Running & Being: The Total Experience

by George Sheehan

Book Overview

A New York Times bestseller for 14 weeks in 1978, Running & Being became known as the philosophical bible for runners around the world. More than thirty years after its initial publication, it remains every bit as relevant today.

Written by the late, beloved Dr. George Sheehan, Running & Being tells of the author's midlife return to the world of exercise, play, and competition, in which he found "a world beyond sweat" that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1623362539
• ISBN13: 9781623362539
• Release Date: April 2014
• Publisher: Rodale Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The true 'runners high'

Imagine - a book on running that doesn't delve into the minutia of split times, hydration, or shoe color...Dr George Sheehan's fine book just talks about the joy of running. Quoting Greek and other philosophers (which include his beer-drinking buddies on the Jersey shore) Sheehan writes of the midlife crisis that got him back on the roads again, and how running helped make him a better human being. It was years later that science charted the endomorphins that proved Sheehan's point; he already knew the effect running had on improving his life. It improved other lives also; Dr Sheehan was a regular speaker at our varsity XC banquets back in the late 60's; and he was as entertaining and motivating in person as he was 10 years later in print.

A Runner-Philosopher

All runners are philosophers. It's just that George Sheehan is every athlete's philosopher. If you have ever wondered why you swing a racquet, shag fly balls or spend hours on a bicycle, read this book and you'll say to yourself "that's it, that's why!" It's not just the runners who'll say it. This book should be a prerequisite for pursuing any sport at any level.

A MUST READ FOR ANY SPORTS ENTHUSIAST !

I've personally re-read this book about 100 times over the last 18 years. A marvelous book about the human spirit of athletes. As a coach and teacher this book was mandatory for my student-athletes. Sheehan certainly puts sports in perspective - they should be fun/play. My prediction, if you read this book you'll recommend it to at least 5 people.

The only book in my library I reread!!

For the Sheehan neophyte, let me say this, this is NOT a book to learn how run better. It IS a book to become a better person. Dr. Sheehan is simply one of us; a runner who happens to write. The beauty of this book is that Sheehan doesn't candy coat his stories. He tells running as it is, as he is. You'll read this book and continually say, "My god, that's it, that's what I feel, that's how I am too." Soon, things you'd suspected about yourself, become clearer. Questions like, "Why do you run?", begin to have meaningful answers. I have read tons about running and if I had to rank them, all Dr. Sheehan's books would be on the top of the list (But "R & B" is the best of his stuff, so start there). If you want the definitive book on all the technical details about running, get Glover's "Competetive Runner's Handbook" (make sure "Competetive" is in the title). If you want or need helping understanding life, read all of Sheehan's stuff. Heck those two books (Sheehan & Glover) are really all you need for years of PR's and spiritual growth.

The only book!

This book was written several years ago when running was at its peak. When marathons were the only race worth doing. George Sheehan reached right inside the skull of the runner and was able to put into words the feelings that many of us felt at the time. He was merely describing the physiological effect of positive addiction. No-one else has managed to achieve this since. His clinics and lectures were unique and epitomised the man and his writing. This is the bible for the runner, it will never date. Regrettably someone stole my well thumbed dog eared and underlined copy. I hope that it is reprinted soon