What do you think?
Rate this book
For the Love of the Grind
Sara Hall shares the story of her record-breaking career and her unconventional path to motherhood via adoption, all while battling insecurities, injuries, and doubters.
Sara Hall has been a fixture atop American distance running for more than two decades: first as a national high school champion, then as an NCAA star at Stanford University, and later, as the only pro runner to ever win U.S. titles in the mile and the marathon. She's held the American record in the half marathon, clocked the fastest marathon in the U.S. by a woman aged 40 or older, and represented her country in multiple World Championships.
But success has never come easy. Fear of failure set in during high school. In college, Sara competed through a results-obsessed culture that carried into her professional career. She battled anxiety and imposter syndrome, alongside outside pressure to quit the sport and instead devote herself to supporting her husband, Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall, and later, her kids. Yet Sara never gave up on the dream of reaching her potential.
Fueled by faith, family, and an unbridled love of exploring her limits, Sara has proven the doubters wrong at every turn. When she and Ryan adopted four daughters from Ethiopia, motherhood only made her faster, running personal bests year after year and landing on podiums at the world’s most competitive races. Along the way, she discovered that choosing love over fear allowed her to take risks. She let go of results and embraced the pursuit of excellence instead.
For the Love of the Grind is a love letter to running, and the story of Sara’s growth as an athlete, wife, and mom. Through her unflinching honesty and keen introspection, readers will be inspired to chase their dreams, to reimagine what might still be possible, and to embrace their own love of the grind.
Sara Hall has been a fixture atop American distance running for more than two decades: first as a national high school champion, then as an NCAA star at Stanford University, and later, as the only pro runner to ever win U.S. titles in the mile and the marathon. She's held the American record in the half marathon, clocked the fastest marathon in the U.S. by a woman aged 40 or older, and represented her country in multiple World Championships.
But success has never come easy. Fear of failure set in during high school. In college, Sara competed through a results-obsessed culture that carried into her professional career. She battled anxiety and imposter syndrome, alongside outside pressure to quit the sport and instead devote herself to supporting her husband, Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall, and later, her kids. Yet Sara never gave up on the dream of reaching her potential.
Fueled by faith, family, and an unbridled love of exploring her limits, Sara has proven the doubters wrong at every turn. When she and Ryan adopted four daughters from Ethiopia, motherhood only made her faster, running personal bests year after year and landing on podiums at the world’s most competitive races. Along the way, she discovered that choosing love over fear allowed her to take risks. She let go of results and embraced the pursuit of excellence instead.
For the Love of the Grind is a love letter to running, and the story of Sara’s growth as an athlete, wife, and mom. Through her unflinching honesty and keen introspection, readers will be inspired to chase their dreams, to reimagine what might still be possible, and to embrace their own love of the grind.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Engaging and inspiring - not just for runners.
As a fellow runner (though firmly a member of the turtle club - and not just compared to Sara Hall), this memoir was a must-read for me. What I didn't anticipate was *just* how good it would be.
In her memoir For the Love of the Grind, Sara pens a love letter to running, but also looks back on her decades-long career with refreshing candor - celebrating incredible successes while also acknowledging the near-misses, the doubts, and the pressures that come with competing at such a high level. She also shares openly about her life with her husband, Ryan Hall, and their four daughters adopted from Ethiopia. In particular, her willingness to engage thoughtfully with the complexities of international adoption felt both important and refreshing.
If you've followed Sara's career, it's no surprise to see how central her faith has been to her journey. But what stood out to me was how openly she reflects on her own growth over time, including her evolving relationship with that faith and her willingness to question parts of her evangelical background. That honesty adds real depth to what could otherwise have been a more straightforward sports memoir.
The audiobook, narrated by Sara herself, is an absolute treat. She is humble and gracious, but also full of humor, honesty, and optimism. There's an ease to her narration that makes the listening experience feel personal - like hearing these stories directly from her on a long run.
Throughout the entire memoir, Sara comes across as likable, thoughtful, and genuinely grateful - for her career and everything she has achieved professionally, for her family, and for the opportunities she's had. That sense of perspective makes this an incredibly enjoyable, engaging, and often inspiring listen, not just for runners.
I'll definitely be cheering for Sara even more going forward.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"For the Love of the Grind" is slated to be released on April 21, 2026.
As a fellow runner (though firmly a member of the turtle club - and not just compared to Sara Hall), this memoir was a must-read for me. What I didn't anticipate was *just* how good it would be.
