Beyond Running: The Road As Mentor - Softcover

A now retired psychiatrist, Whitis was one of the early long-distance runners--long before running shoes and gator-aid. In fact, he did his first Boston Marathon wearing a pair of Keds. He was a charter member of the American Medical Joggers Association, wrote several medical articles and for two years wrote a popular weekly newspaper column on the health and spiritual benefits of running. He has run multiple marathons, including Boston twice and the original route from Marathon, Greece. In 1985, he was honored by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) with their Midwest Award (one of four regional awards in the country). That year the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (PSR was the American branch) received the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1988, he was one of thirty American peace activists chosen to visit the Soviet Union and meet Secretary-General Gorbachev. He and his wife Martha have four sons, one of whom is an Ironman competitor. In 2007, Whitis placed first in his age group in the Galena, Illinois duathlon. His book BEYOND RUNNING: THE ROAD AS MENTOR describes the odyssey of his life as a runner, finally gaining the prize of self-knowledge and evolving as a social activist.

It was called the "aerobic revolution" when millions of Americans turned off their TVs, strapped on their Nikes and ran down the road. Dr. Peter Whitis says it was good for their heart and lungs and also for their souls. No one can say it like a seasoned, dedicated long- distance runner. No one does say it like Peter Whitis who has logged many years of miles. Reading his book is like a sharing of private mental notes that resonate in the collective experience of the mind of every runner. His anecdotes are unique but they speak to the common set of musings that distance runners share. Genuine and mind- searching, this collection of distance runner anecdotes and wisdom is a well-written collection that belongs on the must-read list for everyone who logs those long, long road miles on sneakered feet (and also for those who do not.) -- Carol North, M.D., MPE; Professor of Psychiatry University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Your column gets better and better. I haven't become converted to running, still would rather read, but (you) have made me think there is something to this 'running bit,' or else you're lots of fun to read. -- Jack Brimeyer, former newspaper editor and journalist, quoting a reader