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Going the Distance: One Man's Journey to the End of His Life
In his posthumous memoir, one of the world's great master runners tells the honest and moving story of his battle against cancer and the final race of his life. A book for anyone touched by major illness or death, Going the Distance is an inspiring book by a man who wrote eloquently about the experience of living, of pushing to the limit as an athlete, and arriving at the finish line a changed person.
185 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
George Sheehan
29 books46 followersDr. George A. Sheehan is best known for his books and writings about the sport of running. His book, Running & Being: The Total Experience, became a New York Times best seller. He was a track star in college, and later became a cardiologist like his father. He served as a doctor in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II on the destroyer USS Daly (DD-519). He married Mary Jane Fleming and they raised twelve children. He continued to write while struggling with prostate cancer. His last book, Going the Distance, was published shortly after his death.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 26, 2018
What is the secret to a good death? If you found out that you had terminal cancer, would you change your life? Quit work? Start a bucket list?
Dr. George Sheehan was sure that he would never die from heart disease. A cardiologist and an avid runner since age 40 he was in optimal shape, and he loved blowing the numbers off the charts when they tested his aerobic capacity, or when he won a race beating much younger runners. Unfortunately he neglected to have other basic medical tests done, and when he finally had a complete evaluation as part of testing his physiologic health, he found out that he had prostate cancer that had already spread to the bone. Though treatable, prostate cancer at that stage was not curable, then or now. He was 69 years old.
At first this memoir is filled with a celebration of exercise, specifically running, physical health and competition and how excellence and achievement in physical competition was the answer to a meaningful and successful life. So, the runner gets cancer and decides that running is the way to beat the disease. Makes sense, for him, but the meta-message for those of us who are not elite runners is that if you are happy with your life, with whatever you are doing, you don't have to change just because you find out that you are going to die.
We are all going to die, but most of us don't think about it much, and when we do, we don't think that it will happen to us. Once the reality hits home, perhaps it is natural to concentrate on anything that gave our life meaning before we found out.
As the runner became too weak to finish a race, and then, too weak to climb a flight of stairs, or walk without help, another reality took over. He was one of 14 children who had 12 children of his own, so inevitably, his family and his religion take over his life. A lifelong loner who would run alone to get away from people, he was surprised that he found happiness and meaning in the attention from his children and extended family. He gave in to their attention and died, after a brief chat with his priest, at peace, "with the family around the bed."
So, what is the secret to a good death? Be yourself, perhaps. Open yourself to those who would help you. Acceptance and forbearance are helpful traits. Love and let people show their love.
Dr. Sheehan starts thinking about his death admiring the Greeks and their naked competition, and he ends with his God and family. Not a bad way to go.
Dr. George Sheehan was sure that he would never die from heart disease. A cardiologist and an avid runner since age 40 he was in optimal shape, and he loved blowing the numbers off the charts when they tested his aerobic capacity, or when he won a race beating much younger runners. Unfortunately he neglected to have other basic medical tests done, and when he finally had a complete evaluation as part of testing his physiologic health, he found out that he had prostate cancer that had already spread to the bone. Though treatable, prostate cancer at that stage was not curable, then or now. He was 69 years old.
At first this memoir is filled with a celebration of exercise, specifically running, physical health and competition and how excellence and achievement in physical competition was the answer to a meaningful and successful life. So, the runner gets cancer and decides that running is the way to beat the disease. Makes sense, for him, but the meta-message for those of us who are not elite runners is that if you are happy with your life, with whatever you are doing, you don't have to change just because you find out that you are going to die.
We are all going to die, but most of us don't think about it much, and when we do, we don't think that it will happen to us. Once the reality hits home, perhaps it is natural to concentrate on anything that gave our life meaning before we found out.
As the runner became too weak to finish a race, and then, too weak to climb a flight of stairs, or walk without help, another reality took over. He was one of 14 children who had 12 children of his own, so inevitably, his family and his religion take over his life. A lifelong loner who would run alone to get away from people, he was surprised that he found happiness and meaning in the attention from his children and extended family. He gave in to their attention and died, after a brief chat with his priest, at peace, "with the family around the bed."
So, what is the secret to a good death? Be yourself, perhaps. Open yourself to those who would help you. Acceptance and forbearance are helpful traits. Love and let people show their love.
Dr. Sheehan starts thinking about his death admiring the Greeks and their naked competition, and he ends with his God and family. Not a bad way to go.
February 27, 2009
A very profound book. I expected words of wisdom from this old doctor/runner, but found so much more. Sheehan equates running with life, or at least almost. And when he discovers that he has terminal cancer, he not only strives to make every last day count, but to infuse every one of those days with meaning. He asks, "why am I here?" when in fact he knows that he won't be here for very much longer. I admire that, and hope I can be that philosophical when my own time comes someday.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Cancer is like everything else in life - an experience."
"Concern for anything beyond your control is nonproductive."
"The problem is not that I am less than I was when I was young, it is that I am not more."
My personal favorite:
"I run so that I do not lose the me I was yesterday and the me I might become tomorrow."
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Cancer is like everything else in life - an experience."
"Concern for anything beyond your control is nonproductive."
"The problem is not that I am less than I was when I was young, it is that I am not more."
My personal favorite:
"I run so that I do not lose the me I was yesterday and the me I might become tomorrow."
