Running to the Edge
A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed
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Running to the Edge
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Narrated by:
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René Ruiz
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Written by:
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Matthew Futterman
About this listen
"Gripping...he narrative is smooth and immediate, almost effortless in its detail, if occasionally breathless, like a good fast run..." (The New York Times Book Review)
Visionary American running coach Bob Larsen assembled a mismatched team of elite California runners...the start of his decades-long quest for championships, Olympic glory, and pursuit of "the epic run."
In the dusty hills above San Diego, Bob Larsen became America's greatest running coach. Starting with a ragtag group of high school cross country and track runners, Larsen set out on a decades-long quest to find the secret of running impossibly fast, for longer distances than anyone thought possible. Himself a former farm boy who fell into his track career by accident, Larsen worked through coaching high school, junior college, and college, coaxing talented runners away from more traditional sports as the running craze was in its infancy in the 60s and 70s. On the arid trails and windy roads of California, Larsen relentlessly sought the "secret sauce" of speed and endurance that would catapult American running onto the national stage.
Running to the Edge is a riveting account of Larsen's journey, and his quest to discover the unorthodox training secrets that would lead American runners (elite and recreational) to breakthroughs never imagined. New York Times Deputy Sports Editor Matthew Futterman interweaves the dramatic stories of Larsen's runners with a fascinating discourse of the science behind human running, as well as a personal running narrative that follows Futterman's own checkered love-affair with the sport. The result is a narrative that will speak to every runner, a story of Larsen's triumphs - from high school cross-country meets to the founding of the cult-favorite 70's running group, the Jamul Toads, from national championships to his long tenure as head coach at UCLA, and from the secret training regimen of world champion athletes like Larsen's protégé, American Meb Keflezighi, to victories at the New York and Boston Marathons as well as the Olympics.
Running to the Edge is a pause-resister...a relentless crusade to run faster, farther.
©2019 Matthew Futterman (P)2019 Random House AudioWhat the critics say
"Futterman’s subject: Bob Larsen, a visionary coach whose work over the past 50 years changed the course of distance running in this country. Larsen, who started as a high school cross-country coach in the dusty hinterlands of San Diego County, brought together a scrappy, hodgepodge group of fleet-footed male runners known as the Jamul Toads. Futterman places the reader in the middle of the action, a spectator to the story’s improbable unfolding. While Larsen’s later athletes - most notably the Olympic medalists Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor, who dominate the book’s second half - ran to international glory and lend a glimmer of star power to the story, it’s the long-forgotten Toads who will elicit the most cheers. 'They are chasing victory, but also the primal idea of doing what the body was meant to do, doing it beautifully and to its fullest extent, which are really the same thing.' Long after they faded into obscurity, the Toads stand as testament that the joy of sport doesn’t lie in the results but in the process, the pursuit of excellence and self-discipline, the rigors and rewards of dedication." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Running to the Edge reveals the untold history of how a determined coach and his motley crew of underdogs practically defibrillated US distance running. It is at once a beautiful meditation on effort and a tale as captivating and suspenseful as a great race." (David Epstein, New York Times best-selling author of The Sports Gene)
"Running To The Edge is at its heart a vivid, fascinating and affectionate portrait of a man who changed the sport of running in America, and of the sport that changed him. Through the story of a pioneer coach, Bob Larsen, Matt Futterman deftly describes both the running boom era of the 1970s and 1980s, and the resurgence of American distance-running talent in the aughts. I can't think of a runner who wouldn't enjoy this book." (Ed Caesar, author of Two Hours: The Quest to Run the Impossible Marathon)
What listeners say about Running to the Edge
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- fab
- 2020-02-19
Great book
When they spoke about long distance running, I thought they were talking about...long distance running (Aka 100 km and above). But no, it was track long distance which is way shorter. Although not my "field", I enjoyed the book and picked up some good training tips here and there! A great listen, great stories.. loved it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maggie
- 2020-03-08
Incredible story of human resilience and sport
I don't typically feel compelled to write audible reviews, however there was no way I couldn't speak about this book. With having no really knowledge of long distance running history, this story was absolutely captivating. In being a half-marathoner, I found listening to this book on my runs to be such an inspiring and interesting listen. Most notably, you know a book is incredible when it takes you through a series of emotions. In listening to Meb's journey to the Boston Marathon at the end, I was absolutely moved to tears. The best part was for me in reading this as well was that I was AT the 2014 Boston Marathon cheering my sister on and I so vividly remember the energy this race had with it being the year following the Boston Marathon bombing. I remember the sunny day, the cheering, the crowds -the energy was so palpable, and the way that Matthew depicted it in the book in the eyes of Meb was spot on. I remember hearing of his name that he had won, but NO means did it justice for helping me truly understand the journey Meb had embarked on before this race or could even comprehend the hurdles he had overcame to get there. Admittedly, I had to wipe tears throughout this book as it evoked something so strong in me being a runner myself, and also just acknowledging the incredible capacity and resilience we as humans have. This book is captivating, inspiring and takes you on this emotional journey like you were there yourself apart. Don't hesitate one minute longer, use your credit/buy this book, you will not be disappointed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Aleksandar
- 2019-09-11
Like a multi-course meal...
Well balanced, measured, presented and fully flavoured to appeal to runners, historians, biographic enthusiasts, sociologist and entrepreneurs in the ecosystem of athletics and recreation.
The interspersed personal reflections did more to sidetrack the narrative that weave it together. The Author no doubts has valuable insights, perspectives and experiences that may have better been served in the third person.
Overall perhaps a book can best be measured in regard to how much it has you hooked and looking forward to what comes next. In this regard it was a spellbinding success easily able to lead the reader/listener until time lapses into a blur of hours.
Bravo Mr.Futterman! Sure to become an anthem in the cult of running and a story for all ages.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2020-09-07
Interesting & very well written
Inspiring for anyone interested in running or getting into long distance running. It makes you want to run a marathon. Very well narrated and the story keeps you engaged the whole time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Douglas
- 2020-09-04
Brilliant done!
One of the best running books I've listened to, yet. Great writing, well spoken and a fantastic story that draws you in, and let's you know and care about the dynamic men and women who are given a well-deserved spotlight in this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sandy M
- 2019-08-13
Wow!
What an interesting romp through running history. So many details on events I was aware of but the background gives each account more depth and breadth. if you love running and running history this is a must read.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2021-09-10
Not what I was thinking…
It was…ok… honestly, I can’t even finish it. I was hoping it’d be a bit more about Bob Larsen and his coaching journey, but it’s feels like it’s missed the mark.
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