Book Review
Pre
The Story of America’s Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine
Pre
The Story of America’s Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine
By Tom Jordan
I knew Steve Prefontaine was a running legend. I knew he was
revered by those who ran with him and those who saw him run. I knew he died in a car crash at the age of
24.
I vaguely remembered his name and his competing in the
Olympics. I learned why he was so revered.
There were two quotes in the book that summed up how
Prefontaine running:
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the
gift.”
“Some people create with words, or with music, or with brush
and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make
people stop and say, “I’ve never seen anyone run like that before.” It’s more
than just a race, it’s a style. It’s doing something better than anyone else.
It’s being creative.”
The quotes perfectly the way he approached running. He gave
his running everything he had. He
electrified crowds with his intensity. He would regularly fill stadiums. He was
idolized in his home state of Oregon .
For five years no one could beat him at any distance over a
mile. Author Tom Jordan chronicles his
rise from humble beginnings from Coos
Bay , Oregon
Drawing on those who knew Pre as he was called, he draws a complete
picture of an athlete with incredible, desire, energy and discipline. Jordan
interviews the athletes like Frank Shorter who trained and competed with
him. Pre has left a legacy that still
continues to inspire runner’s years after his death.
Pre filled stadiums with fans to see his races, but saw
little financial benefit because he ran in an era with strict amateur rules. He
brought attention to the problem that helped change the system, so that runners
could train and still support themselves.
You also learn about the side of this athlete that few knew,
such as the running program he ran in an Oregon
prison or the work he did with school kids.
********************************
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| Author at Aquathlon National Championship 2014 El Reno, Oklahoma |
Chris
Wodke
Founder
& Manager Team CMT
www.run4cmt.com
Chris is
a triathlete and long distance runner. She is a three time participant of the
Boston Marathon. In 2012 she finished 2nd
at Boston in
the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs
exploded.
She has
appeared three times at the Paratriathlon National Triathlon Sprint
Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Paratriathlon Open
Division Champion.
In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent TeamUSA
at the Aquathon ITU World Championship in Chicago
in 2015.
In 2014 she was the PC Open Champion at the Duathlon National Championship. She has qualified to represent Team
In 2014 she represented the U.S.
as a paratriathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas , Texas
She
travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.
She is
the author of the book, “Running for My Life” that details her experience as a
CMT affected athlete.
Team CMT
is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure
for CMT. We have 163 members in 32 states. We also have members in Australia , Scotland ,
Canada , Vietnam , Turkey ,
Finland and Iran . If you
wish to join us visit our web site; www.run4cmt.com
or www.hnf-cure.org
CMT or
Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It
affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS). It is a disease of the
nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of
normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.
Symptoms
include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor
balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual
dexterity.
Structural
foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.
Poor
tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold
hands and feet.
Additional
symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing
loss.
Additional Link
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Marathon Bombing
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