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Still Running After All These Tears: A Runner's Journey Through Grief
A tale of love, loss and laughter, this life-affirming memoir describes one woman's determination to survive unbearable grief - and get back into running - one step at a time.
Lisa didn't think anything could be more devastating than the death of her beloved husband Graham. But then she lost her sister and father too - all in the space of 17 months.
Feeling utterly broken as she navigated these bereavements, Lisa turned to an old friend that had helped her through many tough times running. But whereas it had previously been a source of solace, fun and companionship, before long a debilitating injury meant she lost her running mojo, too.
Aiming to complete her 109th marathon in Graham's honour, Lisa set out to rekindle her love affair with running - and to build a new life by the sea. As she laughed and cried her way through the miles, she realised running wasn't just helping her get fitter, it was also taking her on a journey from heartache to hope.
Still Running After All These Tears is a survival manual for the broken-hearted, and for anyone struggling with major life challenges. It's a celebration of the redemptive power of running, and the life-enhancing lessons it can teach us. Above all, it's a meditation on how to thrive in the face of trauma, what makes a good death and, most importantly, how to lead a joyous, meaningful life.
Lisa didn't think anything could be more devastating than the death of her beloved husband Graham. But then she lost her sister and father too - all in the space of 17 months.
Feeling utterly broken as she navigated these bereavements, Lisa turned to an old friend that had helped her through many tough times running. But whereas it had previously been a source of solace, fun and companionship, before long a debilitating injury meant she lost her running mojo, too.
Aiming to complete her 109th marathon in Graham's honour, Lisa set out to rekindle her love affair with running - and to build a new life by the sea. As she laughed and cried her way through the miles, she realised running wasn't just helping her get fitter, it was also taking her on a journey from heartache to hope.
Still Running After All These Tears is a survival manual for the broken-hearted, and for anyone struggling with major life challenges. It's a celebration of the redemptive power of running, and the life-enhancing lessons it can teach us. Above all, it's a meditation on how to thrive in the face of trauma, what makes a good death and, most importantly, how to lead a joyous, meaningful life.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jackson
91 books69 followersLibrarian Note: This profile contains multiple authors.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 28, 2026
Poignant yet injected with delightful humour...
Having previously read 'Your Pace or Mine', I'm already a huge fan of Lisa's style of writing. Telling her real life stories with clever observation, clear advice and humour.
This book carries her same style and passion, despite the painful revelations. An incredibly moving and fabulous read... don't miss this one.
It's about grief, but speaks on so many challenges in life (personal/family, work,etc). I know from my own experiences that running (or rather jogging) has helped me get out of my own head, allowing me to be more present and useful in supporting my family.
This book speaks that language. It's tough, but good things can be found - if you're prepared to look.
If jogging is a thing you'd like to try (however you have dismissed it in the past) I would honestly read this and 'Your Pace Or Mine' - you might just enjoy it and surprise yourself.
Having previously read 'Your Pace or Mine', I'm already a huge fan of Lisa's style of writing. Telling her real life stories with clever observation, clear advice and humour.
This book carries her same style and passion, despite the painful revelations. An incredibly moving and fabulous read... don't miss this one.
It's about grief, but speaks on so many challenges in life (personal/family, work,etc). I know from my own experiences that running (or rather jogging) has helped me get out of my own head, allowing me to be more present and useful in supporting my family.
This book speaks that language. It's tough, but good things can be found - if you're prepared to look.
If jogging is a thing you'd like to try (however you have dismissed it in the past) I would honestly read this and 'Your Pace Or Mine' - you might just enjoy it and surprise yourself.
January 26, 2026
So unbelievably beautiful. Very close to home for me but it is reassuring to know that I am not alone and the feelings and experiences are all normal. Beautiful book.
December 31, 2025
Lisa Jackson very kindly gave me an advance copy of Still Running After All These Tears.
It’s a book about a runner’s journey through grief, as Lisa loses her husband, sister and father in the space of 17 months. Lisa aims to show how running helped her through the darkest periods of her life.
Having read one of Lisa’s previous books, Your Pace Or Mine? about her 100 marathons, and enjoyed it immensely, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, and was honestly a bit nervous starting it. It felt like an emotionally daunting place to go to.
As it happened, life threw a huge curveball at me shortly after starting this book. A close family member was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly afterwards, so I found myself reading this book almost in parallel with my own reality.
Despite the dark places this book goes to, it’s not the relentlessly sad book I imagined it to be. There are many light moments in it, and a surprising amount of laughter. Lisa comes across as deeply practical and positive, and gives a very raw and honest account of her experiences. She also thoughtfully signposts readers to plenty of resources on running, grief, the practicalities of death, dementia and bipolar disorder.
