So I finally got a second or two of free time this holiday season to catch up on some running related reading that my wife got me last Christmas. I typically like to read fiction that's totally unrelated to running. But a few years ago I picked up a little book called Born to Run by Chris Mcdougall. It was a done deal after reading the book that is credited with single-handedly starting the minimalist running boom. I was quickly hooked reading books related to one of my biggest passions.
My latest read was Running Ransom Road by Calib Daniloff. It's a blistering account of the author's journey of self-discovery from childhood, to alcoholic, drug user and then finally to long distance runner.
Throughout the book Daniloff's account jumps back and forth from memories of his early childhood growing up in Washington DC, Massachusetts and Russia. I couldn't imagine the turmoil of moving to such a once "closed" country while going through his tumultuous teenage years. He does a good job of expressing how foreign and isolated he felt living there. It's during this time that he first begins experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
As you can imagine, his isolation during those years don't serve him very well when he moves back to the US. He finds it hard to fit in his American schools and eventually gravitates towards heavier drug and alcohol abuse. From my own experiences in a career of law enforcement I know first hand the tragedy and sadness that can accompany such addictions. He gives heartbreaking accounts of the crazy things that he did while high and drunk, and the people that he hurt along the way. It's amazing that his family even talks to him.
But the book isn't about addiction. But about how Daniloff digs himself out of that dark world through running. The life of a recovering addict is a life of repentance and healing. He discovers the powerful addiction of running and embraces a good habit for once in his life. I've read before that many recovering addicts love running because of this very reason.
Daniloff decides to jump headfirst into the world of running and goes on a whirlwind tour of running seven different races, including five marathons in just a little more than a year. He strategically picks these races in places where he suffered through his various addictions. I like this guys style! The descriptions of the races were a little bare. But he draws you in by recalling flashbacks to a time before he was running and instead, suffering in those very places.
At first I didn't really like this book. The flashes back and forth between the past and present were at times, confusing and irritating because they broke up the flow of the story. I did eventually get used to Daniloff's writing style though. I didn't like all of the recalling of all of the terrible things he either did or suffered through. I did however come to respect his relentless journey to set things right with those he hurt and right past wrongs. You gotta love a guy who's humble enough to admit he was wrong so many times and make up for it.
I've heard some people say that people who run are only running to "run" away from something in their personal life. I've always hated that description. We're not a bunch of cowards avoiding uncomfortable things that arise in life. But there's truth in us using running to deal with the difficult things in our lives. Through my years running I used it to deal with anxiety, work stress, fear, sadness and rage. It always has a way of bleeding off the negative stuff leaving me a much happier man than when I started. I feel pity on the people who don't have that as a tool in their lives to combat things like that. Daniloff alludes to this throughout the entire book.
It was a quick read and as I finished the book I found myself revising my initial dislike of the book. I appreciated his honesty about his troubled past. Just from writing this blog I know how terrifying it can be to reveal sensitive things about your life. I couldn't imagine doing that through a published book. I loved his quest. Many of us should strive to do this in our own lives. It's a cause worth championing. Overall I'd say give it a read!
As the New Year begins I find myself a changed man. Last year started out with such an incredible amount of momentum. I completed my 366 Project, decided to continue it further and chose a new challenge, to run my first 50K. I had to end the Project at 609 days and never got the chance at my first ultra marathon. I couldn't walk, was out of work for a very long time and felt like a complete failure. I was promoting all the wonderful things that I've gotten from physical fitness and running, but I couldn't run one step.
I'm glad 2014's over. Now that it's 2015 I don't feel like a failure anymore. It's easy to tote something when everything's "running" smoothly. But throughout my running career I've always had challenges and injures to overcome. It's part of running. Hell, it's part of life. So as this year begins I smile. NOT because I'm going to run 366 days or my first ultra. But because I'm still here, running my challenges down. My discs have gone back in, I've got the best running coach and I'm starting to run at speeds that make me feel like a superhero. It's not perfect, but I've already proved some people wrong. Why not do it a little more?
Don't pay attention to the doubters, or listen to your negative self. Believe in the impossible and if you fail, dust yourself off and start back at Square Run! Happy New Year my friends!
Throughout the book Daniloff's account jumps back and forth from memories of his early childhood growing up in Washington DC, Massachusetts and Russia. I couldn't imagine the turmoil of moving to such a once "closed" country while going through his tumultuous teenage years. He does a good job of expressing how foreign and isolated he felt living there. It's during this time that he first begins experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
As you can imagine, his isolation during those years don't serve him very well when he moves back to the US. He finds it hard to fit in his American schools and eventually gravitates towards heavier drug and alcohol abuse. From my own experiences in a career of law enforcement I know first hand the tragedy and sadness that can accompany such addictions. He gives heartbreaking accounts of the crazy things that he did while high and drunk, and the people that he hurt along the way. It's amazing that his family even talks to him.
But the book isn't about addiction. But about how Daniloff digs himself out of that dark world through running. The life of a recovering addict is a life of repentance and healing. He discovers the powerful addiction of running and embraces a good habit for once in his life. I've read before that many recovering addicts love running because of this very reason.
Daniloff decides to jump headfirst into the world of running and goes on a whirlwind tour of running seven different races, including five marathons in just a little more than a year. He strategically picks these races in places where he suffered through his various addictions. I like this guys style! The descriptions of the races were a little bare. But he draws you in by recalling flashbacks to a time before he was running and instead, suffering in those very places.
At first I didn't really like this book. The flashes back and forth between the past and present were at times, confusing and irritating because they broke up the flow of the story. I did eventually get used to Daniloff's writing style though. I didn't like all of the recalling of all of the terrible things he either did or suffered through. I did however come to respect his relentless journey to set things right with those he hurt and right past wrongs. You gotta love a guy who's humble enough to admit he was wrong so many times and make up for it.
I've heard some people say that people who run are only running to "run" away from something in their personal life. I've always hated that description. We're not a bunch of cowards avoiding uncomfortable things that arise in life. But there's truth in us using running to deal with the difficult things in our lives. Through my years running I used it to deal with anxiety, work stress, fear, sadness and rage. It always has a way of bleeding off the negative stuff leaving me a much happier man than when I started. I feel pity on the people who don't have that as a tool in their lives to combat things like that. Daniloff alludes to this throughout the entire book.
It was a quick read and as I finished the book I found myself revising my initial dislike of the book. I appreciated his honesty about his troubled past. Just from writing this blog I know how terrifying it can be to reveal sensitive things about your life. I couldn't imagine doing that through a published book. I loved his quest. Many of us should strive to do this in our own lives. It's a cause worth championing. Overall I'd say give it a read!
As the New Year begins I find myself a changed man. Last year started out with such an incredible amount of momentum. I completed my 366 Project, decided to continue it further and chose a new challenge, to run my first 50K. I had to end the Project at 609 days and never got the chance at my first ultra marathon. I couldn't walk, was out of work for a very long time and felt like a complete failure. I was promoting all the wonderful things that I've gotten from physical fitness and running, but I couldn't run one step.
I'm glad 2014's over. Now that it's 2015 I don't feel like a failure anymore. It's easy to tote something when everything's "running" smoothly. But throughout my running career I've always had challenges and injures to overcome. It's part of running. Hell, it's part of life. So as this year begins I smile. NOT because I'm going to run 366 days or my first ultra. But because I'm still here, running my challenges down. My discs have gone back in, I've got the best running coach and I'm starting to run at speeds that make me feel like a superhero. It's not perfect, but I've already proved some people wrong. Why not do it a little more?
Don't pay attention to the doubters, or listen to your negative self. Believe in the impossible and if you fail, dust yourself off and start back at Square Run! Happy New Year my friends!
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