Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race

The story refers to 5/10K events, and explains how Dick got into Marathons (a whim). It then follows the course of the multitude of Marathons he ran in.

Dick had his battles in life too, as we all do, a theme that repeated itself. Dick had some very tough times, but in the end he prevailed. Big time!

My friend Mat just got back from Boston Marathon '03; Mat brought back an autograph from Dick for me. Having read his book, and knowing what a great guy Dick is, this will be treasured for years to come.

Net, net, it's a must read.

Rex


Inspiration at any level.   August 17, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is a book for any running aficionado (especially the veterans), who has gone out there and run distance. It's also a great story and inspiration for anybody who has run a marathon and in particular Boston. The mass start in Hopkinton, the crowds, the cheers at Wellesley, Heartbreak Hill in Newtown, coming through the Fenway, and on to the finish at the Boston Public Library. The 1982 race was perhaps the best one ever run and Beardley took us back there in the first person. Beardley takes any runner to the soul of this sometimes underappreciated sport. Spectacular!


Something is Missing   August 16, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This story of a great runner who had to face many of life's adversities left me wanting. From the start I had the feeling many parts of his life were being glossed over (What did it feel like to grow up in that house? Why did he quit college? How did he meet his wife?). The racing and training sequences were great. The section on his Boston Marathon was outstanding. When his injuries force him to give up running the narative gets choppy again and seems to lack insight. The farm accident was interesting, enlightening and horrifying. Much more could have been done with his descent into the world of drug addiction and the pain it caused his family (it may have been me but I never got a feel for his wife and son ). I did enjoy this book . Dik Beardsley seems like a great guy. It is an extremely fast read but it left me feeling it could have been much better.


Dick Beardsley relates to the common runner.   August 5, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I'm fortunate enough to be a Minnesota runner who has followed Dick's life since he first started well after college. How he got there was fascinating to me. It is a testament to the human will to see a person that faces such adversity, some perchance and some self-imposed, and to bounce back. He is still running, after all this. I've bought this book for other runners and I always get the same response "I read it more than once".

I'm not a big reader, but I read this and was rivetted. I challenge anyone, runner or non-runner, to buy this and finish it without being changed a little.

My hat's off to Dick and Mary Beardsley (Mary for sticking it out).


Perseverance pays off   July 5, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Dick Beardsley appeared at the Grandma's Marathon in June 2002 where I heard him speak. He was so inspiring, I decided to buy his book. He graciously signed each book and talked to each person as if you were his new best friend.
His book is a reflection of his friendly personality and the intensity he brings to whatever he does. He recounts some great anecdotes including how he secured a running sponsership and how he had no choice but to run over a child when he won Grandma's Marathon in 1981. Then he touchingly describes the numerous accidents he experienced, his subsequent addictions to pain pills, and the struggles to overcome them.
Inspiring for both runners and non-runners. Beardsley is the kind of guy who has what it takes to perserve and make bad into good. His book will get you fired up to do so yourself.