Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run

Before the 'baby years', I used to run to keep fit and for the sheer enjoyment of it. Now, after 4 babies and 12 years off the scene, I have finally got my youngest into school and the trainers are calling me again. If I needed any more motivation, this book is it. Full of anecdotal humour yet packed with useful tips and information, this was an easy and pleasurable read.

Being someone who is on week 2 of the C25K program, I was browsing about for some inspiration and reminders that I will indeed survive this beginning of a running program. I enjoyed hearing of Alex's nervousness and doubt. She's a good writer and I could relate to many of the feelings she talks about in her book. I do wish she had spent a little more time talking about the beginning of her journey. It seemed like she went from "wanting to die" directly to "I just ran my first 9 miler!" I still felt inspired by this book and will be remembering some of the wonderful thoughts as I plod along, trying to remind myself that I CAN do this. Thanks for the inspiration, Alex! Oh! Part 2 of the book has some great information on types of injuries, female-specific questions, and a few other things that, as a beginning runner, I appreciated. (and now I know my legs are not going to literally fall off, they are merely tired and adapting to this new activity.) :)

This book has made me laugh until I could hardly breathe and cry just as hard. I have always been the least athletic person in my family. I was the one with the best grades and the nerd, so I found excuses not to even try physically in PE at school. I told myself it just wasn't my "thing," even though I secretly envied those who were athletic and fit. I started a 5k training program a couple weeks ago, and heard myself saying inwardly, "You can't do this. You aren't physically strong enough." Being a cancer survivor and having a rare lung disease would be easy excuses for me, but they taught me that I am stronger than I thought- and now I want to be a runner. Just for me. I want to prove to myself that I can use my body to move me forward, not just be a victim and suffer its illnesses and pains. This book has given me such courage through the first two weeks of training, and I know I will reread it over and over.

I was captivated enough to read the story part of the book. But I felt like the info part on recommended products and advice on running was a little excessive and unnecessary. Unless of course you were reading this book because you want to become a runner. In which case, I think there are probably far better sources of information than this. I on the other hand was reading it just to read it....The story itself was "eh" at times, but overall a good, quick read.

This is the best book on running I've ever read - and I've read many. It was inspiring. It made my heart swell and it made me cry. It was like having a conversation with a friend - one who really got me. It was honest and open and raw and it was such an accurate reflection of my own journey into running that it made me smile. I've never been inspired enough to write a review but here I am and I can't stop telling all my women friends how important this book is to read. Now I'm going to start it all over again. Thank you Alexandra for sharing yourself so honestly and in doing so reminding me the day before I run my first marathon that what is most important is believing in myself and acknowledging what a profound challenge I WILL conquer.

This story was well written, humorous, and informative. It exceeded my expectations, because I was able to generalize the character's experience, relating it to my personal fitness goals/obstacles. It left me feeling more motivated. And, I often reference the book when I encounter issues. The author's humorous perspective helps me confront internal obstacles that would have otherwise sabotaged my progress.

I really enjoyed this real-life account of someone who goes from being a non-runner to a marathon runner, with hilarious anecdotes about various experiences, and the heartwarming moments where she and her dad bonded over running marathons. My dad is a runner too, and I feel special when he asks if I'd like company on my runs. I absolutely loved this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I don't often read nonfiction except for travel writing, so that's saying something. :) I recently started jogging and I am not size 2 like most runners I see near me. It was funny to hear her thoughts on bras etc as I have the same issues. I thought this book looked fun and it really was. It's inspirational, has a few good tips, and was definitely worth reading. It left me wanting to keep going. So, if you are just curious, or a beginner runner, I'd definitely suggest it. :) It's more about her story than teaching you how to run, in case you did not realize that. Happy reading!

Lo compré para regalarlo así que no lo he leído. Recomendaría no tratarlo como un libro de autoayuda pero sí como una guía para entender y afrontar con la mentalidad adecuada este tipo de ejercicio físico.

I absolutely adored this book. It's split into three sections: the author's story of how she decided to run, and put in the hours to do it; a history of female runners; and sensible advice on getting your kit together. I've been doing a mimsy attempt at running for two years but have never really progressed. This book really helped me to understand why, as well as being a funny, witty and at times incredibly moving story - I am currently training for a 10k and I feel a lot more excited about it now that I'm not worrying about my time, and simply enjoying myself. There is plenty to empathise with here, from relationships with your parents, to getting over the horrible emotional niggles that say you can't do something. I enjoyed the personal section of the book that I spent most of the time walking to work with my nose in it, instead of putting it down when I got off the bus. Thank goodness for peripheral vision. This book has a lot of very sensible, and at times wise comments on the things and people who make us what we are, and whether you run or not, I would recommend it as a highly inspiring and well-written read.

The author went from not running at all to running a marathon. She isn't super speedy but her commitment to running is inspirational. A great read for anyone who is thinking about starting to run for the first time, increasing their mileage, or trying to start a marathon training program. I liked that she wasn't obsessive about pace because I tend to get a bit hung up on goals and paces, and she reminds us that just staying committed to running regularly and finishing a race can be enough of a goal. I have yet to run a marathon, but now I'm thinking about training for longer distances. I've already signed up for a running group, a 5k race in two months and a 10k race next year. I know that I can run these already, but the author has inspired me to use these races as goal milestones to help to keep me running regularly. My current goal is now 4X per week whereas I was previously running 1X per week or less. I also like that she is a more average-sized human (like me!), and reading about training in a body like that was useful. She includes lots of tips about running clothes, sports bras, etc!

I was searching advise in the running blog at The Guardian and stumble across this book. I begun running a year ago, then stopped. I was thinking "perhaps I would try again". Well, now I am deadly sure I will try again: the book is funny, inspiring and full of sensible advice, from trainers to make up (yes, I thought this was peculiar, too...) and she is not telling you "what" to buy, but "how" buy it. This is definitely a book I recommend to every woman who likes to run. It has even the plus of being written by a "normal" girl, not an intimidating Olympic-winner, so you really start thinking that it is possible for you to run a marathon, one day or another.

Highly inspirational!