In her memoir For the Love of the Grind, Sara pens a love letter to running, but also looks back on her decades-long career with refreshing candor - celebrating incredible successes while also acknowledging the near-misses, the doubts, and the pressures that come with competing at such a high level. She also shares openly about her life with her husband, Ryan Hall, and their four daughters adopted from Ethiopia. In particular, her willingness to engage thoughtfully with the complexities of international adoption felt both important and refreshing.
If you've followed Sara's career, it's no surprise to see how central her faith has been to her journey. But what stood out to me was how openly she reflects on her own growth over time, including her evolving relationship with that faith and her willingness to question parts of her evangelical background. That honesty adds real depth to what could otherwise have been a more straightforward sports memoir.
The audiobook, narrated by Sara herself, is an absolute treat. She is humble and gracious, but also full of humor, honesty, and optimism. There's an ease to her narration that makes the listening experience feel personal - like hearing these stories directly from her on a long run.
Throughout the entire memoir, Sara comes across as likable, thoughtful, and genuinely grateful - for her career and everything she has achieved professionally, for her family, and for the opportunities she's had. That sense of perspective makes this an incredibly enjoyable, engaging, and often inspiring listen, not just for runners.
I'll definitely be cheering for Sara even more going forward.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"For the Love of the Grind" is slated to be released on April 21, 2026.
April 20, 2026
I received an ARC of For the Love of the Grind from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In this very readable memoir, elite runner Sara Hall shares the story of her life as a wife, mom, and runner. Hers is a running family, as she is married to Ryan Hall, who holds American records for the full and half marathons. When he retired from long distance running, he became Sara's coach, helping her chase her dreams well into her 40s. I found her journey and her struggles very relatable, even as a recreational runner. She shares her trials as a parent raising 4 girls while training as a full time athlete. She leans into her faith for strength, but that evolves throughout the book and becomes less prominent in her story. Overall, this was one of the best running memoirs I have read. Her journey continues, though, so stay tuned...
In this very readable memoir, elite runner Sara Hall shares the story of her life as a wife, mom, and runner. Hers is a running family, as she is married to Ryan Hall, who holds American records for the full and half marathons. When he retired from long distance running, he became Sara's coach, helping her chase her dreams well into her 40s. I found her journey and her struggles very relatable, even as a recreational runner. She shares her trials as a parent raising 4 girls while training as a full time athlete. She leans into her faith for strength, but that evolves throughout the book and becomes less prominent in her story. Overall, this was one of the best running memoirs I have read. Her journey continues, though, so stay tuned...
April 19, 2026
Sara’s overall story is very interesting, but this book was a bit of a struggle for me. I learned a lot about running and the preparation it takes, the adoption of her daughters was beautiful, but the overall flow and story of the memoir was a bit disjointed. Respectfully, Sara and Ryan are very rooted in their faith, but it felt like it was brought up a bit too much. Her persistence to succeed especially after being deemed “too old” to compete was really great.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC!
April 29, 2026
This one is very much up my alley, as I'm interested in running, Christian faith, and adoption. It was fun to get an inside glimpse into the mind of an elite athlete, to read about how you strategize a marathon if you're trying to win rather than just finish 🤣, and the ups and downs of relationship with a sponsor. I really admire how Sara lives her life and how she trains and races, and it was a pleasure to read about all of it.
May 4, 2026
I have admired Sara since she was a high school super star. I devoured this book and so appreciated her openness and honesty about balancing motherhood and work and how hard that can be and how selfish it can make you feel. I also loved her going into her journey with her faith and describing how it evolved over time. Sara is an absolute inspiration in both life and running and I will continue to root for her. Just this past December I sat with my daughter, an 8-year-old budding runner, as we cheered Sara on at the CIM marathon, and I thought to myself, how cool is it that I have been cheering for this gal for over 25 years and she is still absolutely crushing it!?!
April 12, 2026
This memoir is an honest and raw retelling of Sara's running journey and career through her teenage years, newlywed stage, her faith journey and becoming a mother ❤️ Her grit and determination to live her life with faith and love shining through every aspect of her world was truly inspiring. As a runner myself I found myself captivated by Sara's journey through various races, trials and injuries throughout her career.
Sara Hall is such a b*d*ss runner & this memoir has me ready to lace up my shoes again 💪
Sara Hall is such a b*d*ss runner & this memoir has me ready to lace up my shoes again 💪
April 27, 2026
Sara Hall had a successful rerunning career, even if she never was able to be on an Olympic team, whether in the marathon or the 10,000 meter run, which was the event for which stride to qualify in 2024. The ups and downs of her career are captured in her memoir which covers a lot of different topics.
