Inspiration, Courtesy of Louis Zamperini

I recently read an amazing book about WWII that inspired my running. The book is called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and chronicles the life of Louis Zamperini. As a child, Louis was a thug and a neighborhood terror. His older brother saw something in him and taught him the skill and discipline of running. Louis became one of the nation's greatest milers, winning 2 NCAA titles, and competing in the Berlin Olympics before WWII. Had it not been for the war, Louis would likely have been the first American to break the 4 minute mile. After he enlisted, Louis became a POW and endured more than 2 years of unimaginable torture. He never competed in another race. "Pain is that last quarter of a mile. The last of anything. You feel it, but when you're through racing, your whole body just feels elated. So the pain is worth it." Louis Zamperini Miles logged: 0