When I met Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher at FLR XIII this past September, besides being there to inspire excellence, they were also promoting their book, Running the Edge. I was happy to accept a copy with the promise of doing this review. As this fall had its demands on my commitments, this report comes late for cross country, early for track, but just in time for Christmas. Keep that in mind, runners, coaches and parents, before finalizing your Christmas list.
Unlike most critics who earn their living by writing reviews, I do not see things in black and white. Almost nothing I’ve ever read is all good, or all bad. In reading Running the Edge, I tried to imagine whom among you might find which parts interesting, entertaining, useful, or inspirational. I also asked myself the question, “Is it for beginning runners, recreational runners, serious runners, (and/) or coaches?” To answer that question, yes, to all but the first. (Unless you have tried and failed at running, I doubt if it will have meaning.)
Tim Catalano
While at Fort Collins, Colorado High School, Tim ran personal bests of 15:37 in cross country (Littleton Meet in 1989), 4:23 in the mile (1989 Colorado State Meet), and 9:36 for two miles (Sterling Invitational in 1990). (Remember, this was at altitude.) In post-season cross country, he was ninth in the Colorado State XC Meet in 1988 (15:59.6), and third in 1989 (15:44). Also in 1989, he finished ninth in the Kinney West Regional—predecessor to Footlocker—missing a trip to the Nationals by one place. Graduating high school in 1990, Tim preceded co-author Adam Goucher at University of Colorado by three years. Describing himself as a “depth guy,” he nonetheless was an integral part in helping to build CU into a national powerhouse team, and was their top steeplechaser in track. After graduating with a degree in psychology, Tim continued on at CU for his masters in Curriculum and Instruction, while training with the team, (the result of which was a lifelong bond with Goucher). After having taught and coached in three countries, Tim also earned a certification in International School Administration. Professionally, Tim Catalano is a high school teacher (in psychology) and coach.
Adam Goucher
Young Adam was a lot like Steve Prefontaine: intense, reflective, driven to success, and confident about his potential. Mistaken about his self-fulfilling prophesies, others might have labeled him as arrogant, but there is ample evidence that he delivered on his dreams. While at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, he was a three-time 6A Colorado State XC Champion—1991 (15:27), 1992 (15:03), and 1993 (14:54)—and in his senior year won the 1993 Footlocker National Championship (14:41), beating—among others--Meb Keflezighi. He was second in the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championship the following year—his first at the University of Colorado—and first his senior year. That last year, 1998, he also won the NCAA indoor 3000 and outdoor 5000 in track. In all, he won four NCAA titles. After turning pro, his best year was 2000, when he won the Olympic Trials 5000, the USATF short course (4K, or 2.48548 miles) and long course (12K or 7.45645 miles). He also won the 2006 USATF short course in 10:50.
If one were to summarize Goucher’s career, it would be the following: From 1998-2008, despite battling a plethora of injuries, Adam Goucher was arguably the foremost American distance runner. He won four NCAA and four National titles, and retired with personal bests of 3:54.17 in the mile (May 30, 1999; the fastest in America that year), 7:34.96 in the 3000 (July 20, 2001), 8:12.73 in the two mile (May 28, 2006), 13:10 in the 5K (July 22, ’06), and 27:59.31 at 10K (May 28, 2006).
The Reason for Reflection
Assuming that you wish to be a distance expert, or maven as Tim and Adam call it, the average runner’s journey will last about as long as Odysseus’s: 20 years. Whether you arrive home to discover Penelope, or your sister, is up to you. They use Maslow’s hierarchy of a Self-Actualization to define the labors that must be conquered along the way. A self-actualized person, according to the authors, have:
* realistic perceptions of themselves, others, and the world around them
* concern for solving problems outside of one’s self, including helping others
* a few close, intimate friends rather than many superficial relationships
* an excitement and interest in everything, including ordinary things
* a value of independence and solitude, and a need for time to focus on developing potential
* an avoidance for the susceptibility to social pressures, often being seen as a non-conformist
* proven themselves to be creative, original, and fun
* frequent peak experiences
* a sense of humor directed at themselves or the human condition, but not at the expense of others
* a personality that is democratic, fair, and nondiscriminatory—embracing and enjoying all cultures, races, and individual styles
* an ability to take responsibility for choices
Each person has five important lives that contribute towards this end: education, career, friendship, family, and passion. The authors urge us not to suffer the fate of a “boiling frog,” which succumbs to death by slowly adapting to daily conditions that create an “average” (read: dull) person and runner. In short, we must decide if we are actors or re-actors.
The clue as to whether we are slipping into mediocrity (a metaphor for the boiled frog), can be seen in the “six mirrors”: initiative, responsibility, determination, adaptability, integrity, and person-ability, through whose reflections we should decide who we are, and thus who we wish to be.
The authors make this easy to understand, and enrich the book with enough anecdotes to transform its content well beyond that of a journey towards running perfection. I believe these moments of self-discovery show their—and subsequently our—human weaknesses. I wish there was more about Tim and Adam, but perhaps that will be in their next book.
Tim Catalano’s acceptance of his life as a teacher/coach (thus the importance of a far greater and longer-lasting pursuit of happiness), juxtaposed with Adam Goucher’s never-ending quest for greater and greater running success, help bridge the gap between a Nietzschean Ubermensch (Goucher) and the rest of us.
Like Adam—both in the Biblical and literary sense—many of us fall over the edge when we reach for an apple that seems redder, riper, and sweeter than that which we can readily grasp from our position in life. Like his namesake, Adam (the author) fell from running grace when he failed to heed the warning (injury) that some fruit might be meant to be left untouched. (Instead, give it time to ripen and fall towards you.) If the book has one weakness, it is that it underemphasizes the importance of rest and reflection. Indeed, it treats failure as a result of fate, not planning, but I could be missing something in this semi-soliloquy. I promise, however, to re-explore that issue in subsequent articles that are gestating in my mind.
The Tim and Adam Show
As a result of spending time with this dynamic duo, then reading the book, I think it should have been filmed first, then published. Taped on the run, it would have been perfect, not only because of the interplay of their personalities, but for their target audience as well; maybe even a book on CD, so you can listen to them run, while you run. I can see it now, “Order the Deluxe Edition to get a free “r-pod” and be inspired on the fly!” (Hey, Tim, watch out for that tree root!)
Writing is more mano on manuscript, and these guys are a stitch together (sorry for that pun on the run). But such as it is, the book is a blend of two guys who have made their share of mistakes and don’t want you to.
The Problem with Self-Help Books
Few with unfinished business pause to share their experiences, and runners are no exception. Only those who have tried all of the the most direct routes to success even contemplate seeking advice, and runners are the worst at that. We all want one-word, or at least shortened versions of “how-to-do” scenarios. We grasp at magazine training tips, and believe the gospel of “more is better.” Alas, when we are finally injured, we’ll have time to read—or write, as in my case--about what we did wrong. In other words, buy the book. Winter, even in sub-tropical Florida, is a good time to give your body a rest, and your mind a workout!
Editors note: If you can’t find Running the Edge locally, try http://www.runtheedge.com/store