Book Review: Marathon Woman

Book Review: Marathon Woman

by | Jun 18, 2024 | Book Review, Opinion

Written by Kathrine Switzer

Reviewed by Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

I’ve wanted to read Marathon Woman for quite a while. For years. But because I thought I knew the Kathrine Switzer Boston Marathon story, other running books ended up jumping the line. Now that I tackle it, and finished it, I am glad I did. There is so much more to the generic story most of us think we know. There is so much more about this pioneering woman that every runner with the most basic interest in the history of our sport, especially women, should know.

The book was originally published in April 2007, for the 40th anniversary of her historic 1967 Boston Marathon. A new and updated version was released for the 50th anniversary.

Runners with basic knowledge in the history of running may know who Kathrine Switzer is. Yes, she was the first woman that while properly registered, ran the Boston Marathon. Yes, she is the protagonist of that set of three photos where the marathon official, Jock Semple, attacks her while trying to rip her bib. And yes, she is one of the pioneers of women’s long-distance running.

Marathon Woman

The set of photos by Harry A. Trask that propelled women’s running into a legitimate sport

But that is just part of the story. Only part of her legacy. She did so much more to promote that women were more than able to run beyond 800 meters, that they could run as far as they wished, including marathons at high speed without their uterus falling out. She was the catalyst of the women’s marathon becoming an Olympic event starting in 1984. And she did it not as a banner of feminism but because she believed women could do it, and se set out to prove it through actions. Not just words.

I am not going to go deep into the history of women’s running in the last 50 years. That is what the book is there for. But have this in mind: if you are a woman runner reading this post, next time you are in a race and see that more than half of the field being female, make sure you thank Kathrine Switzer.

I am sure that if Switzer did no endured and persevered through what she did, women would still be running marathons today. Another pioneer would have risen to the occasion. But Switzer was the one who did it, and as such, she should be recognized as a trailblazer in our sport. One of the most influential figures in history.

Marathon Woman

Switzer was more than a curiosity. She won the NYC Marathon, 2nd set up at 2:52 PR in Boston.

In her first-person account the author is very candid, vulnerable, and open about her life, both on and off the asphalt. She starts as a girl who just wants to run but finds no outlet, through her fateful first marathon, her win in the NYC Marathon, her 2:51 PR, the AVON race series for women and finally establishing the female marathon as an Olympic event.

Switzer is funny, intimate, candid and holds no punches while discussing her personal life experiences, especially when it comes to the men she has shared her life with. Her romantic relationships were not the best, yet she was able to persevere and come victorious on the other side, without surrendering as a victim and still making her life’s goal a reality.

You don’t have to be a runner, or a woman for that matter, to enjoy and learn something from Marathon Woman. I highly recommend it. It is worth two particularly important resources: your time and your money.

Have you read Marathon Woman? Let me know your thoughts in the comment box below.

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The Power of Goal Setting

The Power of Goal Setting

by | Sep 5, 2023 | Article, Reflection, Science

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

When it comes to setting running goals, my experience is that there is nothing like having a race on the schedule. One where you have already registered, paid and let everyone in your running circle know about it. It is what keeps me with something to look towards during any period of the year, especially the tough times. It doesn’t matter if the race is in a month or a year down the road. That said, goal setting is way more than spending $35 in your next 5K race or ponying up a few hundred bucks on your next Marathon Major.

In the realm of sports psychology, extensive research has revealed the profound influence of goal setting on athletes. A prominent figure in this field is Dr. Edwin Locke, a psychology professor at the University of Maryland, whose studies have significantly contributed to our understanding of goal-setting theory. In Chapter 4 of \”The Runner\’s Brain\”, a book by Dr. Jeff Brown and Liz Neporent, the authors explore Dr. Locke’s research, shedding light on how setting goals can transform running performance.

Goal Setting

This book is the source of this blog post. A good book well worth the money and time.

They identify four principles for goal setting:

Principle 1: Directed Attention – Goals serve as a compass, directing our attention towards specific aspects of our training. Whether it\’s completing a running loop in under an hour or improving pace, breathing, and form, setting goals sharpens our focus. Additionally, breaking down long-term goals into smaller milestones helps measure progress and brings a sense of achievement to our training.

