Overview

"""You cannot fail to be inspired by Abdi's story, an authentic tale by someone who clearly cherishes running and life."" - Gary Lough, distance coach and former pro runner Abdi's World is a quirky place where the only American distance athlete to qualify for five Olympics shares the stories that shaped his enduring love of running and his laid-back approach to life. Abdi Abdirahman arrived in Tucson, Arizona as a teenager when his family escaped civil war in their home country of Somalia. How the ""Black Cactus,"" as he is affectionately known, stumbled upon a career as one of the world's most durable and beloved track and road racers of the 21st century is a story of resilience, commitment, and respect for friends and competitors alike--told here in a guide that is part life lessons, part training tips, part autobiography, and all Abdi. He has traveled the globe and shared his joie de vivre at every stop, showing a magician's ability to balance work and play that anyone young or old, in or out of running, could learn from to live a more meaningful life. Enter Abdi's World to join him on his insightful journey--and see what happens when you meet his stride."

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9781733188784

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Reviews

"""He's always had that bold spirit and an ability to live up to his boldness. His character is alive and people in our baseball circle love it. His sport is a completely different world and we don't know a lot about that world, but we've always thought of him as an unbelievable competitor with great energy that's contagious. I wish more people had his attitude; his book will inspire readers to adopt it."" --Shelley Duncan, University of Arizona baseball All-American, six-year Major League Baseball veteran ""Abdi's World is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in American distance running and/or the immigrant/refugee experience. It's an account of wins and losses, euphoria and disappointment, and the injuries that sideline you for days, weeks or even months. If you haven't previously been a fan of Abdi Abdirahman, read the book and you'll be converted."" --Ed Fox, Publisher Emeritus, Track and Field News ""Abdi is a unique and competitive athlete. I had the chance to train with and compete against Abdi throughout almost three decades. Our discussions and interactions have always been fun-loving and ambitious. Abdi has a ""go-big"" approach to life and running, and now readers will get to experience his positive mindset firsthand. What an amazingly long and successful career Abdi has had!"" --Meb Keflezighi 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, 2009 New York City Marathon winner, 2014 Boston Marathon winner ""Abdi is one of the most inspiring and decorated distance runners in the United States today, but also the most fun to be with at the races. He is a natural storyteller and a gritty performer, so put this book on your summer reading list for both motivation and entertainment."" --Deena Kastor 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, American record holder in the marathon, New York Times bestselling author of Let Your Mind Run ""Abdi's desire and will have not changed. In really good athletes, they dance on that line of, How long can I do this? A lot lose the joy in it and it's not what it once was, and they have to work through that along with the physical relationship and how it sits in their lives. They exit without the joy. He's somebody who is always asking 'What am I getting ready for?' He always has a plan. He always, always, has been like that. With Abdi, as you will read in his life story, he still has the joy."" --Mike Smith, director of track and field and cross country, Northern Arizona University, national cross country champions, 2017, 2018, 2020 ""Abdi's mentality is his foundation of youth. His huge smile and joy for life are his trademarks. His ability to read the race as it's developing and never back down are part of his competitive legacy. It's hard to imagine any one of those without the others. What a treat to read his secrets to success."" --Mary Wittenberg, former president and CEO, New York Road Runners ""I've always looked up to Abdi as a runner, as most do, but knowing Abdi, I more admire and want to emulate his carefree, happy-go-lucky, joy-filled nature. What is the point of becoming a world-beater athlete if you can't enjoy today? Abdi knows how to run with the best athletes in the world, but more importantly, he knows how to live a life full of joy, optimism, and love. I know that the words Abdi shares in Abdi's World will pass along his wisdom, fire, and joy to all that read them."" --Ryan Hall Two-time Olympian; American record holder in the half marathon ""People often overlook just how difficult it is to achieve longevity in elite sports. Abdi has been entertaining at the very highest level for over 20 years. His energy lights up a room and those lucky enough to have met him leave with a little bit of his magic. You cannot fail to be inspired by Abdi's story, an authentic tale by someone who clearly cherishes running and life."" --Gary Lough, distance coach, former professional middle-distance runner"

