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Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside With Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, And The University Of Colorado Men's Cross Country Team Paperback – Illustrated, April 1, 2011

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 967 ratings

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Top five Best Books About Running, Runner's World Magazine

Top three Best Books About Running, readers of Runner's World Magazine
(December 2009)






In RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES, writer Chris Lear follows the University of Colorado cross-country team through an unforgettable NCAA season. Allowed unparalleled access to team practices, private moments, and the mind of Mark Wetmore--one of the country's most renowned and controversial coaches--Lear provides a riveting look inside the triumphs and heartaches of a perennial national contender and the men who will stop at nothing to achieve excellence. The Buffaloes' 1998 season held great promise, with Olympic hopeful Adam Goucher poised for his first-ever NCAA cross-country title, and the University of Colorado shooting for its first-ever national team title. But in the rigorous world of top-level collegiate sports, blind misfortune can sabotage the dreams of individuals and teams alike. In a season plagued by injury and the tragic loss of a teammate, the Buffaloes were tested as never before. What these men managed to achieve in the face of such adversity is the stuff of legend and glory.
With passion and suspense, Lear captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Adam Goucher and a great coach like Mark Wetmore. Like Lance Armstrong's
It's Not About the Bike, RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES is at once a glowing celebration of a sport and an inspiration to anyone who has ever had the courage to beat the odds and follow a dream.
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Editorial Reviews

Review


“Lear's tale of the 1998 Colorado cross country season is part tragedy, part biography and part training window to one of the country's best programs. It deserves its cult-classic status and is worthy of another read every few years.” --
Running Times

From the Back Cover

Top five Best Books About Running, Runner's World Magazine

Top three Best Books About Running, readers of Runner's World Magazine
(December 2009)

At the outset, the 1998 cross country season appeared to hold magnificent promise for the men of the University of Colorado. With 2000 Olympic hopeful Adam Goucher poised for his first-ever NCAA cross country title and the Buffaloes shooting for their first-ever national team title, it seemed that nothing could stand in the way of their victory. But in the rigorous world of top-level collegiate sports, blind misfortune can sabotage the dreams of individuals and teams alike. Plagued by the onset of numerous injuries and the tragic loss of a beloved teammate, the Buffaloes found themselves challenged in ways they could not have foreseen. What they managed to achieve in the face of such adversity is the stuff of legend and glory.
In
Running with the Buffaloes, writer Chris Lear follows the University of Colorado cross country team during one unforgettable NCAA season. Through unparalleled access to team practices, private moments with the athletes, and the beliefs and teachings of Mark Wetmore - one of the country's most renowned and enigmatic coaches - Lear provides an unprecedented look a the triumphs and heartaches of a perennial national championship contender and the men who will stop at nothing in their quest for excellence. He captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Goucher and an iconoclastic coach like Wetmore.
Running with the Buffaloes, is, at once, a celebration of a sport and an inspiration to anyone who has ever had the courage to beat the odds and follow a dream.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lyons Press; First Edition (April 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762773987
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762773985
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 967 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
967 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the straightforward story and detailed account of a cross-country season. The book offers motivation and insight into life as a college athlete and coach. Readers describe the pacing as great and mention it brings them back to competitive running. However, some readers feel the writing quality is not as good as expected.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

54 customers mention "Readability"50 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an entertaining read that keeps their attention. It's a great story about a running team leading up to the NCAA finals. Readers say it's a must-read for runners and lives up to expectations.

"...inspirational quotes and inherent advice, this book was definitely worth a read...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading Running with the Buffaloes. I'm an avid runner and it was interesting to get a peek inside such an elite level program...." Read more

"A great book that shows a cross country inside team and what is like for someone that never experience" Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It really painted a picture of what it might be like to participate in an elite collegiate running program...." Read more

28 customers mention "Story quality"25 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find the writing straightforward and easy to read. The book chronicles the real struggles and hard work of being on a cross-country team. It is a compelling drama about a team chasing a dream. Readers describe the book as a good documentary-style piece and one of the classic running novels.

"...That said, the crisp writing and building narrative composed by Mr. Lear made me feel like I was training alongside the Buffaloes in the Fall of..." Read more

"...I had real trouble putting this book down, and like any good story, the ending leaves you smiling and feeling inspired...." Read more

"...Great experience of the events that can affect a team and a great story of how much things can change in just a few months time in the world of..." Read more

"...Well written, and a good story, but better if you like to get lots of mile times with your stories...." Read more

25 customers mention "Motivation"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book motivating and inspiring. They mention it's an interesting read that offers an interesting glimpse into the training program that the CU Buffs used. The book is packed with inspirational quotes and advice, and gets them pumped up for running.

