Looks Like We're Running: An Amateur's Companion to Becoming a Marathoner

by Dustin Riedesel

"Was running a marathon with my wife a smart idea? Certainly not. We had two kids under the age of three and demanding jobs in tech. However, being smart was not my main concern. In our 4-year marriage, she'd been a rock. She nursed me through leukemia. She picked me up from rehab and drove me to AA. Now, she wanted to run the Disney Marathon. So be it. I signed up like two sports bras, extra supportive!" 

Looks Like We're Running is a humorous story about failing badly and getting better. Can running save a person's life? Can it improve a marriage? Overcome an addiction? Each year, nearly 16 million Americans attempt a marathon. Nearly every one of them is just a regular person fighting to discover a better version of themself. Looks Like We're Running is for that person. It was written by that person. This book contains guidance on training, gear, nutrition and recovery, but most importantly, it is a testimony of the marathon's number one How to keep going.

Dustin Riedesel first attempted running three months after completing chemotherapy for leukemia. He started running seriously eight months later while in a rehab facility for alcohol abuse. Since running began, he lost weight, improved his marriage and friendships, earned freedom from addiction, had two children, bought a new home, received a promotion at work, and finally, wrote this book to serve as a companion for anyone seeking similar outcomes in their life.

Can moving your body for extended periods of time really give you all that? There's one sure-fire way to find out. Put on some shoes. Get out the door. Looks like you're running.

Genres: Nonfiction

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

Dustin Riedesel is a recovered leukemia survivor and recovered addict. Since both recoveries, Dustin has spoken at dozens of companies and formed an annual 24-hour rowing event called Row24 that raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He is a husband and a father, in leadership at Cisco Systems, and has completed three marathons (Chicago, Disney & San Antonio). Dustin's most recent book uses humor and personal narrative to deliver tactics on running a marathon. The story shows how anyone can endure hardship, shed bad habits and become the first version of their best self. Dustin graduated from Asbury College where he played NAIA basketball. He is a former Kansas 5A State Champion football player (Go BVHS Tigers!), and he currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Annabeth B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very vulnerable and open, and I greatly appreciate the author’s willingness to share his own experience with running, which he refused to sanitize or beautify in the way that many influencers do. He told his own story with running with all the messy imperfections that make it even more beautiful and meaningful. The overall message was inspiring and approachable. would recommend:)

[Melissa Katz-McVicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing, good advice, light listen while I run.

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a running plan, this isn’t it. As Dustin says, you can find those for free online. But if you’re looking for an honest, relatable, and often laugh-out-loud funny journey of life, challenges, and yes, running — pick this book up!

As someone who’s also run several races but still struggles to call myself a runner on my best days, Dustin’s truthful account of his marathon journey and daily struggles both on the road and off was refreshing and so enjoyable to read. His self-deprecating brand of writing and humor is unique and fun, somehow combining elementary school poop jokes with honest, heart-wrenching emotions and struggles of real life.

Yes, this is a book about running — but it’s also about life, learning, success, failure, and getting back up and trying again. You’ll laugh, you might cry (maybe from laughing), and by the end of this book, you’ll feel like you’ve made a new running friend who’s right there with you on your marathon journey.

[Chris Bubeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

"1% of people in the world have run a marathon." That stat is what got me interested in training for a marathon. I bought this book because I thought it would shortcut my learning curve and I needed something tailored for an absolute beginner. The book is certainly those things (and bonus points for being quite entertaining along the way). But the real treat of this book is the glimpse it will give you into how becoming a runner will change your life (in a lot of ways you wouldn't anticipate). To stick with something you need to believe that the juice is worth the squeeze. This book tells you what the juice tastes like. Since reading the book I've completed my first marathon, and running is now part of my life. My life is better because of it. And I might not have stuck with the training had I not been able to "taste the juice" ahead of time with this book.

[Sean Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riedesel has a way of making you feel like you’re right there with him. Not only does this book give great knowledge and advice on training for a marathon it takes you through his personal life of highs and lows and how his Journey of running has changed his life for the better. It picks apart the mind with an array of emotions and warms the heart. A fun ready for any runner!

[Bailey Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is quite vulnerable here, but for some reason it didn’t resonate enough with me to be 4 stars or 5.

Dirty jokes riddled around the book became a bit too much, but this was a pretty good book to finish right before a race.

[Justin Mccloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! Highly recommend for anyone who likes to run or wants to like to run.

[Tucker Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light hearted running book that helped me take running a little less seriously

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of those books where I feel like an asshole giving it a lower rating because the author is really spilling their heart out (from health to addiction) but ooh did not do it for me...

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, encouraging audiobook

[Ran Cao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughed out loud a few times but no less sage words that are relatable and inspiring. Thanks Dustin!

[Amy Altenbaumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an aspiring runner, someone who already enjoys running, or maybe someone who is hesitant to call themselves a runner because you feel a little bit like an imposter, this is the book for you.
The author brings you along for the ride as he trains for the Disney marathon. You learn how to train, what to eat, how to hydrate, what to wear, etc. But the true joy of the experience of reading this book is the hilarious, witty, vulnerable and honest reflections on how running has impacted his own life. I truly felt like I got to know him in many ways. He faces the same responsibilities I have and do as a runner (things that sometimes make training for a marathon seem not ideal)—being a parent to young children, working at what I hope to be a good marriage, having a full schedule, bad habits, addictions. And what running has done for him, it has done for me—taught me that I’m a lot stronger and tougher than I ever knew and forced me to face, head on, myself and my shortcoming at times. As I read, I felt at many times like he was in my own head; so many of his reflections on running resonated with me. “I am my competition, running against my friend, the old version of me who helped get me here”. Just so good.
I felt like I was part of the story, along for the training sessions and ultimately racing. I found myself rooting for him and saying to myself, “Hey, what if I could do that too?” So I finished the book, sat down to talk the logistics with my husband, and signed up for my own marathon! I was inspired to say the least.

[marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not a typical “how to run a marathon” book. It’s more like sitting next to a friend who’s been through some serious stuff addiction, cancer, being a husband and dad to two toddlers and somehow still decided to train for a marathon. And then actually did it.

The way he lays it all out week by week makes it feel like you’re right there with him, not just for the runs, but for the meltdowns, the rehab memories, the wins that feel small but mean everything. What I loved most is that Dustin never pretends to be some super athlete. He’s real about the struggle. He makes it clear that running didn’t save his life, but it gave him a reason to keep showing up for it.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for something that’s way more than a training guide. This is about rebuilding your life one mile at a time.

[EA Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very American(tm), but also very honest and surprisingly funny. The author rambles a lot which takes away from the stronger points, but it's full of heart. Go get it!