This isn’t really a book about running, but running features heavily as a coping tool. For Lisa, running isn’t about performance. it’s a necessary part of life. The book also portray the running community beautifully, as a source of support and understanding.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through grief, it’s certainly helped me process things, by knowing someone out there is going through similar.
It’s a book about a runner’s journey through grief, as Lisa loses her husband, sister and father in the space of 17 months. Lisa aims to show how running helped her through the darkest periods of her life.
Having read one of Lisa’s previous books, Your Pace Or Mine? about her 100 marathons, and enjoyed it immensely, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, and was honestly a bit nervous starting it. It felt like an emotionally daunting place to go to.
As it happened, life threw a huge curveball at me shortly after starting this book. A close family member was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly afterwards, so I found myself reading this book almost in parallel with my own reality.
Despite the dark places this book goes to, it’s not the relentlessly sad book I imagined it to be. There are many light moments in it, and a surprising amount of laughter. Lisa comes across as deeply practical and positive, and gives a very raw and honest account of her experiences. She also thoughtfully signposts readers to plenty of resources on running, grief, the practicalities of death, dementia and bipolar disorder.
This isn’t really a book about running, but running features heavily as a coping tool. For Lisa, running isn’t about performance. it’s a necessary part of life. The book also portray the running community beautifully, as a source of support and understanding.
I would recommend this book to anyone going through grief, it’s certainly helped me process things, by knowing someone out there is going through similar.
January 28, 2026
What an inspiring, uplifting book despite the underlying tragedy and deep sadness, Lisa's positive energy, resilience and deep love for her husband and family shine through. I confess to not like running or reading any cancer stories but I knew Lisa from school, so when a friend sent it to me I felt compelled to read it. I picked it up on a Saturday morning and turned the last page on Sunday evening the following day. I simply couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried but at no point was it depressing or heavy. In fact it left me more motivated and energised than ever before to grab life by the horns, do all the things you want to do and most importantly connect with your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Life is short, bad things happen but its Lisa's phenomenal resilience and unbelievable running achievements that leave you in awe. Everyone should read this book, about love, loss and most importantly living! Thank you Lisa for sharing your amazing journey with the world ❤️.
February 8, 2026
I just finished reading this book and couldn't put it down despite sobbing my way through most of it. Lisa's writing about her devastating losses made me appreciate life and those I love that bit more, when we all tend to get drawn into living our daily lives. I started reading Lisa's column in Runner's World as part of my prep for 2024 London Marathon. I needed a lot of prep as not the best runner and a marathon very much out of my comfort zone. I then read her book Your Pace or Mine, which was a different perspective on running and gave me the confience to think I could complete a marathon. Going from her column back to her book broke my heart as I knew about her subsequent losses. I am glad she wrote a book dedicated to those she loved and lost to fill in that gap and teach us all valuable lessons, like running is a privilege, treasure every moment with loved ones, challenge medical advice. Despite the many tears I shed reading this book there are hope and laughs. I wish Lisa all the best and thank her for being so open and honest in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
This author takes the reader on a journey through the highs and lows of her very eventful life to date.
Her greatest high was her love and marriage of 38 years to her “beloved husband”. Her greatest low was the period when she had to fight tooth and nail to ensure he received the best possible care throughout his prolonged and painful period of dying. To add to her burden of sadness, her husband’s death was quickly followed by the death of her sister and father.
Before her husband’s illness, they filled their lives with adventure – backpacking and marathon running both the in UK and over several continents.
All her experiences, good, bad or horrific, she describes with no holds barred but not without plenty of good doses of humour which she and her husband miraculously managed to find even in their darkest hours.
Some parts may make you sad and some parts make you angry but, many will make you chuckle.
Her greatest high was her love and marriage of 38 years to her “beloved husband”. Her greatest low was the period when she had to fight tooth and nail to ensure he received the best possible care throughout his prolonged and painful period of dying. To add to her burden of sadness, her husband’s death was quickly followed by the death of her sister and father.
Before her husband’s illness, they filled their lives with adventure – backpacking and marathon running both the in UK and over several continents.
All her experiences, good, bad or horrific, she describes with no holds barred but not without plenty of good doses of humour which she and her husband miraculously managed to find even in their darkest hours.
Some parts may make you sad and some parts make you angry but, many will make you chuckle.
January 19, 2026
This is a very honest and compassionate account of grief, loss and learning how to survive as life keeps changing shape.
Some of it is hard to read without getting emotional, simply because of how much Lisa has been through in such a short space of time. And yet the book never feels hopeless. There are moments of warmth and lightness throughout, which make it feel human and real.
