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14 Minutes: A Running Legend's Life and Death and Life
14 Minutes is the memoir of Alberto Salazar, the most accomplished, charismatic, and controversial marathoner in history. The narrative is framed in the 14 minutes in which Salazar was clinically dead after his shocking heart attack in 2007. The story describes his tempestuous relationship with his father, Jose Salazar, who was a close ally of Fidel Castro during the Cuban revolution. The narrative follows Alberto’s boyhood in New England, his rise to stardom at the University of Oregon, his dramatic victories in the New York City and Boston Marathons, his long malaise due to injuries, which resulted in a near-suicidal depression; his resurgence due to intense spiritual experiences and discipline; his close alliance with Phil Knight and the Nike corporation; and describes his numerous near-death experiences.
In this book those 14 minutes will be considered from every possible angle. Salazar will share some of the surprising things he’s learned about cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular health. He will also share how modern medical science and technology are fundamentally changing the way we think about death. Salazar will acquaint readers with the latest research studying the near-death experience, which has burgeoned into a field of its own, blending science and the spirit in an especially fascinating combination.
But don’t worry sports fans: mostly this book will tell the story of how a skinny, shy, insecure Cuban-American kid from small-town Massachusetts developed by sheer will—and God’s grace—into the greatest distance runner of his time. Along the way Salazar will introduce important people in his life ranging from the globe’s most famous socialist, Fidel Castro, to one of its most influential capitalists, Nike co-founder and CEO Phil Knight. He will transport readers back to the heady, electric days of the late 1970’s, when running was changing American culture as radically as rock and roll had a decade earlier.
The book will take readers step-by-step through Salazar’s signature races, including his wins at the ‘80, ‘81, and ‘82 New York City Marathons, and his epic, and ultimately self-destructive, victory at the 1982 Boston Marathon. Readers will travel to Cuba’s central highlands and to the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and from the edge of the Indian Ocean in South Africa to a remote village in the war-torn Balkans. But throughout Salazar’s narrative he will keep returning to those 14 black, shattering, miraculous minutes. Surviving virtual death taught him how to live and now it is time for him to share what he’s learned.
In this book those 14 minutes will be considered from every possible angle. Salazar will share some of the surprising things he’s learned about cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular health. He will also share how modern medical science and technology are fundamentally changing the way we think about death. Salazar will acquaint readers with the latest research studying the near-death experience, which has burgeoned into a field of its own, blending science and the spirit in an especially fascinating combination.
But don’t worry sports fans: mostly this book will tell the story of how a skinny, shy, insecure Cuban-American kid from small-town Massachusetts developed by sheer will—and God’s grace—into the greatest distance runner of his time. Along the way Salazar will introduce important people in his life ranging from the globe’s most famous socialist, Fidel Castro, to one of its most influential capitalists, Nike co-founder and CEO Phil Knight. He will transport readers back to the heady, electric days of the late 1970’s, when running was changing American culture as radically as rock and roll had a decade earlier.
The book will take readers step-by-step through Salazar’s signature races, including his wins at the ‘80, ‘81, and ‘82 New York City Marathons, and his epic, and ultimately self-destructive, victory at the 1982 Boston Marathon. Readers will travel to Cuba’s central highlands and to the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and from the edge of the Indian Ocean in South Africa to a remote village in the war-torn Balkans. But throughout Salazar’s narrative he will keep returning to those 14 black, shattering, miraculous minutes. Surviving virtual death taught him how to live and now it is time for him to share what he’s learned.
