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RUNNER'S NICHE
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Vol. 4 No.5 May, 1999
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NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
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This issue of Runner's Niche is a sort of "theme" issue, with several
book reviews for your consideration. I really believe that one of the
best ways to improve your running, gain motivation and add to the
enjoyment of the sport comes through reading. Maybe that's why one of
my summer projects will be building an extra bookcase to hold my
constantly growing library. I hope these reviews can help you to make
some decisions on possible additions to your own book collection.
On another note, many of you are aware that I live in Colorado, and I
am certain everyone is quite aware of the terrible tragedy that
occurred at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20.
As a life long resident of this state, it is very difficult for me to
accept that such a thing could happen here. As a teacher, it is doubly
hard to swallow.
The United Way has started a fund called "the Healing Fund" to help the
victims, their families, and to aid in anti-violence programs for our
schools. If you would like to contribute to that fund, the address is:
The Healing Fund
P.O. Box 46531
Denver, CO 80201
Please make checks payable to: The Healing Fund.
Thanks, and I hope your running is going well!
- WG
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Point your browser to: http://home.netone.com/~woodyg3/bookstore.html
MANY GREAT RUNNING TITLES LISTED! PLUS YOU CAN SEARCH FOR ANY BOOK
TITLE IN PRINT WITH UP TO 40% DISCOUNTS!
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MARATHON & BEYOND MAGAZINE - THE RUNNING PERIODICAL THAT GOES THE EXTRA
MILE.
Visit their web site at: http://www.marathonandbeyond.com
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RUNNER'S NICHE / MARATHON & BEYOND TRIVIA CONTEST
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Congratulations to last month's trivia winner, Harold Orr of Singapore.
Harold receives a free issue of Marathon & Beyond Magazine and FAME!
This month's winner will also get a free issue of the running
periodical that goes the extra mile - Marathon & Beyond Magazine.
Trivia contest entrants are limited to one prize per calendar year.
When answering, email your answers with the subject "trivia contest"
and answer the questions in the order they appear below. Mail to:
woodyg3@netone.com. The FIRST person to answer all ten questions
correctly wins. If nobody answers all ten correctly, we will award the
prize to the person who answers the most questions correctly. Good
Luck!
This month's Questions:
Indicate what manufacturer produced (or still produces) the running
shoes listed below:
1. Chariot
2. Terra T/C
3. Gazelle
4. SL 72
5. Mariah
6. Equator
7. Streetfighter
8. Marathon Trainer
9. Jayhawk
10. Jazz
Last month's Answers:
1. The New York City Marathon had the most running participants of any
marathon in the United States last year. What marathon had the second
highest number of runners?
Answer: Honolulu
2. What U.S. road race had the most participants last year? (Hint: It
was not a marathon.)
Answer; Bay to Breakers
3. The Flying Pig Marathon will be held on May 9 in what U.S. city?
Answer: Cincinnati
4. Where is the annual Prefontaine Classic track meet held?
Answer: Eugene
5. What city is host of the Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon?
Answer: Los Angeles
6 - 10 Who were the authors of the following running books?
6. "Once a Runner"
Answer: John L Parker
7. "Best Efforts"
Answer: Kenny Moore
8. "Better Runs"
Answer: Joe Henderson
9. "Slaying the Dragon"
Answer: Michael Johnson
10. "The Complete Book of Running"
Answer: Jim Fixx
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SLINGER SANCHEZ RUNNING GUN
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Book Review by Woody Green
Bruce Glickin, a runner and writer from Houston, Texas, has created a
running novel that is both spellbinding and intriguing. The characters,
which include a tremendously talented 800 meter runner named Jesse
Sanchez and his coach Kevin McClanahan, are well developed. It was this
very character development and the involvement I felt with the book's
protagonists that made me forget some relatively minor annoyances in
the story line.
The plot centers on a young man, Jesse Sanchez, who is training to be
the best 800 meter runner in the world. His heritage is half-Mexican
and half-Irish. As such he has some battles with racism. Additionally
he has issues with his missing father, who was physically abusive to
his family. The discourse on various societal problems is repeated
frequently in the story, and is large part of the book's strength.
Adding to the difficulties Sanchez encounters is the fact that his
coach is not well liked by many in the running community, especially
those in the fictional "NATF", the National Association of Track and
Field. Dirty politics and behind the scene happenings force Jesse into
some non-athletic battles throughout the book. A wild, fantasy styled
romance is included for good measure.
Along the way there are a couple of pretty far-fetched athletic
performances and plot lines, but it is all in the name of telling an
entertaining tale. The book does have some weak spots and there were
some tactless passages. As an example, the author's repeated
description of a slimy athletic agent picking his nose became quite
tiresome. Some of the details were so far off as to be annoying to a
true track and field buff, too. For instance it is stated in the book
that sprinters use much longer spikes than distance runners use. This
is, of course, not the case. All track runners are generally limited to
spikes of 1/4 inch or less.
Annoying details aside, I found it impossible to put the book down
while reading the final few chapters. Interesting side plots and
unusual or unexpected story twists made for enjoyable reading, and my
heart rate soared as I read the final running scene in the book. All in
all this is a must read for anyone interested in running fiction.
Runner's Niche Book Rating: 4 out of 5 possible winged feet.
(Available from Amber Fields Publishing Company, ISBN number: 0-
9663458-0-0.)
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PAIN
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Book Review by Woody Green
In his first novel, Dan Middleman takes a hard look at the life of a
top collegiate distance runner, Richard Dubin, in his senior year at
the Florida Institute of Technology. While the work is fictional, there
is a hard edge of truth in this story.
