The Gerry Lindgren Story ... Who's read it?

Are you referring to the RW monthly book from the early '70s?

training regime...

I'd like to see some LetsRun.com posters review the book (only if you've read it), on this thread

how do you review a book that you haven't read?

You read the book dipshit.

idiot wrote:

You read the book dipshit.

This would be the clear answer. But yet, you will find those around here that want to give expert opinions on books they haven't read anything more than the cover of. It happens.

Spokane Inane wrote:

I just finished Gerry's book. I was a young competitive runner in the late '60's and '70's. There were MANY (AP) articles about Lindgren in the newspapers, Sports Illustrated, Track and Field News etc. This book answers alot of questions I had back then. Number one being "How in the world does a high school kid finish in the top 10 in the Olympic 10,000 on a twisted ankle?"

I think Gerry's book can be good for young runners to read. He talks alot about his motivations BEHIND his ultra training regime...

I'd like to see some LetsRun.com posters review the book (only if you've read it), on this thread.

Hi, Gerry. Still trying to sell the book?

I read the back and enjoyed it for the insights it gave into America's greatest HS runner. Young Mr Lindgren had a tortured soul and much to prove. I doubt any young runner would try to duplicate his training. I was disappointed that the book did not give insights into Gerry's "adult" life but I suspect Mr Lindgren is still embarrassed about it. I guess I found the book insightful but not inspirational, still a good read.

Gerry's book was something that I wanted to read for quite some time when I first heard about it....then Gerry started posting ridiculous nonsense on this site and I completely lost all desire to read it. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one that feels that way.

wtf wrote:

Are you referring to the RW monthly book from the early '70s?

My mistake... Title is "Gerry Lindgren's Book on Running". Just printed late last year. This is an autobiography. Gerry relays the story of a hard childhood... How he got interested in running, how he was very slow compared to his teamates in jr high and early high school..... on through his 9th place finish in the Olympic 10K, the summer after graduating from high school. What I like about the book is that he explains how he progressed from an also ran to the one mile state champion and cross country state champion in about 2 years. Was he an also ran as a freshman? Yes. Did he win the state titles as a junior and senior? Yes. The story behind this time period alone is fantastic. What I really like about the book is that Gerry tells why and how he accomplished what he did.

I am only asking for other readers' of the book opinion of the book.

Spokane Inane = not Gerrythejogger

the grammar and punctuation are too good, plus Gerry's brand of self promotion doesn't lend itself to this kind of subtlety.

I read it. It was a little too heavy on some of the "feel good" messages, but overall very good. I especially enjoyed the race tactics section at the end.

Having read 'The Gerry Lindgren Story' and his 2005 book, I thought the RW edition was better.

wtf wrote:

Having read 'The Gerry Lindgren Story' and his 2005 book, I thought the RW edition was better.

Is that what they're callin ,"A Million Little Pieces",now?

That Runner's World Booklet of the Month "The Gerry Lindgren Story" from 1971 is pretty rare to come by.

And that you know for sure? Yeah, nobody would post anything by using somebody's name. Get your life together!!!!!

Spokane Inane wrote:

I am only asking for other readers' of the book opinion of the book.

I thought it was an interesting piece of fiction.

Seriously.

Remember, it's not written by Lindgren, it's written by his "Shadow" - and there's a disclaimer by the "Shadow" that he isn't sure he got everything right.

I would not put it on my recommended reading list for HS athletes.

Plus the whole book could've been a whole heck of lot more intriguing if it actually went through Gerry's whole life, up until his return to the public....

A few of the claims made in the book are ridiculous over promotion of himself.

What I WOULD put in the "read" file for my HS athletes:

Pre

Once a Runner

Running with the Buffaloes

Sub 4:00

Milers (I think that's the name - each chapter a different miler)

Slaying the Dragon

PDX Track wrote:

What I WOULD put in the "read" file for my HS athletes:

Pre

Once a Runner

Running with the Buffaloes

Sub 4:00

Milers (I think that's the name - each chapter a different miler)

Slaying the Dragon

Once A Runner is not suitable for HS runnenrs. It condones alcohol and pre-marital sex in detail.

Gerry has said he is working on a second book that continues his story.

I actually would like to read MORE of his teenage stories. His teenage years is what captures the imagination and inspires. Who cares about later on?

Run wrote:

Once A Runner is not suitable for HS runnenrs. It condones alcohol and pre-marital sex in detail.

Yeah, high school runners don't know anything about either...

i'm telling you, man- one of jim ryun's sons is coming out with a book about america's greatest milers. it sounds so sweet. he told me that it's going to have a full year of everyone's training straight from their log- not just some single week of training. he said things like the year of his dad's 1500m wr, falcon's dream mile breakthrough year, etc. i can't wait!

dmb wrote:

Run wrote:

Once A Runner is not suitable for HS runnenrs. It condones alcohol and pre-marital sex in detail.

Yeah, high school runners don't know anything about either...

I'm aware that high schoolers indulge in these things or at least are exposed to them. That doesn't change the fact that it's best to keep their exposure to a minimum if you can. I hated that hard core running had to be related to wrong behavior like it was in this book. Would you want your teenage daughter reading it?