258 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2012
43 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Alberto Salazar
11 books4 followersAlberto Salazar was the premier American marathoner of the early- to mid-80s. After a top-flight career as a distance runner at the University of Oregon, winning 1978 NCAA cross-country race, Salazar made his marathon début at the 1980 New York Marathon. He won the race again in 1981-82, and in 1981 his time of 2-08:13 was thought to be a world marathon record, but after re-measurement, the course was found to be slightly short. Salazar also won the 1982 Boston Marathon in a dramatic duel with Dick Beardsley, called the "Duel in the Sun". On the track he was TAC 10K champion in 1981 and 1983, and on the roads, he won numerous races short of the marathon distance. His attempt at Olympic honors in 1984 was hampered by injury, which also likely prevented him from making the 1988 Olympic Team. In the early 90s, Salazar began running some ultra-distance events and won the 1994 Comrades Marathon in South Africa, over 90 km, (56 miles). Salazar has worked as a consultant to Nike and a personal coach to many distance runners.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
July 8, 2012
Picked this up thinking it would be an interesting story of one of the best American marathoners of all time and a top running coach. I thought maybe he'd share some insight into how he trained back in his glory days of the 1980's, how his coaching philosophy was shaped, etc. Instead, all the references to his actual training methods were really vague, and the book basically consisted of Salazar bragging about how great he was at running and how he was able to become so successful because of his work ethic rather than any talent.
Now, a certain amount of humblebragging is probably a necessary aspect of any autobiography, but Salazar takes it to extreme levels, going out of his way to point out how he was able to accomplish his goals not through any talent, but just by wanting it more than everyone else. The story itself is pretty engaging, although he skims over many of the key points. For instance, I thought the epic "Duel in the Sun" would take up a large portion of the narrative, but it doesn't get nearly enough attention as I was hoping.
Finally, while obviously the entire book is not going to be focused on running, I didn't buy an Alberto Salazar book to be lectured about religion, or to listen to some story about Salazar becoming a stronger Christian after taking a pilgrimage to some city in Yugoslavia. That part of the book was pretty brutal.
Overall, this was a pretty flawed book. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a high tolerance for humblebragging and/or are a Born-Again Christian.
Now, a certain amount of humblebragging is probably a necessary aspect of any autobiography, but Salazar takes it to extreme levels, going out of his way to point out how he was able to accomplish his goals not through any talent, but just by wanting it more than everyone else. The story itself is pretty engaging, although he skims over many of the key points. For instance, I thought the epic "Duel in the Sun" would take up a large portion of the narrative, but it doesn't get nearly enough attention as I was hoping.
Finally, while obviously the entire book is not going to be focused on running, I didn't buy an Alberto Salazar book to be lectured about religion, or to listen to some story about Salazar becoming a stronger Christian after taking a pilgrimage to some city in Yugoslavia. That part of the book was pretty brutal.
Overall, this was a pretty flawed book. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a high tolerance for humblebragging and/or are a Born-Again Christian.
December 28, 2012
I'm not 'anti-Salazar' - the author suggests that he has a lot of detractors. Although I'm an avid and addicted runner and had read "Duel In The Sun", I knew very little about Salazar. As such, I had no opinion of the person, per se. All this to say that my very low rating has nothing to do with Alberto Salazar.
In reality I found the style and writing very poor and difficult to get into. The author(s) range wildly in time and build next to no suspense (or interest). Those parts that might have been very interesting - for example, running/races are almost glossed over. It's a shame because he was the best American runner of his time. Oh, and there are many spelling errors throughout the book, which suggest to me poor editing and possibly poor writing too.
This is probably the lowest rating I've given a book about running - I've read a few dozen of them.
In reality I found the style and writing very poor and difficult to get into. The author(s) range wildly in time and build next to no suspense (or interest). Those parts that might have been very interesting - for example, running/races are almost glossed over. It's a shame because he was the best American runner of his time. Oh, and there are many spelling errors throughout the book, which suggest to me poor editing and possibly poor writing too.
This is probably the lowest rating I've given a book about running - I've read a few dozen of them.
February 17, 2014
Interesting read not the technical part of his running and coaching but more the why and driving force.
October 11, 2019
Appalling and full of dirty lies
April 15, 2012
Vacation read. Purchased in Philadelphia.
Read in less than 24 hours. Very compelling story with lots of interesting information, social context.
A little bit awkwardly written in places...but maybe it's reflection of Salazar's voice, speech...which I've never heard.
Highly recommend to anyone who is curious about the "early" days of running in the US (esp 70s, early 80s) and its evolution over the years; who is working on their own running goals; and, most especially, to anyone who has lost someone to heart disease / problems, and/or who thinks they won't be touched by heart disease because they're athletic / fit / healthy. NO ONE is immune.
Read in less than 24 hours. Very compelling story with lots of interesting information, social context.
