“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson

In November 2010 Monumental Effort published the story “The Bunion Derby – Part 1”.  On the eve of the 3^rd edition of The Mother Road 100-mile run, we briefly presented the history of the famed Route 66.  We talked about sports promoter C.C. Pyle’s pet project: “The First Annual International Trans-continental Foot Race”, we presented the eventual winner, Andy Payne, and reviewed Randy Ellis’s book “Running with Payne.”  This book is an account of the author’s personal journey as he retraced the steps of the original “bunioneers”.  At the conclusion of the post we promised a second part to this story in which we would offer more literature on this epic race and introduce different characters from the inaugural event.

The 1928 Bunion Derby

The idea for Part 2 has been on the backburner for quite some time and I thought it would be most relevant if I blogged about it before the end of February.  (Yeah, I know…just like my universities days, I’m getting this one in just under the wire!)

In North America, the month of February is Black History Month.  During this period we are encouraged to remember and honor African Americans and African Canadians.  The Immigration and Citizenship Canada website says it best:  “We take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we are today.”

Jackie Robinson

Nearly two decades before the great Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, six black athletes toed the line of the original Bunion Derby to compete alongside their white counterparts in a time when racial tension was still very prominent.  Of these runners, five were African American and the other was a Jamaican-born Canadian.  A tailor from Hamilton, Ontario, Philipp Granville was in fact one of the pre-race favorites to actually win the race.  C. C. Pyle had recruited many proven and accomplished professional athletes from Europe, whereas most of the North American participants were unknown and untested.  They were adventurous and determined young men hoping to reach the finish line first and earn the $25,000 prize…money they felt would lift them from poverty or help them better feed and clothe their families.  Granville however, was an Olympian and the holder of several race-walking World Records.  In order to compete in the Derby, Philipp Granville had to give up something he cherished dearly:  his amateur status.

Philipp Granville

Over the course of their 84-day odyssey, the bunioneers endured many hardships.  In addition to the daily grind of all those miles on muddy, potholed and dangerous roads, runners had to contend with all kinds of weather conditions, from the 95-degrees in the Mojave Desert to the winter storms in Arizona’s high country.  Runners did not receive adequate nutrition to replenish their broken-down bodies and medical assistance was limited.   Many athletes suffered from stomach problems and other illnesses due to the unclean water that was supplied.  Thanks in part to C.C. Pyle’s extremely noisy travelling carnival that accompanied the runners across the country as a cash-grab for the event, sleep was difficult to come by despite the fatigue and the inhumane sleeping arrangements did not help the runners get the required rest.  Runner John Stone Jr. quoted:  “Our blankets and pillows were so filthy it was a disgrace to the race.  We did not even have our own.  We got different ones each night.  We undoubtedly slept with our head in one end of a blanket, where some other unfortunate had his sore bleeding feet the previous night.”  In addition to all this, the black runners were bombarded with racial abuse and even death threats.

As the runners made their way across certain Southern states, specifically in Texas where the Ku Klux Klan still had a dominant presence in legislature, black athletes were greeted head on with the racial tension.  As they crossed this part of the country, the black runners were no longer permitted to sleep in the same tents as the white runners, they could not eat their meals with them and were often refused service in many public places.  One African American runner, Eddy Gardner, was even followed for an entire day by a farmer holding a shotgun who was daring him to pass a white runner.  For nearly a month, the black runners endured a living hell.  As they finally crossed into Illinois, and with the help of the bonds they had forged with the white runners, the remaining black athletes in the race were finally permitted to focus on their running and no longer feared for their lives.  At one point, Philipp Granville even started referring to himself as “Jamaican Indian” in hopes of avoiding some of the threats.

As for Granville’s race strategy, he started the event conservatively by speed walking the early stages.  He actually only started running past the midway point of the race.  Had he made the transition sooner, many believe he would have challenged Andy Payne for the win instead of his (still very impressive) 3^rd place finish.

Two compelling books offer much more in-depth information about the characters and the issues of The Bunion Derby.  These books are Geoff Williams’ “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “The Bunion Derby – The 1928 Footrace Across America” by Charles B. Kastner.  Kastner is an independent historian; as a result, his book is researched in great detail.  He offers lyrical accounts of the daily routines and much background information is provided about the participants and organizers of The Bunion Derby.  Geoff’s book, on the other hand, reads more like a nostalgic narrative and is more light-hearted and entertaining.  Both books are equally enjoyable and offer a different perspective on this incredible event.  You can order your copies by clicking on the picture of the book covers.

Not only were the bunioneers exceptional athletes and a source of inspiration for their Monumental Effort, they were without a doubt the pioneers of desegregation in the world of sports.   Charles B. Kastner writes:  “The heroism of the black bunioneers was a symbol of hope and pride to black communities they passed along the way, and to black America as a whole… The derby also showed the nation that blacks and whites could compete against one another even if they were not yet ready to live together in harmony.”

Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave us a comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

“It winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way.  Get your kicks on Route 66” – Nat King Cole

On November 13^th and 14^th, Monica Scholz will run in the third edition of the Mother Road 100-Miler in Oklahoma, and in the process she will eclipse her World Record of twenty-three 100-milers in one calendar year which she set in 2001.  The icing on this amazing ultra-cake will be her 25^th race of this daunting distance at the Creemore Horizontal on November 27 & 28 where she will celebrate her amazing accomplishment with family and friends.

