Still, more than ever...A runner

"Quenton Cassidy would be henceforth suspended from participation in intercollegiate athletics." And so the story began...

The quote I chose to include was for me, the beginning of the book Once a Runner. At this point in the story the protagonist "Quenton" has been suspended from track and field and is now facing the biggest challenge of his life. As an athlete myself I recognized this choice as a WHY...a choice between "lala land" and the "champion zone." Like any good sports story Quenton chooses the champion zone and is thrown into a life of rigorous training and physical breakdown all to reach a single goal. What intrigued me more though than this choice and the heroic tale that followed was the 160 pages or so that previewed this choice. John L. Parker chooses to write half the book taking place in the fall and indoor season before kicking Quenton out of track, and that collection of chapters left more questions than the second half of the book. 

Earlier in the book Quenton finds himself in a relationship with a girl named Andrea. I consider their relationship to be a highlight of the book for me as a reader because John L. Parker uses Andrea as a way of describing Quenton. Starting the book off you probably know as much about Quenton as Andrea does which collectively isn't a whole lot. Andrea is a curious individual that takes a liking to Quenton which opens to door to the thought process of the captain miler. Quenton who is normally a quiet person opens up to Andrea and introduces her to the competitive world of track and field. Countless times through out their relationship Quenton opens up and goes into a monologue of sorts about the rules and regulations that come with being an athlete. Quentons relationship with Andrea isn't the only one that effects the outcome of the story though.

Quenton develops a deep relationship with the critically acclaimed best runner on campus Bruce Denton. Bruce's title comes with statistics to back it up, winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Bruce takes Quenton under his wing and plays the "Obi-Won" type role in leading Quenton to the promise land.  

Overall, this book is not only recommended but required to be read by any athlete that feels they have plateaued. John L. Parker connects to any competitive mind not only runners, while telling a truly unique story. Whether you were once a runner, still a runner, or strive to be a runner this book will help you break through.