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Tales from Another Mother Runner: Triumphs, Trials, Tips, and Tricks from the Road
"I no longer try to outrun heredity. I run to make my own history." --- Nicki, another mother runner
Every mother runner has a tale to tell. A story about how she realized, fifteen years after being told that she's best being a bookworm, that there is an athlete inside her. Or the one about how she, fifty pounds overweight and depressed, finally found the courage---and time---to lace up her running shoes. Or maybe it's about setting a seemingly impossible goal---going under two hours in the half-marathon---and then methodically running that goal down and tearing up across the finish line. Or it might be an account of she was new to town, was having a hard time making friends, was asked to join a group run, and now she's got four BRFs (best running friends) who are her allies, her cheerleaders, her reality checks. Maybe it's just a simple story of the beauty of starting the day off with an endorphin rush. Or, sadly, it could be about how, through the guidance of a thoughtful running friend, she found the space and rhythm to process being raped---and regained her strength and sense of self through every footstep.
In Tales From Another Mother Runner , middle-of-the-pack runners Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea share not only their own stories of personal triumph on the pavement but also the inspiring stories of many members of the vibrant mother runner community they've built on their popular site, Anothermotherrunner.com. While the common theme is running, the variations that happen through the miles are as endless as the miles losing weight, gaining confidence, finding yourself, connecting with friends, expecting more, setting goals, dealing with disappointment, figuring out how to train efficiently, clearing your head, reconnecting with your memories, building a better you.
Whether you've run more marathons than you can remember, or you're just getting started, you'll find the inspiration you need to get out there, keep pushing, and run like a mother.
Every mother runner has a tale to tell. A story about how she realized, fifteen years after being told that she's best being a bookworm, that there is an athlete inside her. Or the one about how she, fifty pounds overweight and depressed, finally found the courage---and time---to lace up her running shoes. Or maybe it's about setting a seemingly impossible goal---going under two hours in the half-marathon---and then methodically running that goal down and tearing up across the finish line. Or it might be an account of she was new to town, was having a hard time making friends, was asked to join a group run, and now she's got four BRFs (best running friends) who are her allies, her cheerleaders, her reality checks. Maybe it's just a simple story of the beauty of starting the day off with an endorphin rush. Or, sadly, it could be about how, through the guidance of a thoughtful running friend, she found the space and rhythm to process being raped---and regained her strength and sense of self through every footstep.
In Tales From Another Mother Runner , middle-of-the-pack runners Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea share not only their own stories of personal triumph on the pavement but also the inspiring stories of many members of the vibrant mother runner community they've built on their popular site, Anothermotherrunner.com. While the common theme is running, the variations that happen through the miles are as endless as the miles losing weight, gaining confidence, finding yourself, connecting with friends, expecting more, setting goals, dealing with disappointment, figuring out how to train efficiently, clearing your head, reconnecting with your memories, building a better you.
Whether you've run more marathons than you can remember, or you're just getting started, you'll find the inspiration you need to get out there, keep pushing, and run like a mother.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
9 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 7, 2015
I liked this book but not as much as the first two (Run Like a Mother and Train like a Mother). For me, reading these essays was kind of like going on a group run with a big group of women and listening to them tell stories about themselves and their running experiences. Some stories hit home with me, some were boring, some were repetitive and some made me chuckle. This book definitely made me feel part of the bigger tribe but I didn't learn anything new from it like I did from the first two books.
May 11, 2015
Loved it! Loved the stories from so many women. Made me laugh, cry, cheer. A great read for any runner, or anyone who may be trying to understand a runner!
December 30, 2020
This started off so strong for me!! One of the authors had a postpartum mood disorder and used running to pull herself back to life and I wanted to settle in and hear her story. However this book is a compilation of MANY random women and their relationships with running. It was interesting but I feel like I wanted to know the women. The one page blurb on their running story wasn’t enough for me because the connection was lost. I know this is book 3 in a series so maybe one of the earlier ones would be better for me.
June 11, 2015
I'm embarrassed to say that I started this book in March. Yes, a couple months ago, maybe even three months to the day that I finished it. The finishing was not for content in the book. It is all on me. I tucked it away in my computer bag to take it on a trip with me and never removed it. UGH!
