The true story of how a small Arizona school built a mindset of success that turns talented individuals into a team at the pinnacle of its sport.
"Running Up the Mountain is a blueprint for how to have success in the sport of running, with lessons that are surprisingly universal in their appeal." –Matt Fitzgerald, author, Running the Dream: One Summer Living, Training, and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age
Long before Flagstaff, Arizona, became an altitude mecca and a training ground for generations of legendary runners, there was just a no-name school without any decent training facilities, and an unknown coach who saw the potential in his runners . . . and the heights they could achieve together.
It’s tough to train at 7,000 feet. Over decades, the cross country runners at unknown Northern Arizona University developed a team culture built on the blue-collar, gritty "Lumberjack attitude.” They learned to trust their training, overcome their growing pains, and claim their destiny.
Running Up the Mountain is a moving psychological portrait of a team on the rise, with colorful characters fighting to reach the summit of their sport together. In this journey from quaint beginnings to national championships, grit and commitment endure as defining features . . . when you’re running with the Lumberjacks.
"Even when the mountain got steep, the team never stopped climbing, and even when they got to the top, they never stopped looking for ways to go higher." –Matt Baxter
Perfect for readers who like:
Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear
Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running by Sean Brosnan, Chris Lear, and Andrew Greif
Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr.
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore
NAMED BEST SPORTS/RECREATION BOOK OF 2023 BY THE NEW MEXICO–ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS
Authored by three-time cross country All-American Matt Baxter and Hall of Fame coach Ron Mann, the book authentically captures NAU’s humble origins and growing pains, culminating in an insider’s perspective that will inspire runners and coaches alike, and delight running fans.
"An inspirational and intimate story well told." –Pete Pfitzinger, two-time Olympian
"A rousing history of an underdog team, Running Up the Mountain charts the rise of a winning long-distance running program." – Foreword Clarion Reviews
