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For the Love of the Grind: A Memoir
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26"A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE." —Meb Keflezighi • "A BEAUTIFUL REFLECTION ON WHAT IT MEANS TO KEEP SHOWING UP." —Allyson Felix • "LEFT ME ON THE SIDELINES CHEERING." —Joan Benoit Samuelson
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 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.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’re a fan of distance running, you’re probably a fan of Sara Hall. If you haven’t heard of Sara Hall, she is an icon in the sport. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of For the Love of the Grind.
In her memoir, Hall starts in her early years. Growing up in Redding, CA, Hall was daughter to a large, religious, hardworking family. She found her love of running young, spending long hours on the redwood forest trails of Northern California. Sara was all in from the start: training hard, learning about the value of sleep and nutrition, and leaning into cross- and strength training.
For the Love of the Grind takes us through all the highlights and lowlights of Hall’s career, sharing the personal and vulnerable, the fears and the hopes, and the unrelenting focus on manifesting dreams.
If you’re not a runner, this might not hold your attention. It’s easy reading, well-written, and the story moves well, but it’s very running-focused (with some detours into Hall’s deep religious faith, her longtime relationship with professional runner Ryan Hall, and their adoption and parenting of four Ethiopian daughters).
As a giant fan of Sara Hall and the sport, I loved For the Love of the Grind. I loved the details on her workouts and training methods (spoiler, Hall really does love the grind).
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended for the right audience.
In her memoir, Hall starts in her early years. Growing up in Redding, CA, Hall was daughter to a large, religious, hardworking family. She found her love of running young, spending long hours on the redwood forest trails of Northern California. Sara was all in from the start: training hard, learning about the value of sleep and nutrition, and leaning into cross- and strength training.
For the Love of the Grind takes us through all the highlights and lowlights of Hall’s career, sharing the personal and vulnerable, the fears and the hopes, and the unrelenting focus on manifesting dreams.
If you’re not a runner, this might not hold your attention. It’s easy reading, well-written, and the story moves well, but it’s very running-focused (with some detours into Hall’s deep religious faith, her longtime relationship with professional runner Ryan Hall, and their adoption and parenting of four Ethiopian daughters).
As a giant fan of Sara Hall and the sport, I loved For the Love of the Grind. I loved the details on her workouts and training methods (spoiler, Hall really does love the grind).
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended for the right audience.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The author is seriously impressive in her dedication to her sport and the physical and mental training that it demands. The book follows her through her formative years in high school to meeting her future husband & then starting a family, while becoming a professional runner, and the many years following.
I found the book slow-going. The first third seemed to be an endless number of races, and how she did in them. It felt quite repetitive with the seemingly never-ending cycle of training, self-doubt, race, repeat. There were also frequent comments on her faith and hearing God’s voice etc. which isn’t for me. For this reason, I skipped the chapter titled “Supernatural”. Then the book shifted gears and became more interesting with the author’s move to Ethiopia and the adoption process of 4 Ethiopian kids. But she doesn’t go too deeply into this or raising the girls. Then we shift back to her (impressive hours of) training, her many races, and also the difficulties she encounters such as injuries, race failures and self-doubt (which fluctuate with periods of confidence). I expect that the book will be interesting for people who are familiar with the author and the running world, but this was all new to me. I was surprised with how much she traveled (often internationally). Presumably sponsors cover such expenses.
This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I found the book slow-going. The first third seemed to be an endless number of races, and how she did in them. It felt quite repetitive with the seemingly never-ending cycle of training, self-doubt, race, repeat. There were also frequent comments on her faith and hearing God’s voice etc. which isn’t for me. For this reason, I skipped the chapter titled “Supernatural”. Then the book shifted gears and became more interesting with the author’s move to Ethiopia and the adoption process of 4 Ethiopian kids. But she doesn’t go too deeply into this or raising the girls. Then we shift back to her (impressive hours of) training, her many races, and also the difficulties she encounters such as injuries, race failures and self-doubt (which fluctuate with periods of confidence). I expect that the book will be interesting for people who are familiar with the author and the running world, but this was all new to me. I was surprised with how much she traveled (often internationally). Presumably sponsors cover such expenses.
This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.
November 21, 2025
I've been running since the 7th grade, have ran everything from the 100m to 100 miles, but I love following Women's Running and Sara Hall has been a runner I have looked up to. The Hall's have been known for their achievements, their faith and the adoption of four girls from Ethiopia but this memoir allows Sara to open up about the challenges that she has endured while being a wife and trying reach her goals. I grew up Evangelical so I understood a lot of the pressure that she was talking about. But she always had Ryan who believed in her and stood by her no matter how much success he had, he was supportive just as she was for him.
She breaks down each chapter with the lead up to major races, the injuries she endured, how she leaned on others and her faith to continue to push the limits into her 40s.
It was such a quick read and it was perfect as I am heading into two of my last cyclocross races of the season, one of them is this weekend.
She breaks down each chapter with the lead up to major races, the injuries she endured, how she leaned on others and her faith to continue to push the limits into her 40s.
It was such a quick read and it was perfect as I am heading into two of my last cyclocross races of the season, one of them is this weekend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of “For the Love of the Grind.” I have followed the Hall’s careers for decades, but this book still surprised me. I loved learned more about the Hall’s adoption journey, as well as Sara’s tenacity and grit over decades of high intensity professional training. I only wish her most recent success at CIM could have been included! Cheering on Sara for as long as she chooses to keep competing, and then beyond!
December 23, 2025
Sara Hall is one of the most persistent runners I’ve ever read about. Her memoir follows her journey from childhood, when she first learned to love running, to the present day, highlighting both her successes and her hardships. What makes her story so impressive is how she continues to work relentlessly through every setback and still remains one of the best.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC!
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a newish runner, Sara Hall is new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed learning her story and hearing the process of her training. Her life is interesting and the time spent reading was enjoyable! I appreciated learning about her family life and faith as well! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This will be a great read for our female running group when it becomes available.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a wonderful overview of being a professional athlete. It leaves me with even more questions now that so much has been shared. But I couldn't help but think that no good deed goes unpunished. Sara's willing to keep doing what good deeds she can. Bravo.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Wish I could give this a 6!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews