The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What 35 Years of Running Has Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart

One of the best parts about running is that it attracts people like Amby Burfoot. He's a free spirit who is best known for winning the 1968 Boston Marathon. However, his lasting contribution might be through his words, as he's been an editor for Runners' World magazine for many years and has written several interesting books."The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life" is another good one.This book was first published in hardcover in 2000. It's tough to know how much updating was done, but no matter what editing took place, it stands up pretty well on its own.Burfoot isn't afraid to think about some of the philosophical issues that often come up for runners. For example, why run? That's the first chapter. Burfoot argues that we've always run, we're indeed built to run, as it was a way of gathering food in long-past days. So it's no wonder that so many receive a basic sense of enjoyment.Burfoot likes a great deal about running. He likes the way that every race has a new starting line, a new chance to prove himself. He likes the chance to take part in traditions. He likes the chance to connect with other people. He likes the way so many show courage merely by taking that first step, let alone the last. He likes the sounds of a run, whether it has the slapping of shoes on to pavement by thousands or the complete quiet of the countryside. He likes that running only requires sneakers, and even that is optional in some cases, as opposed to the long list of equipment needed in other activities.Runners usually can be split into two categories, the competitors and the rest of us. Luckily for the rest of us, the competitors slow down and join us in the pack eventually. Burfoot realizes that, and even though he's better than most of us even now he likes to look around as he goes.There are a few quotes along the way, and some special sections on such areas as good books and inspirational figures for runners. At 150 small pages, this goes by pretty quickly. Still, it's only $9.95 new, and there is good material along the way.I once interviewed Burfoot, so let me give this a first-person testimonial -- this is a smart, interesting man. Those who need a little inspiration getting out the door in the morning ought to find "The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life" more than enough to give you that needed push.

Amby Burfoot was the winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon. He started his athletic life as a bench warmer on his school basketball team. One day the team was punished for poor play by running the cross country course. He was able to easily outrun everyone on the team. He discovered his talent and a life long love of running.Burfoot is a long time editor of Runner’s World magazine. His experience as an editor shows in a crisply written work.If you are expected Burfoot to share training secrets you’ll be disappointed. What you get is something better. You get insight into the mind of an elite runner and you are witness to his transformation into a citizen runner who runs for the pure joy and the benefits it brings to his life.If you are looking for motivational quotes you will find plenty from Burfoot and those who inspire him. He tI recognize my own experience when he talks about the transcending moments we have as runners, when everything just seems right.Burfoot views all of life’s experience through the prism of his running. My favorite quote from the book is “In the race to be your best, there is no losing”. In this pages of this book you will see how Burfoot dealt with divorce, disappointment, goal setting, winning, setting traditions, courage, children among other topics.Chris WodkeRunning for My Life-Winning for CMT

This is a good little book that will help you understand why when God calls you to run, you just do it. There are many good things in life but nothing can replace running for the runner. Amby does a great job of sharing his running experiences with us, in which many you will relate to, based on your experience. Well worth your time and effort. Enjoy!

I enjoyed Amby's insights on the values of running and its impact on our lives. As a former runner and current cross country coach for a high.school team, there were many passages in his book that I shared in one form or another with my athletes. In particular I shared his thoughts on "starting lines" in life and races with an athlete who is so nervous she usually vomits before competing. In her next 5k she had such a different disposition...even doing a double arm muscle flex for me as she ran by at the mile split. This was totally uncharacteristic for her. She ended up running a PR and when I asked her about what was different she just indicated that she chose to have fun. It's a fun little book indeed and I loved that I could end each day by reading the next short passage and reflect on how I might use it with my runners the next day before drifting to sleep with dreams of my younger runner self.

I am an avid runner who travels regularly and purchased this looking for a good read on a long plane flight. What I got instead was a book written at a very low level with a large font to take up more pages. While there were parts that were enjoyable, this felt more like a book Id give to a middle school track team to read. It was not satisfying for me and I read it cover to cover in a little over an hour. I can't recommend this for the average runner.

Oooh, I loved this little book. Full of personal stories and wisdom gained on the road! Glad to have it in my collection.

I have read several of Mr. Burfoots books in the past. They never disappoint.This one doesn't either. It helped me remember why I run.Thank You Sir!

A wonderful collection of short essays from a perspective of a long-time runner and editor of "Runner's World" on the impact that the sport has on our lives. Amby Burfoot covers a number of topics, ranging from attempting to answer the perennial question of "Why Run?" to the subjects of winning, losing, courage, goals, children, and a variety of other topics. It is an easy and refreshing read, guaranteed to give you something to ponder the next time you lace up your shoes. Having said that, be forewarned, this is not a book about the technique, training, or nutrition, so if you are searching for one of the above then you should keep looking.

Good delivery and good book if you are prepared to think about about the message given.

Simples kleines Büchlein im stabilen Plastikeinband. Kurze und knackige Kapitel, kein Geschwafel über pseudo-läufer-philosophy-esoterik. Wir Läufer laufen immer weiter. Das ist es! Alle anderen Bücher über Philosophie des Laufens sind verzichtbar!

Kleines Buch über das Laufen. Wer gerade ein Motivationstief hat, kann hier etwas auftanken. Für Nicht-Läufer wahrscheinlich nicht so spannend, aber vielleicht ein Anstoß, es mal zu versuchen?

No my cup of tea.

Excellent product and an equally excellent vendor. Product was exactly as advertised.