When the basketball team traveled, we stayed at Marriotts and Hyatt Regencys. The track team checked into Days Inns and Motel 6s. On basketball road trips, we ate in restaurants and ordered whatever we wanted. When I was with the track team, I got $3 for breakfast—including tip! We ate most of our meals at Denny's or a fast-food outlet.But for all my complaints about the lowly status of track athletes, our facilities were cushier and grander than anything Lincoln Park or Parsons Field could offer. The university had a separate track and field facility, Drake Stadium, that was on par with some college football arenas. The seats were sturdy aluminum, and the steps were wide concrete. Quite a contrast with the Parsons stadium, which creaked as people moved up and down its stairs. A dozen female runners assaulting the flights all at once didn't disturb Drake at all.As I jogged around the spongy Tartan track, the only obstacles in my path were the overachieving joggers who pooh-poohed the outside lanes reserved for novices.