He's always had that bold spirit and an ability to live up to his boldness. His character is alive and people in our baseball circle love it. His sport is a completely different world and we don't know a lot about that world, but we've always thought of him as an unbelievable competitor with great energy that's contagious. I wish more people had his attitude; his book will inspire readers to adopt it. --Shelley Duncan, University of Arizona baseball All-American, six-year Major League Baseball veteran Abdi's World is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in American distance running and/or the immigrant/refugee experience. It's an account of wins and losses, euphoria and disappointment, and the injuries that sideline you for days, weeks or even months. If you haven't previously been a fan of Abdi Abdirahman, read the book and you'll be converted. --Ed Fox, Publisher Emeritus, Track and Field News Abdi is a unique and competitive athlete. I had the chance to train with and compete against Abdi throughout almost three decades. Our discussions and interactions have always been fun-loving and ambitious. Abdi has a go-big approach to life and running, and now readers will get to experience his positive mindset firsthand. What an amazingly long and successful career Abdi has had! --Meb Keflezighi 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, 2009 New York City Marathon winner, 2014 Boston Marathon winner Abdi is one of the most inspiring and decorated distance runners in the United States today, but also the most fun to be with at the races. He is a natural storyteller and a gritty performer, so put this book on your summer reading list for both motivation and entertainment. --Deena Kastor 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, American record holder in the marathon, New York Times bestselling author of Let Your Mind Run Abdi's desire and will have not changed. In really good athletes, they dance on that line of, How long can I do this? A lot lose the joy in it and it's not what it once was, and they have to work through that along with the physical relationship and how it sits in their lives. They exit without the joy. He's somebody who is always asking 'What am I getting ready for?' He always has a plan. He always, always, has been like that. With Abdi, as you will read in his life story, he still has the joy. --Mike Smith, director of track and field and cross country, Northern Arizona University, national cross country champions, 2017, 2018, 2020 Abdi's mentality is his foundation of youth. His huge smile and joy for life are his trademarks. His ability to read the race as it's developing and never back down are part of his competitive legacy. It's hard to imagine any one of those without the others. What a treat to read his secrets to success. --Mary Wittenberg, former president and CEO, New York Road Runners I've always looked up to Abdi as a runner, as most do, but knowing Abdi, I more admire and want to emulate his carefree, happy-go-lucky, joy-filled nature. What is the point of becoming a world-beater athlete if you can't enjoy today? Abdi knows how to run with the best athletes in the world, but more importantly, he knows how to live a life full of joy, optimism, and love. I know that the words Abdi shares in Abdi's World will pass along his wisdom, fire, and joy to all that read them. --Ryan Hall Two-time Olympian; American record holder in the half marathon People often overlook just how difficult it is to achieve longevity in elite sports. Abdi has been entertaining at the very highest level for over 20 years. His energy lights up a room and those lucky enough to have met him leave with a little bit of his magic. You cannot fail to be inspired by Abdi's story, an authentic tale by someone who clearly cherishes running and life. --Gary Lough, distance coach, former professional middle-distance runner

Author Information

"Abdi Abdirahman is the only American distance runner to qualify for five Olympics. Born in Somalia, Abdi came to Tucson, Arizona at age 16 after his family escaped civil war. ""The Black Cactus,"" as the 44-year-old is affectionately known, is also the oldest American runner to qualify for the Olympics, the oldest male to podium at the New York City Marathon, and the US master's record holder in the marathon. Abdi is a four-time national champion at 10,000m and a five-time US road champion. He has represented the United States 13 times in international competitions. Myles Schrag is co-founder of Soulstice Publishing and the author of seven books. He holds a master's degree in kinesiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has helped more than 200 books reach publication as either an acquisitions editor, developmental editor, publisher, or manuscript broker. Foreword writer Sir Mo Farah took double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, only the second runner ever to win both events at successive Olympic Games. He also completed the distance double at the 2013 and 2015 World Track and Field Championships. Farah, born in Somalia, is the most decorated British track athlete of all time."

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