Product Description

Read Running with the Legends and become a training partner, student, friend, and fan of some of the greatest runners ever. More than a collection of biographies, Legends details the development, training techniques, coaching, competitions, motives, and perspectives of 21 all-time great runners.

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #658885 in Books
• Published on: 1996-04-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780873224932
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Library Journal
In his introduction to The Lonely Breed (1967. o.p.), a book about 21 great distance runners, Ron Clarke wrote "This is just the type of book I have always wanted to read." The stories behind legendary athletes enthrall and inspire many of us. Citing the influence of The Lonely Breed in his introduction, Sandrock also writes about 21 runners, choosing an interesting cross-section: 14 men and 7 women, short-distance through marathon champions, and retired legends through current record blasters. Sandrock is a 25-year runner himself as well as a recognized sportswriter (currently for the Colorado Daily), and he offers not only fascinating insights into how these athletes live, train, and run but also much-needed updates of our historical and political perspectives on running. Recommended for public libraries.?Cindy Eubank, Waterloo P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The author, an accomplished marathoner, offers brief biographies of 21 of the best distance runners of the modern era, ranging from Emil Zapotek, the four-time Olympic gold-medal winner who set 18 world records in the late 1940s and early 1950s, to Uta Pippig, the East German defector who has recently dominated the women's marathon circuit. In each profile, Sandrock summarizes the subject's accomplishments, training regimen, athletic background, and recent life. But more than that, he searches for the ephemeral quality that drove each to succeed. These runners all possess--or are possessed by--an inner strength that propels them past equally talented competitors who have trained equally hard. Zapotek's sheer determination, for example, tended to discourage his opponents, while Pippig may still be running from the oppression of her Eastern bloc childhood. This is among the most fascinating books on runners and running to appear since Dr. George Sheehan was in full stride. Wes Lukowsky

Review
"

""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.""
Scott Douglas
Editor, Running Times

""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.""
Gwynn Coogan
1992 10,000 meter Olympian; 1995 Twin Cities Marathon winner

Customer Reviews

Depends on what you are looking for...
I would agree with the other reviewers that this is by no means a training manual (ala Daniels or Coe). However, that doesn't change the fact that it is a very enjoyable book to read, covering legends of the past as well as more recent champions. If you are interested in marathoning, this book is particularly good, as most of the runners covered are marathoners.

Whilst the training plans will be of little use, I find this book a great motivator, and that's what every runner needs!

Thoroughly enjoyable tome for running fans!
I'm a recreational marathoner (7 and counting) but take my running very seriously, regardless. I bought a used, marked up copy of this on amazon and was happily surprised at how much enjoyment and useful information I have gotten from it.

So many profiles of great runners...all presented (no surprise, since it's from RUNNERS WORLD magazine) in abbreviated, interesting biographies that highlight their personal and professional accomplishments on and off the race track. Lots of pearls of wisdom, sage advice and things to think about for runners of all levels, regardless of skill or dedication.

There's something for every runner in this thick, wonderful book which I find myself picking up again and again...especially the night before a race or long run!

Where's the beef?
I must agree with the first reviewer, I too purchased this book with much anticipation and was sorely disappointed with it's lack of hard training fact. There is decent info from a few athletes but much of the training info of the more secretive elites are nothing but short biographies and anecdotal evidence akin to the dry packaged responses you get in most running mags.