The most interesting topic of the book has to be when she and her husband Ryan decided to adopt four sisters in Ethiopia. Part of Sara’s Christian upbringing that she felt strongly about honoring was to help the poor. During one of their many overseas trips for competition or training (Ryan was a world class runner as well) they decided to pursue adoption and saw these four girls. Sara’s description of everything she and her daughters have gone through while Sara was running and raising the girls in a new land was very inspiring.
Her memories of her running career - from high school to Stanford to turning professional to the Olympic trials - make for good reading as well. Despite her many injuries, she always seemed to not only stay positive but she always seemed to find a way to overcome any adversity. Her coaches, especially Ryan, always helped her maintain that determination. Overcoming these injuries, as well as periods of anxiety and obsession over results, made for an inspiring sports story as well.
These are just a few topics and examples of what I liked about this memoir. It felt honest - not too much bravado but not too much self- criticism either. Sara Hall’s story is one that many readers will enjoy, not just sports fans or runners.
I wish to thank St. Martins Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
The most interesting topic of the book has to be when she and her husband Ryan decided to adopt four sisters in Ethiopia. Part of Sara’s Christian upbringing that she felt strongly about honoring was to help the poor. During one of their many overseas trips for competition or training (Ryan was a world class runner as well) they decided to pursue adoption and saw these four girls. Sara’s description of everything she and her daughters have gone through while Sara was running and raising the girls in a new land was very inspiring.
Her memories of her running career - from high school to Stanford to turning professional to the Olympic trials - make for good reading as well. Despite her many injuries, she always seemed to not only stay positive but she always seemed to find a way to overcome any adversity. Her coaches, especially Ryan, always helped her maintain that determination. Overcoming these injuries, as well as periods of anxiety and obsession over results, made for an inspiring sports story as well.
These are just a few topics and examples of what I liked about this memoir. It felt honest - not too much bravado but not too much self- criticism either. Sara Hall’s story is one that many readers will enjoy, not just sports fans or runners.
I wish to thank St. Martins Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
April 23, 2026
Highly relatable 🏃🏼♀️ 🫶🏻
April 25, 2026
I really wanted to love this and there were parts of it I did really appreciate and identify with as someone who loves to "grind" in all aspects of life but it felt kinda all over the place. It wasn't all in chronological order so a story would be told at one part of the book from way later in her life and then we'd go back in time and eventually make it back to the same story it felt like but in a confusing way. I definitely respect Sara's commitment to running and I am feeling very grateful that I am not an elite athlete myself lol
April 29, 2026
Going in, I didn't know what to expect out of For the Love of the Grind. But I'm glad I read it as I got a heartfelt and inspiring story of a runner who preserved through the stages of life, running or otherwise, eventually learning how to love the grind.
Sara starts the story in 2020, when she's trying to keep herself at race shape despite the world in a perpetual years long lockdown. But she goes back to her childhood, reflecting on how running was in her veins from early on, meeting her husband Ryan Hall, going pro, and motherhood, breaking records, and running past 40. Her career path wasn't easy with injuries, less than favorable finishes, not having a team around her, and other setbacks, but the running life brought her joy with her experiences, and provided motivation to many around her, with optimistic determination, is looking forward to what's next.
I do like that Sara isn't shy to talk about her spiritual beliefs throughout the book, having been raised in an evangelical Christian home and while she still considers herself as a Christian, she has since altered her beliefs throughout her adulthood. This also guided her idea that service isn't just missionary trips, but about joy. It's part of the reason why she decided to eventually adopt four Ethiopian girls after spending time running in the running favorable country. I learned a bit more about this country and how some aspects are not pretty at all.
I did catch the couple of times Sara's path runs into fellow runner Keira D'Amaro, who's around her age, and it was interesting to see the same events from a different POV, like in the 2024 Olympic trials where Keira DNF'ed and Sara finished 5th. I also recommend Don't Call it a Comeback by Keira, though her book has more self-help elements than this one.
I love that Sara reads the audiobook, as it brought an extra depth to the experience of listening to the author read her own words with humility and grace, but still optimistic. In a way, it was saying to me "embrace the grind, it brings it's own rewards".
Highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about a runner who's stayed in the game longer than most, and I'll be keeping track of Sara.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.*
Sara starts the story in 2020, when she's trying to keep herself at race shape despite the world in a perpetual years long lockdown. But she goes back to her childhood, reflecting on how running was in her veins from early on, meeting her husband Ryan Hall, going pro, and motherhood, breaking records, and running past 40. Her career path wasn't easy with injuries, less than favorable finishes, not having a team around her, and other setbacks, but the running life brought her joy with her experiences, and provided motivation to many around her, with optimistic determination, is looking forward to what's next.
