Book Review: In The Long Run by Jim Axelrod

I’ve mentioned before my newfound appreciation for the public library. It’s amazing to walk into a building full of books that allows you to walk out with any you like…for free.

Kia is much more systematic about her library trips. She researches books she wants to read and then reserves them online (this allows her to find books via the interlibrary loan program too). I am much more haphazard about it. I have no goal when walking into the library other than find a book I might like.

I’ve watched a total of 10 minutes of the evening news in the last 6 months, which has been my history for quite some time, so I had no idea who Jim Axelrod was when I picked up the book, In the Long Run: A Father, a Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness. Jim was the CBS White House correspondent during the 2nd term of George W Bush, covered the Iraq invasion (round 2) and the first push into Afghanistan.

The book details how his career fell apart, he made peace with his dead father, and regained traction in his life through training to run his first marathon. I’m a memoir junkie, so I read the book out of pure curiosity, not expecting to get much out of it. I was surprised because I came away with 3 clear points.

1. The value of a father.
2. Success isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
3. A don’t quit attitude can take you a long way.

I’m going to talk more about 1 and 2 in later posts.

A don’t quit attitude can take you a long way.

I’ve never attempted a marathon. In fact I don’t enjoy running just to run (attach a ball and I’m good to go). However, I do know that running 26.2 miles straight is no easy feat. Giving up and walking or quitting altogether has to be tempting at various points.

Throughout the final New York Marathon run Axelrod encountered  various forms of encouragement from complete strangers – mostly through cheering and homemade signs. One of the signs he described I loved. It read:

I am strong. I will finish. I have no f’ing limits.

I know that feeling. At different points in my life, while I may not feel it, I repeat it to myself until I believe it. I am strong. I will finish. I have no f’ing limits.

During both large and small obstacles in my life, in everyday life I have to tell myself words like this. I am strong. I will finish. I have no f’ing limits.

In review…

This book was a little like one of those handmade signs or encouraging words yelled from the sidelines for me. I can’t say there was anything profound or immensely deep, but it had some simple truths that I’ve learned, I’m learning, or I’m re-learning.

For the sake of my kids, I need to be purposefully engaged as a father. I need to enjoy and love what I’m doing or success is worthless. In the midst of hard times, don’t give up.