A lifelong friend of his found my blog post and told Coach Bastian about it. (Bastian avoids computers, his friend is a "computer expert.") The friend emailed me, asking me to call Bastian, who read a printed copy of my post. I reached him and we had a nice long conversation. After almost three decades, I was finally able to give him my heartfelt thanks for inspiring me to take up running. We reminisced about the long runs back and forth over the Bayonne Bridge and around Clove Lake and its dreaded "Cardiac Hill."
Unfortunately, he's not coaching now because of a controversial (and apparently trumped-up) firing from the school by the New York City Department of Education. Long story, big mess, but he'll have his day in federal court soon, and hopefully be reinstated to his job. I'm going to write a letter for him, vouching for his character. It's the least I can do.
This is a Polaroid photo of me from Christmas Day 1978. I'm wearing either my high school track suit, or a new Christmas-gift track suit: I don't remember. Red and white are the official colors of my high school, and the team name is the "Red Raiders." That's "Kitty" on my shoulder, and those two sticks are my skinny legs (which have, fortunately, filled out a bit over the years).
Ah, memories ... I really must resume my "Wayback Wednesday" series.
Yes, Ben Stiller mocked this look a couple decades later as Chas Tenenbaum, but I swear, this was somewhat cool in 1978.Running's come a long way since then. No one seriously wears these track suits any more. But putting one foot in front of the other, repeating, quickly, over and over, is the essence of running and has not really changed since ancient times. Only now, we do it for health and the "runner's high" instead of escaping that saber-tooth tiger.
9 comments:
Oh that's so cool! I'm glad you were able to talk to your former Coach. Love the track suit btw. When I began my running in high school we were the Cardinals and I also sported a very similar red track suit complete with red running shoes. And I assure you, I was _very_ fashionable! ;-)
Stylin' and profilin'
Ladies look out :)
How nice that after all that time, you got to talk to your coach and say thanks. My high school music teacher passed away before I could, but I wrote his son a nice letter telling him how great and inspirational his dad had been.
I had a blue Adidas track suit just like the one you're sporting!
Lovin the hair. I finally found an English teacher a few years ago, who made a big impact on me.
To quote Paris Hilton, "That's HOT"
My high school's colours were royal blue and gold. Other than my track suit being, well, royal blue with orangy-yellow stripes, I had pretty much the same suit.
In college (in Ontario's snow belt) I wore the track pants under jeans when the temperature dipped below -20 C.
Oh, and I read your profile. Your taste in books and music is very close to mine. You could crank up your stereo if you were my neighbour, provided there's enough bass to be heard in my house! *S*
Ah, to be alive in '78. Just when AD&D was just catching its stride and you could buy a car for $3000.
Well, I was alive. But I was three and unable to enjoy such pleasures.
i'm glad you got to meet him again after all these years! and i like the way your kitty stands on your shoulders, it's cute :-)
So studly. lol Thanks for sharing your opinions with us.
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