A little bit awkwardly written in places...but maybe it's reflection of Salazar's voice, speech...which I've never heard.
Highly recommend to anyone who is curious about the "early" days of running in the US (esp 70s, early 80s) and its evolution over the years; who is working on their own running goals; and, most especially, to anyone who has lost someone to heart disease / problems, and/or who thinks they won't be touched by heart disease because they're athletic / fit / healthy. NO ONE is immune.
August 17, 2012
Awesome!
April 17, 2018
Somewhat interesting reading this book six years after publication. Since this book was published, Salazar's protege, Galen Rupp, has earned two Olympic medals, but Salazar's Nike Oregon Project has been dogged by serious questions of whether Salazar pushed his athletes into what would charitably be called "ethical gray areas". The revelations, which came from athletes and a coach in the Nike Oregon Project, paint a picture of Salazar using his athletes, coaches, and even son, as lab rats to see what kind of non-running modalities can enhance running performance. Knowing what we know today, some of Salazar's posturing about his coaching methods in "14 Minutes" ring hollow.
Although John Brant assisted in writing this book, he did not seem to filter out Salazar's actual personality. Unfortunately, his true personality is not very likable. Salazar comes across as fairly arrogant. For example, I was struck by how dismissive he was of Dick Beardsley, even though Beardsley pushed him to the limit at Salazar's athletic peak. Salazar makes some feints toward humility -- little asides about his lack of success with women in high school -- to make him more relatable, but his mask keeps slipping.
If you are a running geek looking for something to read, pick up "Duel in the Sun" (also by Brant) or "Marathon Man" by Bill Rodgers.
Although John Brant assisted in writing this book, he did not seem to filter out Salazar's actual personality. Unfortunately, his true personality is not very likable. Salazar comes across as fairly arrogant. For example, I was struck by how dismissive he was of Dick Beardsley, even though Beardsley pushed him to the limit at Salazar's athletic peak. Salazar makes some feints toward humility -- little asides about his lack of success with women in high school -- to make him more relatable, but his mask keeps slipping.
If you are a running geek looking for something to read, pick up "Duel in the Sun" (also by Brant) or "Marathon Man" by Bill Rodgers.
October 2, 2019
This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. I honestly struggled from the get go as Salazar comes across as a giant ass at the least, certifiable megalomaniac/egomaniac at the worst. I was hugely disappointed. As a runner I was hoping for more insight into his wins and what the races felt like and his competitors and navigating the elite world. Instead I was treated to pompous declarations about his destiny given to him by God to be the greatest marathoner ever (something I definitely would not count him as).
To be fair, I went into it wondering what I would learn as I already had a relatively negative opinion of him knowing about the doping allegations against him and the frequency of his athletes dnf-ing races and underperforming on the big stages.
The final decision to dnf this book came on 10/1 when he was handed down a 4 year ban for doping and specifically for testing on his own sons. It’s hard to swallow his rhapsodizing about his own faith and strong morals when he’s doing illegal medical testing on his sons and acquaintances.
Wish I could have said this book improved my opinions on Salazar and solidified him as an amazing runner and pillar of the running community, but instead it definitely did not.
To be fair, I went into it wondering what I would learn as I already had a relatively negative opinion of him knowing about the doping allegations against him and the frequency of his athletes dnf-ing races and underperforming on the big stages.
The final decision to dnf this book came on 10/1 when he was handed down a 4 year ban for doping and specifically for testing on his own sons. It’s hard to swallow his rhapsodizing about his own faith and strong morals when he’s doing illegal medical testing on his sons and acquaintances.
Wish I could have said this book improved my opinions on Salazar and solidified him as an amazing runner and pillar of the running community, but instead it definitely did not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2017
I am an avid runner and I have followed Salazars career since his first marathon but I came into reading this memoir with low expectations; Maybe from having recently read How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart by David Foster Wallace or from several other prior reads where I learned that great athletic talent rarely translates to fine writing. I'm glad to say I was pleasantly surprised. I have read some of the criticisms, that he focused too much on his spiritual faith and is highly egotistical, constantly reminding all that he was the hardest worker and toughest competitor. Although I do not necessarily disagree, I was not bothered, Salazar was simply being honest about who he is and how he feels about himself. I liked how the story went back and forth through time occasionally (others have criticized this as well) and I think it is obvious that co-writer John Brant added a lot to this book. It is a pretty easy read, certainly not a great book, but probably above average in the elite athlete autobiographical genre. Anyone who was part of the 80s running boom, when Bill Rodgers and Salazar were Marathon royalty, would enjoy this book.
