I Run, Therefore I Am--Nuts!

by Bob Schwartz, Unknown Author

I Run, Therefore I Am—Nuts! takes a funny look at the peculiarities, quirks, and obsessions of runners of all abilities. Whether you fall in the middle of the pack, up near the front of the pack, or so far from any semblance of a pack that you're wondering if everyone went home already, you'll find plenty to laugh about in this book. I Run, Therefore I Am—Nuts! is a comical examination of events that are near and dear to every runner's well-conditioned heart. As the Dave Barry of running, popular running humorist Bob Schwartz pokes fun at the idiosyncratic personalities of runners and the funny situations they encounter in training, eating, racing, preparing for races, and revolving their everyday lives around running. I Run, Therefore I Am—Nuts! brings out the humor in situations that every type of runner can relate - The intricate art of drinking on the run from paper cups
- Trying to reacquaint fingers to toes after years of tight hamstrings
- Hitting the wall
- Having your heart flutter with the newest cushioned training shoe
- Discovering cross-training contraptions designed to strengthen your gluteus to its maximus
- Getting excited about the latest flavor of energy gel on the market As any runner with tight hamstrings and a funny bone would, you'll laugh your way through these and many other amusing stories illustrated with cartoons by artist B.K. Taylor, whose drawings have appeared in many national publications, including Mad Magazine and National Lampoon . Author Bob Schwartz is America's funniest running writer. An avid, slightly over-the-top runner himself, he has completed countless marathons (but laments that excessive glycogen depletion at the finish prevents him from fully remembering each one) as well as all race distances from the 200 Meter Kids Snowman Shuffle (where he finished second after edging out a four-year-old at the finish line) to an ultramarathon of 50 miles (a feat he has no intention of repeating). In addition to his weekly syndicated newspaper column, he has had hundreds of humorous essays published in national and regional publications, including Runner's World, FootNotes , and Fitness Runner . For anyone who loves the aromatic smell of perspiration, who enjoys the exhilaration of exhaustion, who drinks solely from squirt bottles, or whose wardrobe is filled with reflective clothing—this book is for you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Humor

Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a runner and this book was such a pleasure to read. It made me laugh at all the silly things that we runners do and think. It is rare to find a collection of absolutely hysterical essays on running.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very much written only for those who are serious runners – the type to run multiple marathons a year. Lots of in-jokes you’ll only get if you’re in that particular club. Great if you are, but just ok if you aren’t.

[LeaAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! I saw myself and my nutty runner friends in the descriptions!

[Rainey · Rating 1 out of 5]

It tries really hard to be funny, but it's like running related things wrapped up in "dad-joke" packaging. And if I read the word 'neophyte' again anytime soon, I'm going to scream.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and entertaining essays on Running and runners.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that funny but plenty that fellow runners will understand.

[Wils Cain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do enjoy reading and talking about running and of course getting out the door and running itself. But this was just too much for me even. I really wanted to like this book, especially a funny book about running but ended up not really enjoying it and just getting through. Each chapter seemed disconnected and more like a mini-article rather than flowing book. The hardest part to get through however was Schwartz's attempt to tie almost every sentence into a running theme which just ended up feeling like cliches, plus too many revised popular lyrics to be about running of course. Just too much which says a lot from someone who usually can't get enough.

[Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is definitely a lot of humor in here for the seasoned runner. I wouldn’t recommend it for people who have just embarked on their running career because the majority of these chapters would be lost on anyone who has yet to train or run a marathon. Though sometimes the jokes of Schwartz become a little corny, I still found this fun to read, especially the chapter about the history of the marathon and the one about running spouses (which really hit close to home). I was even informed about why I’m not a fast sprinter but rather an endurance runner: it’s all about the twitches of muscle fibers! So I not only laughed, I learned something too.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was on a suggested list of must read books. It makes fun of all things running. It said it was funny, it looked funny. But, I didn't think it was that funny. It had some good humor, but overall, I rarely laughed and I don't remember any of what I just read. Perhaps, I just have the wrong personality for it?? I don't know. But I got close to finishing it,but decided that I didn't want to read it anymore.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I want to be a runner. In every sense of the word. I am training for a marathon in Oct of 2008 and thought this would help. It is a very funny book if you are a runner or know about running. The author makes light of all the crazy things that runners do. Its a great book and really suggest it if you run.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a collection of essays on long distance running by Bob Schwartz. They are supposed to be funny but after you read one or two of the chapters they all kind of run together in a jumble. These would be pretty humorous in monthly installments but not all together. This book is also not helpful at all if you are looking for information about running.

[Vincentjones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a so hilarious that I laughed so badly for so many times.

There are something in the book that can be recognized only by runners. You will has a strong feeling that you are listening another runner is sharing his running stories with you in a sports bar.

I finished the first two and the marathon chapter.

[Hardeep · Rating 2 out of 5]

One issue I have with compilations of short essays / stories is that if they are all in a similar vein they tend to get a trifle boring. I think that is what happened here. If I read each essay separately (say published in Runners world), it would have kept my interest going...

[Chuck Cova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago and used it as a refernce a few times when I needed a little inspiration or a smile. Once I sat down and really read it, though, I came to realize there is great coaching wisdom in those pages (as well as some good humor). A good read for the too serious runner.

[Rhonda Coale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book about technical tips on running. It's an attempt at humor, with about a million references of hyperbole. Not what I was looking for, but a quick, light read that required no critical thinking skills whatsoever.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of humorous articles by Bob Schwartz. Helped me realize that my newly found obsession with running may not be shared by others.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny take on running for those who are addicted to it.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterically funny, and very easy to read and identify with.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable...worth it just for chapter 9: "Parade Charade"! If you are a runner you may enjoy the essays, mostly tongue in cheek.

[Debbie Rhines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest books I have read! Good to know I am not alone in my bizarre obsession and habits:)

[Peter Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was just getting back to running, and it really brought the joy back to it for me.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a present from a runner friend. It is a series of essays on running; some are more funnier than others. I can definitely see "me" in some of the essays

[Celia Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh a lot!

[Christel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a series of short writings. I thought it would be funnier, but it was just ok.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're not a runner, don't bother. Some good sections, some not so much. 2.75 stars.

[Kelly Bolin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I unfortunately found this book to be not funny-funny but mostly dumb-funny.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but a bit disjointed, forced and not as funny as I thought it would be. Most chapters are 3 or 4 pages long and self contained.

[Jamie Hemphill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh Out Loud Funny!

My kids would turn and look at me like I was crazy for laughing out loud at this witty, but oh so true adventures of running. Loved every minute.

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. Provided a light hearted look at running

[Ian Stainthorpe]

Very entertaining. A lot of home truths !