Principle 2: Motivation – Goals provide the driving force that keeps us pushing forward. When we have a clear objective to work towards, we are more likely to stay enthusiastic and engaged throughout the training process. The pursuit of our goals gives us a purpose and ignites the determination needed to overcome challenges.

Principle 3: Celebrating Success – Viewing our efforts as a series of failures can be demoralizing. Setting long-term goals allows us to establish checkpoints along the way, creating multiple opportunities for success. Celebrating these smaller achievements transforms the feeling of missing the mark into a string of mini triumphs, boosting our confidence and motivation.

Principle 4: Continuous Learning – Goal setting propels us into the learning zone. It encourages us to explore new resources, equipment, and strategies to achieve our desired outcomes. As we seek innovative approaches, we develop new skills and expand our knowledge. Embracing new experiences and novel approaches improves our abilities and stimulates our brains, preparing us for future goals.

Now, as in everything in life, we must set limits. While goal setting plays a pivotal role in not just feeling like but becoming a successful runner, it is crucial to establish balance. Research suggests we should avoid an overemphasis on goals or setting unattainable targets, as they can lead to anxiety and a decline in self-assurance. Resilience and the ability to manage disappointment are integral to the goal-setting process.

We should also include backup goals in our training and recognize our achievements at various levels so you may stay motivated and derive satisfaction from our efforts. Remember, goal setting should be complemented by an appreciation of the journey, listening to your body, and finding joy in the process. When it is no longer fun, you will either stop running or burn out.

In conclusion: goal setting is not New Age mumbo-jumbo; it is a science-backed practice that may enhance your running performance if approached correctly. By embracing it, runners can unlock their full potential and achieve their best while maximizing the benefits of their training.

Join the conversation by commenting in the text box below and share your thoughts on goal setting in running! Every step counts towards greatness.

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Book Review – Good to Go

Book Review – Good to Go

by | May 10, 2022 | Article, Book Review, Science

Written by Christie Aschwanden
Reviewed by Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

I heard of Christie Aschwanden a few months ago when she was as a guest on a running podcast that I follow. She was talking about recovery and she seemed very well versed in the subject. Not only that, but her experience in high-performance athletics as well as her background as an award-winning science journalist at The Washington Post and The New York Times, made me feel she was legit. The host also mentioned she had written a book on recovery, so I immediately ordered it.

Good to Go

A good book worth the money and time investment for anyone wanting to know more about athletic recovery.

As weekend warriors we tend to forget that our hard workouts, our weightlifting sessions, or our long runs will do nothing for us unless we allow our bodies to recover and adapt to what we just put them through. There will be no adaptation if we don’t rest and fuel ourselves properly. “Good to Go. What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery” will help you gauge the different elements of recovery and put them in the right perspective.

The book is a tour through the many aspects of athletic recovery. It covers the things “everybody knows” through the ones that seem kind of way out there in the “snake oil” category. You can discern her journalistic and scientific background in her writing as she explored the many angles of each aspect of the science of recovery. I am not going to say that I read the papers she quotes to make up my mind on any aspect of what she presents, but if you start from the premise she is a solid researcher, as she seems to be, and an honest journalist, you will be impressed with what she presents in her book.

“Good to Go” is divided into 11 chapters. Each one goes in depth about an aspect of recovery. Nutrition, hydration, rest, compression, ice therapy, sleep, etc. They are individually treated and from several angles. With pros and cons, science research to back everything up, and the author’s personal experience trying many of the techniques and fads. Because the book was published in 2019, the author had access to the latest science and updates available, so you can learn a lot of new things.

The hydration chapter is fascinating. It goes through the history of the development of hydration as a science and how the sports drinks industry has taken over to popularize many myths that have become gospel in the endurance sports world. It is not that Gatorade doesn’t work, but it is not what it is marketed out to be either. You need to adapt your body to use its fluid resources wisely and then assist it with hydration while it works. A certain level of dehydration is perfectly normal. You don’t need to replenish every drop you sweat.

Good to Go

The author is an award-winning science journalist at The Washington Post and The New York Times.