In 2006 I had the pleasure of running in the inaugural Mother Road race.  At the time race organizers were calling it a “one time only” opportunity, but the event saw new life in 2008 and has made it to 2010.  The original course was along the historic Route 66 from Arcadia to Sapulpa, Oklahoma (basically two small towns on the outskirts of Oklahoma City and Tulsa) and the next two editions, MR100 covered other sections of “Main Street of America”.

Race swag for entrants in the Mother Road was quite impressive.  All runners received a duffel bag, a commemorative t-shirt and an actual concrete brick of the original Route 66 stamped with the race logo.  All finishers earned a belt buckle and an additional long-sleeve technical shirt featuring the names of all those who completed the distance printed on the back.  These were shipped to us a few weeks following the race.  In the race kit there was also a copy of Randy Ellis’s book “Running with Payne”.  This book marked my introduction to the Bunion Derby.

Historic Route 66

Established in 1926, Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways, and a transcontinental one at that.  Also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the road was a gateway to the west for many migrants during the “Dirty Thirties”.  Route 66 serviced America and significantly helped the economies of many rural centers for several decades before modernized technology and engineering, with the help of the Interstate Highway Act, basically rendered it irrelevant.  Today, some states have managed to conserve sections of Route 66 and some parts have even been protected as part of the National Scenic Byway system.

The Brainchild of C.C. Pyle

In the late 1920’s, sports promoter and agent for many professional athletes, C.C. Pyle had an ambitious vision of a 3455-mile footrace across America.  The race was to commemorate and promote the newly completed transcontinental Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago to New York.  Pyle enlisted runners from around the globe, brought them to the U.S. and on March 4^th, 1928 199 men from all walks of life gathered in California in hopes of crossing the finish line first in New York city thus earning the coveted $25,000 prize.  Eighty-four days later, 55 bunioneers reached the finish line.

The eventual winner of the first Bunion Derby was a young Cherokee man from Oklahoma named Andy Payne.  Andy grew up on a farm, but did not like farm work or riding horses.  While his brothers usually rode horses to school, Andy chose to run the 5-mile distance and eventually became one of the top local milers.

A “Payneful” tribute

Inspired by tales of Andy’s incredible accomplishment, ultra runner Randy Ellis decided to complete his own version of a coast-to-coast run and retrace most of the steps taken by Payne and the other participants of the 1928 Bunion Derby.  This run was to serve as a tribute to his fellow “Sooner”.  His book “Running with Payne” is essentially a day-by-day account of his own physical and spiritual journey along Historic Route 66.

Although “Running with Payne” does offer some limited historical information about the Bunion Derby, it reads mostly like a personal journal.  Ellis had a small crew to accompany him on this two and a half month journey, but the original bunioneers had to endure more modest accommodations and harsher conditions.  Nonetheless, I was captivated by Randy’s effort day in and day out.  He had to endure high volume motor traffic on the highways of California and Texas and the mountains of New Mexico offered some inclement weather.  As he made his way through his home state of Oklahoma, he was moved by the support and encouragement encountered along the route.  Finally, although Randy’s run was almost 460 miles shorter (which translates to 6 fewer days on the road) the reader will appreciate and certainly understand Randy’s emotional finish in South Carolina.

Two different routes, both Monumental Efforts

As I have always been interested in statistics and numbers, I especially liked the appendix in which Randy Ellis presents a chart of the total daily mileage of his run compared to what Andy Payne ran in 1928 on each day of the Derby.  A comparison of both runners’ total time would have also been interesting to see.

In a future post Monumental Effort will present more literature about this incredible event and profile more of the remarkable athletes who competed in the inaugural race across America.  Particular attention will be given to the Canadian participants of the 1928 Bunion Derby.

You can order your copy of “Running with Payne” by clicking on the picture of the book cover.

Please feel free to leave us a comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

“Trail running is a unique sport…that transcends the mere act of running and embodies the essence of being in the outdoors.” – Brian Metzler, Founding Editor of Trail Runner

Over the course of our first year of blogging, Monumental Effort has reviewed nearly a dozen (what we thought were) inspirational books on running.  From memoirs to novels, bestsellers and obscure reads, we shared our thoughts and impressions.  These reviews are still available by going to the “Categories” drop-down menu in the sidebar and selecting “Book Reviews”.  You could also purchase a copy of these titles at Amazon by clicking on the book cover picture in the post.  In the coming weeks (and in no particular order) M.E. will examine different running magazines.  As a junky of literature on running, I will review some of the publications that appear regularly in my mailbox.   There is no science to the rating below and I don’t suggest that I’m an expert on this subject; these are simply my personal opinions and observations.

What’s the deal?

1 year – 7 issues for $19.95

2 years – 14 issues for $29.95

4 years – 28 issues for $55.95

If you buy it at newsstands:  $5.99/issue ($4.95 in the U.S.)

Who are these guys and what’s this rag all about?

