Meh. Take it or leave it. Some interesting stuff about the history of running, but it had a really self-indulgent feel. Cheever is clearly trying to work out his daddy issues, and I don't really care to read about it. Also, running's great and all, but I was turned off by this guy's deification of the sport. Check this out: "Then I break through the invisible plastic shield that separates me from life...I'm not myself. I am all men, and I'm not man at all. Just will. Just spirit." That's fine once in a while, but this book is packed with that kind of shit. Cheever also seems to make a point to set runners apart as a "separate breed." It's all just a little much. Still, it was relatively readable (aka better than Once A Runner), and I did like that he ended the book with a chapter about the New York City Marathon.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Book Review: Strides, by Benjamin Cheever
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2 comments:
Thanks for reading this, so I don't have to. Ok, I might read it so I know what not to do when I write my own account of being a separate breed.
I tried to convince a race official that my "spirit" won the race, but they still gave the prize $ to the body who crossed the line first. It's ok though, cause my "spirit" would have wasted the prize money on Cheez Doodles, Ring Dings, Hi-C and a Big Wheel. My spirit is still a bit of a child.
lol!!!
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