• Sponsored Links

  
  
  

• Video Collection

  • Exercises to Eliminate Lower Back Pain: Part 3 of 3
  • Caribbean grilled shrimp and pineapple skewers
  • How to Grill a Sea Bass - Bobby Flay
  • Hip Flexor Quad Stretch
  • Roasted Winter Vegetables
  • Grilled Fruit Skewers
  • Shrimp and Scallop Kabobs
  • Red Snapper Grenobloise - Lemon Caper Sauce
  • Nori Rolls without the Rice (Low Carb)
  • Running Shoe Orthodics

• Sponsored Links

RYC-Rating:

I haven’t read “Once a Runner: A Novel ” in a long time, so I thought it was about time to revisit the classic. Many runners seem to argue that this is the best running fiction out there. It definitely has achieved that cult classic status, which I think was partially elevated by its out-of-print status. Now that it looks like there is another print of the book coming out(get yours now before it disappears again for another decade), it only seems right to re-read to see if it is worth buying a hardcover edition as my paperback copy is showing some wear.

Honestly, the last few chapters are worth its weight in gold! It isn’t a spoiler to mention that these last few chapters are about a big race – don’t most running books end this way? Anyway, the last few chapters are like a time warp, sending you back to your days on the track. If you ran track back in high school or college, you’ll relive your best race. I hate to say it, but the last few chapters were so exciting I couldn’t put the book down. Cliché’s like that annoy me but it is actually what happened, so I had to say it. I had less than 10 pages left when I reached my subway stop. I simply stepped out of the subway-car, but instead of continuing my commute to work, I sat at a bench and finished what I started. Adrenaline was high and my legs were tingly ready to run myself. My feet itched, unable to stay motionless while I read. My heart pumped and even my breaths were perceptible. I was overcome with emotion that Parker guides you through. He completely nails every thought, habit, ritual, and emotion that you feel when you race the mile. I even caught myself wriggling the nervous energy out my fingers like I once did on the starting line.

The story itself is not very original. Many others try to capture the excitement of breaking the four minute mile, but no other book that I have read captures the details that only a runner would notice and cherish. I don’t know much about Parker, but without a doubt he must have been a serious competitor during his time. The slight change in breathing you notice in your competitors. The slight kink in their form or arm carriage can tell a runner so much. Parker captures all of these details – it’s like you were running the race yourself.

The story begins with a scene I’ve lived though - a reunion between the track and the runner. He walks the same track that the runner has memorized inch by inch learning how to gauge his energy reserves while running intervals.

Anyway, I could go on and on about this book. The story is good and I would just have given it 4 stars if it weren’t for those last few chapters. Those made this a five star, and yes I’m buying a hardcover edition when it comes out. It is that good – I’m going to buy a book that I already have. My wife is going to have another reason to call me insane. Oh, well.

If you want to discuss the details of this book or the sequel, "Again to Carthage ", check out the RYC Book Club message board.

Comments

• Recent Posts

  • 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days - Dean Karnazes
  • Once a Runner, John L. Parker Jr.

• Choose Your City:

  USA Albany Austin Chicago Denver Greenville, SC Jersey City Los Angeles Minneapolis New York City Oklahoma City Orlando Phoenix Portland, ME Portland, OR Rapid City Reading, PA San Francisco South Bend Tucson Virginia Beach Washington, DC York, PA

  Canada Ottawa Victoria Germany Dresden India Bangalore Kenya Nairobi Malta Marsa New Zealand Auckland Philippines Manila United Kingdom London Nottingham

  Don't see your city? Click here.
• 

• Add Our Link

  
  
  
  Click here to find out how.