"...believing in yourself, your coach, your teammates, and a higher purpose to overcome tragedy and achieve your goals, be they in running or life...." Read more

"...Packed full of inspirational quotes and inherent advice, this book was definitely worth a read...." Read more

"...down, and like any good story, the ending leaves you smiling and feeling inspired. Needless to say, I recommend this book highly...." Read more

"...I couldn’t put the book down and there are parts that are funny, incredibly sad, intense, etc. I recommend this book to everyone. EVERYONE" Read more

14 customers mention "Depth"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's depth. They find it interesting and well-written, covering personal trials and tribulations of some athletes and coaches. The book explores the dedication of distance runners and is recommended for detail-oriented readers.

"...The book is concise and well written, and covers some personal trials and tribulations of some of the athletes and Coach Wetmore...." Read more

"...One thing that you learn from this book is that runners are athletes in every sense of the word, more so than successful athletes in many other..." Read more

"...I am still not sure how the author made this topic so interesting...." Read more

"...The writer himself was a phenomenal runner, which must have helped him gain access." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it provides an insightful look into a top-tier cross country team and their journey through hard work and mixed emotions. The story offers great insight into the trials of college cross country from the physical to the emotional and mental aspects. It also inspires, motivates, and shows true grit.

"...Cross-country is a strange mix of individual ambition and team cohesiveness, and here in the University of Colorado is an embedded account of a..." Read more

"...Obviously the team was incredible and the successes and tragedy made the book what it is, but coach Wetmore is a legend" Read more

"...Inspiration, motivation, and true grit all wrapped up in one XC season. I read it on my Kindle but bought a hard copy to keep on my shelf...." Read more

"...people performing at their best and an athlete who worked hard and became an ncaa champion. great read, it makes you want to get out and run." Read more

8 customers mention "Runner value"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book motivating and interesting for runners. They appreciate the perspectives from runners and coaches. The book is easy to relate to as a runner and should be a bible for cross country runners and coaches.

"...Lear is a gifted writer, making what many consider a boring,dry sport seem fascinating and, in most cases downright exciting...." Read more

"This book should be a bible for all cross country runners and coaches, simple as that" Read more

"Great for runners. Gets you pumped up for sure. Second time I've read it. What hurt the book rating? It should have been edited better...." Read more

"...The book gathers perspective from runners and coaches alike, which makes it a great read for anyone interested in the sport of running." Read more

23 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find it well-written and easy to read, describing the thoughts of the runners and coach as the season progresses. Others feel it's not very well-written, with grammar errors distracting from the pleasure of reading. Overall, opinions are mixed on the writing quality.

"...The book is concise and well written, and covers some personal trials and tribulations of some of the athletes and Coach Wetmore...." Read more

"...It presents a true dialogue where many other books and movies fail when it comes to the level of dedication it takes to achieve our goals in our..." Read more

"...But once again, this is not a how-to book, and Wetmore, besides acknowledging the ongoing need to reassess and improve, asks for no one's buy-in to..." Read more

"...It goes quickly and Lear is a fantastic author...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
    If you've every wanted to know what it's like to train and race on a top college cross country team, this book will give you an insider's view. This book gives takes you through a fall season with the Colorado Buffaloes and follows it chronologically through the training and racing schedule. The book is concise and well written, and covers some personal trials and tribulations of some of the athletes and Coach Wetmore. As a female runner, however, I'm still looking for some female perspectives. This book briefly talked about the women's part of the team, but didn't really share any personal information about any of the athletes, and they must be pretty tough to get through some of Wetmore's workouts!!! Maybe some day, there will be more about female distance running, although I still enjoy reading about the men. Happy trails.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2013
    I have purchased many good (and some not so go books) on Amazon over the years. Though these good books have moved me and I have thought about writing a review to say so, this is the first book to move me to write a review. As someone who has been a runner since the age of 10, and ran cross-country and track in high school and college, I might be a bit biased towards a story of this nature. That said, the crisp writing and building narrative composed by Mr. Lear made me feel like I was training alongside the Buffaloes in the Fall of 1998. It is a rare talent for an author to give such an in-depth account of the training details of athletes, without it being tedious or reading like a how-to book. Instead, Lear uses the details of the workouts composed by Coach Mark Wetmore to tell a story and explain the method behind this successful madness. While at times I felt tired just from reading about the volume and density of training the Buffaloes were experiencing and enduring, and would in my mind will them (15 years retroactively) to just take a break, Lear also lets you hear from Wetmore and the athletes and learn why they are so committed to this program. You will also come away with a new found or revived appreciation for just how amazing a runner Adam Goucher was before injuries took a toll on his professional career, and the hurdles he had to overcome in life to get where he did.

