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Run for Fun and Personal Bests: A Recipe for Long-Term Growth and Success
The Story of The North Central College Cross Country and Track & Field Teams
Run for Fun and Personal Bests is not about trophies and championships. It’s ultimately about much more important goals and lasting rewards for the student athletes who built and benefit from our North Central program.
The basic responsibility of a coach should never veer from the goal of stressing core internal values that guide athletes to personal growth.
I train cross country and track athletes, but this recipe, this process, should work for any athlete in any sport. I also believe it can guide other young people pursuing a personal goal in school, at work, or in their personal lives, who are asking themselves, “I know where I want to go, but how do I get there?”
At times, we are all so busy working toward material outcomes for our youths that we don’t have time for the most important needs they require to succeed.
In a world that’s becoming more materialistic, more professional, more outcome-oriented, we believe, to the contrary, that the ultimate competition is you against you.
“Al Carius went on to become one of the greatest mentors and coaches in America as he empowered the youth with the wisdom to follow their dreams and to see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”
—Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota, Olympic Gold Medal, 10,000 meters, Tokyo 1964
“This book will benefit athletes and coaches alike, and help them reach their fullest potential. But it will also teach them to be better human beings!”
—Craig Virgin, Two-Time World Cross Country Champion & Three-Time US Olympian
“Any success that I have had in coaching is a product of what I have learned from Al Carius and the North Central College program. This book offers a glimpse into Al’s uncanny ability to get the best out of people. It is a must read for anyone who wants to understand what it means to be a leader.”
—Sean Carlson, Head Men’s XC Coach, University of Notre Dame. North Central College, 2010
Run for Fun and Personal Bests is not about trophies and championships. It’s ultimately about much more important goals and lasting rewards for the student athletes who built and benefit from our North Central program.
The basic responsibility of a coach should never veer from the goal of stressing core internal values that guide athletes to personal growth.
I train cross country and track athletes, but this recipe, this process, should work for any athlete in any sport. I also believe it can guide other young people pursuing a personal goal in school, at work, or in their personal lives, who are asking themselves, “I know where I want to go, but how do I get there?”
At times, we are all so busy working toward material outcomes for our youths that we don’t have time for the most important needs they require to succeed.
In a world that’s becoming more materialistic, more professional, more outcome-oriented, we believe, to the contrary, that the ultimate competition is you against you.
“Al Carius went on to become one of the greatest mentors and coaches in America as he empowered the youth with the wisdom to follow their dreams and to see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”
—Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota, Olympic Gold Medal, 10,000 meters, Tokyo 1964
“This book will benefit athletes and coaches alike, and help them reach their fullest potential. But it will also teach them to be better human beings!”
—Craig Virgin, Two-Time World Cross Country Champion & Three-Time US Olympian
“Any success that I have had in coaching is a product of what I have learned from Al Carius and the North Central College program. This book offers a glimpse into Al’s uncanny ability to get the best out of people. It is a must read for anyone who wants to understand what it means to be a leader.”
—Sean Carlson, Head Men’s XC Coach, University of Notre Dame. North Central College, 2010
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2022
8 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 11, 2022
Written by my college coach. So much wisdom and insight, I think nonrunners would get a lot out of this. Very little of it is about training. Its focus is about building and maintaining positive cultures.
February 23, 2025
This is a great book; not necessarily one I would recommend to a beginner runner, but definitely someone who already has some foundational knowledge surrounding running and is interested in learning more. The main takeaway from this book for me was the way that the NCC team was able to return to greatness after such an intense period of quite the opposite. I think that really cements the idea that far more of what running has to offer can only be achieved through honing the mental side. I think another amazing aspect of this book that really means a lot to me is its focus on honoring PR’s; in running, or competitive sports in general, a very heavy focus is put on being the best and winning. This is great, but when there can only be one winner, and many of us are not as naturally gifted, this mentality deters people from A. Trying; or B. Celebrating their success when they do try. A perspective like this is damaging and no fun, so going forth I am going to attempt to honor and celebrate every one of my PRs, no matter how minuscule or massive it may be!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
Even if you are not a runner, Coach Al is such a motivator and makes you look at success in different ways that pertain to daily life. Highly recommend for inspiration.
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February 3, 2023Make the most of yourself, for that, is all there is of you
March 13, 2024
10/10 recommend for any runners, former or current athletes. Such a special perspective on what sports & personal goals & motivation do for us. Really loved this book & all of Coach Al’s insights.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews