After reading it, I found it to be a very cool, written book, not just for runners. That’s why I think Brosnan really nailed it here. It resonates with a broader audience beyond the running world.
I went to Barnes & Noble and couldn’t find it at first, so I asked the clerk at the info desk. She actually directed me to the motivation section instead of sports. That says a lot about how this book definitely carries a different vibe than your typical running book. So far, I’m really liking it.
This says it all really. There’s arguably better coaches out there from a technical standpoint, but no one can motivate their athletes like Brosnan. I think that’s why the pro group is likely to live up to all the high expectations, if not succeed them.
As one who loves reading about running (all genres) I bought a copy of this book (was also brought in by seeing Chris Lear's name and aware of his "Running with the Buffalos" and "Sub 4:00 "- about Alan Webb) and generally enjoyed it. It provided some good early career insights about Nico Young which were interesting as I watched and cheered for him in Tokyo. You can also pull up U-tube videos of some of the XC races discussed in the book and see how FAST his kids were. That being said what Brosnan did at the High School XC level is just a bit short of insane and NOT reproducible by 99% of HS programs. So a "good - fun read" - Yes !.....
a book for HS coaches who want to emulate Sean's approach (e.g. 4 weeks of Summer running camp!) - forget about it.
I just finished reading the book. It's well written and as a CIF parent during the years referenced, a fun read being very familiar with the venues, races and athletes mentioned. Brosnan's peripatetic life up until Newbury Park was fascinating. That he distilled all of that down into coaching and motivational lessons, and then found the right environment and athletes for that to flourish so spectacularly is a bit of a sporting miracle. Does he come across in the pages as being a little abrasive and self congratulatory, well sure, but he also comes across as devoted to the athletes and to excellence. The main knock on Brosnan is longevity. He can't seem to sit still. The greatest coaches do great things over many years and generations of athletes, but for a few amazing years in Newbury Park, high school runners reached a pinnacle of performance never to be matched again imo.
I'll add one additional comment. Brosnan's main thesis is that what happened at Newbury Park can happen just about anywhere given the right coaching, motivation and goal setting. I agree with this in part. I think many high school programs could do far better with what they have in terms of time, talent, interest, resources. Do I think Brosnan could have landed in one of a hundred other similar CA towns and left a few years later with multiple runners faster than HS Ritz over 5K, no chance. I won't believe that unless he does it again in some new location. Brosnan undersells that he did win a genetic lottery stumbling upon the likes of Nico.
This post was edited 17 minutes after it was posted.
I went to Barnes & Noble and couldn’t find it at first, so I asked the clerk at the info desk. She actually directed me to the motivation section instead of sports. That says a lot about how this book definitely carries a different vibe than your typical running book. So far, I’m really liking it.
This says it all really. There’s arguably better coaches out there from a technical standpoint, but no one can motivate their athletes like Brosnan. I think that’s why the pro group is likely to live up to all the high expectations, if not succeed them.
Oh yes, "damn it, run faster so I look like a good coach" is soooo motivating.
One of the best reads I’ve had in a while. NPR might lean woke, but it’s still great marketing to get this exposure. The irony is that this book basically gives a big FU to the establishment and NPR gave credit where it was due. Both good compromises