For the Love of the Grind

by Sara Hall

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 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.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Sports, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Self Help

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Tini · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[chels marieantoinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[Erin Ching · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Erin Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!?!

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for For the Love of the Grind (audiobook) by Sara Hall read by the author.

The author had an amazing running career that took her all over the world. But the one thing that was just out of reach was the Olympics. She just missed out several times. But her and her husband both found a way to adopt four Ethiopian sisters and bring them to America and build a family around them. This is really a wonderful story.

[Mylissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 💪

[Aggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Sydney Bulatao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this, especially hearing all the details on all the factors that go into Sara’s training! I felt she did a good job of conveying how much she loves the process of training, despite setbacks. Unsure how I feel about her association with bethel church and bssm though… :/

[Amy Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly relatable 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🫶🏻

[Stephanie Stoneback · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many evangelical Christian vibes

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.*

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Carly Gilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a book literally gets dropped on your doorstep at exactly the right time. My dear friend Melissa lent me this book to propel me through the last month of marathon training, which ended in a very disappointing race after many months of hard work and high expectations. Sara Hall’s story is that same refrain over and over again, through two decades of chasing record-breaking times and a spot on the Olympic team. I’ve read many elite athlete books that come across as a bit, well, elitist. In Sara’s book, her AMAZING records and race times are merely a footnote to the humbling, gritty journey that surrounded them. This is a deeply personal story about how she solidified her identity as the wife to former Olympian Ryan Hall and as a mom to four adopted daughters from Ethiopia. Each setback Sara endured broke my heart. For the everyday runner like myself, who may not be chasing the Olympic trials, but maybe the Boston Marathon or the elusive PR, it’s a powerful message that the finish time is just a number and not indicative of one’s self-worth. After each dream deferred, Sara continues to lace up her shoes and keep going. I feel renewed inspiration to do the same.👟

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sara is a lovely person and an incredibly hardworking athlete with a long career of accomplishments and resilience. Even more impressive (in my opinion) was her family's international adoption of four sisters, building a family across the barriers of language, culture and preexisting traumas. I think the book could have been more compellingly written. I would have liked to hear a bit more about Ryan's career. And while it is an important part of her story, I'm not sure if I agree with the amount of detail she included about her daughters' struggles as they may someday wish that information were not public.

[Annie Needs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good audiobook. Inspired some reflection.

[Rachel Blagg]

I 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 :)

[Molly Wynen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kaytee Pergentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Megrav · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 🫶🏻

[Suzanne Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

[Christina Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Faith J · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Selano Potenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4/5 Stars – A Deep and Moving Story About Chasing Dreams**

"For the Love of the Grind" by Sarah Hall (née Bei) is a memoir that chronicles her journey from promising young runner to world-class marathoner, while also exploring her growth as an athlete, wife, mother, and person.

Even before opening the book, Hall's accomplishments speak for themselves. After beginning her competitive career in middle-distance events, she eventually transitioned to the half marathon and marathon, becoming one of America's most accomplished distance runners. Some of her career highlights include a runner-up finish at the 2020 London Marathon, a third-place finish at the 2021 Chicago Marathon, and running a 2:20:32 marathon to become the fourth-fastest American women in history. Simply put, Hall is an extraordinary competitor.

As a runner myself, I was excited to dive into this memoir—and it did not disappoint!

Hall's writing is straightforward, engaging, and accessible. She explains common distance-running concepts such as cross-training, altitude training, and race preparation in a way that both runners and non-runners can easily understand. Those who are new to the sport will likely come away with a greater appreciation for the work that goes into becoming an elite athlete.

What surprised me most were the unexpected topics Hall weaves throughout the book. Beyond running, she shares insights ranging from the meaning behind the ASICS name—derived from the Latin phrase "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" ("a sound mind in a sound body")—to the difficult realities faced by many young Ethiopian girls. These moments broaden the scope of the memoir and add depth beyond the sport itself.

The narrative unfolds largely from race to race, detailing Hall's efforts to balance elite training with family life, faith, motherhood, and a seemingly endless string of injuries. Given that running is notorious for overuse injuries, it is no surprise that setbacks become a recurring theme. At times, this creates a repetitive pattern of training, injury, recovery, racing, and starting over. While this occasionally slows the pacing, it also reinforces just how much perseverance is required to compete at the highest level. When Hall finally breaks through with some of her best performances, those moments feel genuinely earned because the reader has witnessed everything it took to get there.

Overall, "For the Love of the Grind" is an insightful and inspiring look into the life of an elite distance runner. Whether you're a runner or not, Hall's story offers valuable lessons about perseverance, sacrifice, family, faith, and the pursuit of long-term goals.

And a special shoutout to Hall and her husband's charitable work through the Hall Steps Foundation, which supports children living on the streets of Ethiopia through community-led programs that provide housing, meals, mentorship, and job training. It's a wonderful cause and one that deserves recognition!

[Hannah Huston · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Bryana Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.