Chasing Down A Dream: Tales from the Middle of the Pack
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The running boom of the 1970's and early 1980's. Practically overnight, an entire sub-culture was born.
The names of the swiftest were on everyone's lips... Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley. Champions all.
But what about the runner a few steps behind them, sharing the vision but not necessarily the talent?
What becomes of him when his aspirations collide with reality? When his limitations cloud his dreams? Or when injuries and life's demands curb his ability to achieve?
That's what this story is all about.
In this highly entertaining and inspirational coming-of-age memoir, a sportsaholic and frustrated jock who fails to win a varsity letter in prep school turns to marathoning. What ensues is a colorful range of diverse adventures as, despite some setbacks, he leverages his sense of humor, hard work, the support of others and just a bit of luck as he chases down his dream.
Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
Published: 07/21/2021
Pages: 354
Weight: 1.4lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.96d
ISBN: 9781638377764
About the Author
Riehl, James H.: - Marketing professional and author, James H. Riehl, Jr. was a self-proclaimed sports fanatic as a kid. He dreamed of playing varsity sports in prep school, but his visions of athletic prowess were dashed. Humbled, Riehl refocused his ambition and set his sights on long distance running, where he worked through his frustration. He began training for the marathon and thus embarked upon a journey of self-discovery. While pounding the pavement, Riehl had time to contemplate his future goals and started to fully understand the importance of discipline and hard work. In his new highly entertaining and inspirational coming of age memoir, Chasing Down a Dream, Riehl reflects on the running boom of the 1970's and early '80's. For him, running was life changing, and he recounts his personal odyssey, including a training log of almost 19,000 miles, 14 marathons, 110 other races, 115 track workouts, and a personal marathon best time of under 2 hours and 44 minutes. Riehl also highlights his days as a member of the Greater Boston Track Club, where he trained with marathon champions Bill Rodgers and Alberto Salazar and was tutored by renowned coach Bill Squires. What ensues is a colorful range of diverse adventures, as Riehl remarks, I want readers to know that despite setbacks, with a little sense of humor, humility, hard work, support, and a dash of luck, one can achieve their dreams.James H. Riehl, Jr. is a sales, marketing and strategy consultant. He worked in consumer product management at General Mills and Nestle. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. He has two children and three energetic grandsons and lives with his wife Denise in Fairfield, Connecticut.