

#4989
Mentioned in 6 episodes
Once a Runner
Book • 1979
Once a Runner tells the story of Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University, whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile.
When the Vietnam War era intrudes into his school’s athletic department, Cassidy becomes involved in an athletes’ protest and is suspended from his track team.
Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to train in a monastic retreat in the countryside.
The novel provides a rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners and is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.
When the Vietnam War era intrudes into his school’s athletic department, Cassidy becomes involved in an athletes’ protest and is suspended from his track team.
Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to train in a monastic retreat in the countryside.
The novel provides a rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners and is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 6 episodes
Recommended by 

, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort over quick fixes in achieving goals.


Steve Magness

130 snips
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when discussing the principles of increasing training volume.

David Roche

69 snips
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, who thinks that if you haven't read it, you should definitely read it.

Coach Bennett

Happy Global Running Day
Mentioned by 

as a biography ghostwritten by Matthew Cox about a fellow inmate.


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Mentioned by Tim Richart as a book he loves, but criticizes the message of needing to put everything on hold to focus on change.

S5E10: Angus Bradley on GPP, the BPS Model, and Creating Lifelong Fitness Enthusiasts
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as a great motivational book for triathletes.

AJ Johnson

“How Should I Use My X Hours of Training Time per Week?” with AJ Johnson | EP#134
Mentioned by 

as the only book he finished reading in high school.


Steve Magness

Lessons On Excellence & Human Flourishing Within Running & Life From Accomplished Coach, Athlete, And NYC Times Best Selling Author Steve Magness
Julian mentions the title as the book by Matt Cox about Efram Diveroli which Warner Brothers stole and made into the movie War Dogs.

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