Quit your bitching about RW. Let's talk about something positive - Once a Runner

Man, did you see who was on the cover of RW this month? Some slow celebrity....they are ruining the sport...man, that magazine is horrible....

I agree with Smoo Matt. I think we need to start helping these publications with sincere suggestions on how to make the mags better. There needs to be a balance of info for ALL runner's. We need to encourage people to run and alot of people need beginner's advice. But, we also need to let these people understand what elite runner's do. This is so they might understand that less is not better, it's just better than nothing. So, I agree that these publications are leaning too much towards the masses, but with time and some constructive criticism, they may start to lean back the other way. No matter which way they go, they will never please all of us.

Smoo Matt wrote:

At any rate, there have been numerous mini postings about my all time favorite book "Once a Runner."

I would love to hear everyones comments on the book. I mean has there ever been a book that so accurately reflects going to college on a track scholarship?

Yes. Running with the Buffaloes. More so than Once a Runner. They may have gone over the top in training intensity, but RWTB had the team atmosphere nailed down.

The most recent major publishing house's novel about running, "Life At These Speeds" by Jeremy Jackson, is a worthwhile read. There should be a paperback edition in the not distant future

I want to know where I can get a copy of Once A Runner...?? Haven't been able to find one.

have you ever read "the loneliness of the long distance runner"?

Amen to positivity.

I come to sing the praises of "Once A Runner." What's amazing about Parker's book is that it doesn't just deal with the inevitable ending to any running book (a big race) in a heart-stopping way, it addresses all the other aspects to being a dedicated runner effortlessly and beautifully.

You've got, in no particular order, women, teammates, practical jokes, hero worship, people who yell at runners from cars, the easy discussion between friends on a run, "training through," drinking, burnout, intervals, self-doubt, self-loathing and my personal favorite, "playing track."

And nobody who has ever written a book about running before or since turns a phrase like Parker. That's what distinguishes his work from everybody else's. Take his comment on training through a race - something to the effect of "if you're beaten by somebody training through, you are owned by them body and soul, unless some unforeseen miracle occurs, possibly involving Claymore mines." Brilliant.

Lear's book was terrific in that it was a behind-the-scenes look at a real team - something that had never been done before. But nobody can claim he has Parker's eloquence - yet. I found Jackson's book to be much more about running than racing, if that makes any sense. His main character had no rival, and genuinely disliked racing. That I found to be uncharacteristic of most competitive runners. Nicely written, though.

Have to end this with a final comment about OAR, though. In my experience, all amazing literature (and film, for that matter) makes you feel something you haven't felt before. Before I read OAR, I'd never felt the same nervous kind of anticipation that I felt before a big race. In the final chapters of that book, I did. Like I said, I sing its praises.

I agree that Running with the Buffalos was a good book, but not the page turner that was OAR.

Running with the Buff's was great in that it documented the events of the season, and gave you the "inside look." However, OAR simply shared the experience of being a collegiate runner.

Jasonlover - As for getting a copy of the book. I recently saw a couple of copies on Ebay for about $20 under the "Buy Now" option. It is well worth it. You will end up reading the book close to 3 times within your first year of owning it.[quote]DT wrote: