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31 Days: A zero-bullsh*t mindset masterclass for the modern runner
31 Days follows up on ultrarunner Allie Bailey's searingly honest autobiography There is No Wall.
It takes the final chapter of that book which was the self-help rant you didn't think you were buying and supercharges it, creating something relatable and tangible that you can actually take into your day-to-day life and make a lasting difference. While There is No Wall clearly said running won't save you, perhaps this book will, with its zero-bullsh*t approach to mindset mentoring, and tools and exercises that enable you to do the work and create incredible results.
Whatever it is you're struggling with – running, career, relationship – Allie draws on her lived experience as an award-winning coach, runner, depressive and recovering alcoholic, to show you how you can change things in yourself that you didn't think it was possible to change. And not just for one training block, one race or for a few weeks, but for the rest of your life.
Split into thirty-one easy-to-digest chapters – one a day – it is a handbook, a companion on a journey with no end. But be warned, this book contains no quick fixes – it is down to you to do the work.
It's never too late to change, you're not 'just the way you are', and it's never too late to tell that doubting voice you have lived with for decades to kindly go f@*k itself.
Are you ready to begin?
It takes the final chapter of that book which was the self-help rant you didn't think you were buying and supercharges it, creating something relatable and tangible that you can actually take into your day-to-day life and make a lasting difference. While There is No Wall clearly said running won't save you, perhaps this book will, with its zero-bullsh*t approach to mindset mentoring, and tools and exercises that enable you to do the work and create incredible results.
Whatever it is you're struggling with – running, career, relationship – Allie draws on her lived experience as an award-winning coach, runner, depressive and recovering alcoholic, to show you how you can change things in yourself that you didn't think it was possible to change. And not just for one training block, one race or for a few weeks, but for the rest of your life.
Split into thirty-one easy-to-digest chapters – one a day – it is a handbook, a companion on a journey with no end. But be warned, this book contains no quick fixes – it is down to you to do the work.
It's never too late to change, you're not 'just the way you are', and it's never too late to tell that doubting voice you have lived with for decades to kindly go f@*k itself.
Are you ready to begin?
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 18, 2026
I was excited to read this one. The title hooked me, and I’d read the author’s first book — not unforgettable, but solid enough to give this a go. This time, though, it just didn’t land.
A lot of the content leans on ACT therapy ideas (if not all), which I’m familiar with, but here they feel diluted and poorly delivered. Instead of clarity, it left me feeling heavier... and bored.
There’s also a strong sense that the author assumes a one-size-fits-all path — as if what worked for her should work for everyone. That didn’t sit well. It comes across less like guidance and more like projection. At times, it even feels like the book is written for herself — a kind of personal justification dressed up as advice.
One thing that really put me off is how judgemental,towards many people, the author comes across.
It also feels like she’s a recovering alcoholic trying to step into a therapist role, and for me, that just didn’t translate well on the page. It ends up feeling more like personal experience being pushed as universal truth — and it doesn’t really work, at least not in this book.
And the swearing… look, I swear too. A lot. But this starts to feel forced, like she’s constantly going “this is who I am, if you don’t like it, fcuk off.” That attitude just doesn’t do anything for me. After a while it feels like it’s covering for weak points rather than adding anything.
Overall, not my cup of tea. But if you’re in a very specific headspace, it might resonate more than it did with me.
A lot of the content leans on ACT therapy ideas (if not all), which I’m familiar with, but here they feel diluted and poorly delivered. Instead of clarity, it left me feeling heavier... and bored.
There’s also a strong sense that the author assumes a one-size-fits-all path — as if what worked for her should work for everyone. That didn’t sit well. It comes across less like guidance and more like projection. At times, it even feels like the book is written for herself — a kind of personal justification dressed up as advice.
One thing that really put me off is how judgemental,towards many people, the author comes across.
It also feels like she’s a recovering alcoholic trying to step into a therapist role, and for me, that just didn’t translate well on the page. It ends up feeling more like personal experience being pushed as universal truth — and it doesn’t really work, at least not in this book.
