'An involvement in running marathons is unhealthy; physically, mentally, socially and too many other alleys to go into." Set mainly in and around Merseyside between 1982 and 1992, this is the story of one man's journey from disillusioned footballer to deluded runner. In turbulent and often tragic times locally, nationally and globally, this book takes a serious look at contemporary events while simultaneously providing a light-hearted view of an obsession with putting one foot in front of the other, as quickly as possible, without falling over. The Beatles , Nelson Mandela, Michael Jackson, Maggie Thatcher, to name but a few, join us on a whistle-stop magical cultural tour of the 80s, sometimes reaching speeds of ten miles an hour. In many ways this is also a love story; a love of people, places and plodding along on the Blackstuff.