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|  RUNOHIO's Book Review Elaine Binkley December 2006 RunOhio
A Closer Look at - Why Run if No One is Chasing You?
While there are currently many running books on the market
dealing with training, nutrition, and biography, the humor of
running is a topic that is rarely addressed. In his book,
Why Run if No One is Chasing You? (PublishAmerica
Inc., Baltimore MA, 2006, $19.95), Timothy Martin attempts to
fill this void by addressing the many experiences one
encounters through the sport from a humorous perspective.
Martin describes his book as "A kind of grab bag from which
you could pull out a variety of treats. Not just humor, but
courage, spirit, determination and camaraderie as well." The
book is structured as a series of brief vignettes collected
into several sub-sections which not only makes the book easy
to read, but also allows the author to touch on a relatively
large number of topics in a relatively short book. Among some
of his primarily comedic essays is "Running as a Spectator
Sport," in which he addresses the issue of the lack of
spectator respect that running is usually granted. As he
states, "What can we do to make running more popular? The
answer is simple. Make it more like football." Some of his
other essays include: "Dude, Where's My T-Shirt" in which he
narrates the saga of a runner who has lost his race t-shirt
and must deal with the bureaucracy of race officials in an
attempt to get a new one, "The Song That Never Ends" about the
annoyance of getting a single song stuck in your head for the
duration of a long run, " and "Seldom Seen Shoes" in which he
discusses the frustration of finding a great pair of shoes
that no store seems to carry in the correct size.
In addition, Martin also includes a number of lists and
guides such as "Curses on You!" in which he lists a series of
runner-specific curses that include "May you be shot with your
own pepper spray," and "May you be eaten by a pack of ravenous
aid station volunteers." Among the pieces of wisdom listed in
his "The Running Philosopher" are "That which does not kill us
usually puts us on the injury list," and "If you can see it,
you can run away from it. If you can dream it, you probably
overslept." In "What I've Learned: Pheidippides" he lists, "If
you don't feel like going that extra mile, don't do it. My
cardiologist told me that," and "I get angry when the
government spends thousands of drachmas on a war, and I can't
get a decent horse." These and other similar chapters allow
Martin to combine humor with the more serious fundamental
reasons why people fall in love with the sport. From these
lists to his running Spin Off of a Dr. Seuss poem and song
lyrics, Martin is able to incorporate a wide range of writing
styles that make his book not only funny, but also allow for
him to illustrate his love of the sport.
Other stories deal with topics such as one's initiation
into the sport such as in "Making the Team," in which he
humorously describes his own start in running cross-country
and his belligerent coach. In "Running in the Family" he deals
with his teenage daughter's involvement in running. It is
these, along with the many other short stories and spoofs
contained within the book that take a look at running from a
unique and more laid-back approach, that make this book a
worthwhile read. In a sport that is largely taken quite
seriously, Martin's book provides an atypical perspective that
gives runners a chance to laugh at themselves.
Editor note: Elaine Binkley is senior at Denison University
where she has earned NCAA Division III All American honors
twice in cross-country. She has been named to the ESPN The
Magazine Academic All- America(R) Women's Track & Field/Cross
Country first team as selected by the College Sports
Information Directors of America in 2005 and 2006. Elaine also
earned All State honors in Cross Country and Track at Bishop
Watterson High School.
The RUNOHIO's Book Review - A Closer Look at - explores
various running books and is a regular column in RUNOHIO. - To
have your book considered for reviewed, please send a copy to:
Matt McGowan, c/ o RUNOHIO, 330 Spellman Street, Granville, OH
43023
Check out these other RUNOHIO Book Reviews:
A Closer Look at: Bowerman and the Men of Oregon
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