And the swearing… look, I swear too. A lot. But this starts to feel forced, like she’s constantly going “this is who I am, if you don’t like it, fcuk off.” That attitude just doesn’t do anything for me. After a while it feels like it’s covering for weak points rather than adding anything.
Overall, not my cup of tea. But if you’re in a very specific headspace, it might resonate more than it did with me.
March 17, 2026
Loved AB’s first book and her podcast so I was looking forward to this one.
I tried to get through it but eventually gave up. It feels like “kitchen table psychology” presented in a quite condescending tone. Some parts of it might be beneficial to new runners but I didn’t feel like it offers any value to experienced runners.
I tried to get through it but eventually gave up. It feels like “kitchen table psychology” presented in a quite condescending tone. Some parts of it might be beneficial to new runners but I didn’t feel like it offers any value to experienced runners.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As you might expect from a book where the subtitle includes "zero-bullshit" this book does what it says on the cover. Allie packs no punches, if you want to benefit from reading this book you'll have to put some work in, but the way the book is structured into relatively short manageable chapters and the resources and tools that are available to help with undertaking the tasks you have to work through helps lower the barrier to achieving them. With that in mind I'm writing this review and I haven't finished the book....yet. But I will do. I don't read many self-help books and have no aspirations to run marathons, ultra or otherwise but the advice here is well structured and applicable to more than just running, its about taking time to think about and reflect on what you want to do with your life then
provides a set of tools and methods to help you achieve this. Tasks involve writing these down and regularly recording how you feel about what you have done which is not a bad thing for any aspect of life. That change and "success" takes time and practice is sound advice
Whilst I've not finished the whole book I've jumped ahead and dipped into a few of the later chapters which cover managing expectations and dealing with failure and impostor syndrome and the advice here seems sound. One aspect I think would perhaps have been useful would be to include a bibliography as in a few places it mentions a lot of research has been done and it would be great to have that effort shared with the reader. That said, Allie's writing and avice stems not just from her research but also from her experience and there are many examples throughout the chapters of her own experience changing her mind or from her coaching and whilst anecdotal in nature they make for a more engaging and rounded book showing how the advice of each section can bear fruit.
It's going to take time for me to work through the advice and methods in this book but I think it will be worth it. The book is well structured into manageable chunks and each chapter has exercises and key take-aways making it not feel like a chore to read. I would recommend picking up a copy and giving it a go if you want to make a change to your life too, whether that is running or something else.
provides a set of tools and methods to help you achieve this. Tasks involve writing these down and regularly recording how you feel about what you have done which is not a bad thing for any aspect of life. That change and "success" takes time and practice is sound advice
Whilst I've not finished the whole book I've jumped ahead and dipped into a few of the later chapters which cover managing expectations and dealing with failure and impostor syndrome and the advice here seems sound. One aspect I think would perhaps have been useful would be to include a bibliography as in a few places it mentions a lot of research has been done and it would be great to have that effort shared with the reader. That said, Allie's writing and avice stems not just from her research but also from her experience and there are many examples throughout the chapters of her own experience changing her mind or from her coaching and whilst anecdotal in nature they make for a more engaging and rounded book showing how the advice of each section can bear fruit.
It's going to take time for me to work through the advice and methods in this book but I think it will be worth it. The book is well structured into manageable chunks and each chapter has exercises and key take-aways making it not feel like a chore to read. I would recommend picking up a copy and giving it a go if you want to make a change to your life too, whether that is running or something else.
February 20, 2026
This book is a guide to improving running experience by examining what you hope to achieve, and why, and also what currently is, or is not going to plan. Advice is presented in bite-sized pieces, one for each day, on how to approach planning running training (or any other hobby or activity) to get the best out of it. Rather than giving physical training sessions, the exercises are more to do with attitude, values, approach, and challenging actual (rather than perceived) desired outcomes. Based on the author's own (difficult) experiences in preparing for ultra (ie marathon distance +) events, she has built up an impressive coaching business from which examples are taken in order to demonstrate common problems with coping with the distance, managing expectations, pre-race nerves etc. She is very frank with her past issues with addiction and mental health, and uses these to help others overcome difficulties when they are not achieving desired results.
