Guest Post+Giveaway: Dan Martinez on Running Cross Country

Last year I read Cross Country 101, a story that focuses on sports as a perfect outlet for teens's boundless energy. I don't have enough good things to say about its positive message and today I am glad to host its author Dan Martinez to share some of his thoughts on writing this book every teen should read.  

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your passion for running with us. And thank you also for the giveaway!

On Running Cross Country 101 by Dan Martinez

I have been running for a long time. I ran in high school and college. It was a great experience for me. This book was a long time in the coming. I had the inspiration for the book when I thought of an ending!

I knew I wanted to write something real and believable, but real life is usually pretty mundane and boring. Realistic fiction allowed me to write about a young protagonist who crosses paths with a potpourri of issues teenagers can relate to, lots of conflict, struggles and situations.

I thought it would be good to do some research. Although I’ve always been running, I got reacquainted with high school cross country watching some races. The story takes place in a Southern California location and explores actual cross country courses. Mount San Antonio College, on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County in the City of Walnut, is most notable which hosts the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational (Mt. SAC).

I've had a lot of experiences with the subject, a real-life varsity squad frosh in both high school and college, so it was sometimes easy to write things down. Other times, I would spend half a day worrying about the right word. A few drafts and many revisions later the novel was complete.

Like Sean Astin-starrer “Rudy” in form but not factuality, “Cross Country 101” is an original treatment of a common adolescent exercise -- gaining acceptance in a new environment -- set on an apathetic cross country squad, years and feats from the real-life characters in track and field biopics.

Cross country races are usually the same length but the courses vary greatly and are full of variables. Inevitably, you’ll be comparing your time against teammates and competitors alike. There’s an inherent history in running. Some courses have been around for years, time-tested and proven to be formidable. You can compare your time against generations of runners. It can be a humbling experience to stack up against the best, from the moment to yesteryear, or as a challenge to try to improve your way to the top. The story is laced with various historical references or homages to great prep runners throughout. Some you might recognize, like school names known for a notable runner. Others you might figure out, such as a bib number, 1424, which happens to be the course record of (in book) forenamed course.

Sure, this is a sports story involving cross country but at the heart of this gripping adventure, it’s about self-discovery and attaining an identity. And with it, life’s lessons are being both learned and applied on the way.

I hope you find this story to be an exciting teen experience for young people to relate to or maybe others might consider visiting.

I would like to thank you, Aloi, for having me here, for supporting my book, and being such a great ally to the indie community.

About the Author

Dan Martinez is a former University of Oregon distance runner, a real-life varsity squad frosh in both high school and college. Read more about running at the author's website runningentertainment.com

Giveaway!
Dan is giving away one copy of Cross Country 101 (your choice of an e-book or paper copy)
Open US/Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cross Country 101 by Dan Martinez

Amazon.com: Kindle edition | Paperback

Synopsis: Eric Hunt is an incoming freshman at Regal High School. His father expects him to go out for football but after being humiliated in a football scrimmage, decides to try cross country. He has some success despite being bullied by Beef and Crush during school. Eric, a slight-of-build frosh, then determines -- against student and parental expectations -- to excel at it. He makes the varsity squad as his rival Bryce, at Skyline High School, had already accomplished. Once on the varsity, Eric struggles through animosity from the upperclassmen while trying to maintain good grades. Can Regal cross country establish teamwork? Can Eric develop his talent enough to challenge rival Bryce?