Running with the Buffaloes

Boy, if there is ever a book that can make you feel completely inadequate as a runner, this is it. Running with the buffaloes: A seaon inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado's men's cross country team (Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2003). The slow guys on this team run sub 5 minute miles for miles on end.

Apart from that, Lear does a good job getting into the heads and lives of the Buffalo runners for one cross country season. While not completely fleshed out, each team member (and their peripheral friends, family, and team mates) is followed, interviewed, and presented as a member of the team. It's pretty fascinating stuff and, not to give anything away, how the team deals with tragedy as individuals and together is quite compelling.

Recommended book, especially if you want a quick glimpse into what it takes (and what the athletes get) at the elite college level.

The book has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Running-with-the-Buffaloes/107988562562586?ref=ts.