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Why Running Matters

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Why Running Matters

By: Ian Mortimer
Narrated by: Ian Mortimer
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About this listen

A memoir about the meaning of running from renowned historian and author of The Time Traveller's Guides.

You might run for fitness. You might run for speed. But ultimately, running is about much more than the physical act itself. It is about the challenges we face in life and how we measure up to them. It is about companionship, endurance, ambition, hope, conviction, determination, self-respect and inspiration. In this yearlong memoir, which might be described as a historian’s take on Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, the celebrated historian Ian Mortimer considers the meaning of running as he approaches his 50th birthday. From injuries and frustrated ambitions to exhilaration and empathy, it is a personal and yet universal account of what running means to people and how it helps everyone focus on what really matters.

©2019 Ian Mortimer (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Running & Jogging Sports Inspiring Physical Exercise

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All stars
Most relevant  
What a book. I am a self confessed running bore, and my long suffering wife and most of my friends can’t understand why. This book describes how I feel, the reason why and the meaning. The euphoria I felt when I ran the Brighton Marathon to the disappointment to not getting a time I wanted, even when it was a “good time”. I can’t recommend highly enough especially if you want to understand why we run and why Park Run matters. Totally excellent, I will recommend to anyone and everyone I meet!

This is exactly how I feel about running!

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This is a really good listen for anyone that’s into running, especially parkrunners. I loved hearing about Ian’s relationship with his children and the bond they share going to Parkrun every week. I hope one day my child and I have a similar relationship.

Heartfelt Running Book

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I thought i was getting a book about the benefits of running and be inspired. What i got was endless descriptions of going to a parkrun every week. Now I like parkrun, but listening to the author talk about overtaking people and what place he finished and how fast over and over again got old very quickly! There were also some dubious references to woman in tight running leggings which made me a bit uncomfortable to be honest. Overall a big disappointment and not something i can recommend.

Not what I I expected

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I'm a parkrunner whose aim is to run the 5k in sub-20, so the way that Ian talks about running and life experiences throughout the course of 2017 really resonated with me.

I've read some of the negative reviews and it's quite clear that some people are very easily offended!

This book might not be for everybody, but for those who it does appeal to they will really.enjoy it.

Park Runners will really appreciate this book

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This book was a little like a year in the life of told through runs. I found it captivating and loved the homage paid to parkrun and the impact it has made to so many lives. Throughout the book Ian describes his different types of runs and what they mean to him while weaving in the rest of life making the running an essential aspect of his life, this was so impactful. He describes with great feeling the pride he has in his family, there are clear bonds through so many shared interests as well as values. I also loved his discussion about feeling competitive and the positive aspects of it. The book is also particularly enjoyable as it narrated by the author.

A must for all runners

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the author is an inspiration, not only for running but being a parent, I could relate to nearly all of this book also funny as well.

loved it

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This was a great listen. I have listened and read a number of books about running that all have another agenda, overcoming great adversity, promoting veganism etc.however I liked that this book focused on running and what it can mean for everyday normal people. The link to family life was a nice touch and the flow of the story following the author throughout a year.

Great listen

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Engaging story about the benefits of park run and running. Like how it links running to improvements in other aspects of life.

An interesting view of the benefits of running

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Enjoyed listening to Ian and his Park Run stories. Very easy listening and would recommend!

Enjoyable

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I enjoyed this more than I expected mainly because I know quite a few of the parkrun courses that the author talks about - except my times are about twice as long as his.

It's a little bit out of date as there are now several more parkruns in the area, most notably Haldon Forest and Teignmouth which obviously did not exist at the time. And Exeter has a new course (though I know the old one Ian did), but I know Parke and Killerton. But Ian is too damn good to be able to truly share his enthusiasm. He does sub-7 minute miles at the age of 50 - at no point in my life could I do that!!

Essentially this is a year of Ian's life when he hits 50, and has a bit of a crisis about his own mortality, told through the medium of running. Each chapter is almost a separate essay on life and family and realising that there are now fewer years ahead than have gone by.

But as for the running... don't expect any advice worth anything as the man is stupidly good.

It is very well read by the author - he is a good narrator - and in a way this saves it as he does inject a bit of emotion where needed.

A year with a mid-life crisis

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