• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Cross Country

Twelve Mile Runs on Ladera Lane

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
December 20, 2007
0
0 0
0
SHARES
10
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

******
12-20-07
Thirty years ago, I was living in Montecito, California, studying at the College of the Queen of Peace on Ladera Lane. Many mornings, I would head out from the driveway and take the six mile run down to the beach, and then return, running up the hills back
to my new home.
I had two pairs of running shoes, both resoled. My NB 305w and Waffle Racers were resoled and kept me in good company as I hit the long hilly run back up to Montecito. The weather was always nice, and the beaches were great.


I had entered the seminary with the goal of becoming a Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus, la Campagnie, or the Jesuits. I had spent four years in high school, first at DeSmet in St. Louis and then, at Bellarmine Prep, in San Jose, California, under the thoughtful and creative dictatorship of the Society of Jesus. I then, started my studies in history at Santa Clara University.
It was during my freshman year in college that I decided to enter the Jesuits. The process was not difficult, however, there were a few visits to psychiatrists, etc., to make sure that I was not any more delusional that most who believe in a higher being, life force, God or something of that nature.
There are many life experiences which shape us. My high school years were challenging, both scholastically and athletically, but for the most part, I was so entertained, challenged and exhausted by the absolute eccentricity of the various characters who educated, entertained, cajoled and opened me to the world outside of
myself, that I saw entering the Jesuits as a very logical choice for my life journey.
First, a few of the characters who showed me the good that man could achieve:
Father Ralph Passerelli was my freshman cross country coach. A man of the Old Church, Father P was a total sports hound. He was very industrious in getting us all into shape for cross country and he knew how to get the team primed for competitions. But where he truly excelled was in basketball, where, in his blacks, he trounced one of the best athletes on our team in a game of half court. After watching Father P’s moves on the court, he became legend with us. A man of great wit and spiritual strength, Father Passerelli had the patience with me and several of my teammates who were not fond of physical activity or running, at the time.
Father John Apel, chemistry and math teacher at De Smet. The man was absolutely stark raving nuts, but he had his students under his spell. We learnt Algebra, we learnt chemistry. Fr. Apel wore a white labcoat, big black glasses, now in fashion, but Father John was not about fashion. This man would tell jokes and talk to himself, besides coaching Freshman football and took up running in his fifties. He also blew the roof off the chemistry lab, but that will go into my novel. I remember a fishing trip with Fr. John
and several other Jesuits, plus my father, where the jokes started and never stopped. I learnt early on that these guys had fascinating lives.
Mr. Freeman was an English teacher. A man of some delicacy, Mr. Freeman was challenged each and every day by the rough and tumble teenage males he had to deal with at De Smet. Mr. Freeman was Truman Capote with dark hair, and a better reading list. He gave me THE LIST. This consists of the fifty books one must read before they can be considered an educated man. I have read thirty or so. From O Henry, to Dostoyesky, to Sinclair Lewis to TS Eliot, Mr. Freeman was truly a man of letters. He was thoughtful and he challenged my ideas of great literature. That was good.
Fr. Delaney. Father D should have been a professor of history at some East coast college, but La Compangnie choose that Fr. Delaney teach high school boys. Not just high school boys, but high school sophomores. And Delaney’s own circle of Hell was Church History. Now, think about this–how does a five foot five, Irish history buff keep the interest of two generations of San Jose’s most obstinate teen age males? Well, of course, tell them stories about the Crusades, about various papal moments of indelicacy, such as how many out-of-wedlock children did various members of the clergy have in the fifteenth century, always with the following–and now, ” Children, what happens in battles? A loot, a burn, and a Keel! A Jolly Good time,” To the uproarious laughs of the class. No text books in class, Father D’s classes were works of art. We all learnt about the various saints and martyrs. To this day, my appreciation for the humanity of church leaders in the Renaissance and Middle Ages, and my acceptance of man’s foibles as he tries to reach the stars, was shaped by the classes of Father Thomas Delaney, who died two years ago.