I do like that Sara isn't shy to talk about her spiritual beliefs throughout the book, having been raised in an evangelical Christian home and while she still considers herself as a Christian, she has since altered her beliefs throughout her adulthood. This also guided her idea that service isn't just missionary trips, but about joy. It's part of the reason why she decided to eventually adopt four Ethiopian girls after spending time running in the running favorable country. I learned a bit more about this country and how some aspects are not pretty at all.
I did catch the couple of times Sara's path runs into fellow runner Keira D'Amaro, who's around her age, and it was interesting to see the same events from a different POV, like in the 2024 Olympic trials where Keira DNF'ed and Sara finished 5th. I also recommend Don't Call it a Comeback by Keira, though her book has more self-help elements than this one.
I love that Sara reads the audiobook, as it brought an extra depth to the experience of listening to the author read her own words with humility and grace, but still optimistic. In a way, it was saying to me "embrace the grind, it brings it's own rewards".
Highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about a runner who's stayed in the game longer than most, and I'll be keeping track of Sara.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.*
April 27, 2026
As a runner, it's fascinating to hear the story of an elite level runner like Sara Hall. In For the Love the Grind, Sara shares her running story which not surprisingly goes back to young years. What was surprising is she didn't plan to be a professional runner while in college and her level of persistence after graduating from college. Sara simply isn't willing to stop moving toward a goal. So interesting to see her results of the Boston Marathon earlier this month after reading her story.
This memoir also provides details about her relationship with her husband Ryan (also an elite runner), her four adopted children and her faith. Also, the locations were she lived and trained and the reasons why were fascinating.
Details about her sponsor Asics, running shoes in general and specific runs were fascinating. In particular, the part about hosting Olympic trials in the afternoon so that the event could be televised is madness. Sure, media coverage is important. More important is the health of the runners that would be more taxed in the heat of the afternoon.
The audiobook is read by Sara which adds to the listening experience.
My gratitude to Macmillian Audio for a complimentary audiobook copy of the author. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
This memoir also provides details about her relationship with her husband Ryan (also an elite runner), her four adopted children and her faith. Also, the locations were she lived and trained and the reasons why were fascinating.
Details about her sponsor Asics, running shoes in general and specific runs were fascinating. In particular, the part about hosting Olympic trials in the afternoon so that the event could be televised is madness. Sure, media coverage is important. More important is the health of the runners that would be more taxed in the heat of the afternoon.
The audiobook is read by Sara which adds to the listening experience.
My gratitude to Macmillian Audio for a complimentary audiobook copy of the author. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Read
May 3, 2026I have previously decided that I don't rate memiors, but if I did, this would be 5 stars.
I'm encouraged, challenged & inspired by Sara's story & I cried more times than I'd like to admit while reading this.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who even kinda likes running :)
I'm encouraged, challenged & inspired by Sara's story & I cried more times than I'd like to admit while reading this.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who even kinda likes running :)
April 7, 2026
I love a runner memior, but this one was NOT for me. I was immediately turned off by the constant mentions of god after only one quick mention of faith in the book’s description and I almost DNFd at 30% when she mentioned a super predatory/scammy church, but I STILL wanted to read about her running career. And while I’ve never had an interest in motherhood, I wanted to learn about their adoption journey, especially while she emphasized the giving & generous side of her Christianity over her strict upbringing.
BUT, this book felt full of holes and eventually not inspirational at all. They brought home FOUR adopted Ethiopian girls and she continued to leave for long trips, lots of training, and multiple boujee vacations (queue “Ryan & I headed to an EXPENSIVE DESTINATION with “friends” (instead of daughters)). I dunno. I loved that Sara pointed out that shaming her as a woman for her decisions would be garbage as a man/father would not be judged the same, but I did feel turned off just the same. These girls had suffered trauma and it just felt really unhealthy. And, while I don’t really know what sponsored runners make, the finances of adopting 4 daughters and neither parent having traditions jobs simply seemed wild.
I appreciate the grit of runners, hence why I’ve read so many runner memoirs, but I didn’t find Sara inspirational. Her narrative fluctuated between nonchalant “I simply had faith” “I just let my body feel it” to fierce “I had no fear of failure” and I couldn’t decide if she was confident or a mess or finding excuses in shoes she couldn’t wear, injuries, or other people doping.
