes after landing and before I could even get my luggage. I have a lot of customers over here and  being recognized from my YouTube videos was unexpected.

This was my first world championship to participate in as I have just started running track about three and a half years ago. So it was a lot to take in.

Here was my first introduction while wearing a team USA uniform.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxJ1TZktwQEgBZ6DWpxCCOf9LEv0TmWq2V

Representing my country on a big stage like this was very special for me.

I was not 100% because of an injury and a good tenth and a half off what I have run in the past, but I'll take it.

Here is my first race. https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxzvzXzpjju7HlkEWE4w6qTwBFtzEaF1gs

Even better in slow motion:  https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx6K3-fir9zV5SDd6MbLwyG232XoN4HKm6

This one is the semi final introductions: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxvBYNjrcUD6QOhy1qkSjARZzqp9Nyxbh_

The semi final race: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxoS7FH5nAtvJoXRmJwo9Z1LF6Ns4dZUfQ

I took third so I did not advance bested on position.

The final two spots in the final came down to time. I missed making the final by .001 seconds. I should have run all the way through and dropped my chest and I would have been in.

The two guys that took first and second in my semi final won Gold and Silver. Those guys are super fast.

Next time I will be better prepared and faster....

 

[Mariusz Uszynski]

Congratulations on your success Mr.Richie, job well done.Toruń is very old and beautiful city, that was established in 8th century.This a hometown of famous astronomer and mathematician, Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik in polish).The city has lot tourist attractions and I hope you tried their famous Toruń Gingerbread, along with pierogies and cabbage rolls.There is even Museum Of Gingerbread.In general, People of Poland are known for their hospitality.I think, taking in and give shelter to over 3 millions of our Ukrainian Neighbors, speaks for itself.

[Danny Richie]

Congratulations on your success Mr.Richie, job well done.Toruń is very old and beautiful city, that was established in 8th century.This a hometown of famous astronomer and mathematician, Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik in polish).The city has lot tourist attractions and I hope you tried their famous Toruń Gingerbread, along with pierogies and cabbage rolls.There is even Museum Of Gingerbread.In general, People of Poland are known for their hospitality.I think, taking in and give shelter to over 3 millions of our Ukrainian Neighbors, speaks for itself.

I stayed in the Copernicus Hotel. I did have some local gingerbread, and lots of tradition Polish food. I met a lot of nice people too.

[Mariusz Uszynski]

I stayed in the Copernicus Hotel. I did have some local gingerbread, and lots of tradition Polish food. I met a lot of nice people too.

I glad you enjoyed your trip to Poland, I was born in Wroclaw, west of Poland.

[Speedskater]

International Masters age group competition is always interesting, you never know what to expect. And there is often one competitor that's much better than the field.

You need to spend more time in the gym and loss some weight.

[seikosha]

International Masters age group competition is always interesting, you never know what to expect. And there is often one competitor that's much better than the field.

You need to spend more time in the gym and loss some weight.

As a masters runner, I find the USATF track events to be very disappointing.  In my events (800 and up), the competition is usually fairly weak and just as you mentioned, you often see one runner taking an event by absurd amounts.  For the distance events (mile and up) all the competition is in road races.  In any big local 5k or 10k in my area, the winning times would podium at most, if not all typical USATF track “championship”.  It’s too bad, I’m not sure what the USATF can do to attract stronger competition but they clearly aren’t doing it now.  Looks like the competition in Poland is much stronger than that at USATF events so that’s good to see at least.

[hawkeyejw]

Simply awesome Danny! What an amazing opportunity and accomplishment.

[Mike B.]

Very cool Danny. That is quite an honor to represent the USA. I live in Track Town USA ( Eugene, Oregon) If you come here for an event let me know.

[richidoo]

#Inspired 

[GeorgeAb]

That is huge Danny, well done!

[Danny Richie]

You need to spend more time in the gym and loss some weight.

I spent the last three weeks staying mostly out of the gym and training on the track. Now it is time to get back in the gym again.

[Tyson]

You're kick in speed in the last half of the first race was impressive!

[Danny Richie]

As a masters runner, I find the USATF track events to be very disappointing.  In my events (800 and up), the competition is usually fairly weak and just as you mentioned, you often see one runner taking an event by absurd amounts.  For the distance events (mile and up) all the competition is in road races.  In any big local 5k or 10k in my area, the winning times would podium at most, if not all typical USATF track “championship”.  It’s too bad, I’m not sure what the USATF can do to attract stronger competition but they clearly aren’t doing it now.  Looks like the competition in Poland is much stronger than that at USATF events so that’s good to see at least.

I just competed in the USTAF national indoor championships in Kentucky about three or four weeks ago. Competition was solid there. In the sprinting events there is a lot of competition and some heavy hitters in my age group. We have bene chatting now for some time about teaming up this year to break the 4 x 100 meter relay world record. We'll see....  On a world stage there is a LOT of competition in every class. It is amazing how good, how fit, and just how great some of these athletes are. From it all I have met some great people. Right now I am feeling blessed and humbled.

[Mallard1]

Danny,

Thank you so much for sharing the links to your races.  I found myself yelling GO  GO    LOl   anyhow great showing and thanks again.

[seikosha]

I just competed in the USTAF national indoor championships in Kentucky about three or four weeks ago. Competition was solid there. In the sprinting events there is a lot of competition and some heavy hitters in my age group. We have bene chatting now for some time about teaming up this year to break the 4 x 100 meter relay world record. We'll see....  On a world stage there is a LOT of competition in every class. It is amazing how good, how fit, and just how great some of these athletes are. From it all I have met some great people. Right now I am feeling blessed and humbled.

Yeah, some of my buddies competed in Lexington a few weeks ago.  Two received gold in their events, but they’d be the first to tell you that even though they were rewarded the “National Champion” title and patch, they are anything but.  Although they are both good runners, they aren’t even the fastest in their immediate local area so you can imagine that there a dozens of people in the US who are faster, they just don’t run USATF events.  Neither of the two that won bothered to make the trip to Poland.

It’s probably different with the sprinters since there aren’t many outlets to compete like there are for distance runners, so you’ll get better competition at the shorter events.  No question there were lots of good times at Poland scattered throughout the events.  I’ve always noticed that Track and Field seems to be much more popular and competitive in Europe than in the US.  Don’t even get me started on the National Senior Games…those fields….at least for distance events, are even worse than what you get at a USATF regional championship.

[Danny Richie]

Yeah, some of my buddies competed in Lexington a few weeks ago.  Two received gold in their events, but they’d be the first to tell you that even though they were rewarded the “National Champion” title and patch, they are anything but.  Although they are both good runners, they aren’t even the fastest in their immediate local area so you can imagine that there a dozens of people in the US who are faster, they just don’t run USATF events.  Neither of the two that won bothered to make the trip to Poland.

It’s probably different with the sprinters since there aren’t many outlets to compete like there are for distance runners, so you’ll get better competition at the shorter events.  No question there were lots of good times at Poland scattered throughout the events.  I’ve always noticed that Track and Field seems to be much more popular and competitive in Europe than in the US.  Don’t even get me started on the National Senior Games…those fields….at least for distance events, are even worse than what you get at a USATF regional championship.

I was at the national championship in Louisville last month. All of the top level sprinters were there.

The outdoor national championship was held in Lexington last year. I was there for that too. It was held at the University of Kentucky and the track was nice.

The same can be said for the Senior Games National championship. It is loaded with the best sprinters and the tracks have been great. I've run on some of the best college tracks, and tracks certified for Olympic trails. Some of the new high school tracks have been first class as well.