Billed as the “only magazine dedicated to the off-road running community”, Trail Runner is published by Colorado-based Big Stone Publishing which also produces the acclaimed climbing magazine Rock and Ice.  Now in its 10^th year of publication, Trail Runner can justifiably claim to be the authorities of this fast-growing sport.

I especially enjoy reading articles in the “Run Amok” or “Last Gasp” departments, often written by contributing editors Garrett Graubins or Bernie Boettcher, who regularly explore the lighter side of the sport.  Some of my favorite articles over the years have been:

• Porta-Potty Predicaments – The suffering starts before the start (March 2010);
• Running on Empty – The perfect hangover cure (September 2005);
• Fault Lines – The trail runner’s guide to excuse making (November 2006).

Equally as entertaining to these clever pieces are the accompanying illustrations provided by Jeremy Collins.

A Jeremy Collins illustration

Runners can send questions on topics such as training and nutrition to “Ask the coach”.  The “Great Escapes” section recommends exciting running destinations and the magazine offers regular news on Adventure Racing.  “Trail Tips” offers pointers on everything from first aid, how to properly fall on the trail, what to do when a bear is encountered and how to pee in the woods.  Finally, gear, shoes and gadgets are reviewed in every issue in the “Trail Tested” department.

What’s the Canadian content, eh?

Thanks mostly to the Trail Runner Trophy Series, there have been some Canadian runners profiled in the magazine.  This series allows runners to automatically earn and collect points by completing any of the featured 1000+ trail events across Canada and the United States.  Additional points are awarded if the runner places in the top-3 of his/her age group.  The races are divided into two categories:  1. Marathon and shorter; 2. Ultra Marathon, therefore offering distances for every runner.   Since a lot of the Ontario Ultra Series races also belong to the Trophy Series, Canadians have been well represented.  Recent series champs who happen to be Canadian include:  Ian Hobler of Ottawa, Kitchener’s Theresa McGrath, Jim Orr of Toronto, Sue Lucas of Dauphin, Manitoba, and Janice MacKay of Sault Ste Marie.  Hamilton’s Mark Tarnopolsky, OUS standout Laurie McGrath, and North Vancouver’s Ryne Melcher are all in contention for the 2010 titles.  Aside from these profiles, not many Canadian races or cities are featured in the publication.  Perhaps we need to do a better job of promoting our races.  The Managing Editor, Elinor Fish, does have some Canadian roots so hopefully we will see a wider range of Canuck News in future issues.

For the techie:

You can follow Trail Runner on Twitter and Facebook.  As I don’t have a Facebook account, I can’t accurately comment on this, however; the Twitter updates seem to occur about twice a month and usually announce the news items that can also be accessed from the “Fresh Dirt” tab on their official website:   http://www.trailrunnermag.com/.

As I navigated the site I realized that a lot of the information seemed dated.  Specifically, some of the most recent race reports were from as far back as 2007, and under “Trail News and People” the latest article is a pre-Western States account about amputee runner Amy Palmiero-Winters.  An update on her incredible result and perhaps news about her disappointing Badwater experience would have been an interesting touch.

The website has a significant race calendar that allows readers to search by region (province or state) and by month, but not by distance.  Unfortunately, the 2011 calendar hasn’t been posted yet.  A retailers section lists some Canadian running stores but these are mostly Running Free locations.  If you are new to trail running, the “Beginner Trail Running” section offers a practical six part guide.

Electronic copies of the issues can be downloaded from the site (however I was unsuccessful in doing so on three different computers) and subscriptions and renewals can also be done via the Internet.

So, in a nutshell:

If you get your kicks on muddy single-track or mountainous trails this magazine definitely has something for you.  If you haven’t ventured off-road yet, you don’t know what you’re missing…so get out there!  Whether you are new to trail running or you’re an experienced ultra runner, Trail Runner serves up the essential ABC’s of the sport.  Although there isn’t a ton of content in each issue (I could usually read cover-to-cover in one sitting), columns are often witty, entertaining and generally informative.

Overall rating (out of a possible 5 running shoes):

Do you read this magazine? What are your views?  Click here to comment.

Gotta run,

Vince

Ask the coach illustration by Collins

« My feet are like gnarled old tree branches. »  – Dennis Rodman

Does anyone else feel inundated, and frankly really annoyed by all the talk about the barefoot running craze?  Sure I’ve read and very much enjoyed Christopher McDougall’s bestseller “Born to Run”.  I’m also a strong advocate for minimalist shoes.  Whether I’m running a 5K road race or a trail 100-miler, the only shoes I’ve run in during the past 3 years (nearly 30 ultras and/or marathons in that span) are Nike Free 5.0. When I’m not running, the only footwear that I trust are the super light Sanuks (I have 6 pairs, different colors and styles…even a pair of Sanuk winter boots!), but I just can’t wrap my head around this barefoot fad. 

Last summer I even had a pair of Vibram Five Fingers on my feet at the Zombie Runner’s store in Palo Alto, California, but I couldn’t justify spending the money on these things that would get very limited use.  And besides, they look completely ridiculous!  A non-running colleague asked me the other day if I’ve seen “those new running shoes that look like feet” that she had seen her neighbor run in.  I wanted to yell: “They’re not that new and they’re not running shoes!”  Thankfully I managed to hold myself back.  Nevertheless, it appears that the shoeless trend has gained some significant momentum over the past few months and Vibram Five Fingers will continue to fly off the shelves at local running stores everywhere.

