The Courage To Start: A Guide To Running for Your Life

by John "The Penguin" Bingham

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."Take your first step toward fitness and a happier, healthier life.Has the idea of running crossed your mind, but you haven't acted on it because you don't think you have the body of a runner? Have you thought about running but quit before you started because you knew that you would be breathless at the end of your driveway? Well, put aside those fears because you can do it. John Bingham, author of the popular Runner's World column "The Penguin Chronicles," transformed himself from an overweight couch potato who smoked into a runner who has completed eleven marathons and hundreds of road races.Forget about the image of a perfect body in skintight clothes, and don't worry about how fast or how far you go. Bingham shows how anyone can embrace running as a life-enhancing activity -- rather than as a competition you will never win. In an entertaining blend of his own success story and practical advice, Bingham provides reasonable guidelines for establishing a program of achievable goals; offers tips on clothing, running shoes, and other equipment; and explains how anyone can prepare for and run distances ranging from a few miles to marathons.After all, in running and in life, the difference between success and failure sometimes comes down to a single step. Waddle on, friends.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2013

Reviews

[Hannah Vanderpool · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were a few nuggets worth remembering in this book about the getting started running, overall it was poorly written, rambling, and circular. What might have taken one or two sentences to articulate, the author describes in paragraphs of similar sentences. Save yourself the time and just choose to start running. It's worth it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for beginners

I really liked the tone but towards the end it got a little repetitive. I did laugh and cry in certain spots. overall a good read.

[Kayla Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of encouragment for new runners who may question their ability to become a runner. The beginning was informative when it recommends buying the right equipment, but then the rest of the book is VERY REPETITIVE. I struggled to finish this book, much like I struggle to run. I guess that's why I wasn't willing to give up reading it. Lol He does reference Muncie, Indiana in the book, which is my hometown, so that was an interesting few pages. I just feel his point could have been made in about 50 pages.

[Amanda Donnelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, easy read.

[Glenna Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to read! Honest and Encouraging
LOVED IT!