As with the other two books that were written by, as opposed to edited by, Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell, I will not ever get rid of this book. I will loan it to friends but it MUST always come back.
Rather than rely solely on their own tales from running, Shea and McDowell have edited 20 other mother runners and added one essay from each of them. The essays have only two prevailing items - running and motherhood. Some talk of running for the first time. Some talk of running many marathons. Some talk of running on the road. Some talk of running trails. Some are funny. Some are poignant. Some, more than one, made me cry.
I highly recommend this book for all! The lessons that come from these essays - while at first glance are about motherhood and running - are lessons we can all use for life.
As with the other two books that were written by, as opposed to edited by, Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell, I will not ever get rid of this book. I will loan it to friends but it MUST always come back.
Rather than rely solely on their own tales from running, Shea and McDowell have edited 20 other mother runners and added one essay from each of them. The essays have only two prevailing items - running and motherhood. Some talk of running for the first time. Some talk of running many marathons. Some talk of running on the road. Some talk of running trails. Some are funny. Some are poignant. Some, more than one, made me cry.
I highly recommend this book for all! The lessons that come from these essays - while at first glance are about motherhood and running - are lessons we can all use for life.
March 11, 2015
So..I very rarely write reviews, I'm a reader not a writer. I have been running for about 7 years, this collection of essays has something for everyone, from someone that has never registered for a race to the elites, young, old, slow (older and slower, that's me) we can all find inspiration from each other, no matter when (or if) we cross the finish line. The stories are funny, inspirational, touching, beautifully written and anyone that has ever laced up a pair of running shoes can relate. I am a mother, but now that my kids are older I don't always remember to identify myself as such, but as a woman I think most women runners, married, single, mother or not can identify with these essays. Lovely.
April 17, 2015
I love everything that Dimity McDowelland Sarah Bowen Shea write--definitely part of their Mother Runner tribe. I loved their first two books for thetraining tips etc., but this one...man. A few of the mother runners' stories hit some really raw nerves for me, especially Dimity's essay and the essay by a woman who had to stop running/racing because of the same kind of injury I've been battling for a few years. I am so grateful for the community they've built for mother runners.
February 1, 2016
Stayed up just a little past midnight to finish this last night. I have all 3 Another Mother Runner books, and I love each one for different reasons. This one is a collection of short stories from mother runners of all backgrounds with little call outs to answer fun questions at the end of each chapter.
This is great to have a reference when you are struggling for one reason or another. I love how the book is laid out with the various chapters such as, Support, Persistence, and Perspective. If you are looking for inspiration, these lovely ladies can provide it in short snippets to get you on your way.
This is great to have a reference when you are struggling for one reason or another. I love how the book is laid out with the various chapters such as, Support, Persistence, and Perspective. If you are looking for inspiration, these lovely ladies can provide it in short snippets to get you on your way.
February 18, 2015
I was sent this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I was interested in the title because I've just started running and I'm a mum as well so always looking for inspiring stories. I haven't checked out the FB group as I'm part of a UK based running group for mums, so I can't comment on that specifically but I found the stories in this book reflect the experiences of my group and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to them. I'm sure they will be suitably amused, interested, engaged, and reflective as I have been.
I was interested in the title because I've just started running and I'm a mum as well so always looking for inspiring stories. I haven't checked out the FB group as I'm part of a UK based running group for mums, so I can't comment on that specifically but I found the stories in this book reflect the experiences of my group and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to them. I'm sure they will be suitably amused, interested, engaged, and reflective as I have been.
August 15, 2015
I'm gearing up to run my first full marathon this year, so it was very refreshing to read this book. It was definitely motivating and helped inspire me to give 100%. I could relate to so many of these stories and it helped me see that I really was a BAMR. The stories were honest and it was awesome to be able to find similarities with these awesome runners balancing their lives.
I received this book from NetGalley without cost in exchange for my honest review and unbiased opinion.
I received this book from NetGalley without cost in exchange for my honest review and unbiased opinion.
November 2, 2015
Eh. A few funny stories, but nothing to keep my reading. I read a few pages and returned it to the library.
My scale:
1 star: Strongly dislike. Likely did not finish the book and would not recommend.
2 stars: Blah, boring, or mostly disliked. I would likely not recommend.
