John L. Parker

Runner's World called Once A Runner "The best novel ever written about running." Personally, I agree with the running part of that compliment. I loved the descriptions of both the physical & mental demands placed upon runners. Unfortunately, I didn't like the "hero" of the novel Quenton Cassidy, at all. I couldn't help but wonder why a runner blessed with such a natural gift had such a negative attitude on just about everything in his life. After awhile I just got tired of his self indulgent whining.… (más)

An okay novel, but pretty much perfect encapsulation of endurance sport and running in particular. The author grasps the essentially indescribable nature of dedicating your existence to repeating over and over and over again the same basic mechanical actions and somehow believing that it is the greatest thing you could possibly be doing.
Beautifully captures the despair, longing, childish delight, monotony, aching thrill and wild surges of adrenaline that come with trying to get yourself to go ever so slightly faster.… (más)