I finally read Once A Runner after so many people said I had to read it, that I did. It was originally written in 1978 – when I was once a runner…
Wow! From a personal perspective, it seemed like it was about me. So many of the descriptions – from hard workouts to pre-race jitters to the camaraderie of a team and even to the college girlfriend – were what I lived. The total, unexplainable commitment to training and running fast is finally explained.
From a coaching perspective, I hope many of the guys on our team read it. It is useful to give a sense of the type of focus required to become a good runner. Even though it is fiction, it gives a glimpse into the life of a high level collegiate runner for those thinking about continuing their running career beyond high school. Even for the less ambitious runners, it gives some insight that will prove valuable in lowering your PR.
I am not sure of what I will do with this rekindling of memories. I am pretty sure my calves will not let me be “twice a runner” as John Denning or Bob Schwelm are doing now. But it kind of makes me want to give it a try and maybe shoot to run the Scott Coffee Moorestown Rotary 8K fast in June…
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