Middleman should know a good deal about the lifestyle of a top distance
runner in the U.S. system. An Olympian for the United States in the
1996 at 10,000 meters, Middleman is currently one of the best distance
runners in the country.
The internal struggles and external pressures of life as a top distance
runner are the book's focus. Hardly a feel-good tale, the book looks at
issues such as alcoholism, difficulty with relationships and serious
depression. There are lighter parts of the tale, such as the antics of
typically wild college students and events such as a naked relay. As
you might expect of a book with a title like "Pain," however, the
overall tone of the book is dark.
Middleman writes well, and the story is quite absorbing. The characters
seem very real, although for the most part they are a grim lot. Without
giving away the ending, I will only say that the climax didn't make
sense to me. It was sort of like the author trying to convince me there
had just been a train wreck when I never saw any tracks. Of course,
life can be that way at times, which might be part of Middleman's
message.
Runner's Niche Book Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 possible winged feet.
(Available from Tafnews Press, ISBN number: 0-911521-52-6)
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RUNNING FAST AND INJURY FREE
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Book Review by Woody Green
Gordon Pirie, a top British distance runner and coach, wrote this book
before his death in 1991, but it has only recently been available. It
is published privately by the editor, Dr John S Gilbody.
Pirie was never one to avoid controversy, and this is part of the
reason the book is privately published. For instance, Pirie believed
that shoe companies design and develop shoes that actually inhibit
correct running technique, and contribute to what he called an "injury
epidemic." This is not a position that many publishers would be anxious
to promote.
The book outlines his fundamentals for running form, correct shoe style
and fit, race strategy, interval training, weight training, diet and
vitamins. Some of his advice runs contrary to popular opinion, such as
his insistence that all runners should be forefoot strikers, and not
allow their heel to land first with each stride. His feeling was that
static stretching, the mainstay of most modern flexibility programs,
could cause injuries rather than prevent them. He also was a huge
proponent of interval training, with example workouts from his own
training such as: 54 x 400 meters in 64 seconds with 45 seconds jog
rest. Hardly mainstream, but he did win a silver medal in the 1956
Olympic 5,000 and set five world records in his career.
This book may not replace "Gallway's Book on Running" for basic running
advice, especially for the novice runner, but it is an interesting and
thought provoking piece of work. If you value looking at things from
differing perspectives and feel that it is good to occasionally test
your beliefs against other points of view, this book is definitely for
you. I highly recommend this for serious runners, especially those with
an interest in the history of training technique.
Runner's Niche Book Rating: 5 out of 5 possible winged feet.
Ordering information:
Dr John S Gilbody
One Rookswood Close
Hook
Hampshire RG27 9EU
ENGLAND
For delivery of the book airmail to the US enclose $25.00 (i.e.
all-inclusive price; US cash, check or IMO accepted, but not credit
card). For orders within the UK and Europe the all-in cost is UK£13.00.
For Australia/New Zealand the all-in airmail cost is Aus$40.00
(Australian checks are okay).
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RUNNING FOR DUMMIES
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Book Review by Woody Green
I have never been much of a fan of the "Idiot" and "Dummy" books. You
know the one's I mean: "The Internet for the Complete Idiot" or "Car
Repair for Dummies." Who wants to buy a book that indicates a lack of
brainpower on the part of the purchaser? Yet, these books have sold at
an astonishing rate.
One of the latest of these is "Running For Dummies" by Florence
Griffith Joyner and John Hanc. The book was nearly complete at the time
of Flo-Jo's recent death, and the decision was made to complete and
publish the book. Included is a special 16-page color photo tribute to
the controversial multi-gold medalist.
If you are wondering what a sprinter can tell any of us about distance
running, rest assured that this is a well researched book that presents
sound distance running fundamentals in an easy to read manner. Areas
included are training basics, advanced training, running technique,
cross training, and even specialized advice for women, kids and
seniors. The book also examines the mental side of running, nutrition,
injuries, and strength training. Further, there are chapters on some of
the major races in the country and even an Internet directory of
running sites.
There is a good deal packed into 256 pages, with very little fluff and
self promotion common in some books written by well known athletes.
As with other books of this type, there are various "icons" in the
margin denoting warnings, jargon alerts, fast facts, myth busters and
Flo-Jo says tips. There are many sidebars on topics as varied as the
mythical character Achilles and statistics about the use of treadmills
as a fitness device. A sprinkling of cartoons adds some fun along with
the informative reading.
I must admit that I am surprised to be highly recommending a book from
the "Dummy" series, especially one written, in part, by a controversial
sprinter. None the less it is an excellent resource for the beginning
runner, and entertaining reading for those with experience.
Runner's Niche Book Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 winged feet.
(Available from IDG Books Worldwide, ISBN number: 0-7645-5096-9)
Thanks to RUNNING DELIGHTS for providing this book for review!
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RUN TO THE SON
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Book Review by Woody Green
If you are of the Christian faith and looking for a book of
"devotional" style, "Run to the Son" may be of interest to you. Author
Jerry Snider presents a format that is a bit on the non-traditional
side, with the 26 chapters being one for each of the 26 miles of a
marathon. Here the running connection pretty much ends, though. The
interesting tid-bits, each reflecting back to a particular gospel
verse, are not primarily running related. I have to say that I wasn't
always convinced of the correlation between the story and the verse,
but found the reading worthwhile all the same. Each chapter has a sort
of Readers Digest feel to it, being short and often humorous or
intended to pull on the heartstrings. "Run to the Son" is an easy,
light read intended to lift the reader's spirit.
Runner's Niche Book Rating: 3 out of a possible 5 winged feet.
(Available from Paper Moon Publishing, ISBN number: 09653027-6-8)
Thanks to RUNNING DELIGHTS for providing this book for review!
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