"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
I think that the first part of this quote from the Dark Knight exemplifies the general public's fascination with contemporary legends cut short: Elvis, Bruce Lee, Tupac, Biggie, and the list goes on. For American runners, there is only one name that fits this quote: Pre.
I picked up this book due in most part to Knapp mentioning this was next on his hit parade of running books that he has plowed through this year :bows down:. I admit that as a fan of Pre, I can't believe that this is the 4th running book I will have read (how appropriate since he was 4th in the '72 Olympics) instead of the 1st.
The book uses the impressions Pre had on others as a way to depict a man who transcends the sport itself, like MJ or the Great One. I feel that MJ is the closest comparison to Pre. Never willing to lose, even in practice. You either loved him or hated him. Making noises to trick runners in to thinking he had nothing left. Having bulletin board material of a rival for each race. Unbeatable at Hayward Field in Oregon. American records piling on, chapter after chapter.
Unlike the movies, the book fleshes out the human side of Pre as well. The invincibility shown in movies failed to tell a tale of a kid who battled through injury and self-doubt, much like every other runner. This introspection of the main character I guess is a style closer to a 21st century movie instead of a 90s movie.
His impact on running extends further than what I originally thought. Of course, he was the first runner to sport shoes from a little-known shoe company, Nike, (and has the only statue at Nike HQ) and he only spurred on change to get athletes in track and field to get paid (over the table and not under the table). He reached out not only to runners like himself but to kids looking to become the next Pre and even created a training schedule for inmates who have an annual 5k inside the prison.
Closing Thoughts:
On page 66, John Hartnett of Villanova gets mentioned as a great runner who would challenge Pre at one of the many races listed. Some of us know his nephew pretty well seeing as how he was a roommate to many members on this running club.
The candid black and white photographs in the book help remind me Jared Leto or Billy Crudup are not Pre (although Crudup comes pretty close).
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