Always a Runner

Nobody runs farther and faster than Mike Beck. After all, he’s had a lot of practice running from his own past of absentee parents and loneliness. In order to survive, Mike had to develop a fierce independence that’s left him with little more than disdain for adults who are supposed to guide and protect him.But though Mike’s life is a hurricane of chaos, his best friend Jill is determined to be a calm eye at the center of his storm. With love and Christian compassion, Jill works to calm the tempest of Mike’s emotions and thaw his icy facade. With the help of Jill and Coach Tyler, Silverton High’s track coach and the only adult who believes in Mike’s abilities as a runner, Mike begins to turn things around.But just as Mike is set to run the biggest, most important race of his life, Silverton High’s top jock and resident bully steps in to trip him up. Can his best friend and his mentor help Mike outrun his troubled past and present? Or will a bright future outrace Mike once and for all?

Bruce Blizard is a former teacher and coach. He lives in southeastern Washington State on 25 dusty acres in the narrow valley between the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain with Tina, his wife of 37 years, and various dogs, cats, and horses.For 21 years he taught Advanced Placement courses in both literature and history in the Richland, Washington School District. He has also coached track and field and cross country in Richland and Benton City, Washington.Bruce has won numerous awards for both teaching and coaching, including the prestigious Crystal Apple, awarded to outstanding and innovative teachers in Washington State.Bruce's First Book is God's Instant. His second, Dark Canyons, was published in February.