May 18, 2019
My image of Salazar prior to reading the book was tainted and after finishing the book that view did not change. A "win-at-all-cost-character" permeates his persona and I dont feel that has changed.
His connections with BALCO (Victor Conte) and Lance Armstrong are seriously disturbing.
With that said (since I am crazy about running), it was interesting to read about the running related stuff, especially during the late 70s n 80s.
But when he started digressing and went into religion-talk, he was kind of losing me.
The story jumps back and forth pretty frequently so at times it gets a bit hard to follow.
He (foolishly) pushed his body beyond limits (running thru episodes of colds, sore throat, fever etc) - ignoring signals the body sent to him - for so many years that something had to give away eventually. The outcome (heart attack), did not surprise me (as much as it seemed to surprise Salazar) after getting to know his history.
But overall; pretty decent book if you are into running n its history.
His connections with BALCO (Victor Conte) and Lance Armstrong are seriously disturbing.
With that said (since I am crazy about running), it was interesting to read about the running related stuff, especially during the late 70s n 80s.
But when he started digressing and went into religion-talk, he was kind of losing me.
The story jumps back and forth pretty frequently so at times it gets a bit hard to follow.
He (foolishly) pushed his body beyond limits (running thru episodes of colds, sore throat, fever etc) - ignoring signals the body sent to him - for so many years that something had to give away eventually. The outcome (heart attack), did not surprise me (as much as it seemed to surprise Salazar) after getting to know his history.
But overall; pretty decent book if you are into running n its history.
August 3, 2017
I really liked Brant's Duel in the sun which talks about the Boston Marathon of 1982, but it also describes the lives of the top 2 finishers Beardsley and Salazar, before and after that duel.
This book focuses solely on the life of Alberto Salazar but told in such a different manner, that one can only imagine, that it is Salazar's "voice" that comes through John Brant's pen, that may sound like a compliment, but it is not, I found it very difficult to enjoy the book mainly because of all the bragging and magic thinking that he kept bringing on so very frequently.
He was a terrific runner, and he must be doing a lot of things right as a coach now, but this book is a more personal book, and you can't really get much running/training advise from this book.
This book focuses solely on the life of Alberto Salazar but told in such a different manner, that one can only imagine, that it is Salazar's "voice" that comes through John Brant's pen, that may sound like a compliment, but it is not, I found it very difficult to enjoy the book mainly because of all the bragging and magic thinking that he kept bringing on so very frequently.
He was a terrific runner, and he must be doing a lot of things right as a coach now, but this book is a more personal book, and you can't really get much running/training advise from this book.
March 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I was gifted the book long before the issues with Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project came to light. Thus, as I read the book, doubts lingered in my mind, and still do. In spite of that, I found some measure of encouragement in the book; specifically related to the cardiovascular issues the author dealt with as a runner. I would encourage any runner to read this book...even if you’re skeptical about Salazar and doping in sport. It’s good to hear both sides of any story to better develop your position.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
I honestly don't know where to start reviewing this book.. It was a lot, it is the sort of book you would have to read twice to take it all in, although I wouldn't want to read it twice. 6 hours (or however long it took me to read it) of Salazar was quite enough.
Talking points include:
- Fidel Castro (really!)
- his father
- his ego
- his obsessive-ness
- the horrible sinking feeling I got when I related to his ego driven obsessive overtraining and the subsequent downfall.
- Comrades
- the big fat insensitive chip on his shoulder (every one in South Africa is a racist because the don't want him to win Comrades... really Alberto?)
- And of course the drugs.
It is laughable to read this book after the USADA doping ban. He is so uptight about the drugs thing and denies any drug abuse... me and my athletes have never used drugs. Yeah right.
Then there is a whole section about how he was apparently depressed and this guy who was a doctor that he knew out of the trail...
SIDE NOTE: He spent the late 80's and early 90's shopping around different doctors for his burnout (still running 120 miles a week wondering why he never got better), I don'y know how common this is in the US to go around different doctors for answers instead of staying with just one doctor. You can see n this period how he would have got an education in drugs and procedures which he would take into his coaching career.
... anyway, the guy on the trail hooked him up with some Prozac and he said he took it for a few months which supposedly cured his depression. He said he had a chemical imbalance in his brain and 4 months of Prozac sorted him.
First off, anyone who has read the book will know that he has daddy issue, ego issues, obsessive compulsive, he admits that his life was empty and all he had was running. If he was really depressed then he needed counselling.
Secondly, Prozac doesn't work like that. Most people who take it is on it for years and can only get off it when they have done therapy and all these things. The depression doesn't just go away after taking a pill for 3 months.
Most damming of all however is that he says he is boasts about how his mile reps got 15 seconds faster when he was on the pills and he only took them while he was training for Comrades and not long after the race he stopped taking them.
It doesn't take a pharmacist to work out that he was abusing drugs, even then in 1994. He should have been stopped there and then before he did more damage to the reputation of athletics.
Still it is a 4 star book for me because it is so interesting. It is well written and the guy is still a legend. It is like when I read a book about Lance, these characters are not black and white. There are a lot of grey areas. He was still running 120 miles a week. He still treat running like a science and refined down the training process. It's just a shame that he felt the need to cross the line.
Talking points include:
- Fidel Castro (really!)
- his father
- his ego
- his obsessive-ness
- the horrible sinking feeling I got when I related to his ego driven obsessive overtraining and the subsequent downfall.
- Comrades
- the big fat insensitive chip on his shoulder (every one in South Africa is a racist because the don't want him to win Comrades... really Alberto?)
- And of course the drugs.
It is laughable to read this book after the USADA doping ban. He is so uptight about the drugs thing and denies any drug abuse... me and my athletes have never used drugs. Yeah right.
Then there is a whole section about how he was apparently depressed and this guy who was a doctor that he knew out of the trail...
SIDE NOTE: He spent the late 80's and early 90's shopping around different doctors for his burnout (still running 120 miles a week wondering why he never got better), I don'y know how common this is in the US to go around different doctors for answers instead of staying with just one doctor. You can see n this period how he would have got an education in drugs and procedures which he would take into his coaching career.
... anyway, the guy on the trail hooked him up with some Prozac and he said he took it for a few months which supposedly cured his depression. He said he had a chemical imbalance in his brain and 4 months of Prozac sorted him.
First off, anyone who has read the book will know that he has daddy issue, ego issues, obsessive compulsive, he admits that his life was empty and all he had was running. If he was really depressed then he needed counselling.
Secondly, Prozac doesn't work like that. Most people who take it is on it for years and can only get off it when they have done therapy and all these things. The depression doesn't just go away after taking a pill for 3 months.
Most damming of all however is that he says he is boasts about how his mile reps got 15 seconds faster when he was on the pills and he only took them while he was training for Comrades and not long after the race he stopped taking them.
It doesn't take a pharmacist to work out that he was abusing drugs, even then in 1994. He should have been stopped there and then before he did more damage to the reputation of athletics.
Still it is a 4 star book for me because it is so interesting. It is well written and the guy is still a legend. It is like when I read a book about Lance, these characters are not black and white. There are a lot of grey areas. He was still running 120 miles a week. He still treat running like a science and refined down the training process. It's just a shame that he felt the need to cross the line.
August 24, 2023
i actually cannot believe i read this after all that i learned about in kara goucher’s memoir. and while i despise this man, i cannot untangle him or discredit him for the status of the sport today.
at times i found this to be a really intriguing memoir, and at other times i was immensely bored with him mansplaining cardiac health to me.
overall— glad to have read it. the early running boom in america is the stuff of literal legends and whether you love him or hate him, salazar was there for it all.
at times i found this to be a really intriguing memoir, and at other times i was immensely bored with him mansplaining cardiac health to me.
overall— glad to have read it. the early running boom in america is the stuff of literal legends and whether you love him or hate him, salazar was there for it all.
