Check out our early Book Reviews below and then order your copy of Running the Edge today!
Review from Matt Fitzgerald Competitor.com
Adam Goucher’s authorial debut (with Tim Catalano) is a surprise and a delight.
Adam Goucher is known for his exceptional intensity and fierce competitiveness as a runner. These characteristics represent the average running fan’s tweet-size understanding of Goucher’s entire personality. But there’s a lot more to Adam Goucher than can be said in 140 characters. Readers of the 2000 Olympian’s new book,Running The Edge, coauthored with Goucher’s former University of Colorado teammate Tim Catalano, will be exposed to a whole different side of the man.
It turns out that Adam Goucher is, in addition to being intense and fierce, also a deeply reflective and introspective person who cares a great deal about his personal development and his effect on other people. He embraces running as much more than a tool for individual achievement and glory, and is a guy who has an earnest desire to help other runners. This is all great for Goucher, but now that he has put his whole self into a book intended to help other runners, it’s even better for us.
Review by Cindi Matt Runnin’ From The Law
If you haven’t picked up your copy of Running The Edge, by Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano, what are you waiting for? Do it now! It will change the way you thinking about running and about your life.
This book is different than any of the other running books out there. If you are looking for specific how-to advice from these great athletes/authors on things like tempos, intervals, pacing, etc., you won’t find it in the book. But if you are looking to find deeper meaning and inspiration, in your running AND your life, look no further – Running The Edge is that kind of book.
In Running The Edge, Adam and Tim (My new BFF’s; I feel like we are on a first name basis, since, like them, I am now dedicated to becoming a distance maven!), give you the tools to transform your running, and your life, from ordinary to extraordinary, to create a personal revolution in your running and your life. Their book is about becoming a “Distance Maven”. A distance maven combines action with thought in order to become an expert and excel at running and life. A distance maven “has the desire and consistent dedication to self-improvement by working on weaknessess and developing strengths.”
Review by Jake Krong Wasatch and Beyond
I’ve read just about every book about running. The upper level of my pantheon includes Once a Runner, which I can almost recite, Running with the Buffaloes, and a few others. Its been a while since I’ve read something that I immediately wanted to read again, but that is exactly how I felt about Running the Edge when I finished it over the weekend. Add a new member to the reading list hall-of-fame!
Running the Edge was written by Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher. Most folks who have been around the sport for more than a few years are aware of Goucher’s accomplishments; his resume goes well-beyond being “Mr. Kara Goucher.” Adam was one of running’s major superstars when I first got into the sport in 2001, and I have always admired his tenacity and rooted for him over the years. Catalano was also a national class runner (He and Adam were teammates at Colorado). He is now a (highly innovative) high school teacher and XC/Track coach.
Review by Kim Daly Some Kind of Runderful
I’ve been excited about the debut of Running The Edgeby Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano ever since I stumbled upon their blog. These guys regularly post fun, personal comments on the world of running and share their love of the sport with humor and thoughtfulness. When the book landed in my mailbox, I figured I’d zip through it in one night, and I was a bit surprised when I didn’t.
This is not the type of read you’d expect from elite runners. Adam doesn’t lay out, lap-by-lap the workouts that helped him qualify for the Olympics in 2000, and Tim doesn’t wax poetic about his speedy days at the University of Colorado. Instead, the message is bigger than that, deeper—it forces you to slow down and think.
Review from Adrienne Langelier Running:
ma~ven (noun)-an expert or connoisseur.
…Although I didn’t plan on timing my completion of Olympian Adam Goucherand Tim Catalano‘s new and insightful book “Running the Edge” to occur in conjunction with today being Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day (G.O.H.A.R.D; as initiated by the aforementioned fastie duo); it fell into place quite nicely.
I first was familiarized with Goucher and Catalano’s book prior to its release date and my initial impression was “sweet, another helpful running book to add to my list”. As some may already know I’m a big fan of nonfiction, especially of the memoir-ish genres; therefore it went to the top my “to-read” list for the remainder of 2011. Then I researched the book and its content a little deeper; not only was it a book about running , but it was based on the principles of Humanistic Psychology. Additionally, I’m a big Goucher fan, not only his accomplishments as a competitor but his “never say die” attitude and introspective approach. I had to read this book, and I am glad that I did, for several reasons….
Review from Runners Feed Chantelle Wilder
The impetus for this book is based on the powerful epiphanies of two men who have pushed their limits in running and in life to discover secrets they couldn’t hold back from sharing with the world.
The four time NCAA Champion and Olympian over 5,000 meters, Adam Goucher, and his former Colorado teammate Tim Catalano, created a one of a kind self-improvement book that transcends generations, and athletic abilities by employing a theme everyone can identify with: The Pursuit of Excellence.
One thing is certain, you will walk away speaking a different language, using terms like ’distance maven’ and ‘throwing down the gauntlet’, all while encouraging people to subscribe to a life philosophy of Be-Do-Have!
Review from Montreal Endurance:
I admit that I am skeptical of self-help books. On the other hand, I am a full-on running book junkie. So what to make of Running The Edge, a new book written by former Colorado Buffaloes Adam Goucherand Tim Catalano? It is the running book I have always wanted to write. Let me explain.
