Fans of running know that Henry Rono was a generational talent. In the 1978 season, he set records in four events. Surprisingly, Rono doesn’t see the significance of these records. In his memoir, there is only one chapter about setting these records. He says his greatest achievement was learning English. He says, “‘Running to me was second nature, education was my weakness’.”

After his running success, he went through a rough patch. According to the New York Times, “Despite a college degree and a contract with Nike, he receded into a cocoon of personal struggles. Disheartened by friction with athletics officials back home, he began drinking with increasing regularity….. He lost track of bank accounts, had cash stolen on airplanes, and was lured into bad investments by con artists. Soon, he was drifting across the United States, in and out of friends’ guest rooms and alcohol-addiction rehab.” But during this time, he also trained athletes in New Mexico and continued his education, leading to his memoir.

He finally returned to his home country of Kenya for the first time in decades. He wishes to return to coaching. He is content with his life and the journey that running gave him.