As for fueling, I found was very interested in her debunking of the myth that there is a window of opportunity to feed your body after you wrap up your training. We’ve all heard that the magic window is the first hour, or even 30 minutes. She explains the science behind this and concludes that there is no “window of opportunity” but a “barn door of opportunity”. Your body is not going to reject the nutrient it needs just because they were offered too late for them to be absorbed. She concludes that unless you are to work out or compete again in a short period of time, there is no necessity to start refueling right away.

When it comes to sleep, there is one paragraph that blew my mind: “The benefits of sleep cannot be overstated. It is hands-down the most powerful recovery tool known to science. Nothing else comes close to sleep’s enhancing-recovery powers. You could add together every other recovery aid ever discovered, and they wouldn’t stack up. Going to sleep is like taking your body to the repair shop. While you doze, your body’s recovery processes ramp up to fix the damage you did during the day and get you ready to perform again”. Do you need to know anything else?

Of course I am synopsizing in one paragraph what I liked the most about entire chapters of about 20+ pages, with scientific quotations, personal experiences and field studies. What I am stating here is by no means the entire book, just a few comments to whet your appetite if you would like to learn more about these subjects.

The author also goes into detail on issues such as nutritional supplements, overtraining syndrome, and the placebo effect, providing you with scientific based information from several angles. These subjects, in conjunction with the other ones, will make you question some pre-conceived concepts you may have, and make you wonder if you’ve been approaching your recovery all wrong.

By the way, the book’s conclusion is that good sleep trumps every other aspect of recovery, so focus on that first. The rest is just icing on the cake.

“Good to Go. What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery” is not only a good book, worth the money and time invested in it. It is also well written, very entertaining, and will leave you with valuable lessons that will make you a better athlete.

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Book Review: 26.2 Miles to Boston

Book Review: 26.2 Miles to Boston

by | Mar 1, 2022 | Book Review

By Michael P Connelly
Reviewed by Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

 “The beauty of the Boston Marathon is the way each mile takes a life of its own and has its own personality”. This is the first line of the Mile 13 chapter of the book 26.2 Miles to Boston, and it reflects the spirit of the book. The allure and the charisma of the Boston Marathon doesn’t need much explanation in a running blog. It is more than just one of the Majors. It is more than the oldest of marathons. It is royalty among foot races. It is the Mount Olympus of running achievements.

26.2 Miles to Boston

You don’t have to be a Boston veteran to enjoy this wonderful book about the race.

Ran yearly since 1897, it is the most iconic and prestigious marathon. Qualifying for Boston is either the goal or the dream of most runners, even if they know they will never accomplish it. The course is hallowed ground both for those who aspire to run it one day and to those who have ran it 50+ times.

Michael P. Connelly (not to be confused with Michael Connelly, author of detective and crime fiction novels) is a lifelong Bostonian, who has focused his writings on the local sports scene. He finished the race in 1996, so he speaks from first-hand experience. The premise of the book is to move the reader along the route in a fluid and linear fashion, mimicking the race.

Originally published in 2014, Connelly goes mile by mile through each nook, cranny, obstacle and topographical feature of the road that will take a runner from Hopkinton to Boston, as he/she goes through eight cities. The rich history of the race, its traditions, lore, highlights and iconic participants are expertly interwoven throughout the story. The rich history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and each one of the eight municipalities is well researched and told in an enjoyable manner.

From the foreword by four-time champion Bill Rodgers to the post-race celebration, the author guides you through every bit of history that has built the Boston Marathon legend through the 117 years until the writing of the book. This upcoming April 16h will be the 126th edition of the race.

Because the book was published in 2014, it touches briefly on the 2013 bombing. A few references are sprinkled here and there and, after the 26th mile, the story is divided into “385 Yards of Treachery”, where the author expands on the episode, and “385 Yards of Triumph”, where he exalts images of success that have highlighted the finish line area throughout the decades. Not sure if this happened because the book was written prior to the 2013 and he had to adjust, or because the author refused to let this tragedy become the protagonist of the race’s rich history. Regardless of the reason, I believe this was the right call.

Beyond the geography, the history and the landmarks, the author choses to expand one topic per mile. These include unknowns surging on early leads, the contribution of international runners, human stories, cheaters, great performances and performers, unethical tactics, etc.