This just felt inconsistent. I don’t know if Sara became who she planned to become initially. I don’t really know what “giving” she’s doing… what good she’s doing for all the underprivileged people she observed in her youth. I felt like I was on a journey with her, but I’m just not sure if this was the most well-thought-out or articulated.
IN MY OPINION, obviously. I hate to diss a memoir, I hate to judge at all. I was raised in a strict Christian household and I myself am a runner. I had high hopes for all of this overall, but it felt like a mess to me and I’m, sadly, unimpressed.
I did really love Sara and Ryan’s relationship. I love that she pushed back on patriarchal norms and that Ryan fully supported her. That was refreshing, especially considering their upbringings.
3 stars for writing a book at all- for having passion and grit and a voice, I just wish this would have been better fleshed-out.
BUT, this book felt full of holes and eventually not inspirational at all. They brought home FOUR adopted Ethiopian girls and she continued to leave for long trips, lots of training, and multiple boujee vacations (queue “Ryan & I headed to an EXPENSIVE DESTINATION with “friends” (instead of daughters)). I dunno. I loved that Sara pointed out that shaming her as a woman for her decisions would be garbage as a man/father would not be judged the same, but I did feel turned off just the same. These girls had suffered trauma and it just felt really unhealthy. And, while I don’t really know what sponsored runners make, the finances of adopting 4 daughters and neither parent having traditions jobs simply seemed wild.
I appreciate the grit of runners, hence why I’ve read so many runner memoirs, but I didn’t find Sara inspirational. Her narrative fluctuated between nonchalant “I simply had faith” “I just let my body feel it” to fierce “I had no fear of failure” and I couldn’t decide if she was confident or a mess or finding excuses in shoes she couldn’t wear, injuries, or other people doping.
This just felt inconsistent. I don’t know if Sara became who she planned to become initially. I don’t really know what “giving” she’s doing… what good she’s doing for all the underprivileged people she observed in her youth. I felt like I was on a journey with her, but I’m just not sure if this was the most well-thought-out or articulated.
IN MY OPINION, obviously. I hate to diss a memoir, I hate to judge at all. I was raised in a strict Christian household and I myself am a runner. I had high hopes for all of this overall, but it felt like a mess to me and I’m, sadly, unimpressed.
I did really love Sara and Ryan’s relationship. I love that she pushed back on patriarchal norms and that Ryan fully supported her. That was refreshing, especially considering their upbringings.
3 stars for writing a book at all- for having passion and grit and a voice, I just wish this would have been better fleshed-out.
February 19, 2026
Sara has balanced her faith, marriage, motherhood and an insanely long professional running career like an expert and it is a treat to see into the mind of such a dedicated and talented mother runner.
I am absolutely the exact target audience for this book (a Christian mother who loves long distance running) and so if you’re anything like me I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.
I am absolutely the exact target audience for this book (a Christian mother who loves long distance running) and so if you’re anything like me I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.
May 14, 2026
As soon as I heard this was a memoir about running, I knew I had to pick it up. When I started running over 10 years ago, the first race I conquered was a half marathon, and even though I’ve only done a handful of those and some smaller runs since, it’s always been something I’ve loved. The past few years have pulled me away from it, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel—and this book honestly made me miss it even more.
Sara’s stories about running, her challenges, growth, and achievements were so motivating. I loved getting a glimpse into the life she’s built—traveling the world doing what she loves, alongside her husband who shares that same passion. Their faith is such a strong, steady presence throughout her journey, and you can feel how grounding it is for her. Hearing about their family—especially adopting four sisters from Ethiopia—and the realities of balancing parenting, passion, and personal goals felt incredibly real and inspiring. It’s not just about running—it’s about doing what you love, pushing yourself, and leaning on the people around you.
Sara’s stories about running, her challenges, growth, and achievements were so motivating. I loved getting a glimpse into the life she’s built—traveling the world doing what she loves, alongside her husband who shares that same passion. Their faith is such a strong, steady presence throughout her journey, and you can feel how grounding it is for her. Hearing about their family—especially adopting four sisters from Ethiopia—and the realities of balancing parenting, passion, and personal goals felt incredibly real and inspiring. It’s not just about running—it’s about doing what you love, pushing yourself, and leaning on the people around you.
April 23, 2026
First off thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was a solid 3.75 rounded up to a 4.
This is an honest glimpse into Sara Hall’s life as a professional runner balancing faith, motherhood, and competition. I appreciated her authenticity, she’s open about her relationship with God, her identity as an athlete and parent, and the reality that progress isn’t linear, even at the elite level. I did not realize just how strong her relationship with God would play in her memoir and think it is important to be aware of as that may not resonate with all readers.
