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Paula: My Story So Far

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Paula Radcliffe has been hailed as one of the finest female distance runners of all time. Her amazing run of record-breaking victories in 2002 and 2003, including smashing the women’s world marathon record in Chicago and then again in London, showed an athlete at the peak of her powers. Such was her dominance that a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens seemed almost a formality. But as the world watched, and a nation held its breath, that historic race ended for her on a dusty curbside instead of the podium. Paula has become a passionate spokesperson against drug cheats and, inspired by her own battle with the condition, is widely admired for her patronage of asthma charities. And even though Athens in 2004 proved to be more Greek tragedy than triumph, her popularity remains undimmed. Her remarkable life story of highs and lows is fully chronicled in this fascinating and inspiring autobiography.

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

17 people are currently reading
336 people want to read

About the author

Paula Radcliffe

8 books5 followers
Paula Jane Radcliffe, MBE is a British long-distance runner.

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5 stars
92 (20%)
4 stars
182 (39%)
3 stars
131 (28%)
2 stars
46 (10%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,363 reviews6,690 followers
June 22, 2017
Paula Radcliffe is an amazing athlete, a great ambassador for the sport, and after reading this book a great person. The problem I have is with her writing style, it did not suit me as a reader. I wanted to give this book 3 1/2 stars, but because of the many positives I took away from her story, her trials and tribulations, I decided to round it up rather than down.

Paula is one those people who found early no what her passion in life is early on. Running. She also had the ability, means, and ambition to follow it. She worked very hard not only to get as good as she did in running but also to give herself options for life after running, or if she could not follow running as career.

The negitive I have about the book as I said is the writing style. Most chapters are about a year in review. She start with the main point of that year, usually the important race of that year or improvements of that year. She takes us almost up to the starting line, but then backtracks to earlier in the year, or fast forwards to the lessons she learned from this race or experience. I kept thinking I must have missed something till I kept reading and reailised this was just the way the book was written. This going back and forward and looping of the chapters I just found infuriating and harder to read.

The positives messages in the book do outweigh the negatives. The book is honest to a fault, in some cases even giving too much information. An example is in some chapters we even know the colour of her stools, and what to do if you need to go in the middle of a race. I completely agree with Paula's stance on bring more attention to the issue of drug cheats, and dopers. Though her moral high ground on playing dirty does not stretch to competing against her brother. One of the messages Paula gets across is the that athletes are not machine they are as prone, or because of the high intensity of their training, even more prone to injuries than the rest of us. For athletes there is an important message about the thin line between ignoring the voices telling you to stop and keep going, and recognising the voices of knowing something is wrong and stopping before doing permanent damage to yourself. Also how you deal things that have gone wrong. How you carry on and learn from these is what is the difference an athlete, an elite athlete and a champion.

She gives her side of the story of Athens 2004. For anyone who has never done a marathon before they are 26.2 miles. The reason for this is a roman soldier ran that distance from his base to Rome to warn them of an attack. He delivered his message then droped dead from exertion. To honour him this the marathon was created. Running the distance is one thing dealing with the after effects is another. This does not even take into account countless miles one needs to run to be fit enough to do this distance. I think this needs to be remembered when reading this particular chapter. Then imagine attempting something like this at a professional pace at much less that 100%.

Great stroy, great person, great athlete, the book is just let down slightly by the writing.
Profile Image for The Book Whisperer (aka Boof).
345 reviews264 followers
August 4, 2008
Having realised that walking up my own house stairs had me almost passing out I decided to take up running (walking was a good start in my case) and within 6 months I completed my first 10K. Passing that finnish line I was the proudest and most elated I have ever been in my life and it was then that I realised what this "buzz" people kept talking about was. I felt amazing!

Not long after this I picked up Paula Radcliffe's autobiography and was hooked. I started reading and became in awe of someone who was so dedicated to her sport and who was so disciplined that while I was out getting lashed at every available opportunity while at Universtity, at the same time in another town Paula was working doggedly towards getting her 1st class degree while still managing to train religiously in the sport she loved. To me - someone who was brand new to running and who finds it very difficult - Paula became an inspiration.

I do, however, agree with some other reviews that the writing wasn't the greatest but then she is an athlete not an author, and I did notice that there were several explanations as to why she thought she hadn't run her best (I hesitate to say excuses as I have found myself saying things like "I didn't have a great run today, my legs felt heavy" etc) and I admit that this sometimes bacame repetitive.