While I do enjoy reading about running, the formula for running books is usually the same. If it is a training book (Daniels, Vigil, Simmons), there is the definition of terms, the explanation of principles, some sample workouts, and maybe a little bit about race strategy, sport psychology and being “tough.” If the book is more of a fiction or biography, then it’s a story. I like stories, and I like stories about runners. The story usually goes like this: runner discovers running, runner has dreams, runner works too hard and something bad happens, runner picks him or herself up off the ground and has a good race anyway or has a bad race but learns a lesson. This is not to say these types of books are not inspiring. They are. But I’ve always struggled with the idea of running as a normal pursuit. These books are mostly written by runners, for runners, and so they don’t really break the fourth wall and address the question of: what the hell are we doing here? Running The Edge does that.
Running The Edge is a book that attacks head on the problem of how to be a really good runner, and maintain a normal life, too. The solution to the problem is: you can’t. And you shouldn’t. And it’s ok not to. This is refreshing. I’ve been looking for a way to tell people (the athletes I coach, friends, family) that, if we want to be honest with ourselves, if we really want to get the most out of running, we have to get a little crazy. It’s not going to be normal.
Review from Writing about Running:
“Being a runner is truly a gift. Runners have access to a world and a set of life lessons that can transform every aspect of their lives.”
The above statement couldn’t be more true. College teammates at the University of Colorado, Tim Catalano and Adam Goucherrecount excellent tales from their past to teach lessons in running and life, with the goal of helping the reader become a true “distance maven;” a term you’ll become very familiar with while reading “Running the Edge.”
Goucher touches on everything from his big wins in high school, to his duels with Bob Kennedy as a young pro, to his early exit in the rounds of the 5000 in the 2004 Olympic Trials. Catalano soars in telling tales about the high school team he’s coached that had doughnut eating contests, water chugging exhibitions and a near fatal climb to the top of Bear Peak in Boulder, CO. Both writers complement each other excellently and provide great information on how to become an excellent runner and an even better person.
Interview and Video Review from Tips 4 Running
Looking for some extra motivation? The Run the Edge Interview might help. I talked to the authors of Running the Edge: Discover the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life, Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher. They both ran at the storied University of Colorado CC program and Adam Goucher was a professional runner for over a decade. Here’s the question and answer session with David Tiefenthaler from Tips4Running.com.
Review from Palm Desert Patch:
Adam Goucher Believes In The Power of The Run
Adam Goucher is one of the top distance runners in the U.S. and has competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the 2007 World Championships in Osaka. In his new book, “Running The Edge” Goucher shares his passion, experience, and philosophical insight.
Adam Goucher can run circles around most people. You see, Adam Goucher is a professional track and field athlete who for the last 20 years has competed at a world class level in distance running.
Goucher is also the author of “Running The Edge,” the best running book to come along since “The Complete Book of Running” by running guru Jim Fixx in the 1970′s, which at the time helped launch the running boom in America.
Goucher had a big career in running at the University of Boulder, where he ran track and cross country and was an eleven time All American and captured four individual NCAA titles. Today, Goucher is married to running icon Kara Goucher (she’s planning to compete in next month’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston) and is the father of 14-month-old Colt Goucher, a handsome kid who will undoubtedly have some running wheels of his own.
In Goucher’s deeply personal and insightful new book, along with co-author Tim Catalano (a college running team mate of Goucher’s and a sport psychologist) you will discover how to: “Find the motivation to get off the couch and out the front door as you begin your personal running revolution. You will learn to harness the passion and powerful lessons found in running in order to fuel personal improvement in other areas of your life,” Goucher espouses on the book’s cover.
Read Full Review Here:
From Joyful Runner Girl
When I received Running The Edge in the mail, I couldn’t wait to dive into it. However, I was in the middle of a move, renovation and starting a new company. And so it sat in my “to read” pile for quite some time. I tried to pick it up and read but I always felt as if the book needed my full attention. I shouldn’t have felt this way.
Once I really started reading the book I was so motivated I couldn’t put it down. Not only was I motivated to keep reading, I was motivated to try new workouts, to excel in my businesses, etc.
While the book does focus on running, its not filled with workout plans, diets to follow or show advice. This is a book for your whole body and soul.
From BQ by 40
I live in Boulder, domain of runners but also of Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and other New Age-y, self-help-y, laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank-at-our-neuroses types. I’m not a fan of this stuff, or of the self-help, self-love and self-improvement movements or pop psychology in general. The ideas of “because I deserve it” and other Oprah-esque cloakings of hedonism are big turn-offs. I (and I’d wager many middle- and upper-class Americans) actually do plenty for ourselves. It’s other people we should be focusing on.
That said, I do believe that while perfection isn’t possible and happiness isn’t reached via a check-list or a particular spiritual practice or a set of goals, improving one’s character IS a worthy process to embrace. That’s where
From: Get Ultra Running
I did not like this book, but it did make me look at my running in a different light and it had a very positive effect. Originally I thought that it was a load of psycho-babble and the personal examples were self-indulgent, however on reflection I believe there is a lot of merit in the book. Perhaps my adverse reaction was because it made me see that I have been taking my running for granted and, because I am not putting enough into it, I am not getting enough out of it. Being criticised makes me a bit prickly.
Read Full Review from Edward Chapman Here
From Parents on the Run
I must admit that I haven’t read many books outside of what I had to read for school in my life. Its been ages since I finished book all the way through. Even though I have read large sections of running and nutrition books lately, I have just read the sections that had the information I was looking for. Now that I have finished a book I feel pretty proud of myself. I got the book for Christmas and I just finished it today (Jan 2). With work and the kids that is very quick for me. If I didn’t have other obligations I would have finished this book in a day or two. I loved it.
Read Full Review Here
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Happy Running!
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