• 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 IAAF

Bruce Jenner, a hero of mine by Brooks Johnson, Spikesandflats.com

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
February 7, 2015
0
0 0
0
SHARES
9
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brooks Johnson’s SpikesandFlats.com is perhaps the most thoughtful blog that I read. From comparing Jazz to the hurdles, from his brutally honest depictions of the dysfunction in our sport’s bureaucracies, to his imperfections, Brooks lets you see it and read it, and comments be damned. 


I have known Coach Johnson for nearly thirty years and have come to not just admire him, but truly respect him and appreciate his voice. I am prejudiced in that fact that, even when I, in my younger years, would disagree vociferously, Brooks was one of the first who got what my ex, Christine and I were trying to do with American Athletics. He also offered to pay our rent a few times, knowing we were struggling to develop our first magazine, juggle coaching community college and keeping our son in food and shelter. One does not forget that. 

Now, on to Bruce Jenner… Brooks wrote the following about Bruce Jenner, who I watched train daily in 1975-76 at San Jose City College, and in respect of Bruce, we supported the Bruce Jenner Classic which was managed by Coach Bert Bonnano. 

Brooks wrote about Bruce Jenner and his new journey well….

RelatedPosts

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 16, 2025, week 9, day 5, Ninth Week of the season, Friday is an easy day!

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 15, 2025, week 9, day 4, Ninth Week of the season, Thursday is a hard day!

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 14, 2025, week 9, day 3, Ninth Week of the season, Wednesday is the easy day!

BRUCE JENNER – A hero of mine !

 February 4th, 2015  sutrac

The word is out that Bruce Jenner is going to “come out” about having some sort of gender change. When I was queried about this, the discussion went as follows:

Brooks. did you hear Bruce Jenner was going to have a sex change ?

Yeah I heard.

Does it bother you that a male Olympic champion is going change his sex ?

He was also the world record holder and titled, “The World’s Greatest Athlete” at the same time.

Yeah,…that is what I am getting at. All THAT and he is going to change !

To be frank with you, I was more upset when he left Chris, his first wife, who as an airline stewardess worked to allow him to be free to train for the 76 Olympics, than I am about his changing his gender.

How can you be upset with him  for leaving his wife, when you had already been married three times when he was Olympic champion ?

Guess that makes me a hell of a hypocrite. But I am telling you what made the biggest critical impression on me. The fact he is pursuing his own objective in HIS life is consistent with what he did to become the Olympic champion and world record holder in the toughest event in track and field. He and Chris had come from this small college in Iowa and relocated in San Jose, California to train for the impossible dream,….him becoming the Olympic decathlon champion.

Look man, I know how tough you have to be, to be the Olympic champ in any event. But the decathlon ? That takes a whole lot more dedication, focus and  hard work …….

More hard work than what ? The Heptathlon ?

No man, not necessarily the heptathlon ?

Then what ? The heptathlon is the female version of the decathlon. Did Jackie Joyner have less commitment, dedication, and hard work when she set the world record, than Bruce did when he set his ?

Man, you keep playing with these damned words,…. that is why I hate talking with you.

Then shut the — up and hang up !!!

You are not going to get off that easy. Now tell me you are not upset to hear that Bruce Jenner is going to become a girl.

I am not upset that Bruce Jenner is going to become a woman.

How can you say that as a track coach for all these years ?

I can say that because I have been a track coach for all these years and know the things that really matter in the sport ,….and Bruce Jenner’s possible gender change is not one of them.

You already admitted you are a hypocrite, so how can I take you seriously about this.

I do not care how you take me,….seriously or not, however,  Bruce Jenner’s gender change does not alter my perception of him. I remember him saying how hard he used to train at San Jose City College. His apartment was adjacent to the track and Bert Bonanno, the head track coach, used to let him train there. All Bruce had to do was hop the fence between his and Chris’s apartment to get to the track.  Like all multi-event athletes he had one event that for no reason at all, was tougher than the rest. For him it was the pole vault. I remember him telling me how that event really messed with his head and how difficult it was for him to face the event. To his credit he overcame the fear and trepidation of the event and in the process set the world record on the world’s biggest athletic stage. I suspect he faced the gender thing in pretty much the same manner,…although it had to a thousand harder and more complicated. What he wanted he was not afraid to go after no matter how hard,…or far out,it was. How can a guy from a small college in middle America decide he is going to be the Olympic champion in the toughest event in track and field ? Only if he ultimately believes in himself and pursues it with all the courage and ability within his being.