I would still recommend this book highly though, as whether you're new to running like me or a seasoned racer the fact is that Paula Radcliffe is still one of the greatest athletes that this country has ever produced and regardless of her written word talents, this should surely be celebrated. She is an inspiration to many and rightly so. I enjoyed this book very much and it certainly spurred me on so thank you Paula.
Profile Image for Lisa.
7 reviews
June 7, 2012
I liked this as I am a big fan of running. Hearing Paula's story was great. What I didnt like was her husband putting his two pennies worth in. It was almost as if he was justifying everything he did. The only person he needed to do that to was Paula-not the world. We/I want to hear about paula and her determination to be the best. Not the reasons he shunned he after a very tough race. the end.
Profile Image for Anna.
11 reviews
April 13, 2013
I really really admire Paula, and I generally really enjoy sports biographies. Bearing all this in mind, I was very much looking forward to reading this book, and perhaps my expectations were too high. I am sorry to say that I found this book to be one of the most poorly written biographies I have read. The structure was messy and unclear, the pace was choppy and the language was uninspired. I finished it purely because I found the subject matter interesting.
Profile Image for James.
40 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2011
A good read for all Paula fans but otherwise you may find it a bit slow.
It's always interesting to have an insight into the mind of one of the world's great achievers, see what motivates them and their path to the top. I enjoyed reading this for a bit of inspiration to head out on the coldest of nights. As always sports (auto)biographies are a good lesson in what dedication is!
Profile Image for John Johnson.
232 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2018
I was just a few weeks away from running my first road race, at 5K to be held on Labor Day 2004, so I had become very interested in road racing and was watching the Olympics Women's marathon that fateful day that would become probably the worst running day of Paula Radcliffe's life. Before the race I had never heard of Paula Radcliffe, but I tend to root for a come from behind win in any event, and there were no Americans close to the front, so I became her fan that day. It was so disappointing to see her stop so close to the finish, even if she was out of medal contention. I know she had to be crushed to have to stop like that. I know a race like that can either destroy and athlete's career or make her stronger going forward. A couple of months later when she won the New York City Marathon I knew which it would be for her.

The book tells Radcliffe's story from when she was a young girl starting to run, through her entire career up to the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. She goes into great detail in her training and in explaining how the numerous injuries affected her. In parts I thought maybe she was giving a little too much information, telling things I don't think I could ever tell, but I believe she wants the reader to understand how much goes into training and running if you're a world class athlete, and she held nothing back.

Paula Radcliffe is British and the book has a very British personality to it that I, as an American, found very interesting. She used British vernacular throughout, without bothering to explain any of the idiosyncracies, which leads me to believe she expected mainly British fans to buy the book. Maybe I was an exception.

It was an easy and very interesting book. I think any athlete would understand and enjoy this book.
342 reviews4 followers
July 14, 2022
Somewhat disappointing read. There was something about the narrative that didn't ring through. I didn't get a strong sense of why she and her husband decided to go full time into athletics. The only mention of money was 500 quid she got early on for a race after that there was nothing about the money, which was clearly a deciding factor. It seemed odd, the frankness about her medical travails and yet the coyness about the money.
In fairness I've read many sports autobiographies and very few ever mention the money. Probably what struck me most about Paula's evasion on the subject was that there was no mention of how or when she became involved with Nike. She gushes at one point about meeting the CEO and takes part in some races as contractual obligations but tries to make out that she 'always' wanted to do these 'fun' events.
There was a monotony in her pre season training routine, New Mexico and France every year, but I never got a sense of how hard the training was or what she did specifically to improve her times year on year. Or how was her coaching set-up, who did she pay to be on her team or were they all doing it for free? Even a glimpse of one day's training might have provided the interested reader with some insight.
The aides from Gary seemed to offer little insight other than a PR opportunity to restore his reputation after the slating he got for giving out to her publicly on camera at the end of a race.
Profile Image for Edgars.
213 reviews16 followers
December 22, 2019
Interesanti sanāca ar šo grāmatu, kuru man atkal aizdeva izlasīt A. Ozoliņa jaunskungs. Sāku to lasīt kā pasaules rekordistes maratonā Paulas Redklifas autobiogrāfiju, taču tad pienāca 13. oktobris, pēc kura nācās turpināt to lasīt jau kā bijušās pasaules rekordistes maratonā Paulas Redklifas autobiogrāfiju. Pirmās 64 lappuses tā, bet lielākā daļa grāmatas - atkal tā.

