Pain

by Dan Middleman

Richard Dubin is a talented distance runner at a major southern university. Pain is the story of Richard’s senior year as he proceeds with varying success through the year, from cross country through the Olympic Trials, all the while trying to manage a seesawing relationship with a beautiful and fascinatingly unpredictable woman, 10 years his senior. Richard’s university is one of the great American party schools and we are treated to a series of uninhibited college blowouts, featuring copious liquid consumption, naked kegstands, nude relays. . . and, most daring of all, poetry reading! As the pressures mount, Richard’s life begins to unravel. All the forces converge at the Olympic Trials in New Orleans and it is there that Richard comes to the edge of the abyss.

232 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Lauren Alvarenga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really describes the pressure one can put on themselves to succeed, especially as a runner. I am a runner myself and deal with the stress and frustration of the sport. This book definitely took a different turn than I expected, but regardless accurately depicts the stress before meets, the fatigue, and the mindset of a distance runner.

[Travis]

Make friends with pain and you will never be lonely again.

[Francis Cusick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, I actually enjoyed this book a lot up until the last few chapters (see below). It’s about a competitive distance runner at a major Southern University, so the comparisons to Once a Runner are pretty much inevitable. However, the two books differ in that OAR is a far more uplifting and motivational book. Pain gets very dark, but at the same time I feel like it’s a good take on a particular type of person who seems to be drawn to distance running.

I wouldn't really recommend this book per se, but it’s definitely an engaging read. The author’s style is non-descript, which I felt was appropriate given the subject matter. I don’t see this having a wide appeal beyond those who have competed at a high level of running or are interested in the psychology of distance running.

My issue with the last few chapters is that it just seemed so mawkish to have two separate runners decide, separately, to end their own lives. I can somewhat understand why the main character, Richard, felt compelled to commit suicide. This had been building up the entire novel, and you could tell that he had reached the end of his rope by the Olympic Trials.

But to have Johnny commit suicide? To me that came out of nowhere. I just didn’t feel we knew him well enough to have that be the emotional crux of the novel.

[Sarah Gagnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was heralded as a motivational book from Runner's World; a runners magazine I trust. However, even as an avid runner, I didn't find it inspirational, more philosophical and even depressing. It was very good - I got through it in only a few days which will vouch for how interesting the story was. However, at this point in my life, where I am injured an unable to run Id didn't see the motivational factor they mentioned. Overall, just a good story that runners can relate to.

[Scott Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book way pretty good. It reminded me of Once a Runner a lot. As a avid runner I am always searching for books about the life of runners, and fiction stories are more motivational to me than non-fiction. This is a genre that is hard to find, so I appreciate any and all efforts made to write books like this.

[Matthew Mccall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to do 3.5 stars here, was kinda surprised by the book, really thought it was a rip off of "once a runner" initially but the last few chapters really took it in a very different direction and gave a different insight into the pressure of elite distance running