    Some will undoubtedly criticize Wetmore's training, particularly the number of hard workouts spaced so closely together. But once again, this is not a how-to book, and Wetmore, besides acknowledging the ongoing need to reassess and improve, asks for no one's buy-in to his methods other than his own athletes. And those athletes, most notably Adam Goucher did believe. Ultimately, that's what this book is about, the power of believing in yourself, your coach, your teammates, and a higher purpose to overcome tragedy and achieve your goals, be they in running or life. So I'll answer the question, "Should I read this book?," with a mantra that takes on special significance in the story of the Buffaloes: "No doubt about it."
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
    As a runner myself, I would recommend this book to any and all distance athletes (not just runners). It presents a true dialogue where many other books and movies fail when it comes to the level of dedication it takes to achieve our goals in our sports. Packed full of inspirational quotes and inherent advice, this book was definitely worth a read. Unfortunately, the ending proves a little confusing and anticlimactic.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
    I enjoyed reading Running with the Buffaloes. I'm an avid runner and it was interesting to get a peek inside such an elite level program. The chapters are short, which is nice to be able to read small bits and pieces in a spare five minutes. It goes quickly and Lear is a fantastic author.

    I did also find the obsessive training style implemented by Wetmore to be interesting, and I'm curious to know if he still advocates it so many years later. His runners were clearly very overtrained and while I understand that thats partly the point, I wonder if a small scale down could have drastically improved their rankings.

    All in all, buy it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2002
    When I was in High School, most of the conventional athletes looked on Cross Country runners as lesser athletes, or worse-yet, nerds that could not do any other sports. Boy, were we wrong.
    One thing that you learn from this book is that runners are athletes in every sense of the word, more so than successful athletes in many other sports. Lear is a gifted writer, making what many consider a boring,dry sport seem fascinating and, in most cases downright exciting. Although Lear was a schoolboy running sensation himself, that does not come out in his writing. Although he runs and keeps up with these college phenoms, he never brags about his own career or performance, barely mentioning his running past. Although this is a running book, the myriad of behind the scenes plots and personal relationships could be happening in any book, and there is enough action and plot twists to fill a good work of fiction. Believe it or not, this book will make you cheer, laugh and even cry as Lear describes the individual and team succeses and failures. His character development is probably his strongest talent, and based on my experinece , most successful runners are colorful characters. I had real trouble putting this book down, and like any good story, the ending leaves you smiling and feeling inspired. Needless to say, I recommend this book highly. Add a start (that would make 6) if you are a passionate runner yourself.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022
    A great book that shows a cross country inside team and what is like for someone that never experience

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lisa Harmon
    5.0 out of 5 stars The runner in our home loved this book
    Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2025
    The runner in my home whom this was purchase for still states it’s best running book he’s read
  • Juliano Freitas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente livro
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 4, 2020
    Os Buffaloes é o nome do time de corrida da universidade de Colorado. A história conta do dia a dia de treinamento de elite, bem como as dificuldades e desafios encontrados pelo treinador e pelos atletas. O livro é muito gostoso de ler, e ensina muito sobre a corrida. Um dos melhores que já li
  • Mary Mc Intyre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2019
    Nice format for reading running training experience - lots to learn between the pages too
  • Amazon カスタマー
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not great, not terrible.
    Reviewed in Japan on May 12, 2015
    This book has been on a number of top ten running book lists. Having read the first third of the book, my conclusion is that there are fewer than ten good running books.
    The book is a diary account of the Buffaloes' cross country season. This is intrinsically interesting to runners such as myself, but a prosaic writing style ensures it soon feels repetitive. It is not a terrible book, however, and I aim to read it to completion some time in the future. It may well be that the latter stages of the book are more enjoyable.

    Other running books I have had greater luck with are "Born to Run," and "Feet in the Clouds."
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very easy and entertaining read if you are a student of running.
    Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2020
    Enjoyed the book so much I read it twice. First time I have ever done that. Takes you behind the scenes of a top NCAA Division 1 college Cross Country program. Great training and racing tips for cross country running and what it takes to be part of a Division 1 team.