All in Stride: A Journey in Running, Courage, and the Search for the American Dream
The inspiring stories of distance runners Elvin Kibet and Shadrack Kipchirchir and their determination to build meaningful lives as new American citizens.
Professional distance runners Elvin Kibet and Shadrack Kipchirchir grew up in rural Kenyan villages. Though their lives began in poverty, both were driven to reach their full potential, to gain an education and make a difference. And they would find their way to do just that through the high-pressure world of distance running.
In All in Stride, Johanna Garton tells the gripping and inspiring stories of Elvin and Shadrack. Beginning with their upbringing in Kenya, Garton follows the runners through their journeys to the United States, running for Division 1 universities, their blossoming romance as college students, and ultimately their service as U.S. soldiers and professional runners. Woven through the narrative is the story of Samantha Schultz, who also competed for the U.S. Army. Like Elvin and Shadrack, she struggled with several obstacles throughout her journey, including poor coaching, over training, the intense pressure to make the Olympic team, and disordered eating, a condition that plagues so many young female athletes.More than just a running story, All in Stride takes readers behind the scenes to explore the difficulties Elvin and Shadrack faced, including adjusting to an entirely new culture in the U.S., bigotry and intolerance, the stresses and joys of global competitions like the Olympics, joining the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, and discovering the ever-changing landscape of what it means to be an American.
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Johanna Garton is a sportswriter and cross-country coach in Denver. She is the author of Edge of the Map, which chronicles the life of mountaineer Christine Boskoff, was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, and is currently being developed into a feature film. Garton competed for Syracuse University and has run more than twenty marathons, including five finishes at the Boston Marathon. Learn more by visiting johannagarton.com.
In her third book, Garton introduces two African-born distance runners, Olympian Shadrack "Shaddy" Kipchirchir and NCAA All-American Elvin Kibet, who leave their beloved families and supportive communities in Kenya to pursue careers in the United States thanks to athletic scholarships. Divided into two parts, this refreshing sports story touches on all the right notes and finds a nice balance, alternating between Shaddy and Elvin as it explores their humble upbringing, their introduction to distance running, college experiences, training for the Olympic Trials, their enlistment as soldier-athletes in the U.S. Army, and their being selected for the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).... [T]his inspirational story will appeal to running fans, especially when Kipchirchir serves as a pacesetter for Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two-hour marathon, and will enlighten readers who may have preconceived notions about foreign-born athletes.
-- "Booklist"Reading All in Stride illustrates the power of perseverance and commitment with a focused target. It makes you feel like you are on a journey with Shadrack and Elvin. They take great pride in serving the country that gave them the opportunity to be the best version of themselves. Their journey is about hope, faith, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence and the American Dream.
--Meb Keflezighi, four-time Olympian, silver medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the marathon, and winner of the Boston and New York City MarathonsAll in Stride is a powerfully written account of pursuing the American Dream--that rough road that rides more like an obstacle course, but consists of perseverance meeting opportunity to build the ultimate American hero. On every page, you'll find yourself cheerleading, empathizing, crying, or heeding wise advice.
--Deena Kastor, Olympic medalist in the marathon, New York Times bestselling author, Let Your Mind RunI read Johanna Garton's All in Stride expecting a book about running, which it certainly is, but it's so much more. It's about joy, love, suffering, determination, sacrifice, and humanity. I just loved it.
--George Hirsch, founder of the New York City Marathon, magazine publisher, and Chair Emeritus of the New York Road Runners ClubAll in Stride takes readers on a compelling journey of a truly modern American couple. It effortlessly weaves together stories of Kenya, the United States, the world of professional distance running, and the challenges of building a home in a new country. For millennia, the words "athlete" and "woman" didn't play well together, and the idea of adding "mother" to that list was unimaginable. Women like Elvin want to change that narrative. Fortunately for all of us, she has the conviction to do so and a supporting family to make it possible. The world needs more stories like this one.
--Shannon Rowbury, three-time Olympian, sports broadcaster, and mother of twoThis story is truly inspiring. It's not so much about running as it is the struggle of life and overcoming it.
--Nathan Martin, American professional distance runnerFor two people I have known for nearly a decade as some of the most positive and determined peers of mine, I have been blessed to learn so much more about their eye-opening stories in this beautifully-written book. The perspective that Johanna Garton sheds on the character-building hardships these athletes faced chasing the American dream makes this a must-read both within and outside of the running community. Utterly blown away!
--Natosha Rogers, professional distance runner, two-time World Championship finalist in the 10kA story of two athletic journeys intertwined, the complexities of becoming American while still embracing the culture that shaped you, and the power of running to change the course of a life.
--Molly Huddle, two-time Olympian, author, and motherAll in Stride tells the incredible journey of Elvin Kibet and Shadrack Kipchirchir, from their childhood in Kenya to their collegiate days competing at the NCAA Division One level to their service in the U.S. Army and as professional runners in the Army's World Class Athlete Program. It's a heartwarming story, one that's infused with grace, courage, and determination about what it takes to chase a dream in sport and life.
--Christine Yu, author of Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes
