Audiobook6 hours
Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run
Written by Alexandra Heminsley
Narrated by Elizabeth Sastre
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
"The inspiring, hilarious memoir of a “Bridget Jones-like writer” (The Washington Post) who transforms her life by learning to run, with stories of miserable defeat, complete victory, and learning to choose the right shoes.
When Alexandra Heminsley decided to take up running, she had hopes for a blissful runner’s high and immediate physical transformation. After eating three slices of toast with honey and spending ninety minutes creating the perfect playlist, she hit the streets—and failed spectacularly. The stories of her first runs turn on its head the common notion that we are all “born to run”—and exposes the truth about starting to run: it can be brutal.
Running Like a Girl tells the story of getting beyond the brutal part, how Alexandra makes running a part of her life, and reaps the rewards: not just the obvious things, like weight loss, health, and glowing skin; but self-confidence and immeasurable daily pleasure, along with a new closeness to her father—a marathon runner—and her brother, with whom she ultimately runs her first marathon.
But before her first marathon, she has to figure out the logistics of running: the intimidating questions from a young and arrogant sales assistant when she goes to buy her first running shoes, where to get decent bras for the larger bust, how not to freeze or get sunstroke, and what (and when) to eat before a run. She’s figured out what’s important (pockets) and what isn’t (appearance), and more.
For any woman who has ever run, wanted to run, tried to run, or failed to run (even if just around the block), Heminsley’s funny, warm, and motivational personal journey from nonathlete extraordinaire to someone who has completed five marathons is inspiring, entertaining, practical, and fun."
When Alexandra Heminsley decided to take up running, she had hopes for a blissful runner’s high and immediate physical transformation. After eating three slices of toast with honey and spending ninety minutes creating the perfect playlist, she hit the streets—and failed spectacularly. The stories of her first runs turn on its head the common notion that we are all “born to run”—and exposes the truth about starting to run: it can be brutal.
Running Like a Girl tells the story of getting beyond the brutal part, how Alexandra makes running a part of her life, and reaps the rewards: not just the obvious things, like weight loss, health, and glowing skin; but self-confidence and immeasurable daily pleasure, along with a new closeness to her father—a marathon runner—and her brother, with whom she ultimately runs her first marathon.
But before her first marathon, she has to figure out the logistics of running: the intimidating questions from a young and arrogant sales assistant when she goes to buy her first running shoes, where to get decent bras for the larger bust, how not to freeze or get sunstroke, and what (and when) to eat before a run. She’s figured out what’s important (pockets) and what isn’t (appearance), and more.
For any woman who has ever run, wanted to run, tried to run, or failed to run (even if just around the block), Heminsley’s funny, warm, and motivational personal journey from nonathlete extraordinaire to someone who has completed five marathons is inspiring, entertaining, practical, and fun."
Author
Alexandra Heminsley
Alexandra Heminsley is a journalist, broadcaster, and ghostwriter. She is the books editor for Elle UK and a contributor to the BBC. She lives in Brighton, UK.
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Reviews for Running Like a Girl
Rating: 3.7894736315789475 out of 5 stars
4/5
76 ratings7 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5If you're *not* a runner and could use a memoir to help the idea marinate in your mind, this is a great book. Heminsley goes through the highs and the lows, making it the idea seem possible. I really wanted to get out and move: I got some clothes, new sneakers, made the pump-me-up playlist, I felt ready! Then I got a flu that left me barely able to stand, then the snow fell and my sneakers wouldn't help me. Due to the book realistically discussing the process, I still want to go out. How often can you say that things happen and you still want to proceed?
While there were some great tips on running, the organization is terrible and the tips are not all encompassing. If you want to whet your appetite, this is a great memoir of an average female runner. If you need and instruction manual and reference, this is is not it; I went running to the bookstore to get a running guide. That said, I am still happy that I bought this book; jury is just out on whether it is a read-and-pass-on versus a keeper.
EDIT: I ended up keeping it, if you are interested. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I enjoyed this immensely. Funny, honest, and super relatable.
EXCEPT who in their right mind just up and runs a 5k right off the bat?! I'm doing a couch-to-5k program right now and I'm proud of myself for running 5 MINUTES at a time!
...Anyway. I may never be a marathon runner, but this book did actually make me feel like I could do it if I wanted to. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I'm not a self-help book person, I don't like being told what to do. I also don't really like watching other people be better than me at stuff/ do things I can't. Yet I love the way this author writes (and reads, in the audiobook) about herself. It's funny, wry and inspiring, like an autobiography but with tips about running. It's the mix that makes it readable for me. I can't run, but I walk, and this was something to listen to while walking, to inspire me to walk more.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A very enjoyable read for a relative running novice like me, but I did want to sigh a little when I reached the end of Chapter One. Running 5k in 35 minutes, when this is pretty much your first ever stepping foot outside the house to run, is a pretty damn impressive time. Anything under 40 minutes is a good start. Readers: don't let Alexandra's relative youth and speed put you off!A witty light read of her running story constitutes part one; part two is more a history of women running marathons and running tips.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I don't think I will ever want to be a runner but I like that Alexandra thinks I could! This book is not filled with the mechanics of running but does give a glimpse into the head of a new runner.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5This book got so much press in the running community about how inspiring it was that I bought it, ready to love it. However, it is self-indulgent and whiny. I don't find self-centered and lazy people inspiring and couldn't stand listening to the justifications for the author's petty whining.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Made me miss my tracks and gave me an itch to run again. As I picked it up hoping it would obliterate my fitness motivation crisis, it delivered with honours.