I haven't posted anything for almost a month, but I have enjoyed a three week hiatus with a trip back to the old sod of Southwest Ohio after four years of Covid imposed isolation. Had time to catch up with old friends who are still alive and commiserate for those we've lost in the interim. Then had to take on a bout with the Covid bug when I got back to British Columbia. Good way to lose weight. I dropped ten pounds in a week but don't recommend it as a way forward. Still I was able to get on the bike yesterday and ride trails for a bit over an hour at almost the pace I used to run them. And it was not an e-bike I was on.
Today the news springs out that the Ingebrigtsen family has been having its squabbles and are going public, and they hopefully can resolve that family conflict with the aid of some professional reconciliation help. But with the fame, and money involved and the parent/child healing that needs to happen, it will not be an easy task. I've worked in this area for the past thirty years as a family mediator, and it ain't easy for the protagonists to come together and hear each other's views and find a path to rebuilding a family.
Grant Fisher one of our most shining hopes in the distances in Paris next year has announced that he is leaving his club and coach. Hoping for the best for him and that he finds the combination of guidance and surroundings that will bring out all of his potential as an incredible runner.
Our friend Darryl Taylor has sent a beautiful piece about his good friend Gene Gurule who passed away this month. I'm waiting for Darryl to return from a trip to the Grand Tetons where he is doing some filming in order that he can provide some additional photos of Gene. They go right back to their days in high school. Gene was a member of the NCAA national champion San Jose State Cross Country team in 1963 and later was coach at Mission Viejo HS in SoCal.
On another note, I've been talking to good friend Rick Lower who worked for Blue Ribbon Sports/Nike almost from its inception. He is doing some research on University of Oregon runner Ralph Hill (Does this name ring a bell?)..............think........................... Okay if the bell rang you are a guru. I had read about Ralph in Kenny Moore's book, but since forgotten. Rick fired me up on the subject, because Hill was the first great Oregon runner under Coach Bill Hayward who finished second in the 5000 meters at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. It was a near dead heat, and a lot of people felt that the winner Laurie Leithenen had blocked Hill illegally coming down the home stretch. Hill who proved himself a total gentleman refused to contest the finish post race. We'll talk more about that in the near future.
And finally but not the least important thing on this post is that I was able to visit with Bob Schul at his senior care center while I was on my visit back to Ohio. I have attached a picture of the two of us. I am holding a photo of a painting done for Bill Dellinger of Bill, Bob and Harald Norpoth in that unforgettable Tokyo 5000 meters in 1964. Bob could really use some cheering up from all of those who see this. Consider a Thanksgiving Day card and/or a Christmas card. Even a belated birthday card. He turned 87 earlier this month. His address is:
Bob Schul,
Bickford of Middletown,
4375 Union Road, Middletown, OH 45005.
and a happy cross country season to all,
George Brose
Correction: Bob Schul is "only" 86. Born Sept. 28, 1937 Geoff Pietsch
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