June 16, 2023
Enjoyed multiple aspects of his story: his non-evangelizing of his deep seeded faith, his tenacious running hunger that was in every run, and the lessons he learned through his shortcomings. I do find it rich however that Salazar scoffs at the belief some held that he doped how he would never stoop to that level, and a few years later the hypocrisy comes to light. That being said after reading this book it has made me want to put my running shoes back on and go for a jog.
September 26, 2020
Salazar’s intensity of approach to everything in his life - running, faith, relationships - unifies this book. My honest take-away is that his approach is for the worse, and that a balanced life is much more sustainable than a life directed toward singular goals. Playing the game well is more important than winning or losing.
December 21, 2017
A wonderful book that opens up the world of hi-end competitive running with a personal story of consequence. Salazar was a great and driven marathon racer and coach and his story is compelling. A fast read and hard to put down.
November 22, 2020
Salazar spends the entirety of the book defending himself against his 'critics' while playing himself off as innocent and pious. Though his devotion is respectful I believe a better story can be told from a different perspective than his
March 7, 2021
A autobiographical summary of when Salazar had a heart attack and lived. It also discusses other near death experiences. Salazer is believed to exaggerated some his life experiences. Generally dislike by peers
September 20, 2017
Lots to think about. More than just a book about running. A glimpse at life and philosophy thrown in with a bit of history.
October 16, 2018
May everyone run until they vomit -- monthly.
November 15, 2018
Honest and profound, this book deals w sports psychology, death, relations w family, and ties them together. One of my favorite bios.
November 17, 2018
Runners must read
A must for any runner. It turned a bit spiritual but not overly so. His story inspires anyone to just step out and run.
A must for any runner. It turned a bit spiritual but not overly so. His story inspires anyone to just step out and run.
January 26, 2019
A book 3 focuses faith and running and near death
November 4, 2019
Learned a lot about a runner's mindset. Not sure if he was egotistical or just saying he believed in himself because he was that good
January 28, 2021
just the man talking about how good he was or how good he should have been
February 4, 2021
Some good stuff in there about the Alberto I loved to watch, but overall, I didn't really enjoy the book that much...then the scandals started coming out, and well, there you are.
Want to read
May 30, 2022bought pprbk for Al
June 10, 2014
I've never thought of this idea until I read marathon great Alberto Salazar's "14 Minutes," but a memoir will sometimes tell readers more about you that you ever intended or even imagined.
I have a quote on my study wall that says, “I had as many doubts as anyone else. Standing on the starting line, we're all cowards.” -- Alberto Salazar, 2:08.52.
The quote refers to Salazar's world record effort in the 1981 New York City Marathon, which he won three years in a row. As a mere 3:05 marathoner, I wanted to find that guy and thank him for his inspiration. But I never found that guy in Salazar's book about himself. "14 Minutes" is not a bad story it's just a story badly told. And although I've never met the man, I think it's Salazar's fault. I know Salazar thinks he's a good guy, and he may be, he just did a poor job of showing me the good he's done.
Many people dislike Salazar. They say he's arrogant. I don't know him so I cannot comment but Salazar's memoir doesn't give me enough heart, other than a heart attack, to let me like Salazar. He says winning the New York City and Boston marathons was easy. He says his near-death experience at the Falmouth Road Race taught him that he could endure more pain than any man. He says the numbers told him he was the best, so who was he to argue with the numbers like 2:08 for the marathon and 27:25 for the 10K?
Call me soft, but surely Salazar had moments when things weren't so easy. I would have like to seen them in his book. Show me, for example, the moment when you finished 15th in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Marathon, and the whole world watched on TV. Show me the moment when you knew your running career was over. Salazar glossed over both events. Instead, Salazar spends much of his book defending himself and his "media created" macho persona. After awhile I couldn't help thinking of Getrude's line from Hamlet, "The lady does protest too much methinks." But there's no fake play here. It's real life. And like Prince Hamlet, I want to know the point.
Instead, Salazar spends most of his book re-telling his running career and the life running gave him, which I know is the job of any memoir, but he gives readers little other insights. Really, you could read most of this stuff on the Internet. Except for the accounts of his Cuban father, I learned nothing new. In fact, I finished the book asking myself the same question Salazar asks himself on page 247 after recovering from death, "What was the point of anything?"
