Running with the Buffaloes

A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men's Cross Country Team

By: Chris Lear

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In Running with the Buffaloes, writer Chris Lear follows the University of Colorado cross-country team through an unforgettable NCAA season. Allowed unparalleled access to team practices, private moments, and the mind of Mark Wetmore - one of the country's most renowned and controversial coaches - Lear provides a riveting look inside the triumphs and heartaches of a perennial national contender and the men who will stop at nothing to achieve excellence.

The Buffaloes' 1998 season held great promise, with Olympic hopeful Adam Goucher poised for his first-ever NCAA cross-country title, and the University of Colorado shooting for its first-ever national team title. But in the rigorous world of top-level collegiate sports, blind misfortune can sabotage the dreams of individuals and teams alike. In a season plagued by injury and the tragic loss of a teammate, the Buffaloes were tested as never before. What these men managed to achieve in the face of such adversity is the stuff of legend and glory.

With passion and suspense, Lear captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Adam Goucher and a great coach like Mark Wetmore.

©2003 Chris Lear (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The book minutely details the training and coaching techniques used to produce a team that is a constant contender for the NCAA championship...this one will appeal to high school athletes and is recommended for both school and public libraries." ( Library Journal)

Glad to hear this one

Have read a few times, but knocked it out again on a few runs and rides. Nothing like it.

great read if you are a runner

This book brought bqck many memories of running cross country. In being a true story it lacked excitement in some areas.

I can’t say enough about this book.

I devoured this book. If you are a runner and have not read this yet - here is your audio for your next few long runs!

Amazing book! A must have for any fan of running

I read (and loved) this book shortly after it's initial release, and now, years later, it is still every bit the gem I remembered it to be. I love listening to it when out logging miles; it's the perfect companion!

Offers insight

Into how a great program is run. Wetmore's teams were huge on the world stage for years and his legend lives on to this day.

Sweet Emotion

Great story of stress management,how to use it in a positive way to better your life!!

I may buy the actual book

It took me a while to get into this audiobook. Found it hard to keep the full cast of characters straight and running statistics would be easier to absorb and follow on paper for me. However, it is a detailed look into a successful coach’s mentality and training plans, as well as his athletes journey through that season. I did not know the full story and was caught up emotionally as the events unfolded. Definitely would listen again now to better follow each runner’s journey or may buy the book. Highly recommend for young runners to better understand the goals of their coaches training and for personal inspiration to anyone.

All time great running book!

This is one of my favorite running books of all-time. The story of Adam Goucher, Chris Severy, Mark Wetmore and the 1998 Colorado cross country team is an awesome behind the curtains look at what it takes to be great and how incredibly motivated these athletes and coaches are.

So good! Almost makes running seem cool

Really enjoyed it. Felt super nostalgic for 90s XC. Great running philosophy and work out descriptions. The race results/ finishing list are a little awkward with the audio book. Difficult to capture an entire team's journey, but somehow this pulls it off.

Classic distance running book

The best story of competitive team running available. Any current or former competitive cross or track runner should listen to this, beautiful captures the beauty, comedy, and struggles of young athletes living and working together to get as fast as possible.