As a runner who lives in Eugene, I really enjoyed the local references and mentions of runners like Shalane Flanagan and Des Linden, it added a personal layer for me to be able to picture where she was running.
The first third of the book is a relatively repeat it I’ve cycle of train, race, get injured, recover, repeat. Some of the strongest moments come later in the book, particularly her evolving relationship with her daughters and her reflections on perseverance. Her adoption journey is thoughtfully approached, and I respected the way she maintained her children’s privacy while still sharing meaningful insight. Her gratitude for the people who supported her career is another standout theme.
That said, the book feels uneven. The structure is often disjointed, with abrupt transitions and timeline jumps that make it hard to stay grounded. Many moments feel surface-level when they could have been more fully explored, especially around adoption and parenthood. There are also a few phrasing choices that I felt were distracting or didn’t sit quite right.
There are still meaningful takeaways, particularly around love, resilience, and the importance of community in chasing long-term goals. While it didn’t go as deep as I hoped, it’s a solid read for runners or anyone drawn to stories of perseverance and faith.
This was a solid 3.75 rounded up to a 4.
This is an honest glimpse into Sara Hall’s life as a professional runner balancing faith, motherhood, and competition. I appreciated her authenticity, she’s open about her relationship with God, her identity as an athlete and parent, and the reality that progress isn’t linear, even at the elite level. I did not realize just how strong her relationship with God would play in her memoir and think it is important to be aware of as that may not resonate with all readers.
As a runner who lives in Eugene, I really enjoyed the local references and mentions of runners like Shalane Flanagan and Des Linden, it added a personal layer for me to be able to picture where she was running.
The first third of the book is a relatively repeat it I’ve cycle of train, race, get injured, recover, repeat. Some of the strongest moments come later in the book, particularly her evolving relationship with her daughters and her reflections on perseverance. Her adoption journey is thoughtfully approached, and I respected the way she maintained her children’s privacy while still sharing meaningful insight. Her gratitude for the people who supported her career is another standout theme.
That said, the book feels uneven. The structure is often disjointed, with abrupt transitions and timeline jumps that make it hard to stay grounded. Many moments feel surface-level when they could have been more fully explored, especially around adoption and parenthood. There are also a few phrasing choices that I felt were distracting or didn’t sit quite right.
There are still meaningful takeaways, particularly around love, resilience, and the importance of community in chasing long-term goals. While it didn’t go as deep as I hoped, it’s a solid read for runners or anyone drawn to stories of perseverance and faith.
April 22, 2026
I thought Sara had a beautiful voice and presence in this memoir. She was honest about her struggles while still honoring her internal moral compass. She mentioned Eric Liddel several times, and she truly DOES remind me of him.
The way she speaks of fellow athletes and people is refreshing. It is clear that she is well-grounded and knows exactly who she is and what she believes. She makes decisions with confidence, and her relationship with God is vital to her authentic sense of self. This clarity carries over into her writing; while many memoirists struggle to connect with their past selves, Sara is exceptionally clear in her voice during each stage of her life. She wrote about who she was at the time, showing how she evolved alongside her environment and life choices.
During their adoption journey, she faced and acknowledged her own white privilege, and the love she and Ryan have for their daughters is obvious. She failed so many times and I admired her ability to shelve her own struggles and go straight into parenting her girls. She has an incredibly admirable drive to continuously learn and grow, advocating for herself and her family with deep conviction.
I loved reading about her runs and races. I found myself holding my breath with her and smiling as she had fun and found joy in running. As a non-competitive runner, I enjoyed hearing how hard she worked, how she responded to challenges, and how she maintained a sense of whimsy even in the middle of a race.
She ended the book with her daughters’ accomplishments, which is a beautiful touch that would move any parent. I read this book shortly after seeing pictures of Sara and her daughter, Hana, running the Boston Marathon together, which served as the most incredible ending. Sara took first place in the masters division and was there to great Hana when she finished!
The way she speaks of fellow athletes and people is refreshing. It is clear that she is well-grounded and knows exactly who she is and what she believes. She makes decisions with confidence, and her relationship with God is vital to her authentic sense of self. This clarity carries over into her writing; while many memoirists struggle to connect with their past selves, Sara is exceptionally clear in her voice during each stage of her life. She wrote about who she was at the time, showing how she evolved alongside her environment and life choices.
During their adoption journey, she faced and acknowledged her own white privilege, and the love she and Ryan have for their daughters is obvious. She failed so many times and I admired her ability to shelve her own struggles and go straight into parenting her girls. She has an incredibly admirable drive to continuously learn and grow, advocating for herself and her family with deep conviction.
