'The Gift: A Runner's Story'
"The Gift: A Runner's Story," by Paul Maurer. 247 pages. $14.99 paper. PCM and Lulu Publishing. If you are looking for a good way to pass a couple nights or a few hours kicking back after a long run or tough workout, pick up a copy of "The Gift," available for purchase at www.pcmaurer.com. This novel, although predictable, is entertaining and offers insights into running, training and competition.

Brent (not "Bill") Rodgers is a graduate student and runner with Olympic 5000-meter hopes. But he carries baggage: Rodgers has bounced around and been bounced from the college track scene. Family problems lead him to alcohol and parties to escape his pain. None of this helps his Olympic dreams.

He is "saved" by words from the late Steve Prefontaine: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Given another chance by a gruff old track coach in Milwaukee, Rodgers works to make the most of this new opportunity.The novel follows his progression, leading to the exciting climax at the Olympic trials.

By coincidence Rodgers meets three University of Milwaukee runners who are modestly-talented and quite raunchy. They introduce him to their coach, Wickers, who knows of Rodgers' past but sees something in him that warrants another chance. And, of course, Rodgers meets his "love," Marie, who has little understanding of the running spirit.

Other minor characters include trainer "Dog," who dispenses wisdom and philosophy along with rehabilitation; aging running-store owner Tony, who sacrificed his own "gift" and inspires Rodgers not to do the same; and "The Kid," the despised 5000-meter glamour boy who provides a surprise in the end.

The four running buddies, under Wickers' watchful eye, train hard. They draw strengths from themselves, each growing as a runner. They become foils, driving and inspiring each other to reach their own individual "gifts."

Along the way snippets offer insight into why we run, train hard and race. Although we gain some of this through exchanges between the buddies, most comes from Rodgers trying to explain his quest to Marie. She wonders why he puts himself through such workouts, watching uncomprehending as he nearly passes out from exertion and exhaustion. Tony and trainer "Dog" also offer philosophical insights, especially about not sacrificing "the gift."

As is custom in running novels, runners will identify with descriptions of training and racing: "the burning quads," "blackened toenails" and so on. They will recall the same aches and stiffness suffered by Rodgers and his friends, but also relish the feelings of accomplishment after a hard workout and the joy of an easy run. Of course, they will marvel at the capacities for work and pain possessed by our sport's elite.

There is more. Depending on readers' views, Rodgers' experiences with yoga will be humorous or smack of smugness. His running buddy's urinating on a heckler's leg will strike some as hilarious, others tasteless.

In the end, it's a quick-reading, entertaining novel. Maurer's own experiences make it a realistic story.

Perhaps I quibble, but tighter editing is needed. Nonetheless, most runners will enjoy "The Gift."

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at ron_marinucci@comcast.net. MR