Lately, I have come across articles, be it in a local newspaper or running magazines, about barefoot running way too frequently.  Furthermore, earlier this week there was yet another news report, this time on the Global Evening News, about this rage.  I had been contacted by the reporter who was researching this story.  I told him my story about how the Nike Frees helped me eliminate some lingering foot injuries and he said he would get back in touch with me to set up an interview.  He never did.  When the report finally aired I understood why I did not get a call back.  The problem is:  I still run in actual SHOES!

The story focused exclusively on barefoot runners and wearers of the Vibram Five Fingers.  At one point of the reportage, the camera zoomed in on a pile of Nike Free shoes and the reporter referred to them as “these clunkers”.   Clunkers?  Are you freaking kidding me?  These shoes weigh a mere 8 ounces!  By comparison, Five Fingers weigh around 5 ounces, but let’s get something straight; they were not created as footwear for distance runners.  Heck, their website even states:  “…we don’t believe it is the only footwear you will ever need.  There are many times when you need the protection and security of a shoe or boot”.   In my opinion, these times certainly include ultra trail running.

Anybody who knows me can attest that my feet are a mashed mess after an ultra.  Given the number of rocks and roots I kick on any given run, I can’t imagine how battered my toes would be if I ran in rubber windsurfing slip-ons…or even worse, without any shoes at all!  At a recent ultra I noticed two runners wearing Five Fingers.  From what I could gather, neither of these runners completed the race.  Whether the DNF’s were the result of inadequate footwear or not is unknown, but I’m just saying…

In my collection of running books you will find a copy of John Vonhof’s “Fixing Your Feet – Prevention and Treatments for Athletes”.  I recently pulled this excellent reference book off my shelf and started flipping through it again.  The author is a seasoned ultra runner and long distance fast-pack hiker.  John has race directed the Ohlone Wilderness 50K Trail Run in California for many years (arguably one of the most difficult 50K races in North America) and he continues to offer volunteer medical aid at countless other events.  These experiences, coupled with his work as an emergency room trauma/paramedic/orthopedic technician have permitted him to extensively research for this book.  Initially he intended on producing a brochure, but as his research grew, so did his vision of this writing project.  Now in its fourth edition, Fixing Your Feet is a must for anyone who spends a significant time on their feet, with or without shoes.

The book is divided into four parts.  Part 1: The Basics gives the reader a crash course on subjects such as biomechanics, anatomy of the foot and the nitty-gritty on the structure of a shoe.  In Part 2: Prevention the author offers hundreds of hints and tips on how to avoid injuries that might end your hike or race prematurely, or even worse, halt your activity altogether for an extended period of time.  Sprinkled throughout these chapters the reader will even find testimonials by some ultra running greats such as 5-time champion (and 25-time sub 24-hour finisher) of the prestigious Western States 100-miler, Tim Twietmeyer.  If you do happen to suffer from any foot injury, Part 3: Treatments will detail how you could get healthy and “back on your feet”.  Finally, Part 4: Sources and Resources lists websites and addresses where you can find a wealth of expert advice on medical treatments and gear review.

Although I still haven’t found the perfect remedy for my own reoccurring minor foot ailments, my most recent scan through this book has given me a snapshot of the evolution of my injuries.  In other words, I have realized that although I haven’t quite figured out how to completely eliminate my blisters, I was reminded that over the years I have made some significant changes and improvements.  I wear shoes that are a ½ size bigger.  I have modified my mechanics to a forefoot strike.  I have chucked my orthotics and have experimented with taping and different socks.  As a result of all these changes I no longer suffer from plantar fasciitis for example.

My big toe after an ultra...nasty!

Seeing as my feet, specifically my toes, are still beat up after an ultra, I simply started to accept the fact that I would always get blisters no matter what I tried.  However, by reading this book again I have realized that what I thought were simple blisters aren’t that at all.  What I suffer from appears to be “subungal hematoma” or runner’s black toenail.  As described by Vonhof, although the toes don’t necessarily always turn black, the result of the constant trauma placed on them during an excessively long run (or hike) is blood-filled swelling under the nail. As I read further, I also learned that there are other preventative measures that I have yet to try that could help, for instance the use of powders instead of the lubricants that I have been using for years.  Back to the drawing board!

In Fixing Your Feet author John Vonhof states that every foot is different and tactics that work for one person may not always work for someone else.  He continues by suggesting that remedies and practices that currently do the trick might be ineffective months or years down the line.  The key, says Vonhof, is to be proactive, “working to solve problems before they develop” rather than reactive, “working to solve an existing problem”.

Vonhof does touch briefly on the subject of barefoot running (I have the second edition , perhaps more is mentioned in recent editions) in Fixing Your Feet.  His definition of “barefoot” mostly involves not wearing socks inside your shoes.  With careful monitoring this method might help certain runners eliminate blisters caused by the friction between the sock and the foot.  He also succinctly states that limited barefoot running on sand or grass is a way to toughen your feet but “this is not a guarantee that you will not get blisters”.

