This autobiography examines the career and psychological development of Steve Ovett, one of the most prominent middle-distance runners of the 1980s. The narrative details his rigorous training regimens, his intense rivalry with Sebastian Coe, and the personal pressures of competing at the highest levels of international athletics. Ovett provides an insider perspective on the tactical nuances of track racing and the physical toll of maintaining elite performance standards.

The text offers a candid, firsthand account of the competitive landscape of professional athletics during a peak era of British track and field. Its focus on the technical and mental demands of the sport provides a clear, unvarnished look at the life of a high-performance athlete.