Buddy Edelen

I agree. The book is an excellent read. I'm glad that Buddy received some well-deserved attention before he died.

Not to mention his awesome portrayal of Jed Clampett.

ah, bach.

yep, he was real.

when there was an immediacy to success, not a long term pro 'career'.

when you are running your miles on a tredmill 'cuz its drizzling outside, ask, "what would buddy do?"

Buddy's book is exceptional and quite helpful.

I do not think that Buddy Edelen was ever the same runner after winning that extremely hot Olympic Trial in 1964. He still managed to come sixth in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Marathon Final beating a number of the marathon greats of the 1960s. Edelen finished ahead of Ron Clarke, Billy Mills and three runners who had six Boston Marathon wins among them during their careers.

Didn't he develop a case of sciatica either in the trial or shortly after which he was never really able to shake? I think it plagued him in Tokyo and to some degree for the rest of his career.

The sciatica problem was the downfall of Buddy according to the book. Orville's idea seems very plausible also.

It is very odd that important marathons were run in some unbelievably bad conditions in the distant past. Quite often the Olympics have miserable days also.

Tokyo had the latest marathon, date wise, that I can recall. Wasn't it after mid October?

I personally wish that the marathon was run in the Winter Olympics. Derek Clayton probably felt the same way.

The 1964 Marathon Trials race started at 12N with the temperature and humidity in the 90s on a modified but still hilly Yonkers Marathon course. Buddy's performance was the greatest marathon race I ever saw. I plan to nominate him to the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

Example of a bad weather day: the 1967 AAU marathon championships. Run in SUMMER.

Gary C., What is happening with you archives program and do you know anything about this years nominee lists from NDRHOF?

We were fortunate enough to spend some weeks with Buddy during our altitude researh days in Alamosa, where Buddy moved to after the 64 Games to prepare for the 68 Games. Hi sciatica was a real problem, but he would now and then have someone drive him about 30 miles out of town so he could run back in (with some drinks along the way). I still have a very nice picture of him with Ryun and a few other subjects.

All of you who were fortunate enough to meet Buddy were lucky.

I grew up (as a runner) in the BR and FS era and had never heard of Buddy until someone suggested this great book.

It certainly seemed from the book that the trials run in the heat in the middle of the day was his undoing, but it's also possible that it was his work ethic and insecurity in himself that pushed him to train without much rest that caused the sciatica.

Not mentioned here was Fred Wilt, his coach, who was certainly the motivator for Buddy's training.

Now it's time to read Gerry Lindgren's book....

The Tokyo Olympic Marathon was held on Friday October 21, 1964 at one o'clock. That field had all of the best marathoners of the day and included Ron Clarke and Billy Mills. The run by Abebe Bakila was one of the most thrilling and awesome performances that I have seen. While we waited for the next runners to enter the stadium, Balkila gave us lesson on limbering up after a marathon. Adding to the excitement was the fact that the crowd knew that Tsuburaya was running in second place before he reached the stadium. Japan had yet to medal in track and field. When Tsuburaya entered the stadium with Heatley just behind him the crowd went wild. It was a shame that Heatley passed him on the last corner but Japan did get their medal. That was a race!

That was before my marathon awareness time. I do remember seeing the 10K though and I was very happy to see Billy Mills win that.

It is amazing how many of the great marathoners of the 60's mention Abibe Bikila as someone they greatly admired. Derek Clayton and Manfred Steffny immediately come to mind.

I did see the Bud Greenspan DVD of the Tokyo Olympics. Abibe did look amazingly fresh.

A little off topic, Tsubuaya took it pretty hard - committing suicide in 1968 in no small part to what occurred in 1964.

Gary C: Buddy Edelen's NOT in the NDRHofF? For this HofF to have any credibility, Buddy must be included! Up until his time, USA was the laughingstock of international distance running. His stoic training and lifestyle in England was greatly admired by the Brits and European runners. Edelen's trainining and racing were so inspirational to anyone running in the early '60s. He set the World Marathon Record in 1963... (An American holding a distance WR?) He placed 6th at the Tokyo Olympics with a bad sciatic condition. I don't know who is in the NDRHofF, but Edelen HAS to be in it!! Please nominate him.

Certainly Buddy has got to be nominated....He was doing things while training for the marathon that runners today "still" don't do.

Buddy turned around the USA running that was then the laughing stock of the world.

When I read books like his it reminds me that even at 55 year's of age, do not forget the speedwork.

On to GL's book for more inspiration.

Inspirational, to say the very least. As a teacher, I appreciate his routine - this guy was nothing less than iconic - and it would most likely blow his mind to see and hear people talking about him.

A huge amen!