My Marathon: Reflections on a Gold Medal Life

My Marathon: Reflections on a Gold Medal Life

<p><i>My Marathon: Reflections on a Gold Medal Life</i> is a revealing memoir by Frank Shorter, the father of American distance running. After winning the 1969 NCAA title in the 10,000-meters title during his senior year at Yale, Shorter went on to win a staggering 24 national titles on track, road, and cross country courses, but it was in the marathon that Shorter achieved his greatest fame and recognition.</p><p>At the 1972 Munich Games, Shorter won the Olympic marathon finishing more than 2 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Four years later, he finished a controversial second in the Olympic marathon in Montreal. The controversy, still unresolved to this day, revolved around the East German "winner" being a possible drug cheat. Shorter later founded the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Written with noted sportswriter John Brant, <i>My Marathon</i> details these inspiring events, as well as the physical and emotional abuse Shorter suffered as a child.</p><p>This inspiring memoir is a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and the transformative power of sports.</p>