Yeah, but did you just hear yourself ?

Hear what ?

Hear YOURSELF !!! You said how can a GUY from a small college in the cornfields of Iowa expect to be Olympic champion ? This GUY now wants to be a GIRL !

So the guy then knew what he wanted and went after it. The guy now knows what he wants and is going after it. The guy then went after it no matter what, and the guy now is going after it no matter what. It is the same person is making the decisions. Why would we admire the character and strength of his decision making back in the middle 70s and not feel the same about what he contemplating now ?

You are not getting my slant on this. He was a GUY back then !

Yeah,……and ?

Is he a GUY now ?

I do not care what he is right now. But what I do know is that he had a tough decision to make about his life, and just as he did back in the 70s he made the decision. Look, there used to be a meet at San Jose City College called the Bruce Jenner Classic. Bruce was a very big name  after the ’76 Games and allowed Bert to use his name to help promote and develop what turned out to be one hell of a meet at a time when we needed more quality domestic meets. It was an unselfish…….

We are NOT talking about track meets here !

As of now,…. we are NOT talking about anything because I am hanging up.

( CLICK )

Brooks T. Johnson

What does trepidation mean ?

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-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." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

Pavel Maslak blazes 45.82 MR at renewed Chemnitz! from EME News

Next Post

US Indoor results (with some global), Friday, Feb 6, 2015, from EME News

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-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." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

ASSEFA, SAWE DOMINATE TCS LONDON MARATHON
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 16, 2025, week 9, day 5, Ninth Week of the season, Friday is an easy day!

May 17, 2025
Doha Diamond League opens 2023 season with great competitions and great crowd!
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, May 15, Lillian Copeland sets AR in shot put and discus (1926), Pedro Pichardo battles Christian Taylor at Doha (2015), by Walt Murphy

May 16, 2025
Two 2 short-track World records by Ingebrigtsen 3:45.14 & 3:29.63
Diamond League

Doha DL News: Katie Moon, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce back, Mutaz Essa Barshim juggling injury early in season

May 16, 2025
Reports of SAFP’s demise have been exaggerated!
Diamond League

2025 Doha DL Preview: SAFP and Tebogo to highlight Doha DL!

May 16, 2025
The 1968 Mexico Olympics reconsidered, Day Eight, part two: the 1,500m, 4x100m, and the 4x400m,  by Mike Fanelli
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 15, 2025, week 9, day 4, Ninth Week of the season, Thursday is a hard day!

May 16, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, February 18, 2024, Bob Seagren, Horace Ashenfelter, by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, May 14, Lehigh defeats Lafayette in first dual meet (1881) Bob Seagrens sets PV WR (1966), Jan Merrill breaks Mile AR (1977), by Walt Murphy

May 14, 2025

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
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

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

February 6, 2025
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
ASSEFA, SAWE DOMINATE TCS LONDON MARATHON

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 16, 2025, week 9, day 5, Ninth Week of the season, Friday is an easy day!

May 17, 2025
Doha Diamond League opens 2023 season with great competitions and great crowd!

This Day in Track & Field, May 15, Lillian Copeland sets AR in shot put and discus (1926), Pedro Pichardo battles Christian Taylor at Doha (2015), by Walt Murphy

May 16, 2025
Two 2 short-track World records by Ingebrigtsen 3:45.14 & 3:29.63

Doha DL News: Katie Moon, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce back, Mutaz Essa Barshim juggling injury early in season

May 16, 2025
Reports of SAFP’s demise have been exaggerated!

2025 Doha DL Preview: SAFP and Tebogo to highlight Doha DL!

May 16, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
ASSEFA, SAWE DOMINATE TCS LONDON MARATHON
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 16, 2025, week 9, day 5, Ninth Week of the season, Friday is an easy day!

May 17, 2025
Doha Diamond League opens 2023 season with great competitions and great crowd!
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, May 15, Lillian Copeland sets AR in shot put and discus (1926), Pedro Pichardo battles Christian Taylor at Doha (2015), by Walt Murphy

May 16, 2025
Two 2 short-track World records by Ingebrigtsen 3:45.14 & 3:29.63
Diamond League

Doha DL News: Katie Moon, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce back, Mutaz Essa Barshim juggling injury early in season

May 16, 2025
Reports of SAFP’s demise have been exaggerated!
Diamond League

2025 Doha DL Preview: SAFP and Tebogo to highlight Doha DL!

May 16, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

US Indoor results (with some global), Friday, Feb 6, 2015, from EME News

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

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

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved