The Elements of Effort: Reflections on the Art and Science of Running

by John Jerome

All runners, from beginners to Olympians, will delight in this luminous compendium of wisdom wrought from many years of running. Applying his clear vision and wry wit to a smorgasbord of running-related topics, including stretching, dancing, bugs, falling, spaghetti, sweat, and the food police, John Jerome shares his contagious passion for the most basic of sports. Stripping the art of running down to its barest elements, he takes readers and runners with him on a joyous journey -- a run that revels in a profound affection and respect for the single sport that is as pure and simple as it is infinitely complex.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Sports, Health

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andrew Penning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened on audio book and it struggled to hold my attention

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of short thoughts on the subject of running. The short essays run the gamut of motivational, literary, scientific, and just free thought. There should be some good insightful stuff in here for anyone that runs or just interested in running.

[Ew Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found a kindred spirit. Jerome expresses so many of my own thoughts and feelings about physical movement outdoors. Published in 1997, I think I read this for the first time around 2000. Just the thing to reconnect with on the eve of my race.

• Readiness: Serious athletes don't get warm, they get "loose." They play around with the moves of their sport until they reach a shambling, tension-free kind of confidence that tells them they're ready for effort. They don't pursue warmth, they pursue bounciness, elasticity, fluidity...Getting loose reminds the nerves to remind the muscles just how to do that next demanding thing. Looseness is also a state of mind, much to be desired: tight minds make tight muscles, which make not only injuries but also tentative movements, turnovers, booted plays.

• Dancing: Jacques d'Amboise is a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet...He has a very athletic take on dancing....he says..."Dance is a means of participating in time and space." So is running...That's what I don't understand about those folks who are stubbornly nonphysical. They thereby lose a magnificent chance to participate in time and space. How could they possibly pass up that? When full participation is only a dance, or a run, away? Running, after all, is only a dance that covers distance.

• Sharpening: Elite runners set out to achieve a state of physical acuity they refer to as sharpness. To be sharp is to attain a kind of highly energized physiological clarity. It brings an improved quality of movement, of response, of mental and physical grasp. You achieve this state by tapering. The taper is an attempt to supersaturate the body with recovery. You build up workout intensity to peak well before the big day; then you cut down gradually, day by day, until you arrive at the meet well rested and in fine fettle. The details can be extremely complex, but when it works you get into a wonderful state, one that can linger for a couple of weeks. You feel quick, alert, full of energy. You find yourself snapping awake early and hitting the floor running, on a roll with regard to much more than just your sport. Sharp.

[Ross Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

About half way into the book I began to appreciate it for what it is. The author loves running and his commitment to it is fun to listen to. He doesn't take himself too seriously and has many quirky observations, along with more serious ones. With no storyline to follow one does need to be in the right mindset, and I found the book to be a relaxing listen.

I particularly enjoyed learning about the Apache who after being forced into a concentration camp learned of mesquite trees 45 miles away. They were allowed to go by foot to harvest the beans. Running there and then walking back with the bushels of beans.

I also took note of his observation about running being for now and training for later. If you are training too often you are rarely truly running.

[Simon Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A runners book through and through. By a runner, for runners. Not exactly looking to grow the herd, bit satisfying for those in the herd. Audiobooked it during my 24km runs in -18 and giggled at Jerome's accurate assessments

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listen to the audiobook and it was read well. The collection of essays seems like a collection of philosophical discussions on running. To that add a dose of humor.

[Mark McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable overview of running.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short essays and insights about running-feel good book

[Alana Bleness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this book, but I want to stretch it out and savor it. It goes through all four seasons and I don't plan on finishing it before fall.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of a lot of useless info with a very few pearls of wisdom, and I’m really not sure what his anti-gun chapter has to do with running.

Here’s what I got from this book:

Train on a 21 day cycle.
Stretch.
Be sure to warm up and cool down
Interval training will help the body to recover faster.

There, now you don’t have to read this book

[Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of a lot of articles written in magazines and other places about running. Some of it was interesting, but it's not really the kind of book that will teach you all that much. Well, maybe it will teach you some basics.

[Weesti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it is because I didn't discover I love to run until the age of 48, (or maybe I should say because I rediscovered I love to run), but I love this book and really relate to it. I don't think it means that much unless you've spent time running on a regular basis.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A variety of short essays on running. Excellent for reading on a plane during takeoff and landing when you can't read your Nook!!! A very quick read. A little quirky. Includes his opinions on running issues from nutrition to clothes to muscle twitch. Just geeky enough.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving the author's personal views and presented using quite an easy to read fun method, The Elements of Effort is a good guide to beginning runners and also offers a few reminders to the seasoned ones...

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy read that is formatted as collection of short essays. You can pick it up and put it down as you have time. It's inspirational and humorous. It is not a training guide.

[William Beesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading the articles from the in flight magazines of Southwest/Delta/United/etc Airlines then you might like this collection of essays.

[John McPhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

a runner's book - well-written very fun stories ... i recommen it

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay for what it is. It is divided into the four seasons and has little snippets on various aspects of training, exercise, and running in general.

[Saturtle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bits and pieces are nice, but saying nutrition doesn't matter because it is all the same at the cellular level is a bit daft.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep this book handy for a quick shot of inspiration on those days that I don't feel like lacing up my shoes and hitting the trails.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

One or two bits of wisdom or humor, but mostly boring rambling.

[Jonathan Rosenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful reflections about the inner and outer world of running.