An Accidental Athlete: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Middle Age

( 19 )

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 ...

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An Accidental Athlete: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Middle Age

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More About This Book

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 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.

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781934030738
  • Publisher: VeloPress
  • Publication date: 8/1/2011
  • Pages: 216
  • Sales rank: 280,820
  • Product dimensions: 4.90 (w) x 7.90 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Since his column, The Penguin Chronicles, started in Runner's World magazine in 1996, John “The Penguin” Bingham has become one of the running community's most popular and recognized personalities. Now, as a featured columnist for Competitor Magazine, national spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and principal announcer at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon series, his popularity continues to grow. Prior titles include The Courage to Start: A Guide to Running for Your Life; No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running; Marathoning for Mortals: A Regular Person's Guide to the Joy of Running or Walking a Full or Half Marathon; and Running for Mortals: A Commonsense Plan for Changing Your Life With Running.

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Table of Contents

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

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 19 )
Rating Distribution

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Sort by: Showing all of 19 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 27, 2011

    The Penguin Writes Again!

    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.

  • Posted April 7, 2012

    Very inspiring

    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.

    1 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.

  • Posted February 15, 2012

    Loved this book!!

    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.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 6, 2011

    Great Motivator!

    Gave me the courage to get out there & run even though I no longer have any hope of being 'First'. I am my own winner. Thanks John for your story.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 31, 2012

    Loved the honesty in this book

    John Bingham wrote a great book for beginner runners to connect to and also answer some questions we all ask! Great read!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 8, 2012

    Bravo!

    What a fun read. Enteraning while also being spot-on. Recommended to friends already!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 18, 2012

    AnnaM

    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

    Just finished "Accidental Athlete" by John Bingham

    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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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 5, 2012

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    0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 3, 2012

    Loved it

    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

    Encouraging read

    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 September 11, 2011

    If Your Inner Athlete was a late bloomer....

    You will love this book. The Penguin proves once again there is no reason not to get up off the couch and change your life

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    Posted November 26, 2011

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    Posted April 8, 2012

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