An aside: It was in Father Delaneys’ honor that I signed Jesuit credit gas cards in later years with Ignatius de Loyola and then, various North American Martyrs. My fave was Isaac Jogues. The Province was not really happy with my signatures, but I can assure you, up and down the coast of California, there are gas stations that had been visited by Isaac Jogues, Ignacio de Loyola, four hundred years after their deaths.
What was it about these men that I admired? Their honesty, the love of life. Their ability to live a life that was looked up, in our secular world, as silly at best, and peculiar at worst. They were men for others, as we were told.
But, as I have learnt, the journey of life is not a straight line, but fairly circuitous. My time in the Jesuit novitiate was quite short. I did make it through a thirty five day retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits.
I was always fond of St. Ignatius. Ignacio was a well to do family in northern Spain. He was a soldier, and a bit of a playboy. But, after a Turkish cannon ball in battle nearly destroyed one of his legs and during said incarceration, Ignacio had a moment of clarity, where he saw what he was to do with his life. He organized a group of men of many experiences, many well to do, many well educated at the University of Paris, where
he had gone for studies.
The Spiritual Exercises were hours of meditation on the life of Christ, and I have to admit that while I tried hard, there were times, during the six or so hours a day of prayer, that I fell asleep. There was also silence. So I ran twelve miles a day, helped build a goldfish pond, without saying a word, practiced my trumpet for Christmas mass, and wrote in my diary. I was silent for twenty-five straight days. That was, and probably will be, a life record.
I found my diary last week, although I have not opened it. Next week, upon my return, perhaps I will read it. I was nearly the same age as my son, Adam when I wrote it.
One final thought. One of the most amazing men I ever met was Father Fred Coffey. Father Coffey was head of the switchboard operators at Bellarmine. I worked the switchboard to pay off my tuition at BCP. Well Father Fred was about seventy-five,
used two canes, had glasses that were thick as Coke bottles. Father knew he was slowing down, but he had a wonderful sense of humor.
During the last decade of his life, Fr. Coffey survived eight heart attacks, I believe. One of them, he had in his room, and just went back to bed, reading his brevary. A fellow Jesuit came to look in on him, and asked him how he was doing. He told the young Jesuit that he had had a heart attack earlier in the day, and was resting. What followed, in Fr. Coffeys ‘ own words, was a lot of needless worry as he was rushed to the hospital. Fr. Coffey had sure had a heart attack, and once he stabilized, he was back in his room at Bellarmine.
After I entered the Jesuits, on one of my visits, Father knew something was up, and he told me, “If you think you are giving something up, then do not become a Jesuit.” Father
Fred was a Jesuit for nearly seveny years, and was one of the men who shaped my life, and one of the reasons I do what I do.
It is in those moments of remembering how someone took the time to help you in a bad time that one understands the role we fulfill as humans, and the responsiblity that we have to the next generation.
Admajorem dei glorium–that was what all my Jesuit friends finished their notes with. It comes from St. Ignatius, and it means, “for the greater glory of God.” Translated to the hundreds of thousands educated in Jesuit institutions it meant that, we had been given a gift of education, and we must, in order to live a good life and give honor to our beliefs, use that gift to help others.
If I close my eyes now, I can almost smell the ocean as I would hit halfway in my runs from Ladera Lane.
For more on the sport of athletics, click: http://www.american-trackandfield.com