I understand that those who endorse barefoot running, like Trail Runner magazine’s Michael Sandler, are suggesting that this practice “promotes good form, enhances stability and adaptability, strengthens your feet and provides a feeling of connection to the earth” (October 2010, Issue 68, page 30), but come on, how can lightweight shoes like Nike Frees be deemed too heavy?  And really, how can you honestly think you don’t need to protect your feet with real shoes?  Run barefoot on your treadmill.  Wear Vibram Five Fingers on a short run in a field if you must, but don’t complain if you’re so bold that you wear them on rugged trails and your little piggies really end up crying all the way home.

Although Nike has modified the Frees over the years by gradually making the arches more aggressive and the heel outer sole thicker, I will stick with these unless I find another minimalist SHOE that suits my needs.  I suspect that the barefoot fad will lure too many novice runners into believing shoeless running is the way to go and who knows what the long-term effect will be on this generation of runners?

I miss the original Nike Free 5.0

Do you run barefoot or are you like me and are sick of hearing about this subject?  (I guess I’m not helping the cause by blogging about it!!)  What are your thoughts on Vibram Five Fingers?  Do you have a free pair to give me (cuz’ I ain’t gonna buy ‘em) that I could try and perhaps be persuaded to change my tune?  Please leave us a comment below.

Purchase a copy of Fixing Your Feet today by clicking on the picture of the book cover.

Please leave a comment below.

Gotta run,

Vince

The sign I greeted my wife with at the airport. I had run a marathon that morning.

“In order to win you’ve got to avoid losing first”

— Dick Doobey, football coach at fictitious Southern University

Since I started writing reviews, first for the Burlington Runners Times newsletter then here at Monumental Effort, one book that has been recommended to me on occasion is Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr. I purchased this book several months ago but had not gotten around to reading it until just recently. I now wish I would have read the cult classic years ago.

Of the dozens of books on running that I have read over the years, only a handful of them have been works of fiction. Once a Runner is by far the most enjoyable and well-written fictional story of the lot. From the very first chapter I was captivated by Parker’s almost lyrical prose as he describes the quiet track and stadium through the eyes of the young athlete.

Later, as the reader is introduced to the story’s setting and characters -the Southern University campus in Florida and its varsity teams- the author treats us to some more entertaining narrative as he compares and contrasts the various athletes in the different track and field disciplines. Of the weight men he writes: “These specimens made their particular way in the world by heaving sixteen-pound iron balls great distances, tossing fibreglass plates out of vision, whipping sharpened aluminum shafts to the horizon. They were the heavy artillery of old.”

Parker calls the distance runners the “serene messengers, gliding along wooded trails and mountain paths, their spiritual ancestors kept their own solitary counsel for long hours.” Finally, Parker calls the sprinters and jumpers “high-strung, either giddy with success or mired in swamp funk. They were the manic-depressives of the track world.”

The novel’s main character is Quenton Cassidy. Well-liked by all his peers, Quenton is the captain of the track team and on the verge of becoming a world-class miler. Not only is Quenton a talented runner, he is also quite comical and usually at the core of the amusing games and banter amongst the students of Doobey Hall where the athletes reside. The reader accompanies the runners through their gruelling workouts, the cross-country season and the indoor track meets.

Cassidy’s times keep improving and his competitive fires burning hotter than ever when controversy rears its ugly head. Upset over imposed rules by the athletic director and football coach, Quenton drafts a petition protesting the rules. Although the petition was signed by many athletes from all teams, Cassidy becomes the fall-guy and is suspended from competition for the remainder of the school year. This ruling prompts Quenton to quit school and to retreat to a cabin in the woods. Under the tutelage of Olympic gold medalist and close friend Bruce Denton (the self-proclaimed famous American clock-cleaner), Cassidy turns all of his attention and effort to his training and a quest to run a sub-four minute mile.

Will Quenton ever have a chance to “let loose his demons and just wail on” and compete again? Click on the book cover and order your copy to find out.

Parker’s personal running credentials are quite impressive to say the least. As a member of the University of Florida’s track team, Parker set the school record in the mile and was even the conference champion. In 1972 he competed at the Munich Olympics alongside his teammates Frank Shorter and Jeff Galloway. His extensive experience was quite evident throughout the book and in my opinion, certainly gave a lot of credibility to the novel.

Original book cover

Although sequels are generally not as good as the original, upon completing this book I felt compelled to order myself a copy of the follow-up to Once a Runner. This sequel was written three decades after Once a Runner was first published. Once a Runner had even been out of print for many years. According to Amazon, it was one of the most sought-after out-of-print books in the United States in 2007.

Look for a review of John L. Parker Jr’s “Again to Cartage” on M.E. in the future.

If you have read “Once a Runner” and would like to send us a comment, please do so by using the form below. Also, feel free to recommend any book with inspiring stories of determination and perseverance.