This isn’t a book about running in the traditional sense. Running is present, but more as something Lisa finds her way back to, rather than the focus of the story. It will likely resonate most with readers who have experienced loss, or who understand how running can become a quiet anchor during difficult times.
Some of it is hard to read without getting emotional, simply because of how much Lisa has been through in such a short space of time. And yet the book never feels hopeless. There are moments of warmth and lightness throughout, which make it feel human and real.
This isn’t a book about running in the traditional sense. Running is present, but more as something Lisa finds her way back to, rather than the focus of the story. It will likely resonate most with readers who have experienced loss, or who understand how running can become a quiet anchor during difficult times.
January 30, 2026
I've been a runner for 12 years, and never read a book about running, and am currently having treatment for cancer, and have resisted reading any cancer books, so I really wasn't sure about a book that combines the two... but wow! What a book! I love Lisa's writing style - clear and conversational, and conveying so much emotion - full of love and humour, as well as pain. This is definitely a 5 star book for me - highly recommended.
January 14, 2026
Heartbreaking, hopeful, and profoundly human, Lisa’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This book is not just about running—it's about what keeps us moving when everything else falls apart. A must-read for anyone facing grief, searching for healing, or simply needing a reminder that joy is still possible after unimaginable loss.
February 17, 2026
A beautiful, poignant book. I would absolutely recommend anyone going through a difficult time reads it. I couldn't put it down. It gave me lots to think about as both a psychologist and a runner, and it just shows how powerful running can be. Lisa is so brave to share her story, and I really believe it will give hope to many.
February 17, 2026
It’s hard to review a memoir, particularly one that is centred around grief! This wasn’t an easy read, and as the title suggests, it is very much a sad book. But it’s also filled with hope, humour and lots of running!
Lisa Jackson is a self professed slow runner, a gal after my own heart. I warmed to her honest and often humorous writing right from the off. This memoir is about the loss of her husband, her sister and her father - all incomprehensibly happening within the space of 17 months. All of this loss took a toll on Lisa and resulted in her also losing her love for running. The remaining part of the book is Lisa’s quest to rekindle her love for running and to set about completing her 109th marathon.
This was part memoir, part inspirational, part self help. You don’t need to love running to appreciate this book, nor do you have to have suffered extreme loss. At the end of the day it is a book about what it is to be human. Everyone will find something that they can relate to in this book.
I loved Lisa’s writing and will certainly pick up Your Pace or Mine? As a fellow slow running girly who has just signed up for my first half marathon, I’m gonna need all the help and advice I can get!
Thanks to the publishers for sending it our way. I loved it!
Lisa Jackson is a self professed slow runner, a gal after my own heart. I warmed to her honest and often humorous writing right from the off. This memoir is about the loss of her husband, her sister and her father - all incomprehensibly happening within the space of 17 months. All of this loss took a toll on Lisa and resulted in her also losing her love for running. The remaining part of the book is Lisa’s quest to rekindle her love for running and to set about completing her 109th marathon.
This was part memoir, part inspirational, part self help. You don’t need to love running to appreciate this book, nor do you have to have suffered extreme loss. At the end of the day it is a book about what it is to be human. Everyone will find something that they can relate to in this book.
I loved Lisa’s writing and will certainly pick up Your Pace or Mine? As a fellow slow running girly who has just signed up for my first half marathon, I’m gonna need all the help and advice I can get!
Thanks to the publishers for sending it our way. I loved it!
December 20, 2025
The author sent me an advance copy of this book, and I’m very glad I had the chance to read it. It’s well written and easy to read, with some genuinely moving moments as well as plenty of humour.
The book avoids turning into either a sob story or a score-settling exercise. Instead, the author takes the reader with her through a particularly dark period in her life in a way that feels honest and balanced. It’s informative, thoughtful, and a tribute to the people she loved and lost, especially her husband Graham, who she really brought to life through the pages.
On a personal note, I was dealing with my own grief while reading this and was struggling to even get out of the door to go for a run. Reading this book helped give me a bit of that running spark back.
The photos and stories throughout are warm and engaging, and add a lot to the book as a whole. I’d recommend it to runners and non-runners alike.
The book avoids turning into either a sob story or a score-settling exercise. Instead, the author takes the reader with her through a particularly dark period in her life in a way that feels honest and balanced. It’s informative, thoughtful, and a tribute to the people she loved and lost, especially her husband Graham, who she really brought to life through the pages.
On a personal note, I was dealing with my own grief while reading this and was struggling to even get out of the door to go for a run. Reading this book helped give me a bit of that running spark back.
The photos and stories throughout are warm and engaging, and add a lot to the book as a whole. I’d recommend it to runners and non-runners alike.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews