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A funny thing happened on my way to middle age. I became an athlete. And not just any athlete, but a runner—all without taking a running step until I was 43 years old.
Known by fans as "The Penguin" for his back-of-the-pack speed, John Bingham is the unlikely hero of the modern running boom. In this warm, witty memoir, the best-selling author and columnist recalls his childhood dreams of athletic glory, sedentary years of unhealthy excess, and a life-changing transformation from couch potato to "adult-onset athlete."
Overweight, uninspired, and saddled with a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoking habit, Bingham found himself firmly wedged into a middle-age slump. Then two scary trips to the emergency room and a conversation with a happy piano tuner led him to discover running—and changed his life forever.
In turns inspiring, poignant, hilarious, and heartbreaking, An Accidental Athlete is the story of the unexpected joys of running—the pride of the finisher’s medal, a bureau-busting t-shirt collection, intense back-of-the-pack strategizing. And one man’s discovery that middle age was not the finish line after all, but only the beginning.
Introduction
Section One – The Kid Picked Last Chapter 1 – Sandbox Nonnie Chapter 2 – Death by Dodgeball Chapter 3 – Bowled Over Chapter 4 – Smoke and PT
Section Two – The Adult Onset Athlete Chapter 5 – Release from Sedentary Confinement Chapter 6 – Hitting the Road Chapter 7 – Off to the Races Chapter 8 – Black Toenails and Chafing
Section Three – The Glory Years Chapter 9 – Collecting T-shirts Chapter 10 – Medals and Mettle Chapter 11 – The Need for Speed Chapter 12 – Looking for Adventure
Section Four – The Back Nine Chapter 13 – The Last Best Day Chapter 14 – The Comeback Kid Chapter 15 – When Less is More Chapter 16 - One Day at a Time
Epilogue – Running Into Myself
Anonymous
Posted December 27, 2011
I love reading (and also listening to) John Bingham's writing. He's funny and he's honest. And his words ring so true!! A great read for all "adult-onset athletes"!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tori7870
Posted April 7, 2012
Very inspiring book. Easy to read and fun to follow. At some points of the book I was laughing so hard I cried! Worth the read-great for those needing a lil reassurance with their beginning running.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PogoOR
Posted February 15, 2012
This book was laugh out loud funny for me. I found myself on my treadmill laughing and identifying with many stories. Once of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. It will be a book that I will read again just to make sure I didn't miss anything and to have another good laugh. They say laughter is good for the soul and so is "An Accidental Athlete." So happy I made the purchase.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2012
Funny, read the this book with a smile!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 16, 2012
Nice little quick book. There is a good bit of inspiration and wisdom within. However, it is not the most gripping running related book i have ever read. It is great if you are coming back from a set back and could use a little inspiration from an average joe who has run over 40 marathons.
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Posted January 5, 2012
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
As a 12 minute per mile runner who didn't start running until I was 46 I could relate. I have a penguin sticker on my car that says "I'm slow I know. Get over it"
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Posted October 22, 2011
This is a great read for anyone who has the desire to become a runner in mid-life. Very real and relatable!
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Posted April 8, 2012
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Posted December 4, 2011
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Posted November 26, 2011
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Overview
A funny thing happened on my way to middle age. I became an athlete. And not just any athlete, but a runner—all without taking a running step until I was 43 years old.
Known by fans as "The Penguin" for his back-of-the-pack speed, John Bingham is the unlikely hero of the modern running boom. In this warm, witty memoir, the best-selling author and columnist recalls his childhood dreams of athletic glory, sedentary years of unhealthy excess, and a life-changing transformation from couch potato to "adult-onset athlete."
Overweight, uninspired, and saddled with a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoking habit, Bingham found himself ...