RelatedPosts

KIPLIMO, CHEBET WIN SENIOR TITLES AT WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 USATF INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS BATHURST23 PRESENTED THIS WEEK ACROSS NBC AND PEACOCK

A look at Kenya’s team to World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

My French Connection

Next Post

Who Can Catch Haile? A Commentary by Pat Butcher

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Three American Record Holders Added to adidas Atlanta City Games Lineup

Three American Record Holders Added to adidas Atlanta City Games Lineup

March 23, 2023
Gudaf Tsegay OH SO CLOSE to Indoor Mile WR! 4:16.16!
Events

World Athletics awards events to Turkiye and Poland

March 22, 2023
Who would be the greatest athletes of all time?

Who would be the greatest athletes of all time?

March 22, 2023
2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs Preview: Laura Muir likes the European Indoors!
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for Middle Distances, 800 meters to 5,000 meters, Week Two, Day 3, Wednesday is a rest day…

March 23, 2023
Femke Bol,  Part 2 Two World Championships in one year
Interviews

Femke Bol, Part 2 Two World Championships in one year

March 22, 2023
Jack Fleming Appointed President & CEO of the Boston Athletic Association (November 30, 2022)
Events

Global Medalists, Returning Champions Highlight Professional Fields for 2023 B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile

March 22, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022

(RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

April 1, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

4
Three American Record Holders Added to adidas Atlanta City Games Lineup

Three American Record Holders Added to adidas Atlanta City Games Lineup

March 23, 2023
Gudaf Tsegay OH SO CLOSE to Indoor Mile WR! 4:16.16!

World Athletics awards events to Turkiye and Poland

March 22, 2023
Who would be the greatest athletes of all time?

Who would be the greatest athletes of all time?

March 22, 2023
2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs Preview: Laura Muir likes the European Indoors!

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for Middle Distances, 800 meters to 5,000 meters, Week Two, Day 3, Wednesday is a rest day…

March 23, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14 Mar

This is #CoffeeWithLarry for Tuesday, March 14, 2023, https://bit.ly/42a3FzA , #CoffeewithLarry, #istanbul2023, #karagoucher,
#desLinden, #DickFosbury, #europeanathletics, #usatf, #edharry1976, ...#bbcsports, #nbnationals, #TheTEN, #nikeindoors, #ncaaindoors,

Reply on Twitter 1635774414057873411 Retweet on Twitter 1635774414057873411 Like on Twitter 1635774414057873411 Twitter 1635774414057873411
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14 Mar

Did you see our piece on @CheckTheSky doing some serious styling? https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/02/marquis-dendy-wins-the-mens-long-jump-at-birmingham-wit-final.html, by @stuartWeir, ...#winterindoortour, @gettyimages, #birminghamWIT,

Reply on Twitter 1635760946022068225 Retweet on Twitter 1635760946022068225 Like on Twitter 1635760946022068225 1 Twitter 1635760946022068225
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14 Mar

This is what podcasts are all about! Please listen to #NobodyAskedUswithDesandKara, https://sites.libsyn.com/455619/desandkara, @des_linden, @karagoucher, #NobodyAskedUs

Reply on Twitter 1635759808677822464 Retweet on Twitter 1635759808677822464 Like on Twitter 1635759808677822464 2 Twitter 1635759808677822464
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14 Mar

The #globalathletics media conference was excellent last week; 25 exciting interviews coming to #Runblogrun, thanks @gamupdates, #kevinmorris, @LylesNoah, @masonferlic, @AleiaBitOfThis, ...@adidasrunning, @donavanbrazer, @ItsGabrielleT

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Did interview @lylesnoah on Thursday! Watch for 2 interviews coming with Noah on #runblogrun! He was very busy during the @gamupdates medai/business conference, with a 12 plus interviews, 4 podcasts,... training, @adidasrunning, #kevinmorris, #gucci, @pureathletic, @lancebrauman

Reply on Twitter 1635759191397904386 Retweet on Twitter 1635759191397904386 Like on Twitter 1635759191397904386 2 Twitter 1635759191397904386
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14 Mar

Fred Kerley had a most excellent visit to #Australia, 20.32 for 200m and 44.65 for 400m, @ASICSamerica, @ASICSaustralia, @fkerley99

Fred Kerley @fkerley99

Reply on Twitter 1635758068800839680 Retweet on Twitter 1635758068800839680 Like on Twitter 1635758068800839680 2 Twitter 1635758068800839680
Load More...
Next Post

Who Can Catch Haile? A Commentary by Pat Butcher

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist