[ARETE] Steele review of Abdi's world

[Duncan Jamieson]

All,
Please find below and attached William Steele's review of Abdi Abdirahman
and Myles Schrag, *Abdi's World:The Black Cactus on Life, Running and Sport*
.
Thanks
Duncan

*Abdi Abdirahman with Myles Schrag. Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life,
Running, and Fun. Flagstaff, AZ: Soulstice Publishing, 2021. 228 pp.
Paperback. $19.95*



*Reviewed by Willie Steele*



Even the most casual fans of men’s American distance running are familiar
with the names of the great athletes who have performed well on the world
stage. Billy Mills, Jim Ryun, Gerry Lindgren, Steve Prefontaine, Frank
Shorter, Bill Rogers, and Alberto Salazar, for instance, were the marquee
names for the United States from the 1960s to the 1980s. More serious fans
remember the few bright spots of talent during the lean times of the 1990s,
a time when Bob Kennedy and Todd Williams often battled each other on the
track for recognition as America’s top runner. But none of these athletes
was able to accomplish what Abdi Abdirahman was able to do at the Olympic
Trials marathon in 2020: qualify for five Olympic teams. And while some of
the aforementioned athletes placed higher at the Games, some even winning
medals, none ran at such a high level for as long as Abdirahman has.

            In his biography, *Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life,
Running, and Fun*, the acclaimed runner provides insight into his life as a
Somali immigrant who began running seriously at Pima Community College in
1995 after being encouraged by some friends to try out for the cross
country team. From there, “The Black Cactus” as he’s known to his friends
and fans, competed for the University of Arizona where he finished second
at the 1998 NCAA Cross Country Championships, before later signing a
contract to run for Nike.

            Unlike many runner’s biographies, Abdirahman doesn’t lay out
his training plan. In fact, in the book’s Preface, he says, “I don’t always
pay attention to my Garmin GPS watch and I’ve never kept a training log”
(ix). Rather than diving into specific details of training and racing, the
Black Cactus divides his story into six parts, all Olympic years, including
2016 when he missed making the team for the Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Each
part focuses on a lesson Abdi learned through his running: possibilities,
belonging, belief, humility, perseverance, and unity.

            Although these lessons are rooted in his running experience,
Abdirahman weaves in stories of his family’s escape from the political
turmoil in his native Somalia, the immense pride he has in his American
citizenship, his friendships with runners of all nationalities, and the fun
he’s had training and competing around the world. While casual runners will
never come close to the world class times the Black Cactus has had for
nearly thirty years, they will likely connect with his love for the sport
and the relationships he has formed through it. The most poignant of these
reflections is when he details his relationship with training partner and
housemate, Ryan Shay, who collapsed and died during the marathon trials for
the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

            And while the book is largely Abdi’s own story, he invites his
friends, training partners, fellow competitors, and coaches to speak about
him as well. Two-time Olympian Ryan Hall, legendary coach Joe Vigil, and
coach Mike Smith are just a few of the voices who offer insight into what
makes the Black Cactus unique. Abdirahman also incorporates numerous
interviews from magazines, websites, and podcasts, allowing readers to
understand where he was at various points in his career.

             Beyond running, the book explores the challenges of being a
Muslim in the United States after 9/11. Along with his own story, Abdi
draws from the experiences fellow Olympians Bernard Lagat and Meb
Keflezighi, both of whom are African born American citizens, to explore the
complexities of their lives and what it means for them to “be American.”

            In distance running, an elite career of more than a decade is
extraordinary. For a runner like Abdi Adbirahman to make five Olympic teams
is the stuff of legend.  Distance running fans will appreciate the story of
someone who has been world class for a long time, has stood on the podium
of prestigious races like the New York City Marathon, and who has had a lot
of fun along the way.
Remember to smell the roses as you recumber past

Duncan R. Jamieson, Ph. D.
Professor of History
Book Review Editor
*AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature*
Ashland University
Ashland, OH  44805
USA
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