This autobiography investigates the rigorous physical and psychological preparation required to reach the pinnacle of world-class marathon running. Robert De Castella, one of Australia's most prominent distance runners, details his transition from a promising athlete to a world champion. He examines the training methodologies, dietary discipline, and mental fortitude necessary to compete against the best runners in the world during the early 1980s.

This work provides a focused, firsthand look at the training culture of elite distance running during a pivotal era for the sport. The narrative offers a technical and personal perspective that will appeal to those interested in the history of athletics and the mechanics of endurance performance.