Before you scream, IT IS A BOOK:

I, obviously, wouldn’t even know a perfect mile if it hit me in the face with a jar of Nutella!

I JUST finished reading it. And I say “just” because I got it for Christmas!!!

 

 

First, I don’t have much time for reading (without falling asleep). Second, it took me four attempts to get into it. I even brought this book on a few flights to force myself to read it. It just didn’t look interesting at all to me. It’s about the struggles Landy, Bannister, and Santee go through in their quest to do the first sub-4 minute mile. And… who cares about achieving the first sub four mile now? Hello, we KNOW how it ends!! Duh! And these people were so different to me and my view of running that I couldn’t relate at all!! The book went into SO much detail about their lives, their jobs, their splits, the time they were in, the competition, their coaches, their schools, yada yada yada…

Then, on my FOURTH try, somehow, it all came together and I got hooked. And can’tputitdown andohIjustmissedmystop hooked!!! It was the strangest thing… all of those things that were so unappealing before, all of a sudden had me breathing hard and loosing sleep. I sound crazy, I know, but this book is AMAZING. And it all really happened so I even lost sleep thinking the work it must have been to put all of these facts and stories together.

The way Neal describes every single meet is just perfection…  A race that would last “around” 4 minutes could turn into the most exciting 80 pages you’ve ever read. I was literally reading this book at the edge of my seat, mouth open, stressed out, and with very high bpms!! AS IF I was watching a World Cup game or racing the mile myself. VERY VERY INTENSE… 

After I finished the book, I watched those same races on youtube and it was great as now I had an insane amount of context, but it was not as exciting as the book, not even close… Read it if you can. I KNOW it looks and sounds boring, but trust me, it’s worth it.

TGIF!!!!!!!!!! Zero miles for the week so far. Bummed about missing the track meet yesterday, but JFlecks has promised to make Martha’s amazing mac&cheese tonight, and I’m planning some 12 miles to stretch out the legs tomorrow with Flor in the park. A zero miles week would not be right.

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!