I loved reading about her runs and races. I found myself holding my breath with her and smiling as she had fun and found joy in running. As a non-competitive runner, I enjoyed hearing how hard she worked, how she responded to challenges, and how she maintained a sense of whimsy even in the middle of a race.
She ended the book with her daughters’ accomplishments, which is a beautiful touch that would move any parent. I read this book shortly after seeing pictures of Sara and her daughter, Hana, running the Boston Marathon together, which served as the most incredible ending. Sara took first place in the masters division and was there to great Hana when she finished!
March 28, 2026
As a long time runner of the marathon and half marathon distance I was pumped to be sent a widget of Sara Halls FOR LOVE OF THE GRIND from St Martin’s Press.
In general, I can’t really imagine rating a memoir less than 5 stars, as it’s a person story about their life, and even if it wasn’t for me it wouldn’t feel great to me critiquing that, BUT I had the pleasure of listing to the audiobook narrated by Sara Hall herself and I can honestly say I was captivated and so interested.
The book was raw, honest, inspiring and truthfully I was surprised by how moved I was. I knew / suspected I would be inspired by Sara’s running journey, but I didn’t expect to be so inspired and moved by her life and who she is as a person. I was brought to tears many times and so happy I picked it up.
I will say as well, as an ex-religious person I don’t usually gravitate to people of faith that speak openly and readily about their faith, but Sara’s words didn’t feel preachy or pushy to me.
While I do think a runner will enjoy reading Sara’s memoir best, it was well written and included a lot more than just running talk, so if you like memoirs you should definitely pick it up!
I primarily listened to the audiobook narrated by Sara Hall which was sent to me by Macmillan Audio - thank you!
In general, I can’t really imagine rating a memoir less than 5 stars, as it’s a person story about their life, and even if it wasn’t for me it wouldn’t feel great to me critiquing that, BUT I had the pleasure of listing to the audiobook narrated by Sara Hall herself and I can honestly say I was captivated and so interested.
The book was raw, honest, inspiring and truthfully I was surprised by how moved I was. I knew / suspected I would be inspired by Sara’s running journey, but I didn’t expect to be so inspired and moved by her life and who she is as a person. I was brought to tears many times and so happy I picked it up.
I will say as well, as an ex-religious person I don’t usually gravitate to people of faith that speak openly and readily about their faith, but Sara’s words didn’t feel preachy or pushy to me.
While I do think a runner will enjoy reading Sara’s memoir best, it was well written and included a lot more than just running talk, so if you like memoirs you should definitely pick it up!
I primarily listened to the audiobook narrated by Sara Hall which was sent to me by Macmillan Audio - thank you!
April 27, 2026
I love a marathoner memoir so of course I had to hit request when I saw this one pop up on NetGalley. As an agnostic, I knew that this book may not be for me as I know the Halls are open with their relationship with God. While I understand it is her memoir and her truth to tell however she wanted, I felt like it was balanced out well and people who have different views will not feel put off by that side of her story. As one of the long standing names in the marathoning world for over 2 decades, it was really cool to see Sara’s whole story told. I did not realize how often she struggled with injury or bad race day conditions and it was a pretty inspiring read.
Thanks so much to St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to get to read this early.
Thanks so much to St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to get to read this early.
April 29, 2026
I was so excited for this one but it fell a little flat for me. I really enjoyed learning Sara’s journey through running in high school to college and a successful career. I respect that the Hall family leans heavily into their faith but it made it hard for me to connect with them. The book takes us through the highs and lows of her running career but I was hoping for more than relying on faith. Even so it wasn’t a bad read and I did find Sara and her running career to be inspiring!
April 30, 2026
Complicated feelings about this! I appreciate that Sara didn’t shy away from the selfishness inherent in professional running - and yet that reality made for, at times, an uncomfortable listen. Relatedly, I think she did more telling than showing about the impact that had on her family, which left me wanting more while also understanding her desire to respect her kids’ privacy. I’m also not a religious person so I was simultaneously curious about and skeptical of her deep faith (skepticism amplified by my googling of her church and education about some of its problematic teaching). All in all, some interesting tension throughout the book.
Separately, I heard that Sara declined a ghost writer and I think there were times where that was obvious — and the book would have benefited from a sharper pencil.
Separately, I heard that Sara declined a ghost writer and I think there were times where that was obvious — and the book would have benefited from a sharper pencil.
May 16, 2026
I loved, listening to this audiobook read by the author. She does a great job reading.