Gotta run,

Vince

Last night I couldn’t sleep.  I tossed and turned, struggling to get comfortable in my king size bed, beneath my soft, flannel sheets and down filled duvet. At two in the morning I found myself splayed sideways across the bed and oddly my feet only lightly brushed the pajamas of my soundly sleeping spouse.  As I suffered in my 400-thread count sheets, my mind wandered to the book I’d just finished, a fantastic account of an Atlantic crossing in a rowboat by Julie Angus entitled, “Rowboat in a Hurricane”.  Specifically, I thought of Julie’s sleeping quarters on the rowboat; a tiny cabin essentially one third the width of a single bed with barely enough head room for an adult to sit up in without cracking their skull on the ceiling.  Dammit!  So now, not only was I becoming more and more sleep deprived by the minute, but felt completely guilty for my discomfort.  I blame Julie.

“Rowboat in a Hurricane” is the riveting tale of Julie and her boyfriend (now husband), Colin’s transatlantic, 10,000KM journey from Portugal to Costa Rica in their rowboat, Ondine.  As the title discloses the couple encounters a hurricane.  Actually, they encounter three.  Hurricane Vince, Hurricane Epsilon, and Hurricane Delta; not to mention Tropical Storm Zeta.  I’ve cowered like a frightened child on Great Lake ferries, so read these accounts with my jaw on the floor.  Who in their right mind would put themselves into this kind of situation?  But wait, isn’t that the state of mind that leads to greatness?  Of course it is.  It’s the same good-crazy that drives people to run hundreds of miles, to push their bodies to their limits and beyond.  Isn’t it?

Hurricanes are only the beginning of the interesting things that happen to the couple as they row. Some of the highlights include:

• A visit from a Great White Shark
• An amorous sea turtle with an interest in rowboats
• Kamikaze flying fish
• A close encounter with a giant ocean Freighter
• Holidays and birthdays at sea
• A possible pregnancy

I’ll leave it to you, the reader to discover the latter on your own as you read.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this book is the direct, first hand account of the environmental impact that humanity has inflicted upon it’s oceans.  I can only imagine the sadness one must feel being in the middle of ocean, thousands of miles from any major cities and seeing garbage float past your boat.  What else could explain hurricanes forming where and when they’ve never formed before except our changing environment?  Julie’s first hand account of these events serve to emphasize that we must change if we are to survive.  Qutie simply, if the oceans die, we die.

Should you read this book?  Absolutely, yes!  Go buy it today, you won’t be disappointed.  As far as Monumental Efforts go, we each have our own.  Some of us struggle to get up stairs, or to open cans.  Some strive to push their bodies to their limits, both physically and psychologically through grueling tests of endurance.  Then there are those who simply defy comprehension and definition; like Julie Angus.

To purchase Rowboat in a Hurricane click the book cover at the top of this post.
To learn more about Julie and Colin, click http://www.angusadventures.com/

It is becoming more and more common to read about celebrities who are runners. In many cases, they have taken to the road for a cause of some sort; are running along side other celebrities to promote something, be it a new film or a political cause; or are training for a role in an upcoming film. Regardless, they are running, so that can’t be bad. It is rarer still to find a celebrity who is simply a runner for the love of running, and has been a runner consistently for a significant amount of time. One such example is author, Haruki Murakami.

One of the greatest achievements any of us can aspire to is to maintain health and fitness through out our lives. Once we start running, we would benefit to continue running. Murakami’s, “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” is a memoir of just such an effort, of one man’s persistence to just be a runner. Murakami is an avid marathon runner and triathlete, although he did not start running until he was 33 years old. On June 23, 1996, Murakami completed his first ultramarathon, a 100-kilometer race around Lake Saroma in Hokkaido, Japan.

This book documents from summer 2005 through the fall of 2006. Murakami states clearly that this is “not a treatise on how to be healthy” but is rather a “book in which I’ve gathered my thoughts about what running has meant to me as a person.” He accomplishes this in nine short chapters, making this book a very quick read. But don’t underestimate the value of it’s content. This is clearly a book by a writer first and runner second. Murakami’s prose is a pleasure to read and he eloquently describes running and all of it’s tribulations. Every runner has probably heard someone say in one way or another that when running, pain is inevitable, but sufferring is optional. Murakami says exactly that and goes on to describe how he has persevered, how he’s chosen to continue to complete marathon after marathon.

If you are a runner who enjoys a well written account of a runner’s life, you will enjoy this book. It inspires one not only to continue to run through the inevitable pain of endurance sports, but also to perhaps begin documenting your own experiences. I know every runner I’ve encountered has a story to tell and this book serves as the perfect example of how those stories should be told.

To purchase this book please click on the book cover at the top of this post.

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” Dr. Napolean Hill

Over the past seventeen days the 2010 Winter Olympics provided the World with dozens upon dozens of Monumental Effort stories.  Seeing as we were already inundated with coverage of the games, we felt that reporting on these stories on our blog would be somewhat redundant.   We therefore decided to let the giants of mainstream media provide followers with their versions of commentaries and reports.

Nonetheless, the games most certainly offered many examples of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit.  You did not need to look very far for the story about an athlete who narrowly missed qualifying and then went on to win gold.   There were teams who stumbled in the early rounds of competition only to recover and eventually earn a spot on the podium.  We also saw competitors who despite suffering injuries and surgeries in the past were able to overcome these setbacks and return to dominance in their sport.  Finally, viewers witnessed victims of personal tragedies who managed to suppress their heartache in order to focus and compete on the biggest sporting stage imaginable.