That said, there was a line in the book that inspired me. Salazar says that when hew was thinking about running the Comrades Marathon he would do so as a changed man. (This is before his 14 minutes of death.) He says he would not run for money or prestige but instead in honor of his new found power in life. He would run in the key of faith and gratitude. Salazar not only decided to run the 56-mile Comrades Marathon. He won it.
But still. Where was the climax in this story? Dying? I doubt it. Salazar spends little of the book talking about his life after death. Catharsis? I don't see it. Instead I get a detailed account of cardiac arrest and heart disease. That's fine but I wanted to know more than what happened. I wanted to know how that huge event affects a person. Life after death is still a rare thing--even for a man like Salazar. I think.
As a running coach, I also wanted to know more details about Salazar's Oregon Project. He's had huge success with Galen Rupp and Mo Farah. But it was like Salazar withheld information because he wanted to keep it to himself, Galen and Mo. It almost seemed like he was still in a battle with Jerry Schumacher. Salazar glosses over this point too. If you believe what you read in newspapers, Salazar is hardly a serene and collegial member of the running fraternity. But that's another story.
Finally, Salazar's collaborator John Brant is a good writer. I loved his book Duel in the Sun, lDuel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathonwhich is about Salazar's race with Dick Beardsley in the 1982 Boston Marathon. Beardsley by far becomes the more compelling character in that story, for many reasons. Yet, I liked the Salazar Brant portrays in that book. That Salazar's full of foibles, and that's OK. That guy is on my wall. That guy still inspires me to run in the key of faith and gratitude. Ten years past my marathon best, I've learned I cannot do any more.
-Tim Wiesenhahn
June 2014
I have a quote on my study wall that says, “I had as many doubts as anyone else. Standing on the starting line, we're all cowards.” -- Alberto Salazar, 2:08.52.
The quote refers to Salazar's world record effort in the 1981 New York City Marathon, which he won three years in a row. As a mere 3:05 marathoner, I wanted to find that guy and thank him for his inspiration. But I never found that guy in Salazar's book about himself. "14 Minutes" is not a bad story it's just a story badly told. And although I've never met the man, I think it's Salazar's fault. I know Salazar thinks he's a good guy, and he may be, he just did a poor job of showing me the good he's done.
Many people dislike Salazar. They say he's arrogant. I don't know him so I cannot comment but Salazar's memoir doesn't give me enough heart, other than a heart attack, to let me like Salazar. He says winning the New York City and Boston marathons was easy. He says his near-death experience at the Falmouth Road Race taught him that he could endure more pain than any man. He says the numbers told him he was the best, so who was he to argue with the numbers like 2:08 for the marathon and 27:25 for the 10K?
Call me soft, but surely Salazar had moments when things weren't so easy. I would have like to seen them in his book. Show me, for example, the moment when you finished 15th in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Marathon, and the whole world watched on TV. Show me the moment when you knew your running career was over. Salazar glossed over both events. Instead, Salazar spends much of his book defending himself and his "media created" macho persona. After awhile I couldn't help thinking of Getrude's line from Hamlet, "The lady does protest too much methinks." But there's no fake play here. It's real life. And like Prince Hamlet, I want to know the point.
Instead, Salazar spends most of his book re-telling his running career and the life running gave him, which I know is the job of any memoir, but he gives readers little other insights. Really, you could read most of this stuff on the Internet. Except for the accounts of his Cuban father, I learned nothing new. In fact, I finished the book asking myself the same question Salazar asks himself on page 247 after recovering from death, "What was the point of anything?"
That said, there was a line in the book that inspired me. Salazar says that when hew was thinking about running the Comrades Marathon he would do so as a changed man. (This is before his 14 minutes of death.) He says he would not run for money or prestige but instead in honor of his new found power in life. He would run in the key of faith and gratitude. Salazar not only decided to run the 56-mile Comrades Marathon. He won it.
But still. Where was the climax in this story? Dying? I doubt it. Salazar spends little of the book talking about his life after death. Catharsis? I don't see it. Instead I get a detailed account of cardiac arrest and heart disease. That's fine but I wanted to know more than what happened. I wanted to know how that huge event affects a person. Life after death is still a rare thing--even for a man like Salazar. I think.
