Track and Field 2010
By Alex Jackson,
Airport Bureau (Ret.)
To the officers who inquired: Yes, I did compete in the Police And Fire Games in Track And Field, which were held at the Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada. As always, I trained and ran my races in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, God's son. I also called to mind the plight of the poor, the homeless and the sick. I prayed that God would alleviate their pain and suffering.
I won two gold medals. One in the 100-meter run, and the other in the 4X400 (4X100), which was an exceptional team effort. For that I gave God and my teammates the thanks and praise.
On Friday, July 30, 2010 at approximately 1030 hours, I found myself in lane 4, staring down towards the end of the track at the Reed's High School in Sparks, Nevada. I was waiting for the commands of the official to start the 100-meter race. After the last command was given, the Starter's pistol sounded. I pushed myself out of my blocks as fast as I could with my head down in the drive phase of the race for approximately 15-20 meters. I then straightened myself and ran through the finish line down to the end of the track. A few minutes later, it was announced over the intercom, that I had set a new meet record of 13.82 seconds.
Remember, before you say that was slow, I've grown older since we last met. I'm a Grand Master (D) competitor, which list ages from 65-69-years¬old. I'm 65. For that race, I gave God the thanks and praise for delivering me.
A few hours later, I met the officers to whom I had been assigned, to prepare for the 4X400 (4XlOO) meter race. We met and went over the passing of the baton, position of each officer in the lane and the right-left-right-left, hand-offs. We demonstrated and practiced with 100 percent cooperation amongst us. It was great teamwork. I was the old guy. We noted that the passing officer would hold onto the baton until the receiving officer snatches it out of his hand. That would eliminate the baton being dropped. We had been assigned lane number 1.
The announcement was made for the 4X400 meter runners to take their positions.
At the sound of the starter's pistol, I raced out of the blocks.
Approximately 10-15 meters before I handed off to the second leg runner, I hyper-extended my left knee and severely pulled the left hamstring at the knee. I yelled for the 2nd leg runner, Dennis Pelkey of Schenectady PD, NY, to hold up as I wobbled, stumbled and hopped to him. I gave him the baton in his left hand and he was off. I fell to the track and rolled off onto the field, but the baton had been successfully passed, although we lost some time. Pelkey passed the baton to the 3rd leg officer, W. Detlefsen, OFD, who passed the baton to F. Frost, SFPD, who blazed across the finishing line in a combined time of 58.59 seconds, which was a new meet record. I thanked God and them for their effort. They were some fast Grand Master C sprinters. Pelkey had earlier set a new meet record in the Grand Master C 100-meter run in 12.98 seconds. I later told them what happened, but they were not concerned. We were happy that the cooperation and teamwork paid off. I would have been devastated if I had not been able to pass the baton to the 2nd leg officer. That was really close. Too close. I met Michael Simmons of the Southern Station on the track as he was preparing for his 100-meter final. He is an inspiration to all track athletes. He is a possessor of a quiet demeanor, professional and competitive spirit. He is a confident warrior. When I talked to Mike, he was busy wrapping his left hamstring. I was wondering how he could run with that type of injury, but he did. He once tried to get me to do likewise, but I declined. He yelled to me as I sat in the stand, "Leave it on the field, Alex!" We both laughed it off. Mike keeps forgetting that I am 13 years his senior. Good work, Mike! One day, I'll try and be like you.
Officers, let's strive to make certain that all of our Track and field athletes are recognized when they compete in the Games. Let's make certain that we embrace them whether they win, lose or DNF. Let's applaud their efforts. Let's embrace them. Let's write about them. A solution to this minor problem is to have a sports writer assigned to record the Track and Field events, by interviewing the athletes. This will eliminate each officer sending in a report such as this one. It will be better to report the events collectively. After we become better, we can then strive to become the best in this area. Officers, may God's blessings be upon you, family and occupation. Continue to "dedicate yourselves before God and your chosen profession, law enforcement" (Excerpts, California Police Officers Code of Ethics, 1955). Bye.
