Why Running Matters: Lessons in Life, Pain and Exhilaration – From 5K to the Marathon

Brilliant book and very inspirational. I am also a fan of parkrun which is mentioned throughout the book. Made me want to run a marathon. Read very quickly so that speaks volumes.

The author is an unusual guy and this makes for an unusual book. With its musings on parenting, ageing, history and other mundane subjects this could easily have been a crap book. But it’s actually great - thoughtful, provocative, intimate in parts. The author’s reflections on growing older are surprisingly compelling. I found many stayed me with between chapters and got me thinking. It’s a lovely read and I highly recommend it.

Apparently this is excellent, it was a gift so not something I have used, but great he says as he has just taken up running as a hobby... jog jog jog !

Awful. I am appalled that a grown man and previously published author feels it is appropriate to write about fellow female runners in such terms. In his obsession with finishing in the top 20%, and bemoaning his younger son’s “slow” target time of 25 minutes the author misses the point of parkrun entirely. The author would do well to volunteer a bit more at parkrun, and run with his children rather than against them.

Brilliant book for the average runner.lethal life observations