As a running coach, I also wanted to know more details about Salazar's Oregon Project. He's had huge success with Galen Rupp and Mo Farah. But it was like Salazar withheld information because he wanted to keep it to himself, Galen and Mo. It almost seemed like he was still in a battle with Jerry Schumacher. Salazar glosses over this point too. If you believe what you read in newspapers, Salazar is hardly a serene and collegial member of the running fraternity. But that's another story.
Finally, Salazar's collaborator John Brant is a good writer. I loved his book Duel in the Sun, lDuel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathonwhich is about Salazar's race with Dick Beardsley in the 1982 Boston Marathon. Beardsley by far becomes the more compelling character in that story, for many reasons. Yet, I liked the Salazar Brant portrays in that book. That Salazar's full of foibles, and that's OK. That guy is on my wall. That guy still inspires me to run in the key of faith and gratitude. Ten years past my marathon best, I've learned I cannot do any more.
-Tim Wiesenhahn
June 2014
June 27, 2014
Alberto Salazar, a former world-record holder in the marathon who now coaches distance runners for Nike, has a formidable reputation, even among mid-pack runners like me. If he ever lets reporters for magazines like Runners World or the more competition-slanted Running Times interview him on general running-related matters, I haven't seen it, and his pickiness about which athletes among the cream of the cream that he will coach adds to his aloof mystique. Not knowing much at all about the man, I would have guessed that he doesn't have much of a sense of humor. There's a certain breed of human being whose dead-serious intensity leaves no room for something as disarming as humor.
After reading this memoir (co-written by the excellent John Brant, who wrote Duel in the Sun about Salazar's and Dick Beardsley's epic 1982 Boston Marathon), I feel like most of my impressions of Salazar are confirmed. Even in describing some of the most personal events and feelings of his life, he comes across as aloof and private and still a little haughty; he often says something along the lines of, "I didn't mean to be arrogant when I said that; I was just being frank." But it's also clear that as his life has unfolded (and not in the ways he envisioned in his own glory days as a competitor), he has softened and transformed rather than allowing himself to harden and lapse into bitterness. His descriptions of his various near-misses with death were fascinating. And there *was* humor here (I loved his description of the time he served as Charles Barkley's unlikely bodyguard).
My favorite parts of this book, though, were his thoughts on religious faith. A devout Catholic, Salazar is frank about how and when he prays. Praying, he says, doesn't have to be a big production to be restorative; pray when you run, when you're stuck at a traffic light, when you're standing in line, in all of those spaces where you're given a few minutes to give your mind to God. As someone who has trouble finding time for prayer, I appreciated this common-sense advice, advice that I should actually be able to follow.
The writing is smooth, and the narrative flows well, without rambling. Brant's hand here is clear, though the story never loses the authenticity of Salazar's voice. One of the better memoirs of any kind I've read.
After reading this memoir (co-written by the excellent John Brant, who wrote Duel in the Sun about Salazar's and Dick Beardsley's epic 1982 Boston Marathon), I feel like most of my impressions of Salazar are confirmed. Even in describing some of the most personal events and feelings of his life, he comes across as aloof and private and still a little haughty; he often says something along the lines of, "I didn't mean to be arrogant when I said that; I was just being frank." But it's also clear that as his life has unfolded (and not in the ways he envisioned in his own glory days as a competitor), he has softened and transformed rather than allowing himself to harden and lapse into bitterness. His descriptions of his various near-misses with death were fascinating. And there *was* humor here (I loved his description of the time he served as Charles Barkley's unlikely bodyguard).
My favorite parts of this book, though, were his thoughts on religious faith. A devout Catholic, Salazar is frank about how and when he prays. Praying, he says, doesn't have to be a big production to be restorative; pray when you run, when you're stuck at a traffic light, when you're standing in line, in all of those spaces where you're given a few minutes to give your mind to God. As someone who has trouble finding time for prayer, I appreciated this common-sense advice, advice that I should actually be able to follow.
The writing is smooth, and the narrative flows well, without rambling. Brant's hand here is clear, though the story never loses the authenticity of Salazar's voice. One of the better memoirs of any kind I've read.
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