It’s like sitting down for a friendly chat over coffee with an elite distance runner. She tells the story of her life, mostly as a runner, but with a large part of parenting, and being married.
She’s hard-working and very motivated. Finds time to blend being a runner with being a wife. Highly recommend!
It’s like sitting down for a friendly chat over coffee with an elite distance runner. She tells the story of her life, mostly as a runner, but with a large part of parenting, and being married.
She’s hard-working and very motivated. Finds time to blend being a runner with being a wife. Highly recommend!
Read
April 28, 2026I fell in love with Sara and her grittiness reading this book. During this year’s Boston marathon, I happened to finish at the same time as her daughter and caught a glimpse of Sara’s big smile upon seeing Hana. It made me feel even more connected with her as I read this. Loved!
May 18, 2026
Absolutely loved this book and Sarah! As someone who loves to run it was incredibly inspiring listening to her share her story and all the challenges she overcame in her career. Highly recommend this read especially the audio as she herself is the narrator. 🫶🏻
May 13, 2026
This book was recommended to me a close friend. I have never really heard of Sara or Ryan Hall before this. I must have been living under a rock as they are some of the best American Marathoners of all time. I really enjoyed this book. Reading about Sara's ups and downs in running gave me hope in moments where running feels tough or like I am not making any progress. I also really enjoyed reading about parenting lol. I'm still far away from that phase of my life, but hearing about how they adopted four girls from Ethiopia was really inspiring. They helped those girls so much, and honestly I've always thought adoption was super cool.
May 15, 2026
Sara is very likable. And who am I to rate her life or her story? Very resonating and inspiring. A great joy to read and one to suggest to others.
May 1, 2026
This book is difficult to rate. Hall lets you in a bit, but something still feels rather "surface." As a lifelong runner, I have experienced all the emotions she describes well, and I know this is a running book, but what was the rest of her life like?
May 15, 2026
I always enjoy going into the minds of people who do incredible things and seeing what makes them tick. Sara Hall is no exception. It turns out that one of the greatest American runners got to be that way because she is relentless in pursuing her goals and doing what was needed (yes, sometimes more cross training than running) to accomplish her next big goal.
April 25, 2026
Happy Pub Week to Sarah Hall! I am a sports enthusiast and a runner at heart. I love a memoir and Sarah has knocked it out of the park with this one.
I loved reading about her story of successes and struggles, and the power of perseverance. So inspiring!
As a woman in my 40s who is still actively running (okay, trying…) it was so inspiring to read about her toeing the line in her 40s against the world’s best and giving them a run for their money.
I also deeply loved her walk with faith and her husband, their relentless pursuit of building their beautiful family- and I loved that Sarah and her daughter just ran Boston together this week!!
Highly recommend this memoir if you enjoy running, sports, women who don’t give up, and overcoming obstacles.
I loved reading about her story of successes and struggles, and the power of perseverance. So inspiring!
As a woman in my 40s who is still actively running (okay, trying…) it was so inspiring to read about her toeing the line in her 40s against the world’s best and giving them a run for their money.
I also deeply loved her walk with faith and her husband, their relentless pursuit of building their beautiful family- and I loved that Sarah and her daughter just ran Boston together this week!!
Highly recommend this memoir if you enjoy running, sports, women who don’t give up, and overcoming obstacles.
February 25, 2026
I love a good running memoir, and this was no exception. One thing I appreciate about Sara Hall is her consistent determination to show up and see what happens. The number of races she completed through many ups and downs is inspiring, and it’s so cool to hear about her PRs and goals she’s accomplished even into her late 30s/early 40s.
Outside of running, it was cool to learn about how she and Ryan adopted their four girls all at the same time, without having ever been parents before. What an incredible change to their life and journey that they took!
I appreciated the faith aspects of the book as well. At the beginning it felt a little cheesy or prescriptive at times, but I think that the books outlines her faith at each stage - the black and white bold faith of a teenager that evolves into a faith that is less prescriptive or cookie cutter, which I think was important.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you enjoy running memoirs.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for the advanced reader copy; this was my first time receiving an ARC book!
Outside of running, it was cool to learn about how she and Ryan adopted their four girls all at the same time, without having ever been parents before. What an incredible change to their life and journey that they took!
I appreciated the faith aspects of the book as well. At the beginning it felt a little cheesy or prescriptive at times, but I think that the books outlines her faith at each stage - the black and white bold faith of a teenager that evolves into a faith that is less prescriptive or cookie cutter, which I think was important.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you enjoy running memoirs.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for the advanced reader copy; this was my first time receiving an ARC book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews