Runners on Running

This is a delightfully complete non-fiction book on running long distance, which is a sport I have aspired to embrace in my life time. I have always been fascinated with running and the concept of the runner's high. I have always wondered how great it would feel to master running and to accomplish the task of running a marathon. Sadly, I have never accomplished this, but this book gives details about running that allow me to imagine running and to live vicariously through reading this book.

The book is a collection of stories about running written by runners, and not only offers insight on running but offers inspiration to go out and accomplish your dreams, especially if your dream is to run. It was beautifully put together and the show more stories offer variety into viewing running. show less

Winter has reared it's ugly head in Boston and the ice-covered sidewalks have forced me inside to run the hideous 1/7th mile track at BU. So it was nice to get a copy of this book in the mail and read about one of my favorite pastimes and dream about warmer weather.

As all anthologies go, essays can be hit or miss, but I found many of them to be quite riveting. (Only one confused me so much that I skipped to the next chapter.) I was a bit disappointed about all of the book excerpts, because many of the books are on my "to-read" list and now I feel a bit spoiled. I had already read Kathrine Switzer's book so I skipped over that essay.

But I must say, I tend to agree with the cover text... this is among the best running nonfiction I've read!

A varied collection of essays on running. Like any collection, some are good and some are not. The ones that were inspired or just plain commiserated. The ones that weren't were self-aggrandizing and show-offy. The best stories were from people who were writers first and runners second -
My Old Buick - Don Kardong

White Men Can't Run - Amby Burfoot
Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard - Marc Bloom
Team Hoyt Starts Again - John Brandt
In Pre's Footsteps - Don Kardong

What this isn't is a training book; don't read this if you want insight into techniques or programs. It does try to inspire though and sometimes does as it sometimes entertains.

Runners on Running is a quaint collection of short stories that professional runners share about their joys and agonies of running. I was deeply enthralled by it becuase it personalizes running. Running is one of the best sports, not just for fitness and weight loss, but becuase everybody cheers for everybody else as a sign of encouragement; running is about doing your best. This construct helped bring the stories to a new, personal level.

This is a great collection of running essays that will appeal to a pretty wide running audience. They are thoughtfully arranged (touching on areas of friendships/bonds, mentors, mind, spirit, etc.) and well chosen. Being a distance runner, it is always exciting to find new inspiration and thoughts on the sport. There are some I had read before, which was kind of a let down as I thought this was new material, but still, this is a great book to share with your running friends and to keep coming back to for inspiration. I do kind of feel you have to be a runner, or at least enjoy the sport, to enjoy the book though. Recommended.

As anthologies go, this one kept my attention from cover to cover and provided some much needed running inspiration. I'm not entirely sure that a non-runner would find it as interesting as I did, but some of the stories were absolutely amazing. My favorite was about Team Hoyt - I challenge anyone not to be moved by it.

If you are a runner this is a book kept in your personal library, maybe sharing with friends that can be trusted to return it. A wide-range of short stories that delve into the history of the sport, will inspire you before a race and maybe even touch your heart. Kathrine Switzer's personal account of her first Boston marathon, which we all have heard something about, was fascinating. The world class runners who share the efforts involved in one or more of their races was great (Runyan, Halberg, Liquori, Scott, Clarke for example). Buy it for yourself or a loved one who runs.