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When Running Was Young and So Were We
For many years Jack Welch wrote for Running magazine and Track & Field News , chronicling the extraordinary developments of running during the 1970s, 80s and 90’s. When Running Was Young and So Were We is based on his columns from this period and is a unique book – telling the story of how running became a way of life for millions. · It’s a book about excellence, inspiration and greatness. Not just what it takes to cross the finish line first, but also the lessons learned along the way. · It’s a sports book – offering an up-close and personal look at Olympic greats, big races and long runs. · It’s a training book – outlining many of the techniques and strategies that make you a winner, on and off the field of competition. · It’s a celebration of the human spirit - examining what happens when both great athletes and keen amateurs are driven to challenge their own personal limits. What do greats like Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit, Dick Beardsley, Mary Decker and Steve Prefontaine all have in common? Read their stories and be inspired!
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
124 people want to read
About the author
Jack Welch
41 books482 followersJohn Francis Welch Jr. was an American business executive, chemical engineer, and writer. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric (GE) between 1981 and 2001.
When Welch retired from GE, he received a severance payment of $417 million, the largest such payment in business history up to that point. In 2006, Welch's net worth was estimated at $720 million.
When Welch retired from GE, he received a severance payment of $417 million, the largest such payment in business history up to that point. In 2006, Welch's net worth was estimated at $720 million.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2014
I should preface this review by saying that Jack Welch is my partner-in-crime at pokerheadrush.com, and he has been one of my best friends over the last five years.
That being said I don't read everything he writes. He puts a ton of great content on our site, but I am just too busy generally to read in.
When I bought this book it was to do the polite thing and support my friend. I made myself dutifully read it. I was not looking forward to it. While I run for recreation and have done so every week since I was 17 I have never been interested in running as a sport. I did not know who any of American's running superstars were before reading this book. I didn't understand the terminology. Furthermore, I didn't think I could be made to care.
Wow, was I wrong. Jack Welch is as close as running ever got to Hunter S. Thompson. He writes in a prose rare for sports writers. I felt as if I was reading a master at work. There were so many plays on words I'd never heard before. His style recalls a classic journalism. It's succinct, fascinated, humorous, and made to ship. The dreadful blowhards who occupy today's blogs could learn a thing or two from Jack.
As a competitive runner himself Jack knew exactly what questions to ask in his compelling interviews. The layers he pulled back were fascinating. I rushed to highlight section after section. Jack clearly knew the mental toughness required to be competitive in running, and he uncovered it in a workmanlike and simultaneously playful way over the years. Anyone who competes in any venture for a living will find much to learn from this compilation.
Not that this compilation is defined by interviews. Far from it. Jack's articles fail to be defined by one genre. He defies sports writing conventions left and right. He writes fiction, he writes from the perspectives of star players, and he writes trip reports. You get to read his "state of running" addresses he'd put out. I can almost hear his editors screaming at him through the years.
There are some times the work becomes heavy handed, but one has to ask themselves what they expected from an editor of a specialty magazine. I thought the articles would be hopelessly bogged down in details, but instead the sections for the hardcore fans have just the right amount of space. There's enough clean and open writing to engage any fan of competition. Jack scores a great win for the sport by bringing others to what was the American forefront in running.
That being said I don't read everything he writes. He puts a ton of great content on our site, but I am just too busy generally to read in.
When I bought this book it was to do the polite thing and support my friend. I made myself dutifully read it. I was not looking forward to it. While I run for recreation and have done so every week since I was 17 I have never been interested in running as a sport. I did not know who any of American's running superstars were before reading this book. I didn't understand the terminology. Furthermore, I didn't think I could be made to care.
Wow, was I wrong. Jack Welch is as close as running ever got to Hunter S. Thompson. He writes in a prose rare for sports writers. I felt as if I was reading a master at work. There were so many plays on words I'd never heard before. His style recalls a classic journalism. It's succinct, fascinated, humorous, and made to ship. The dreadful blowhards who occupy today's blogs could learn a thing or two from Jack.
As a competitive runner himself Jack knew exactly what questions to ask in his compelling interviews. The layers he pulled back were fascinating. I rushed to highlight section after section. Jack clearly knew the mental toughness required to be competitive in running, and he uncovered it in a workmanlike and simultaneously playful way over the years. Anyone who competes in any venture for a living will find much to learn from this compilation.
Not that this compilation is defined by interviews. Far from it. Jack's articles fail to be defined by one genre. He defies sports writing conventions left and right. He writes fiction, he writes from the perspectives of star players, and he writes trip reports. You get to read his "state of running" addresses he'd put out. I can almost hear his editors screaming at him through the years.
There are some times the work becomes heavy handed, but one has to ask themselves what they expected from an editor of a specialty magazine. I thought the articles would be hopelessly bogged down in details, but instead the sections for the hardcore fans have just the right amount of space. There's enough clean and open writing to engage any fan of competition. Jack scores a great win for the sport by bringing others to what was the American forefront in running.
November 27, 2014
Here is my review at Athletics Illustrated of Jack D. Welch's book, When Running Was Young and So Were We.
Jack D. Welch is a running journalist who has chronicled the life of the running elite, as an insider. He created Running Magazine, wrote for Track and Field News and owned a running shoe store. He was a competitive runner and a talented writer, who befriended the top athletes of the time; therefore he possesses a very unique perspective on the game, especially of the Golden Era of American running that took place during the 1970s.
http://athleticsillustrated.com/book-...
Jack D. Welch is a running journalist who has chronicled the life of the running elite, as an insider. He created Running Magazine, wrote for Track and Field News and owned a running shoe store. He was a competitive runner and a talented writer, who befriended the top athletes of the time; therefore he possesses a very unique perspective on the game, especially of the Golden Era of American running that took place during the 1970s.
http://athleticsillustrated.com/book-...
August 17, 2024
Nice read. Lot of history, with both familiair and unfamiliar names.
Read
May 22, 2016Great book, writes about many road running pioneers
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews