I don’t care if you never put one foot in front of the other the way we do ever in your life. You may finally see why runners push through seemingly endless miles if you have read this book. The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life by Amby Burfoot.

I bought this book yesterday for about $5.00 at Half-Price Books and finished it in a two hour sitting. A very easy read in fact. Burfoot describes the struggle of the long distance runner isn’t without purpose. This narrative illustrates precisely what many runners have attempted to tell running nay sayers yet couldn’t make these non-believers understand. For me, it was a boost of confidence to hear someone else saying what I’ve been thinking and attempting to express to some former friends (who ironically used to run but don’t like running any farther than absolutely necessary or exercise on a regular basis in any way shape or form, yet coach a youth track program – they don’t have that “spark” Burfoot mentions), high school distance novices, as well as other folks who subscribe to the “Running Sucks” mentality. Running is simply a runner’s way of dealing with and succeeding in life with the abilities he is genetically programmed to have; all other sports require substantial skill for one to excell in them. This book doesn’t preach “faster is better” as the common misconception about running usually goes. Though if someone thinks I’m super fast and I haven’t been training for several months, so much the better for my ego (and my motivation when I am out running). No, the purpose of running is for things other than being the fastest against other humans; for being faster or better than you were the day, week, or month before. Running is immaterial. Lace ‘em up folks.

All I can say is if you want to understand and maybe better appreciate an under rated yet simplistic athletic event, read The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life. I won’t say you’ll want to lace up some shoes and run 2,3, or more miles, but you may be less likely to sarcastically scream, “Run, Forrest, run!” as we stride by on our way to deciphering our own lives one step at a time.