3 stars: Solid book choice. I enjoyed reading and would likely recommend.
4 stars: Great book. Would recommend.
5 stars: Life changing. Would highly recommend.
My scale:
1 star: Strongly dislike. Likely did not finish the book and would not recommend.
2 stars: Blah, boring, or mostly disliked. I would likely not recommend.
3 stars: Solid book choice. I enjoyed reading and would likely recommend.
4 stars: Great book. Would recommend.
5 stars: Life changing. Would highly recommend.
June 8, 2018
This book was fantastic. I enjoyed reading about how all the different women talk about their running style. It is inspiring as well. One lady develops MS and still is determined to run! As a runner myself it was interesting what motivates some people to push themselves to run. Some need to run with their friends, others solo. I prefer solo because it's my time, with my thoughts. Good book overall. :)
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January 4, 2016What I learned: 1. we all have different reasons why we started to run. 2. we all have different reasons why we keep running. 3. we are a community and need to support each other and we are stronger than we think we are.
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July 1, 2015For some running inspiration, try this collection of essays edited by the creators of the website/community Run Like a Mother. The community’s goal is to motivate women to run for health and wellness, and the stories in this book reflect that through personal experiences
March 31, 2016
As a veteran runner (20+ years and counting), I loved this book! While I enjoyed the previous Mother Runner books, I liked this one best. I found it to be entertaining and emotional in all the right places. Well done, BAMRs.
August 24, 2016
I read this book periodically between other books I was ready. Kind of using it as a mental prep for the upcoming marathon.
I inhale reading material on running as I love the community feeling of it all. This book was fine. I had moments or both tears and laughter.,
I inhale reading material on running as I love the community feeling of it all. This book was fine. I had moments or both tears and laughter.,
May 23, 2017
Took me a while to get going on this book but that might have been from the sleep deprivation of having a newborn in my arms. Once I picked it back up I really enjoyed the stories and tips with a side of humor. If you need some motivation to get back running, this book might light a spark.
May 1, 2015
Love the motivation and connection that I took away from this book! A nice one that I could pick up and put down as time allows for another tale or two :)
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March 22, 2015Must read for any female runner. good mix of advise, stories, experiences TMI
May 6, 2015
Essays from women who run. Each story is a different narrative. You don't have to read them all in order or in a timely fashion. I enjoyed it.
June 8, 2015
I loved reading this - perfect bite sized stories to read before bed, absolutely motivated me to sign up for my next half marathon. Inspirational!
June 9, 2015
Great essays by women who run. The only thing they have in common is they are mothers. Witty, thoughtful easy to read with a few Kleenex moments v
June 21, 2015
It was like listening to good friends on a run. Such a cool idea to have this collection of stories from mother runners from all walks of life. I really enjoyed each and every one of them!
February 22, 2016
Great book to drop in and out of when you have time. I love hearing about what running means to other women out there.
December 27, 2015
Great book for runners! Not the type of book you sit down and read all at once.
August 1, 2016
Most of these women could be my best friend. I could relate to many of their stories which were quite comical. It's nice to know I am not alone.
February 2, 2018
Fun, but wish there was a bit more diversity from the contributors.
February 27, 2018
Touching, funny & relatable. A great read for any woman who run, especially moms.
July 12, 2018
Every so often (usually about once a year) I need a little bit of inspiration from a running book. While I am not a mother, I really enjoyed this collection of essays and anecdotes about the joys and challenges of running in the midst of a busy life and family demands. There are days where it is difficult for me to find time to run *without* kids, so I really admire the determination of mothers who somehow find the time not only to run, but to train for ultra-marathons (somehow I still think time-travel must be involved). Runners with and without kids will find a lot to relate to in these pages, whether it is struggling with work schedules, medical issues, motivation, or deaths in the family.
May 18, 2019
Loved this. The essays were inspiring and relatable -- even though I'm not a mother. Women runners have a lot in common, and this made me more appreciative of how good I have it as a runner. I plan to read the other books if I can get my hands on them!
November 15, 2020
Phenomenal and truly motivating!!!! Thank you for this gem of a book. I laughed and almost cried through most of it. Then I laced up and ran regularly for the first time in years, since my last half marathon when my daughter was 3 mos old.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews