Appearance
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
I just ran the 114th Boston Marathon, and I can tell you that my experience was much enriched by having read this book.The author takes you through the course mile by mile - talking through the landmarks, history and even technical discussions of the course itself. I have to say that after reading the book, I felt even more honored to participate in the race (and a little nervous). The author does a wonderful job of capturing how this just isn't a race, it's an event that stretches through over a century of history - not only of the course, but of distance running itself.Reading it before hand, made the course more alive and familiar to me while I ran it. Recognizing the landmarks and knowing the history behind each one gave me something to look forward to each mile (and in the later miles keep my mind off the suffering). And finally, it gave me a sense for the spirit of the event itself and the personal stories that are inextricably linked each year to it.I did read a few reviews that admonished the author for running as a bandit, I respect that perspective and don't condone bandit'ing the race.However, the author's real value in this book isn't his running prowess (as he readily admits time and time again). Rather, it's the hard work and research he obviously invested to bring all of this history to the reader. I can't think of a better way to personalize the 'data' than to relate it to an actual running of the course. True, it would be ideal if the author was also an elite runner who had qualified - but barring that intersection, I think it would have been a shame to not have this author share his research in the way that he did. That's what I believe the review should be rated on.Hope you found this helpful. I strongly recommend this book and think it should almost be a required reading for anyone signing up to run Boston.You'll be happy you read it!Kevin
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
This book humanized one of the most famous road races in the world. It was a delight to read and thoroughly entertaining.
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
I bought Michael Connelly's 26 Miles to Boston as a Christmas gift for my husband. I was aghast to read that the author had run the race as a bandit (i.e. not registered--either by qualifying, as part of a charity program or any of the other ways to LEGALLY run without qualifying). This one fact all but ruined what otherwise would have been an entertaining and interesting book about one of the world's greatest running events. In particular, his tirade against Marty Liquori, who had the temerity to suggest on-air that unregistered runners respect the Boston Athletic Association's rules and decline from taking advantage of the many course amenities for which they didn't pay (in Mr. Connelly's case this included the expertise of medical staff after the race), reduced my respect for him as a "runner" to the point that I couldn't enjoy the book. I suspect other runners who do respect this great race may have similar feelings. It took me several years to get to the point that I could even consider trying to qualify for Boston; Mr. Connelly decided six months ahead of time to begin a running career and had such a sense of entitlement as to feel that the world owed him the privilege of running the Boston Marathon right off the bat. This would have been a much better book without the inclusion of Mr. Connelly's self-righteously conceived, ill-advised personal experience.
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
I loved Michael Connelly"s "26 Miles to Boston." I have read a number of running books lately, but Connelly's book was incredible. Connelly, a Boston attorney, nearly died from a heart ailment. Six months later he finished the Boston Marathon. This book really puts the reader in the race:for every mile, Connelly describes exactly the course, his mental state, and all the other ups and downs he encountered. I always hope to be inspired by reading books written by the stars of the running world, but this book really moved me precisely because it was by an average person; a person with a dream that he made come true. This book was recommended to me by an Amazon.com suggestion, and as a runner and former Boston resident, I bought it knowing it would be a winner. I highly recommend "26 Miles to Boston." Whether you are a runner, or not, anyone will be inspired by this book. If you have a dream, you can achieve it. Michael Connelly did.
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
A fast and motivating read. For anyone who aspires to run Boston, this book truly depicts what the Boston marathon is: a race like no other.
26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square
Not sure this book would appeal as much to those who have not experienced the race personally. A nice light read for any runner though.