Rod Goodchild Shares Story of Getting on Track to Serve as Pioneering Runner
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – (PRWEB) March 11, 2015 -- Running like the wind came naturally to Rod “Trailblazer” Goodchild, who grew up in the shadow of the Golden Dome at Notre Dame University and its rich athletic tradition. In this new book released by Dog Ear Publishing, the author describes his childhood and love of athletics, from a race as an adult against Vinny Cerrato, Notre Dame’s “Golden Boy” and football recruiting coordinator, to the chance to run a mile in under four minutes as a 40-year-old.
In “Once a Knight … Always a Knight: My Journey to Run a Sub-4 Master’s Mile Under the Golden Dome,” Goodchild describes a childhood filled with an S.B. Tribune paper route, sports of all kinds and supportive parents. Huge influences in his life were the Rev. Charles Sheedy (his godfather, mentor and long-time dean of Notre Dame), as well as Vince Lombardi and his coaching philosophies. The family drove from South Bend to Green Bay, Wis., in whiteout blizzards, where Goodchild’s father was from, to watch the Pack play at Lambeau Field. He began running track and cross-country in high school and continued in college.
After focusing on his education for several years, Goodchild was lured back to running with a challenge to participate in the Detroit Marathon, which he finished in less than three hours. He served as head coach for track and cross-country at Lake Michigan College and started the 10K Grape Stomp, a tradition that continued for more than 20 years. Inspired by George Dales, his coach at WMU, he ventured Down Under in the Land of Oz, training at the Australian Institute of Sport from 1987 to 1990. His experience paid off as Goodchild won the 1,500-meter Australian Master’s Championship. Descriptions of his path toward the goal of running a sub-four-minute mile at age 40 provide a lesson in the power of determination and following a dream.
Author Rod Goodchild is president of Michiana Trailblazers and presents seminars and motivational programs. The avid runner and athlete was instrumental in building up Marian High School’s track and cross-country program and its facilities. Goodchild grew up in the 1950s in South Bend, attending as many Notre Dame football games as he could. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in regional planning from Ohio University. His passion is motivating youth; as he says, “I’m delighted to inspire our youth because they’re the leaders of tomorrow. Go for it . . . It’s MAGIC!!”
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For additional information, please visit http://www.OnceaKnightBook.com
Once a Knight … Always a Knight: My Journey to Run a Sub-4 Master’s Mile Under the Golden Dome
Rod “Trailblazer” Goodchild with Aundrea Hoffman
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-3150-7 112 pages $9.95 US
About Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
Dog Ear Publishing offers completely customized self-publishing services for independent authors. We provide cost-effective, fast, and highly profitable services to publish and distribute independently published books. Our book publishing and distribution services reach worldwide. Dog Ear authors retain all rights and complete creative control throughout the entire self-publishing process. Self-publishing services are available globally at dogearpublishing.net and from our offices in Indianapolis.
Dog Ear Publishing – self-publishing that actually makes sense.
Alan Harris, Dog Ear Publishing, +1 (866) 823-9613, [email protected]
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