Billowing tablesheets show effects of the prevailing wind (exceeding 20 mph in the afternoon) in the press tent atop the bleachers.

L.A. Times sportswriter Helene Elliott (not shown) opted not to work from the wind-blown press tent because of the outrageous conditons.

USATF media czar Jill Geer (left) briefs reporters on the Justin Gatlin reinstatement a few hours after the Athens sprint champ was DQ'd in heats.

Bill Kabaker, a press relations staffer, worked his tail off for four long days to accommodate the media maw. He even lent me his laptop the first night!

Shmoozing in the trackside press tent are The Chicago Tribune's Phil Hersh (standing), The Washington Post's Amy Shipley (in teal) and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Karen Rosen. Unsure who the the seated guy is.

If you gotta go, and only portables are available, these were the best. Vendor even supplied a hand-washing station. Very classy Biffies.

Dwight Stones visited with fans when he wasn't calling events for the sometimes-live ESPN broadcast Saturday and Sunday of the meet. He doesn't jump in masters anymore (telling me, "I have another job.")

Johnny Gray, noticeably heavier since his 2000 Olympic Trials final appearance, told me he's not shooting for all masters records from 200 to 1500 (as he vowed in 2001). He's retired.

On the track, nobody can catch Olympic champ Jeremy Wariner. But after his 400 race, fans could stop him for a chat and an autograph (or snapshot).

After the pastic tape snapped in the wind in earlier races, the Visafolk learned not to elevate it until just before a big event began.

Of course, you can't really call it a finish line tape -- or else you'd mess up the phototimer. TV likes to use finish tapes to evoke old-time races. All it does is make true fans snicker.

Dominique Arnold leads Nike-blue teammate Allen Johnson at the eighth or ninth hurdle in a 110 semifinal, with David Payne (at top) challenging.

Willie Gault leads over the 39-inch masters hurdles in a Sunday exhibition race at nationals in this Photorun shot for usatf.org.

Another Photorun shot for usatf.org show Gault leading Peter Grimes (right), the oldest hurdler in the race at age 46.

World masters 110H record-holder David Ashford (left) goes to hug Willie Gault. who won a wind-aided masters exhibition hurdle race in 13.89 -- not bad for a 44-year-old.

David Ashford, wearing SoCal Track Club blue-and-yellow despite living in Illinois, was second in the masters hurdle race in 14.20. His M40 world record, set in 2003, is 13.73.

Ashford held up Willie's hand, boxing-champ style, in a show of respect. Ashford has been criticized for showboating at earlier masters events.

Karen Steen of Club Northwest leads Carrie Sherburne and Mary Thane in the masters 1500 exhibition early in the seven-woman race.

My blurry shot of Mary Thane, who won the masters 1500 in 4:42.19 at age 41. She's the top-ranked W40 miler in America.

Photorun's shot of Thane, posted on usatf.org's photo galleries from Carson.

Six of the seven runners in the 1500 posed before the W40 race in this photo provided by Sheri Wright. Others (from left) are Terri Cassel, Mary Thane, Mary Grene. Karen Steen and Carrie Sherburne. Lisa Davis is not pictured.

Visa "presented" the USATF nationals, and the title sponsor had its name all over the place, especially where TV cameras might focus.

Carson's Mondo Super-X track had great gripping power -- and gripped tens of thousands of fans for four days in June. On to Helsinki.