Līdz šim nebiju tik ļoti iedziļinājies Redklifas stāstā, sekojis līdzi viņas karjerai. Izrādās, ka tas ir ļoti sarežģīts stāsts, kopumā samērā skumjš, jāatzīst, neskatoties uz to, cik ievērojamus sasniegumus garo distanču skriešanā viņa ir sasniegusi. Tik daudz savainojumu! Nezinu, kas vēl varētu sacensties ar viņu šajā jomā. Radās sajūta, ka viņas karjerā bijis tik daudz neizmantotu iespēju. Grūti iedomāties, kādi sasniegumi viņai būtu varējuši būt, ja ne visas tās neskaitāmās problēmas. Kāds varēja būt pasaules rekords maratonā, jo, liekas, arī tur viņai neizdevās realizēt savu īsto potenciālu!

Grāmata apraujas 2005. gadā ar Paulas uzvaru Helsinkos, pasaules čempionātā maratonā. Tajā brīdī viņa ir guvusi savas karjeras skarbāko pieredzi gadu iepriekš, izstājoties no Atēnu olimpiskā maratona, un grāmatas noslēgumā viņa ar lielām cerībām skatās uz savām nākamajām olimpiskajām spēlēm 2008. gadā Pekinā un cer, ka varbūt viņa spēs piedalīties arī vēl 2012. gada olimpiskajās spēlēs savās mājās Londonā, kas būtu viņas sapņu piepildījums. Taču tagad, atceroties šīs divas olimpiskās spēles (vai ieskatoties wikipēdijā, kas gluži labi vairs neatceras), mēs atkal varam tikai skumji pasmaidīt par to, kā viņai šajās spēlēs izgājis..
166 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2023
Years ago I remember watching 2 young girls from Bedford & County RC way out in front. At the time I didn’t realise who they were / what great future runners they would become.
This book is a great read, and a fascinating insight into what it takes to be a top distance runner. All told in a very personable & readable way.
48 reviews
January 8, 2021
Really inspirational read for one of Britain's greatest runners. Paula did not have an easy time to 'make it big' and it's a real testimony of the blood, sweat and tears it takes to become a top athlete
Profile Image for Alan Proudfoot.
57 reviews
August 31, 2025
Paula Radcliffe is a legend, there is no doubt, but the book is a little too repetitive. The sheer volume of training, commitment and tolerance of pain are incredible! Plus some insight into her training is interesting, but not a book I would revisit.
4 reviews
November 30, 2025
Unfortunately reads like it hasn't been edited. She repeats herself so often and the writing style is clunky. She is an incredible athlete though and the story and her achievements are amazing. I fought through it as still inspired me.
Profile Image for Richard Raw.
46 reviews
December 26, 2018
Inspirational read. Interesting read that included the personal journey of Paula Radcliffe, her ups and downs, mainly ups. A very strong woman and an inspiration to women and men alike.
Profile Image for Kelly Louise.
122 reviews
May 4, 2021
Fab to hear about her amazing races, challenges and perseverance. Not very well written.
Profile Image for Ann.
20 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
Very very poorly written…. I gave up reading after 75 pages ….
Profile Image for Ricardo Carriedo.
32 reviews
December 12, 2022
Tried hard to like it. I love the athlete, great achievements but there is no story, it’s very poorly written. I could not connect and follow the book.
Profile Image for Nicola Hartley.
131 reviews
January 12, 2023
Read this after tge Greek Olympics, it's an eye opener into professional athletes training
Profile Image for Rachael Hewison.
568 reviews37 followers
February 22, 2014
One of my life ambitions was to complete a half-marathon. For me that was a pretty big feat- as a teenager I hated most sports and I’d never really given running a go. However I put a lot of effort into training and completed the half marathon well under my target time. Since then I have become more interested in running as a sport and thought it would be interesting to read Paula Radcliffe’s autobiography.
It started off well and I was enjoying learning about how she’d grown up with running, how hard she’d trained to become good enough to do this as a profession. Her dedication and the effort that she put in was astounding and especially managing to get a First Class degree whilst committing herself fully to her sport. The pictures included were great and really helped to show her high points and her low points. However around half way through the book when she started describing her professional career, it all got a little bit confusing. Races and training stories seemed to overlap each other, the race names were all so similar I’d think ‘but doesn't she already hold that title?’ and it all just turned into a bit of a jumble. I don’t think her writing itself was bad, she was very descriptive and helped create a credible scene in your mind, for me it was just the structure that I thought let the book down.
Aside from that my main complaint was Gary’s sections. I understand it was interesting to see other people’s perspectives of Paula but it just wasn't necessary. It wasn't Gary’s autobiography, it was Paula’s. I think it was fine for Paula to defend some of his actions but felt Paula could have done that herself without involving him.
It was an interesting book and I’m glad I read it but I probably won’t pick it up again. However it's inspired me to get back to running.
Profile Image for Carla.
806 reviews
April 7, 2014
I think Paula Radcliffe is the greatest athlete ever and I had no idea she had written an autobiography before someone from the running club told me about it. I could get hold of a copy, started reading and couldn't put it down before I finished it. It's so fascinating to read how she starts her running as young girl, continues to grow during her university time and then becomes the professional runner that she is now (although I have no idea what her current status is, except from coming back from injury - the book ends in 2005). It is so obvious how determined she is, knowing where she wants to go and working extremely hard for it. She has her portion of injuries too, especially towards the end of the book. Luckily she has good people around her. Her relationship with her husband (and coach) Gary is described as well, and pieces of interviews with him are added that show his view on the situation. It is an honest and modest book, nothing 'look how good I am'. Someone who loves the sport and is a great inspiration to many (runners). I felt greatly inspired and hope this book gets a follow up, to show that her story (and career) hasn't ended!
Profile Image for Rowena McIntosh.
10 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2016
I didn't fully appreciated how demanding an athletes training was until I read Radcliffe's autobiography. Her level of commitment to her sport is staggering.
I'd have liked to read more about her successes. The book meticulously details her failures (read not placing in the top 3) while her victories are often grouped together in an offhand sentence. I guess that's the kind of attitude that drives you to the marathon world record but I felt it glossed over some of the more exciting successes of her career.
Flick back to look at the pictures, if you don't know her race history they give away the outcome of several key races.
172 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2015
full disclosure: did not finish this. that's why i gave it 2 stars instead of 1. benefit of the doubt, maybe it would have gotten better. what i read (~70 pages) was so bad i could not go on. she comes off as very full of herself and self-righteous (unlike jim ryun in In Quest of Gold, which is kind of remarkable given that it is not only his story of being one of the best milers in the world but also of becoming a born-again christian). also there were grammatical errors and some words that seemed to me to be misused.
4 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2011
I found it an inspiring book, which had a lot of insights to the way professionals train and prepare themselves for top races, which I have found useful for my own training.
The books biggist weakness is that often the author jumps from scean to scean, and some times back again, although in someways as she is a professional runner not a writer and this should have been corrected by her co-writer. But having said that, it is one of the things that makes the book authentic.
Profile Image for Shantalie.
186 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2011
I enjoyed Paula Radcliffe's autobiography was interesting, and a pretty easy read. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a runner as there are lots of things that you'll be able to identify. It could sometimes get too technical for someone who is not so interested in the sport side of things. I think it would have been better if she had talked of other episodes in her life, beyond the running as it would have given more of an insight into her character. Overall though it weren't so bad.
Profile Image for Stacie L.
468 reviews10 followers
June 25, 2014
So disappointed with this one.