September 25, 2022
Dr. George Sheehan was a gifted runner who set a marathon personal best time of 3:01 at age 61, a very impressive time for a runner half that age. At age 50, he set a world record age group record for the mile of 4:45. He was also a prolific writer who wrote about running which is why I knew of him when I was a young runner myself. He was also a cardiologist.
Dr. Sheehan died of prostate cancer which is why I became interested in reading his book. I have awarded this book 4 stars because I want it to be a 4-star read; not necessarily because it is. After all, I own the book. I was unable to obtain it from our library. It was printed in 1996. Sheehan died in November 1993.
Sheehan refers constantly to the teachings of philosophers and other writers, but much of what he says made no lasting impression - often not even an immediate impression - on me. How did he handle his cancer? That is what I wanted to know.
Sheehan was reported in the Introduction as "angry" at getting cancer but that anger is not really present in the pages of his book. The basic information about his disease came piecemeal. However, it appears his cancer had already metastasized to the bone at the time it was discovered. He battled cancer for about 8 years. For the first 6 of those years, cancer did very little because it was controlled by androgen deprivation therapy. But then his cancer became immune to the therapy and grew rapidly, killing him after another two years.
The most reassuring part of the book, for me, came when Sheehan discussed his doctor's approach to the disease. Sheehan's cancer was terminable - the only question was when death would occur. Since it could not be cured, Sheehan's doctor's primary goal was to keep Sheehan pain-free and prescribed morphine, as necessary, to achieve that end.
That is exactly what a doctor should do. There is no point in prolonging life if pain prevents the prolonged life from being enjoyable. Life must be worth living for those who are living it.
Dr. Sheehan died of prostate cancer which is why I became interested in reading his book. I have awarded this book 4 stars because I want it to be a 4-star read; not necessarily because it is. After all, I own the book. I was unable to obtain it from our library. It was printed in 1996. Sheehan died in November 1993.
Sheehan refers constantly to the teachings of philosophers and other writers, but much of what he says made no lasting impression - often not even an immediate impression - on me. How did he handle his cancer? That is what I wanted to know.
Sheehan was reported in the Introduction as "angry" at getting cancer but that anger is not really present in the pages of his book. The basic information about his disease came piecemeal. However, it appears his cancer had already metastasized to the bone at the time it was discovered. He battled cancer for about 8 years. For the first 6 of those years, cancer did very little because it was controlled by androgen deprivation therapy. But then his cancer became immune to the therapy and grew rapidly, killing him after another two years.
The most reassuring part of the book, for me, came when Sheehan discussed his doctor's approach to the disease. Sheehan's cancer was terminable - the only question was when death would occur. Since it could not be cured, Sheehan's doctor's primary goal was to keep Sheehan pain-free and prescribed morphine, as necessary, to achieve that end.
That is exactly what a doctor should do. There is no point in prolonging life if pain prevents the prolonged life from being enjoyable. Life must be worth living for those who are living it.
June 1, 2020
I started running in 2000, after the birth of my last child. My husband had been running marathons for 10 years prior to that. I was both marathon ‘roadie’ and ‘crew’ for him so joining him was a logical step. I ran my first official marathon in 2004. Prior that, I had accompanied my husband during all of his training; running beside him while we peaked and tapered. I started reading Dr Sheehan’s books years prior to my own running journey. They were filled with so much practical advice for not only running, but for life. ‘Going the Distance’ was truly his grand finale. Not only was he a renown cardiologist (who encouraged me to go on a quick run during my lunch break for so many reasons that were over and above just fitness and training) but also put running into focus for me as a wife and mother. This review could be written for all of his books. They are all true gems.
December 19, 2020
I've read each of Dr. Sheehan's books several times. Going the Distance was the last book he wrote before he died, and in my opinion, it is his best. Sheehan explores what it is like to move towards death, and he does it with intelligence and grace. It's an inspiring work that will make anyone think carefully about the final act of their own life.
May 18, 2007
nabbed this one from the bookshelf the one day I worked in the running times offices. if you like running, for the beauty of the sport, this one has some fantastic quotes. then he dies, and its kinda sad.
July 21, 2016
A beautiful story about Dr. Sheehan's reflections on mind, body, and spirit--as seen through the eyes of a runner--as he slowly moves towards death by cancer. Always one of my favorite writers, both through his books and his years of writing for RUNNERS' WORLD.
April 8, 2008
This book stuck with me for some reason. Maybe I found it when I needed it. It moved me and I cried.
October 4, 2009
Sheehan comes to terms with his terminal cancer, and lets us glimpse in on his last days.
January 25, 2012
Great book about the beauty of dying, very emotional.
May 18, 2017
The most powerful book I've read in a long time. A must read for everyone. Afterwards place it on your shelf and come back to it and reread it over and over again.
Doctor Sheehan--"You won!"
Doctor Sheehan--"You won!"
April 23, 2020
The best for a finish, read it a long time ago, due for a reread...but looking for quotes from it, for a friend
April 8, 2024
Finished it just before midnight... not prepared to write a review now. I will tomorrow.
November 2, 2025
One of the best books I ever read, timely for me since my husband died this past April, so many similarities, therefore extremely comforting.
February 18, 2015
I read a lot of Sheehan in my peak running years. Some good insights on cancer and mortality, but the incessant name-dropping (philosophers, poets, writers) quickly grew annoying.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews