If you're a fan of Olympic champion Frank Shorter, you'll probably be surprised by Powell's encounters with him. But, he's comparing himself to the group he trains with and he's found one that challenges him. It's a bit sobering to listen to him talk about failing at a race because he only ran 7 minute miles, a pace I can't keep up for long. Quite the opposite in fact he continually thinks he's behind the curve and falling behind even as he's running faster than most marathoners. He goes back to the Native Americans who traveled through this area and spoke of the curse of an area so beautiful that you don't want to leave.Īnd, unlike most running books, he doesn't brag about his abilities. He moved to Boulder but saw it as a bit of a Stepford town crowded with running coaches, life coaches, body workers, and many other sorts of people trying to make a buck off the affluent amateur athletes who have taken over the town. Instead of worshipping runners and the sport, he has a clear-eyed view of his experience. Maybe his story is ongoing and there is more to come. The only thing that the book misses is an ending that wraps up his attempt to get into the Boston Marathon. Everything ties together well and flows naturally from one thing to the next. Although Powell started running as a way to correct his life, this book is unlike any of the other running books.
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