I have my own personal favorite moments from these Olympic Games, but as a sports fan, I simply enjoyed watching passionate and dedicated athletes as they persevered and applied all the work and dedication from the many years of preparation and training to compete against the very best in their disciplines. How do they do it?  What makes them tick?  How do elite athletes dig so deep within themselves to push harder than ever and put it all on the line?

Although a work of fiction, Willis B. McCarthy’s novel “100 Miles to Destiny” offers an insight into the minds of athletes as they compete at the Olympics.  The reader is also treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the organization of an international event.  The setting of the story is the XXIII Olympiad of 1984 held in Los Angeles and the event is a 100-mile run.  There will likely never be any such race at the Olympics, but the author cleverly chooses one of the most prestigious ultra running courses for his tale; the famed Western States Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains from Squaw Valley to Auburn in California.

A seasoned ultra runner and 4-time finisher of Western States, McCarthy clearly understands the highs and lows a runner experiences over the course of a 100-mile race.  Also, his knowledge of this particular course is quite evident.  Whether you are one of the lucky runners who have run this race, or if you are like me and have read many accounts about it, you will certainly appreciate his accuracy and detail.

Although the 1984 Summer Olympics were boycotted by many Eastern-bloc countries and their allies, this novel includes participants from places like Poland, East Germany and Russia.  The author weaves a storyline involving a new leader of the Communist Party who helps avoid a boycott in order to make these Olympics a truly global competition.

McCarthy also develops many interesting personalities including some inevitable stereotypes.  100 Miles to Destiny features a rivalry between an American who is the reigning WS100 champ and a cold-blooded Russian runner.  Other characters include the speedy Africans who set a torrid pace to take the early lead, an enlightened Buddhist Japanese athlete and a quick-witted Irish runner to name a few.

The Canadian contender in the book is a character named Ian Jones.  A personable and well-liked athlete, entering the race Ian Jones is one of the early favorites based on his 100Km World Record time.  At one point the Canadian runner takes part in some friendly banter on the trail with other runners over which country has the best beer.  Unfortunately the author misspelled “Molson’s”!  Shame on him!

Any follower of ultra running in this country will undoubtedly suspect that this character is an accolade to the great Andy Jones who still holds several Canadian ultra-running records.  In the late 1990’s Andy Jones set the standard in the following distances:  2:53:20 for 50K, 4:54:50 for 50-Miles, and a mind-boggling 12:05:43 for 100-miles.

Willis B. McCarthy notes that he took over 2 decades to write this his first novel and its completion is what defines him.  Sprinkled throughout the book the reader will find evidence of McCarthy’s many travels and his knowledge of historical events.  100 Miles to Destiny is a light read and an amusing page-turner.  Although the reader might suspect to know the outcome of the race, we are encouraged to read on with curiosity.

As I write this post I realize that this is the first book of fiction that has been reviewed on Monumental Effort.  Another well-known novel about running, John L. Parker’s Once a Runner, will be featured next month.  If you would like to share a book review with us, click the “Submit your story” tab at the top of the page and start typing.  Perhaps you would like to recommend a book?  Please leave us a comment below.

Gotta run,

Vince

Running Through the Wall – Personal Encounters With the Ultramarathon By: Neal Jamison

“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it.

Action has magic, grace and power in it.“

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Chock-full of Monumental Effort stories, Running Through The Wall – Personal Encounters With the Ultramarathon offers readers a glimpse into the minds and psyches of dozens of ultra runners.  In it you will not only get insight as to why certain athletes were drawn to this fantastic sport, but you will also discover what drives others to push beyond their perceived limits, overcoming injuries or tragedies and completing daunting distances on challenging terrain.

This book is a compilation of 39 inspiring stories from all levels of athletes.  Some of these tales recount reports of the back-of-the-pack runners shuffling along barely staying ahead of cut-off times.  The reader will however learn about elite runners such as Tim Twietmeyer and Ann Trason as they do battle for the Western States crown.  There are also accounts by David Horton and Blake Wood, two of only a handful of runners to ever complete the punishing Barkley Marathon.

Since the book includes stories from such a wide range of athletes, it inevitably encompasses race reports from a variety of locales.  For instance, Francesca Conte’s contribution:  Finding Self-Confidence at the Arkansas Traveller 100 has sparked in me an interest in running this particular race and her narrative provides some valuable course description that I hope will help me better prepare for this event that I intend on running in October 2010.

Over the years I have had the fortune of meeting and even running with some of these competitors/authors including Clark Zealand, Catra Corbett and Bethany Hunter-Pederson. Clark writes about his legendary battle with Courtney Campbell at the Bull Run Run 50-miler.  Catra recounts the tragic loss of her mother and how her spirit powered her through the challenging Wasatch 100.  Bethany explains how she was introduced to the sport of ultra running and recounts her first 100-mile finish at the Massanutten Mountain Trail Run under the tutelage of an ultra legend.

