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Books on Running
The Beginnings of Ultramarathon Racing by Someone Who Was There
Reading “Endless Roads” by Dušan Mravlje, a runner who ran on beer and coffee. ;)
It was a chilly day in early May of 1994. An ultra-marathoner was running a challenge race around Slovenia, totalling over 1200 km in 12 days. The rain just subsided and the runner was approaching Ilirska Bistrica which marked the end of that day’s stage. Local athletes joined him for the last kilometres from Harije to Hotel Turist where the race ended. A boy of only 12 years of age waited him for an autograph.
After handshakes and congrats in front of the hotel, the boy approached his hero with a pen and a notepad only to be told “Son, wait here a bit so I can at least have a shower and then meet me in the bar where I’ll have a beer.” So he did. The champion returned a while later, sat at the table with a pint of beer and welcomed the boy: “Now I can not only write but also draw something for you if that is your wish.”
The runner had his beer, the boy got his autograph, a few kind words were exchanged and all were happy.
The runner was Dušan Mravlje and that boy was me.
Most animals never engage in such activities just for the kicks. They don’t…
