Chasing the Real Me - by Brom Hoban (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Justin Jaworski is one of the best high-school track and cross-country runners in the country. Or is he an imposter? Newly transplanted from suburban Connecticut to the tiny hamlet of Ouray in the heart of Colorado's San Juan mountains, Justin's determined to prove he's the real thing in love and in sports. That means earning the affections of Kylie Hart-gifted and wise-beyond-her-years-while setting his sights on the state championship and a much-needed college scholarship.

But he just can't do better than second or third place behind Tommy Nichols, a spoiled bully from neighboring Telluride. Climbing the towering peaks that surround his new home, Justin realizes that to win at anything, he must conquer his self-doubts and break through his feelings of being a fraud.

Enter Danny Gonzalez, a legendary runner and former three-time state high-school champion. Danny takes Justin under his wing and in a series of epic mountain runs, shares his hard-earned wisdom on life and endurance. But it's not until Justin visits his estranged father in New York City that he really gets to the root of what's holding him back. There, he learns that the conflicts of father-son relationships can echo down the ages, and that just might be the key to his imposter syndrome.

Review Quotes

"I would have loved reading such a book when I was a young runner! I like the message-that the path can be windy and tough in the most difficult ways for all of us. But if you can stay steady, the doors will open for you!" - Bill Rodgers, four-time Boston and New York City Marathon champion

"Brom Hoban's extremely readable novel, Chasing the Real Me, races along on adolescent angst and energy. I found chunks of my own personal story in Hoban's tale, and I have no doubt you'll recognize parts of yourself in these illuminating pages." - Amby Burfoot, past executive editor of Runner's World Magazine, and author of Run Forever

Hoban's coming of age story, Chasing the Real Me, captures the jangly emotions of adolescence, the joys and struggles of training and racing, and the beauty and awe of the Colorado mountains in a tale everyone who has tried to run well will appreciate. - Jonathan Beverly, senior running editor, Outside magazine

"Getting through the teenage years is unsettling by itself. Trying to achieve potential in any area during this 'hormone storm' era is improbable. Brom Hoban chronicles the journey of a group of high schoolers who are transitioning into early adulthood through their track and cross-country experiences. I enjoyed his writing and recommend it." - Jeff Galloway, Olympian, coach and author of the bestselling Galloway's Book on Running