Before Neal Jamison’s final piece entitled The Finish Line, the reader is treated to Joel’s Story by Robert B. Boeder.  In short, Joel Zucker was a three-time finisher of arguably the toughest 100-miler out there, the Hardrock 100.  To fully appreciate Joel’s zest and overall charm, I recommend you read this story.  I certainly do not have the penmanship to do it justice in this short blog post.

Other notable contributors: Scott Mills, Greg Loomis, Kevin Setnes, Ian Torrence, Sue Johnston, Mike Dimkich (guitarist for rock band The Cult) and a Foreword by Don Allison.  Order yourself a copy of Running Through the Wall by clicking on the book cover image above.

Gotta run,

Vince

“It’s unbelievable that wherever I go, people still want to talk about that race.  It beat me up more than any other race in my life.” – Dick Beardsley

Until recently I knew very little about Dick Beardsley.  I vaguely remembered that he was involved in one of the greatest races ever, but that was about it.  After reading his book, Beardsley has now become one of my favorite and most inspiring runners!

At the Grand Rapids Marathon expo in October 2009, I came across a bin of books on running.  I scanned through this selection and realized that I had already read several of the books for sale.  I stumbled upon Staying The Course:  A Runner’s Toughest Race by Dick Beardsley (co-written by Maureen Anderson) and was captivated after having read the back cover.  So I just had to purchase yet another running book!

I immediately started reading Staying The Course on the bus ride home after the marathon and plowed through it relatively quickly.  Dick Beardsley’s story is gripping. In this memoir Beardsley recalls how his love for running evolved.  As a teen he joined the cross-country team hoping to earn himself his varsity letter jacket, his ticket he believed, to landing more dates.  He had tried out for other sports teams but lacked the skill and the size to crack the squads.  Little did he know that running would become his life-long passion.

Beardsley had much success in high school and in college cross-country and track, but he always yearned to tackle the marathon distance.  Although Dick was not following a proper marathon training program, and despite the fact that his coaches did not approve of him running the grueling events, Beardsley started secretly entering marathons.  Beardsley’s ignorance and lack of experience during his first marathons forced him to remain humble and modify his training.  Although he suffered in those early races, Dick kept signing up for one marathon after another and getting stronger, faster and more confident with every race.  To this day, Dick Beardsley holds the Guinness Book World Record as the only man to run 13 consecutive personal best marathons.

Unfortunately for Beardsley, he is most famous for a race he didn’t even win, the 1982 Boston Marathon.  Billed by many as the greatest marathon race ever, the “Duel in the Sun” pitted up-and-coming Beardsley against the marathon world record holder Alberto Salazar.  Both runners set Boston course and American records on this day, but Salazar crossed the line a mere two seconds ahead of Beardsley.  I believe that Dick and Alberto still remain in the top 5 all-time fastest American marathoners.

Salazar and Beardsley at finish of 1982 Boston Marathon

 In Staying the Course the authors enrapture their readers in Dick’s recollection of this most memorable race.   As I read through this chapter I was wishing I did not know the final result of the race.  Also, the YouTube footage of the race does not do it justice as most of the camera shots are from an aerial camera and the picture quality not that clear.  Beardsley’s account of the thick crowds of spectators (literally on the course as there were no barricades at this time), the police motorcycles all around the leaders and the runners’ bus billowing smoke while nearly driving over the racers is fascinating.

Following this race, Beardsley hit a streak of bad luck that would contribute to the unraveling of his running career. First some tendon problems and subsequent surgeries understandably slowed him down some, but on his road to recovery a horrifying farm accident occurred.  While working on his farm Dick’s leg got caught in an auger attached to his tractor and the machine proceeded to toss him around like a ragdoll.  Miraculously, Dick somehow managed to hit the emergency stop button on the machinery before it crushed him altogether.  Few people have ever survived such an accident but Dick managed to escape death.

Not a shark attack! This is Beardsley's knee after farm accident.

Major leg and knee surgeries followed and Beardsley was never the same.  To add insult to injury, over the next few years Dick was also involved in several freak car accidents.  On one occasion his trucked slipped on an icy patch and rolled over several times.  Another time while on a run down a country road is snowy conditions, a motorist did not see Dick and clipped and injured the runner.  As Dick was recovering from one of his many surgeries, he lost consciousness and fell down the stairs in his home and broke his back.  As these injuries and medical procedures increased, so did his dependency of pain medication.

The fight to beat this addiction became his toughest battle ever.  Beardsley desperately needed his drugs and went so far as to forging prescriptions to get his bottles of Percocet.  The law inevitably caught up to him but an understanding judge, coupled with his already impressive community involvement, saved him from a serious sentencing. 

Dick Beardsley now works as a motivational speaker and his foundation “is a community-based organization created to educate children and young adults about the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle and to educate the public about the danger of drugs, including prescription drugs and the dangers of chemical.”   He also owns a running store in Fargo, North Dakota; he has an online coaching program and is the Race Director of several events.  Although no longer an elite runner, Beardsley has run several sub 2:50 marathons in the past decade.  Yeah, he’s slow now!   

To learn more, please check out: http://dickbeardsleyfoundation.org/

Gotta run,

Vince