Just finished "Boston Qualifier"

 Definitely worth getting this book!

This book will make you smile, laugh, and might even make you cry a little.  A touching personal account that anyone trying to accomplish a genuinely difficult task can relate to.  Not just for runners (or runners who aim for a Boston Qualifier), but for anyone who strives for lofty goals.  The reader is taken for a run through history, meeting some of the pioneering women of marathon racing (and Cross-Country and Track).  If you grew up in the late 60s or 70s you’ll find a few references you may not have heard in years (remember the “Presidential Fitness test” or “Rex Trailer’s Boomtown”).  If you ran on a high school or college team you may find that the early chapters contain conversation you swear you had or overheard.  Mike truly captures the pure fun of running and being part of the running community.  As a New England runner of a certain age, I enjoyed reading about some of the real life “characters” from the early Boom years.  I especially enjoyed the description of the iconic Tom Derderian – “When you met Tom for the first time, you were greeted by two big eyebrows that looked like two Wooly Bear caterpillars mating.  They promised a long winter, arching and stretching. They were no match for the curly black and silver hairs making a mad escape from his shirt”. As we say in New England, Boston Qualifier is “wicked good”.