It is not an easy read, yet a lot of thought has gone into exploring what, on paper, seem unconventional ways of improving. Each 'day' looks at a different facet of approach, with a worksheet to be filled in after consideration of the topics. Helpfully, there is no need to write in the book itself, as a QR code is given so that the worksheets can be downloaded and printed out.
Everything in this book may look simple, but a lot of thought has gone into making it so. The exercises are potentially just as beneficial for beginners as those whose progress has stalled or seemingly regressed, but best results are not obtained just by reading, one actually has to do them!
While the book does headline as a 'zero-bull masterclass for the modern runner', I did find the frequent use of swearwords (average 2 per page) unnecessary. It is clear that the author has been through some very difficult and challenging times, the narrative is not further embellished by this sort of language; instead I found it distracts from the main thrust of how, and why, to do the exercises. That said, it should not be a barrier to following the programme.
It is not an easy read, yet a lot of thought has gone into exploring what, on paper, seem unconventional ways of improving. Each 'day' looks at a different facet of approach, with a worksheet to be filled in after consideration of the topics. Helpfully, there is no need to write in the book itself, as a QR code is given so that the worksheets can be downloaded and printed out.
Everything in this book may look simple, but a lot of thought has gone into making it so. The exercises are potentially just as beneficial for beginners as those whose progress has stalled or seemingly regressed, but best results are not obtained just by reading, one actually has to do them!
While the book does headline as a 'zero-bull masterclass for the modern runner', I did find the frequent use of swearwords (average 2 per page) unnecessary. It is clear that the author has been through some very difficult and challenging times, the narrative is not further embellished by this sort of language; instead I found it distracts from the main thrust of how, and why, to do the exercises. That said, it should not be a barrier to following the programme.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you’re after a book to help you change your mindset and motivations with running then this is it. With 31 short chapters covering different topics such as self belief, how to fail and identifying values - each chapter has details about the topic, Allie’s own life experiences tackling the issues and exercises with worksheets.
I really like the format and easy to digest chapters - there’s no pseudo science, no overlong author rambles and no rubbish. It’s all practical and applicable no matter what level of runner you consider yourself to be.
I really like the format and easy to digest chapters - there’s no pseudo science, no overlong author rambles and no rubbish. It’s all practical and applicable no matter what level of runner you consider yourself to be.
May 14, 2026
I struggled to work out who the target audience of this book was. For me, it felt like a lot of the chapters were aimed at runners who enter big events or have signed up for races, rather than the everyday plodder who runs purely for enjoyment.
I would have liked a bibliography and citations to read up on some of the studies mentioned.
I will however "do the work" and might change the rating of this review as time passes, some chapters were thought provoking
I would have liked a bibliography and citations to read up on some of the studies mentioned.
I will however "do the work" and might change the rating of this review as time passes, some chapters were thought provoking
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Very good book which contains many discussion points. It contains many useful exercises to help think more positively in running or any part of day to day life. The book is full of very interesting examples from the Author's own life. It will be a book which I will go back to numerous times.
April 30, 2026
Loved the bitesize chapters and that it tells it as it is. It's definitely something I'll refer back to as I need.
Review of advance copy
The bl@@dy brilliant Allie does it again - ‘do the work’ she says, and over 31 days you are given all the tools and mindset work to change your running and probably your life. Pen and paper required, this book requires you to put in the effort; I read it all with the intention of a re-read to put it into action (and I couldn’t put it down).
As an ardent podcast fan and follower of Allie’s ‘Running won’t save you’, I can hear her voice as I read, which brings that extra motivation! And an audio book is on the way.
Read this, do the work and challenge yourself to go further than you thought you ever could. Off to go through it again and do the work myself…
As an ardent podcast fan and follower of Allie’s ‘Running won’t save you’, I can hear her voice as I read, which brings that extra motivation! And an audio book is on the way.
Read this, do the work and challenge yourself to go further than you thought you ever could. Off to go through it again and do the work myself…
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews