Running Stories

CAN I RUN? ME?

Yes, yes, and yes! You can. This book is filled with stories of people struggling with self-doubt who put one foot forward and have never looked back. Your age, shape and speed don't matter. Just take the first step and the rest will follow.

In these 88 short stories, people of widely differing backgrounds describe why, where, and how they run. From the beginner to the elite athlete, from the parent at home to the refugee, each story is uniquely personal. But they all share one thing in common - the enormously positive effect running has on their lives. Every story is accompanied by a photograph of the writer.

These stories will inspire you, make you laugh and make you cry.

Roger Sawtell proved it is never too late to start. "I am 93 and for 92 of those years I did not show any interest in running."

Jerry Carey rebuilt her life through running. "I was isolated, gaslighted, manipulated, psychologically conditioned and controlled 24/7. I wasn't allowed access to my phone, friends, or family."

Jacquie Millet and Camilla Langlands have broken extra-ordinary records.

"We have earned a Guinness World Record for the most marathons run together by a parent and child."

The stories are organised into six broad themes:

* IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD - Stories of wellbeing and joy.

* RUNNING JOURNEYS - Personal running histories, from getting going to achieving a goal.

* RACING TALES - From parkrun to ultra-marathon, these are all about races.

* RUNNING GOT ME THROUGH - Extra-ordinary, powerful accounts of overcoming adversity.

* THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT- Winning medals or achieving records motivate this group.

* IT'S ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE TOO - Making new friends, finding love, raising funds for charity, guiding a blind runner, coaching and more all show that running is far from a solitary experience.

The section 'Questions new runners ask' answers 10 things new runners - or those thinking about running - often wonder about. It covers:

CAN I RUN? ME?

DOES IT MATTER WHAT I WEAR?

DO I NEED TO STRETCH AND WARM UP BEFORE I RUN?

HOW FAST, FAR AND OFTEN

SHOULD I RUN?

DO I NEED TO EAT OR DRINK?

WILL I LOSE WEIGHT?

HOW CAN I FIND OTHER PEOPLE TO RUN WITH?

AM I TOO OLD TO RUN?

WILL I FEEL PAIN?

SHOULD I SET A GOAL?

The authors are delighted to donate 100% of their revenue from sales of this book to The Running Charity who use running to improve the lives of homeless young people in the UK. This small but essential organisation saves and transforms lives - you can read about some of them in the book.