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With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, instruction, and humor, best-selling author—and lifelong runner—Martin Dugard takes a journey through the world of running to illustrate how the sport helps us fulfill that universal desire to be the best possible version of ourselves each and every time we lace up our shoes.
To Be a Runner represents a new way to write about running by bridging the chasm between the two categories of running books: how-to and personal narrative. Spinning colorful yarns of his running and racing adventures on six continents—from competing in the infamous Raid Gauloises to coaching his son’s high school cross-country team—Dugard considers what it means to truly integrate the activity into one’s life. For example, how the simple act of buying a new pair of running shoes can be a source of meaning and hope. As entertaining as it is provocative, To Be a Runner is about far more than running: It is about life, and how we should live it.
"Martin Dugard on running is like reading Anne LaMott on faith, John Grisham on law, or William S. Burroughs on drugs. He is entertaining, enlightening and inspiring. Read this book, but keep your running shoes close by. Because when you put it down, you're gonna want to go find a trail." —Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Martin Dugard has filled every role a runner can—athlete, teammate, coach, adventurer, wanderer—and, as such, writes with a perspective any runner can appreciate. Whether you’re a beginner or an ultra-runner, you’ll see yourself in this book, which is a testament to the important places that running takes you. —Dimity McDowell, co-author, Run Like A Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Family, Job or Sanity
Prologue Reason to Believe xi
First Steps
First Steps 3
Base Miles 9
Excuses, Excuses 17
A Time for Stretching 23
Just Once … 29
Easing into It
Slow Going 39
New Shoes 43
Smooth 49
Keep It Up 55
Wild Things
Fore! 63
The Wild Place 71
Hills 79
Perseverance
Ice Baths 89
Thunder Thighs 95
Run Dates 101
Deep Thoughts 107
Middle Distance
Pamplona (Part I) 115
Pamplona (Part II) 123
House of Pain (Part I) 131
Digging Deep
House of Pain (Part II) 139
Pamplona (Part III) 143
The Good Fight 149
Saipan 155
Bell Lap
Weather or Not 165
Tough Guy 171
A Breather 181
Homestretch
Bruised and Battered 191
Time and Again 197
The Mecca 203
Endorphin Rush
The Price You Pay 213
The Beer Truck 219
Superheroes 225
Epilogue: Time to Race 231
Acknowledgments 237
GreenG
Posted June 9, 2011
If you're a runner, endurance athlete, cross country coach or want to be any of the above, you'll enjoy this book - its more a series of essays than anything else. Good quick read and pretty motivational.
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.BaystaterMT
Posted April 5, 2013
I love the book. So relevant to life today. Very helpful and motivating!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 1, 2012
Motivating and educational as well. Like his conversational writing style. Will go back to this book again for practical advice.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 10, 2011
This book is very entertaining but also a great way to see what running really can add to a life. I was looking for a more motivational book to get me back into running, and although I didn't get that from this book, I did enjoy the full circle moment of M. Dugard on how running has changed his life. Very funny at times, but probably only to those who actually run quite a bit and can relate to those situations! Worth the read!
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Posted January 22, 2013
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Posted August 27, 2011
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Posted May 23, 2012
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Posted December 3, 2012
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Posted June 24, 2011
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Posted December 11, 2011
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Posted June 29, 2011
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Posted December 4, 2011
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Overview
With an exuberant mix of passion, insight, instruction, and humor, best-selling author—and lifelong runner—Martin Dugard takes a journey through the world of running to illustrate how the sport helps us fulfill that universal desire to be the best possible version of ourselves each and every time we lace up our shoes.
To Be a Runner represents a new way to write about running by bridging the chasm between the two categories of running books: how-to and personal narrative. ...