George A. Sheehan
Encyclopedia
Dr. George A. Sheehan was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for his books and writings about the sport of running
. His book, "Running & Being: The Total Experience," became a New York Times best seller. He was a track star
in college, and later became a cardiologist like his father. He served as a doctor in the United States Navy
in the South Pacific
during World War II
on the destroyer
USS Daly (DD-519). He married Mary Jane Fleming and they raised twelve children. He continued to write while struggling with prostate cancer
. His last book, Going the Distance, was published shortly after his death.
, but did not renew his interest in running until age 45 while living in Rumson, New Jersey
. He began running in his back yard (26 loops to a mile) and then started running along the river road during his lunch break wearing long-johns and a ski mask. Five years later, he ran a 4:47 mile, which was the world's first sub-five-minute time by a 50-year-old.
Sheehan began writing a weekly column in the local newspaper and continued to write the column for twenty five years. Many of these years were served as the medical editor for Runner's World
magazine. (He had been introduced to Joe Henderson
by Hal Higdon
during the 1968 Olympics. Henderson later recruited him as medical editor for Runner's World.) He continued to write for Runner's World after the magazine was purchased by Rodale Press. He wrote eight books and lectured around the world.
In 1958, Sheehan co-founded Christian Brothers Academy
, an all-male school in Lincroft, NJ near his home in Rumson, which grew to become one of New Jersey's premier prep schools.
In 1986, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer
. He continued to run until his legs could no longer carry him. During this period he continued to write about his experiences. This time it wasn't about running, it was about dying. "Going the Distance" was his last book. It was published shortly after his death in 1993.
, Did I win? (A Farewell to George Sheehan) (1994) Wrs Pub ISBN 1-56796-066-9
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
. His book, "Running & Being: The Total Experience," became a New York Times best seller. He was a track star
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
in college, and later became a cardiologist like his father. He served as a doctor in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in the South Pacific
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Daly (DD-519). He married Mary Jane Fleming and they raised twelve children. He continued to write while struggling with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. His last book, Going the Distance, was published shortly after his death.
Life and work
George A. Sheehan was the oldest of 14 children. He was a track star at Manhattan CollegeManhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
, but did not renew his interest in running until age 45 while living in Rumson, New Jersey
Rumson, New Jersey
Rumson is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,122.Rumson was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1907, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, based on the results of a...
. He began running in his back yard (26 loops to a mile) and then started running along the river road during his lunch break wearing long-johns and a ski mask. Five years later, he ran a 4:47 mile, which was the world's first sub-five-minute time by a 50-year-old.
Sheehan began writing a weekly column in the local newspaper and continued to write the column for twenty five years. Many of these years were served as the medical editor for Runner's World
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine. (He had been introduced to Joe Henderson
Joe Henderson (runner)
Joe Henderson is an American runner, running coach, writer, and former chief editor of Runner's World magazine. He currently writes for Marathon & Beyond magazine, and since 1982, a weekly column entitled "Joe Henderson's Running Commentary"...
by Hal Higdon
Hal Higdon
Hal Higdon is an American writer and runner. He has contributed to Runner's World magazine longer than any other writer. He is the author of 34 books, including the best-selling Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide...
during the 1968 Olympics. Henderson later recruited him as medical editor for Runner's World.) He continued to write for Runner's World after the magazine was purchased by Rodale Press. He wrote eight books and lectured around the world.
In 1958, Sheehan co-founded Christian Brothers Academy
Christian Brothers Academy (New Jersey)
Christian Brothers Academy , located in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township, New Jersey, is a private, all-boys college preparatory school with a focus on Christian education run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded by St. John Baptist de la Salle...
, an all-male school in Lincroft, NJ near his home in Rumson, which grew to become one of New Jersey's premier prep schools.
In 1986, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. He continued to run until his legs could no longer carry him. During this period he continued to write about his experiences. This time it wasn't about running, it was about dying. "Going the Distance" was his last book. It was published shortly after his death in 1993.
Books
- Dr. Sheehan on Running (1975) ISBN 0-89037-069-9
- Dr. George Sheehan's Medical Advice for Runners (1978) ISBN 0-02-499170-8
- Running & Being: The Total Experience (1978) ISBN 0-446-97090-5
- This Running Life (1980) ISBN 0-671-25608-4
- How to Feel Great Twenty Four Hours a Day (1983) ISBN 0-671-45478-1
- Dr. Sheehan on Fitness (1983) ISBN 0-671-45478-1
- Personal Best: The Foremost Philosopher of Fitness Shares Techniques and Tactics for Success and Self-Liberation (1989) ISBN 0-87857-858-7
- George Sheehan on Running to Win : How to Achieve the Physical, Mental & Spiritual Victories of Running (1992) ISBN 0-87596-145-2
- Going the Distance: One Man's Journey to the End of His Life (1996) ISBN 0-614-95718-4
See also
Joe HendersonJoe Henderson (runner)
Joe Henderson is an American runner, running coach, writer, and former chief editor of Runner's World magazine. He currently writes for Marathon & Beyond magazine, and since 1982, a weekly column entitled "Joe Henderson's Running Commentary"...
, Did I win? (A Farewell to George Sheehan) (1994) Wrs Pub ISBN 1-56796-066-9