Webmaster note: To the right is a link to a photo gallery from Dickey\'s trip.
May 26, 2006
I got up in early so Dad and I could make our flight at Charlotte. During the two hour drive to Charlotte I caught up on my lost sleep and was anxious to get to Eugene. We arrived in Charlotte to a very busy airport, whereas everyone was traveling for Memorial Day weekend. We trudged through security and finally got onto the plane. The flight was smooth to Denver where we had a two hour layover then we flew into Portland. As soon as I stepped off the plane I could feel the coolness in the air. I was definitely a long way from home. While in the airport I met the lead singer from Everclear, so I thought that was pretty cool to meet him.
We got our rental car and took off towards Eugene, an hour drive. The Oregon landscape was beautiful mountains and hills rolling with green pastures. Everything was so green. We arrived in Eugene around 5:30 p.m. PST. I quickly checked into the hotel and threw on my shoes for an easy eight miles to get my legs loose again. When I got back I laid on the bed and just went to sleep. Jet lag had definitely gotten the best of me.
May 27, 2006
We got up and explored downtown Eugene and the campus of the University of Oregon. As we were driving through campus we stumbled upon Hayward Field. It was dead center of the campus. The facility definitely showed that track was king in Eugene. I was excited to learn that the State Championships were going on today. They didn\'t start till one p.m. so I went and spent some money on all of the Pre stuff I could get my hands on. When I arrived to Hayward Field to watch the State Championships there was no way I could have been prepared for what I saw. It was insane! The place was packed with people and everyone was going crazy. A little different then back home.
Another thing that was different than us was that they ran the 1500 instead of the 1600, and they didn\'t have a 3200-meter relay. While I was there I was lucky enough to meet Hicham El Guerrouj.
He was very nice and I got his autograph and a picture taken with him. When I left the meet I went back to the hotel and changed into my running clothes for a steady six miler through campus and the graveyard that Pre was said to train through. Later that night I stopped by Eugene Running Company to get directions to Pre\'s Rock for tomorrow\'s run. Again I was surprised to meet running royalty. In the store was Craig Mottram, Kenny Moore,and Justin Gatlin, all signing autographs. I was able to meet all of them and even talk to Kenny Moore a good bit, who is an awesome guy by the way. After all that I decided it was time to call it a day and headed in for some sleep because tomorrow was gonna be a big day, The Pre Classic.
May 28, 2006
This morning I got up early and went to Pre\'s rock. It was an unreal experience to be at the same place where he lost his life. I kissed the rock as is tradition and left a small note. As the day wore on you could sense the excitement in the air as the meet was getting closer. When the time finally came it was explosive. Justin Gatlin ran a 9.88 to win the 100-meter dash. And the two mile turned out to be a coming out party for young Adam Goucher, who had a late race surge to make him the third fastest American at the distance ever.
The mile was fast as suspected with Bernard Lagat winning in the final 50-meters. The most amazing thing though about the meet was the noise. It was so loud at the last 800 of the two mile you could barely here yourself think. There is no doubt in my mind now why Hayward Field is labeled as a sacred place in the track and field world.
May 29, 2006
We got up early and headed towards Portland to make our 9 a.m. flight to Denver. During the entire flight to Denver I was still in a type of daze of wonder that Eugene had put over me. For a distance runner it is without a doubt paradise. I recommend going out there for yourselves.
Conclusion
I have come back to South Carolina with a new ardor for running. I look to have a good summer of training and even better season at the Citadel this year. If anyone in the upstate would like to come run with me send me and e-mail and we can work something out.
May 26, 2006
I got up in early so Dad and I could make our flight at Charlotte. During the two hour drive to Charlotte I caught up on my lost sleep and was anxious to get to Eugene. We arrived in Charlotte to a very busy airport, whereas everyone was traveling for Memorial Day weekend. We trudged through security and finally got onto the plane. The flight was smooth to Denver where we had a two hour layover then we flew into Portland. As soon as I stepped off the plane I could feel the coolness in the air. I was definitely a long way from home. While in the airport I met the lead singer from Everclear, so I thought that was pretty cool to meet him.
We got our rental car and took off towards Eugene, an hour drive. The Oregon landscape was beautiful mountains and hills rolling with green pastures. Everything was so green. We arrived in Eugene around 5:30 p.m. PST. I quickly checked into the hotel and threw on my shoes for an easy eight miles to get my legs loose again. When I got back I laid on the bed and just went to sleep. Jet lag had definitely gotten the best of me.
May 27, 2006
We got up and explored downtown Eugene and the campus of the University of Oregon. As we were driving through campus we stumbled upon Hayward Field. It was dead center of the campus. The facility definitely showed that track was king in Eugene. I was excited to learn that the State Championships were going on today. They didn\'t start till one p.m. so I went and spent some money on all of the Pre stuff I could get my hands on. When I arrived to Hayward Field to watch the State Championships there was no way I could have been prepared for what I saw. It was insane! The place was packed with people and everyone was going crazy. A little different then back home.
Another thing that was different than us was that they ran the 1500 instead of the 1600, and they didn\'t have a 3200-meter relay. While I was there I was lucky enough to meet Hicham El Guerrouj.
He was very nice and I got his autograph and a picture taken with him. When I left the meet I went back to the hotel and changed into my running clothes for a steady six miler through campus and the graveyard that Pre was said to train through. Later that night I stopped by Eugene Running Company to get directions to Pre\'s Rock for tomorrow\'s run. Again I was surprised to meet running royalty. In the store was Craig Mottram, Kenny Moore,and Justin Gatlin, all signing autographs. I was able to meet all of them and even talk to Kenny Moore a good bit, who is an awesome guy by the way. After all that I decided it was time to call it a day and headed in for some sleep because tomorrow was gonna be a big day, The Pre Classic.
May 28, 2006
This morning I got up early and went to Pre\'s rock. It was an unreal experience to be at the same place where he lost his life. I kissed the rock as is tradition and left a small note. As the day wore on you could sense the excitement in the air as the meet was getting closer. When the time finally came it was explosive. Justin Gatlin ran a 9.88 to win the 100-meter dash. And the two mile turned out to be a coming out party for young Adam Goucher, who had a late race surge to make him the third fastest American at the distance ever.
The mile was fast as suspected with Bernard Lagat winning in the final 50-meters. The most amazing thing though about the meet was the noise. It was so loud at the last 800 of the two mile you could barely here yourself think. There is no doubt in my mind now why Hayward Field is labeled as a sacred place in the track and field world.
May 29, 2006
We got up early and headed towards Portland to make our 9 a.m. flight to Denver. During the entire flight to Denver I was still in a type of daze of wonder that Eugene had put over me. For a distance runner it is without a doubt paradise. I recommend going out there for yourselves.
Conclusion
I have come back to South Carolina with a new ardor for running. I look to have a good summer of training and even better season at the Citadel this year. If anyone in the upstate would like to come run with me send me and e-mail and we can work something out.