It reads like a first draft, constantly going off on tangents then jumping timelines, before shifting back to the original point. It made it hard to follow and remember what year she was dealing with.

I also disliked her husband's 'additions'. In truth, I don't need his justification as to why he did things with Paula--that's between them. None of them helped my view of him either. In fact, they made it worse.

Sad I didn't really like this, when I so wanted to.
Profile Image for Alfred Keep.
52 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2016
I really wanted to give the book 3 1/2 stars. I thought the book was well written. But it tended to portray the author/runner as being too nice! In the track and field world that is incorrect. It is very cut throat in athletics as we all know it. I do find it a little hypocritical that Paula is being sponsored by Nike. Meanwhile one of Nikes biggest employee Lance Armstrong was one of the world's biggest dopers. Otherwise the book is still an excellent read. I cannot wait for part 2.
Profile Image for Anna.
661 reviews48 followers
April 22, 2012
Poorly written. I am not a fan of running or of autobiography. Received as a Christmas present as Paula is a 'local'. There were some interesting accounts of the struggle to be am elite athlete but as a piece of writing this was weak-obvously churned out for Christmas to capitalise on the year's events. Still I suppose if it supports her running career then good luck to her.
Profile Image for Thomas Foster Foster.
14 reviews
November 26, 2012
Led me to run my first marathon, taking a little longer than Paula. This is a great and honest book. Paula is one of the greatest women athletes the world has ever known, and this book makes plain the sacrifice and talent that is required to reach such a level. Left me quite proud to be British :-)
Profile Image for Amy.
18 reviews
May 10, 2012
This book was a good summary of Paula's racing and gave a great insight on what it really takes to be an elite athlete. However, I found it tended to jump all over the place - one minute she's talking about 1999 then 2000, and back to 1999 again. It made it a little confusing and hard to follow.
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