Mile 5 goes in detail through the story of female inclusion in the race, which goes beyond the 1968 Kathrine Swtizer/Jock Semple tackle. Mile 8 delves into the rich history of cheating in this race, which starts in 1909 with Howard Pearce and climaxes in 1980 with Rosie Ruiz. Mile 9 goes into the addition of handicapped athletes and details the birth of Team Hoyt. Mile 11 expands on the war years and here you learn amazing tidbits, such as the fact that the 1918 race was a relay for military teams.

26.2 Miles to Boston

Seven-Time Boston Marathon Champion, Clarence DeMar.

The book peaks at Miles 19 with the Newton Hills and Heartbreak Hill at Mile 20. “The fibs the runners told themselves on the flats of Framingham are meeting the truth on the hills of Newton”, the author explains. His description is so vivid that even if you haven’t been there, you can feel the pain and the agony of the 700-yard uphill stretch as if you were struggling through it yourself.

I haven’t run the Boston Marathon, yet I was able to enjoy this book immensely. I am sure that for someone preparing for the race it will be a powerful addition to their training plan. This way they can understand what they’ll go though and enhance their Boston experience. At the same time, I assume that for someone who has ran the race, it could mean a lot more given their firsthand experience on the course.

26.2 Miles to Boston is a beautifully written book, worth the investment in time and money. It can be enjoyed by anyone who understands the meaning of the Boston Marathon to the running community.

 

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20 Book Recommendations for Runners (Part 1)

20 Book Recommendations for Runners (Part 1)

by | Dec 1, 2020 | Book Review, Coaching

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

We all run because we love it. If not, we would be doing something else. But there is always a secondary reason why we do so, which is usually as powerful as the aforementioned “because we love it”. It could be health, weight control, self-improvement, social interaction, test against yourself, getting away from a chaotic life, not murdering your boss, etc.

Book RecommendationsRunning is as simple as it gets: one foot in front of the other… Go! But in order to realize that secondary reason, an inquisitive and relentless mind should be always on the lookout for additional knowledge. Information that will allow for understanding of what is happening within the body, the story of those who came before us, the newest training techniques, the latest gear improvements, etc. Even if you have a coach to guide you through the process, it is always good to be prepared, to be inquisitive and ask the right questions. Problem solved: grab a book.

Through my years as an avid reader I have consumed scores of running books. I am aware I haven’t read everything and still have important books that are still in my “to read” pile.

I compiled a list of 20 running books that I have read, and, in no particular order, I recommend to my readers. Here are the first ten. The remaining 10 will be published next week. Click here to check them out.

1 – Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall: An indispensable read for anyone interested in understanding how the human body was built to run, told through superb storytelling.

2 – Kings of the Road, By Cameron Stracher: How the first running boom came to be after Frank Shorter’s Olympic gold medal in 1972 and the birth of the New York City Marathon as we know it.

3 – The Pedestriennes, by Harry Hall: Before the Boston Marathon and ultrarunning, long distance walking was the craze. This book captures the uniqueness of this story.

4 – Pre, by Tom Jordan: A basic biography of the amazing Steve Prefontaine and his short, yet intense life. Not the definitive biography but a good one for getting to know the man behind the legend.

5 – Run to Overcome, by Meb Keflezighi: Meb’s first autobiography guides you from his early life in Eritrea though his Olympic medal and other triumphs. It doesn’t include the latter portion of his career.

6 – My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso: An autobiography of one of the most influential runners of the last 50 years. Lots of cool and weird stories from a running icon.

7 – 26.2, by John Bryant: The story of the London 1908 Olympic Games, its protagonist and how the marathon distance was finally established.

8 – Rebound, by Carrie Jackson Cheadle & Cindy Kuzma: Eventually, most runners get injured. This book is an important read both before or during and injury.

9 – 14 Minutes, By Alberto Salazar: Regardless of what you may think of him after his suspension, his place in running history is undeniable and his story of life, death and life again is amazing.

10: The Science of Running, by Steve Magness: If you want to geek out and dig deep into the science of what happens inside your body when you train, this is the book for you.

 

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