Running to the Edge

A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed

By: Matthew Futterman

Narrated by: René Ruiz

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

"Gripping...he narrative is smooth and immediate, almost effortless in its detail, if occasionally breathless, like a good fast run..." (The New York Times Book Review)

Visionary American running coach Bob Larsen assembled a mismatched team of elite California runners...the start of his decades-long quest for championships, Olympic glory, and pursuit of "the epic run."

In the dusty hills above San Diego, Bob Larsen became America's greatest running coach. Starting with a ragtag group of high school cross country and track runners, Larsen set out on a decades-long quest to find the secret of running impossibly fast, for longer distances than anyone thought possible. Himself a former farm boy who fell into his track career by accident, Larsen worked through coaching high school, junior college, and college, coaxing talented runners away from more traditional sports as the running craze was in its infancy in the 60s and 70s. On the arid trails and windy roads of California, Larsen relentlessly sought the "secret sauce" of speed and endurance that would catapult American running onto the national stage.

Running to the Edge is a riveting account of Larsen's journey, and his quest to discover the unorthodox training secrets that would lead American runners (elite and recreational) to breakthroughs never imagined. New York Times Deputy Sports Editor Matthew Futterman interweaves the dramatic stories of Larsen's runners with a fascinating discourse of the science behind human running, as well as a personal running narrative that follows Futterman's own checkered love-affair with the sport. The result is a narrative that will speak to every runner, a story of Larsen's triumphs - from high school cross-country meets to the founding of the cult-favorite 70's running group, the Jamul Toads, from national championships to his long tenure as head coach at UCLA, and from the secret training regimen of world champion athletes like Larsen's protégé, American Meb Keflezighi, to victories at the New York and Boston Marathons as well as the Olympics.

Running to the Edge is a pause-resister...a relentless crusade to run faster, farther.

©2019 Matthew Futterman (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Futterman’s subject: Bob Larsen, a visionary coach whose work over the past 50 years changed the course of distance running in this country. Larsen, who started as a high school cross-country coach in the dusty hinterlands of San Diego County, brought together a scrappy, hodgepodge group of fleet-footed male runners known as the Jamul Toads. Futterman places the reader in the middle of the action, a spectator to the story’s improbable unfolding. While Larsen’s later athletes - most notably the Olympic medalists Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor, who dominate the book’s second half - ran to international glory and lend a glimmer of star power to the story, it’s the long-forgotten Toads who will elicit the most cheers. 'They are chasing victory, but also the primal idea of doing what the body was meant to do, doing it beautifully and to its fullest extent, which are really the same thing.' Long after they faded into obscurity, the Toads stand as testament that the joy of sport doesn’t lie in the results but in the process, the pursuit of excellence and self-discipline, the rigors and rewards of dedication." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Running to the Edge reveals the untold history of how a determined coach and his motley crew of underdogs practically defibrillated US distance running. It is at once a beautiful meditation on effort and a tale as captivating and suspenseful as a great race." (David Epstein, New York Times best-selling author of The Sports Gene)

"Running To The Edge is at its heart a vivid, fascinating and affectionate portrait of a man who changed the sport of running in America, and of the sport that changed him. Through the story of a pioneer coach, Bob Larsen, Matt Futterman deftly describes both the running boom era of the 1970s and 1980s, and the resurgence of American distance-running talent in the aughts. I can't think of a runner who wouldn't enjoy this book." (Ed Caesar, author of Two Hours: The Quest to Run the Impossible Marathon)

Story about running

I enjoyed the book. It wasn’t a gloating book found in most running stories. It was basically a type of historic timeline with enough to keep you engaged.

Great listen - even if you’re not a runner

It’s all about having the courage to think differently. And, having the perseverance to endure the inevitable struggles. If you are a runner, this is a must listen.

Excellent Story, Excellent Content

This is a fascinating story, very well written and flawlessly performed. Having grown up in the east county of San Diego, where the first part unfolds, and being very familiar with the lay of the land, I especially appreciated the author's accurate descriptions and the narrator's correct pronunciation of names like Jamul (Ha-mool). I listen to a lot of Audible content and this ranks among the best. Highly recommend.

Amazing Story!

This is one of the best Audible books I’ve ever listened to. As a high school cross country and track coach, I was just enthralled. The narration and the way the story was written is superb. I was hooked in the first five minutes and savored every minute of it. It was incredibly inspiring, motivating, enlightening and moving. I had both laughter and tears. I am also picking sections to have the athletes on my team listen to. Incredible story! A must listen!

For all the running nerds and toads out there

Have you wondered about where the concepts for your training plans came from? Where the curiosity started? Do you know CBL? Have you watched your favorite elite runner rise and fall, and rise again? Do you get emotional at the start or finish of a race? Then this book is a must! The stories shed light on the people behind the American distance runners and their journey into the history books. Don’t miss this one fellow running nerds.

one of the best books for a long run

one of the best books for a long run. kept me going even when I felt like I wanted to quit running

Must read

Best book on running , real running for the right reasons since once a runner

Superb!

Put in many miles while listening to an amazingly inspirational story. Bob Larson’s gritty story is forever inscribed in my head!

My new favorite

well written and read. This is my new favorite audible. The narrator or clear and not boring and the story is well written and has thing hidden in it that pertain to life and not just running.

Outstanding

This was an amazing listen. Once I started I couldn't stop. I plan on getting the actual book for my nephew.