Running with the Legends: Training and Racing Insights from 21 Great Runners (book)

From special tips you can use to incredible feats that will inspire you, Running with the Legends is full of material to enhance your own running and your appreciation of those who have set the standard for excellence.

AUDIENCE

Reference for runners and sport enthusiasts

CONTENTS

Foreword
Introduction
1 Emil Zatopek
"No, no...I was not very talented. My basic speed was low.

Only with willpower was I able to reach this world-best standard in long-distance running."

There is nothing special about me. There will soon be many in Kenya as good as me."

"The further I got into training for health and fitness, which it was in the beginning, the better it got. The fitter I got, the more I wanted to pursue it. It was just like holding a carrot in front of a horse."

"I became a runner because it suited my personality. It suited me as an individual.

There may be a lot of different reasons, but somehow, they all came together."

Without some company in the difficult miles, the body's mission becomes lonely and dark."

My coach said 'get to the front with 600 meters left, and stay there.' I did."

It couldn't be done without the support and help of my people, runners, and coaches."

"In running you can't say you want to be the best. You just have to work very hard, really.

"I was now running for the tape . . . the mental agony of knowing I had hit my limit, of not knowing what was happening behind me. I was not to know they were fading, too. The anxiety over the last 20 meters was unbearable . . . it showed in my face as I crossed the line."

When I am training and competing, I really concentrate, but during the rest of the day, I don't want to think about running. I think too many runners today are too serious about their running."

"Running well is a matter of having the patience to persevere when you are tired and not expecting instant results. The only secret is that it is consistent,

"I don't train to beat another runner. We are out there together, competing with the marathon, and I train to run the marathon as fast as I can."

"Every time I fail I assume I will be a stronger person for it. I keep on running figuratively and literally, despite a limp that gets more noticeable with each passing season,

because for me there has always been a place to go and a terrible urgency to get there."

"I was motivated to win (the Boston Marathon) not only for myself, but for the Portuguese people of Boston. They were with me all the way and made winning this race the nicest moment of my life."

"I'm more relaxed for training, . . . more mentally strong, so I can train much harder. I have the mentality that I can train like a man, and it helps me a lot.

"To really prove yourself in athletics nowadays, you have to stay 10 to 15 years.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Sandrock is an accomplished sports journalist with over 10 years of sports writing experience. He's a two-time winner and two-time runner-up of the Colorado Press Association Best Sports Story of the Year and has received the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists award for sports writing. Michael is currently sports editor of the Colorado Daily newspaper and freelances for several running publications, including Running Times, Runner's World, American Runner, and Footnotes.

An avid runner for 25 years, Michael is a training partner for many elite runners. He earned varsity letters in track and cross country from the University of Colorado, where he graduated with honors, and holds personal bests of 2:24 marathon, 30:23 10K, and 14:48 5K. He coached high school track and cross country and also coached track for the United States Information Agency in Africa.

Michael is the founder of the "Shoes for Africa" project where runners donate new and used running shoes and clothes for underprivileged athletes in several countries, including the United States.

Michael is a member of the Colorado Press Association and the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists.

WORDS OF PRAISE

"It's a joy to read Running With the Legends and to indulge in its expansive treatment of some of running's pantheon. As someone who lives the life about which he writes, Sandrock is a natural to write this book."

"I feel I have 21 new friends in the running community. It's like I've watched them compete and have been right next to them through their triumphs and disappointments. When I have a question about my own running career, I can just open Running With the Legends, read a chapter and my question will be answered."

Shipping Details: This item ships standard for $6.95 to the Continental U.S.

Availability: In stock - leaves the warehouse within 1 - 2 business days. NOTE: For Christmas Delivery, orders for this item placed between 12/10/2009 - 12/15/2009 must ship 3 Day, orders placed on 12/16/2009 must ship 2 Day, orders placed between 12/17/2009 - 12/19/2009 must ship Next Day. After 12/19/2009, Christmas Delivery is NOT guaranteed.