What do you think?
Rate this book
Running Hot & Cold
It's now a common sight to see people of all ages and abilities running through our towns, parks and rural areas; but it can still be surprising where the running journey can take us. Doug Richards was indifferent to exercise until, approaching his middle years, he became increasingly aware of his declining fitness. So Doug took up running. Rather slowly at first; but he made steady progress. Follow Doug's journey – overcoming modern-life obstacles including a marriage breakdown, work-related stress, anxiety and depression – from that very first one-mile run to marathons at home and abroad. And so on to wider and wilder horizons. How do you prepare for running 140 miles across the Sahara Desert? How does a bus-pass-bearing pensioner stay upright running on Greenland's polar ice-cap? Read of a confrontation with elephants in South Africa, puddles in the desert in China and the emotional rollercoaster of running in tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka.
About the Author
Doug Richards is a retired University of Birmingham lecturer with a long track record of academic publishing, though Running Hot & Cold is his first venture into non-fiction. Doug's background lies in medical research, which led to his teaching pharmacology and neuroscience. He recently qualified as a run leader with the Run England project.
About the Author
Doug Richards is a retired University of Birmingham lecturer with a long track record of academic publishing, though Running Hot & Cold is his first venture into non-fiction. Doug's background lies in medical research, which led to his teaching pharmacology and neuroscience. He recently qualified as a run leader with the Run England project.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2014
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2015
Firstly I will start by saying that I am Doug's son (Chris), so obviously some may see this review as a little biased. For that reason, I will do my very best to give my objective opinions about the book and keep this review as short and sweet as possible. I have waited a long time to read this book and was not let down in the slightest!
I have been lucky enough to share the highs and lows of my Dad's adventures and (as you will read in the book) am partly responsible for him realising he needed to change his lifestyle. What I didn't expect from reading his first book, was to learn as much as I did! The detail he remembers from his adventures, is captured so vividly and really kept me engrossed until the very last page.
I am not much of a 'reader', but found it very difficult to put the Kindle down. I have learned things not just about Dad's incredible global adventures, but about my ancestry too. Doug's amazing ability to describe his emotions throughout these crazy adventures, really made the experiences come to life.
For me, this book describes perfectly the immense camaraderie that comes with any running journey, whether that be joining your first club, or (at the other extreme) pulling together in the Sahara when times are tough. As the volunteer Event Director at Telford parkrun, I am lucky enough to witness the 'pulling together' of an amazing running community and see those taking their 'first steps' every single week. This book describes that amazing feeling of mutual trust and friendship to a tee.
So to finish my review...
Dad (Doug Richards) we are all so very proud of you and all you have achieved! Congratulations on the launch of your first book and here's to a future of yet more Running Hot & Cold!
Chris, Lynne & your beautiful Granddaughter Holly. xxx
p.s. Sorry about the car!
I have been lucky enough to share the highs and lows of my Dad's adventures and (as you will read in the book) am partly responsible for him realising he needed to change his lifestyle. What I didn't expect from reading his first book, was to learn as much as I did! The detail he remembers from his adventures, is captured so vividly and really kept me engrossed until the very last page.
I am not much of a 'reader', but found it very difficult to put the Kindle down. I have learned things not just about Dad's incredible global adventures, but about my ancestry too. Doug's amazing ability to describe his emotions throughout these crazy adventures, really made the experiences come to life.
For me, this book describes perfectly the immense camaraderie that comes with any running journey, whether that be joining your first club, or (at the other extreme) pulling together in the Sahara when times are tough. As the volunteer Event Director at Telford parkrun, I am lucky enough to witness the 'pulling together' of an amazing running community and see those taking their 'first steps' every single week. This book describes that amazing feeling of mutual trust and friendship to a tee.
So to finish my review...
Dad (Doug Richards) we are all so very proud of you and all you have achieved! Congratulations on the launch of your first book and here's to a future of yet more Running Hot & Cold!
Chris, Lynne & your beautiful Granddaughter Holly. xxx
p.s. Sorry about the car!
January 4, 2015
An incredibly amazing and inspiring book! As a non-runner myself I am always in awe of anyone who runs any distance, be it one mile or a marathon. Doug's book shows just what amazing things the most ordinary of people can achieve when they put their minds to it. This isn't just a book about running, it is about overcoming the ups and downs of everyday life and turning what started as a simple hobby to get fit, into many incredible achievements and adventures around the world.
The book is very gripping and difficult to put down as it keeps you wondering what unexpected dramas and crazy adventures lay on the next page! I'm still not sure I will be putting my own running shoes on any time soon but I am very jealous that I will probably never get to experience many of the incredible places and sights around the world that Doug has managed to visit through his running!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone whether you are a runner or not, it is most certainly worth a read!
The book is very gripping and difficult to put down as it keeps you wondering what unexpected dramas and crazy adventures lay on the next page! I'm still not sure I will be putting my own running shoes on any time soon but I am very jealous that I will probably never get to experience many of the incredible places and sights around the world that Doug has managed to visit through his running!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone whether you are a runner or not, it is most certainly worth a read!
January 23, 2015
Some great ultramarathon runs; makes you want to do them yourself.
February 21, 2023
A really insightful account of a runners tales, covering great adventures in exotic locations, to the local Parkrun.
Thoroughly recommended for all runners to help encourage and remind you why we want to run each day.
Thoroughly recommended for all runners to help encourage and remind you why we want to run each day.
September 17, 2019
Wish there were pictures! Loved the adventures Doug!
October 19, 2023
Om man ikke tør gå for drømmen om å løpe etter denne så veit jeg ikke 🙈
March 2, 2019
Just loved this story, Doug’s honesty about life’s tribulations are what really warm you to his story. It’s much more about life’s journey with a healthy dose of running stories to inspire you wherever you are with your running progress, be warned you may come away from reading this with formidable goals in mind.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews