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This Mum Runs
The inspirational story of athlete Jo Pavey, the runner and mum who ran at a record-breaking fifth Olympic Games at Rio 2016.
'Come-back races? I've had more than a few, the night of 10 May 2014 was the ultimate long shot. I was a forty-year-old mother of two who had given birth eight months before. I trained on a treadmill in a cupboard by the back door and I was wearing a running vest older than most of the girls I was competing against. Was I crazy?'
Jo Pavey was forty years old when she won the 10,000m at the European Championships. It was the first gold medal of her career and, astonishingly, it came within months of having her second child.
The media dubbed her ‘Supermum’, but Jo’s story is in many ways the same as every mother juggling the demands of working life with a family – the sleepless nights, the endless nappy changing, the fun, the laughter and the school-run chaos. The only difference is that Jo is a full-time athlete pushing a buggy on her training runs, clocking up miles on the treadmill in a cupboard while her daughter has her lunchtime nap, and hitting the track while her children picnic on the grass.
Heartwarming and uplifting, This Mum Runs follows Jo’s roundabout journey to the top and all the lessons she's learnt along the way. It is the inspiring yet everyday story of a mum that runs and a runner that mums.
'Come-back races? I've had more than a few, the night of 10 May 2014 was the ultimate long shot. I was a forty-year-old mother of two who had given birth eight months before. I trained on a treadmill in a cupboard by the back door and I was wearing a running vest older than most of the girls I was competing against. Was I crazy?'
Jo Pavey was forty years old when she won the 10,000m at the European Championships. It was the first gold medal of her career and, astonishingly, it came within months of having her second child.
The media dubbed her ‘Supermum’, but Jo’s story is in many ways the same as every mother juggling the demands of working life with a family – the sleepless nights, the endless nappy changing, the fun, the laughter and the school-run chaos. The only difference is that Jo is a full-time athlete pushing a buggy on her training runs, clocking up miles on the treadmill in a cupboard while her daughter has her lunchtime nap, and hitting the track while her children picnic on the grass.
Heartwarming and uplifting, This Mum Runs follows Jo’s roundabout journey to the top and all the lessons she's learnt along the way. It is the inspiring yet everyday story of a mum that runs and a runner that mums.
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First published February 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 8, 2017
I love to read an autobiography. I love how a book neatly summarises the chaos that is somebodies life, the highs, the lows, the achievements. When it comes to reading autobiographies of athletes, I think there have been mixed success, too many times I have read what could literally be a statistics book strung out over 200 pages. Jo Pavey's 'This Mum Runs' is not one of those books however.
From the very first page it is written with the same gentle humility that Jo Pavey has become renowned for and this continues consistently right to the last chapter. It is well structured and although, yes, it has a few snapshots of statistics about races and athletics, it is more over about Jo Pavey as an all round person - being a elite athlete is merely her day job.
The important thing here is that this particular athlete actually has a very interesting story to tell. We all love to hear the inspiration behind anyone who is the top of their game in any field, be it athletics or not, but to be honest sometimes even though they are the best at what they do, it just hasn't been a very interesting journey to get there, thus it shows in the autobiography.
In this book however, we are given a great insight into what makes this person, Jo Pavey, who she is; a mother, wife, an elite athlete - and what makes her world tick. The life events of Jo are worth reading about and make for a great story to tell. This autobiography does not shy away from real life, blinding the reader with just the bare bones about athletics which becomes slightly dull, it is honest, it is humorous and it is enjoyable.
From the very first page it is written with the same gentle humility that Jo Pavey has become renowned for and this continues consistently right to the last chapter. It is well structured and although, yes, it has a few snapshots of statistics about races and athletics, it is more over about Jo Pavey as an all round person - being a elite athlete is merely her day job.
The important thing here is that this particular athlete actually has a very interesting story to tell. We all love to hear the inspiration behind anyone who is the top of their game in any field, be it athletics or not, but to be honest sometimes even though they are the best at what they do, it just hasn't been a very interesting journey to get there, thus it shows in the autobiography.
In this book however, we are given a great insight into what makes this person, Jo Pavey, who she is; a mother, wife, an elite athlete - and what makes her world tick. The life events of Jo are worth reading about and make for a great story to tell. This autobiography does not shy away from real life, blinding the reader with just the bare bones about athletics which becomes slightly dull, it is honest, it is humorous and it is enjoyable.
December 28, 2016
Loved this book! Was a great read and kept me interested throughout. It was inspiring to know how hard Jo has worked and what she overcame to get her gold medal. I have never known anyone with such bad luck, it was one thing after the other but she didn't give up. She has come across as being very determined, lots of perserverance, patient, stubborn whilst not forgetting her family in the process. A fab read!
October 21, 2016
Really good read. It's incredible what Jo Pavey has achieved and the longevity she has had in her career considering how many injuries she has had and obstacles she has overcome. An inspiring book.
January 26, 2018
Jo Pavey is a brilliant, inspirational athlete (who has also empirically demonstrated that you write off us old people in their forties at your peril!) The content of this book made me smile, made me laugh and made me cry. Jo's had an incredible journey & I have fond memories of seeing her bring in her only gold medal (sadly just on the telly...)
Why only a 3 star review? Well, it's more of a 3.5 really... The thing is, Jo's strengths - for me at least - are as an athlete, less so as an author. The style was a little flat & I felt that some of the more interesting parts of the book were skimmed over, in favour of detail that seemed unnecessary. Perhaps that's just me though - as a childless male, I can hardly comment & it has to be said, Jo's ability to juggle motherhood, whilst remaining an elite athlete is frankly amazing.
Either way - Jo, you are a legend.
Why only a 3 star review? Well, it's more of a 3.5 really... The thing is, Jo's strengths - for me at least - are as an athlete, less so as an author. The style was a little flat & I felt that some of the more interesting parts of the book were skimmed over, in favour of detail that seemed unnecessary. Perhaps that's just me though - as a childless male, I can hardly comment & it has to be said, Jo's ability to juggle motherhood, whilst remaining an elite athlete is frankly amazing.
Either way - Jo, you are a legend.
December 11, 2016
An inspiration to anyone in sport
Such a good read from a true ambassador of British sport. Injuries, children and living a dream that spanned her life time so far.
Such a good read from a true ambassador of British sport. Injuries, children and living a dream that spanned her life time so far.
September 12, 2019
Jo Pavey comes across in her autobiography just as she does in real life - humble, down-to-earth, and passionate about her sport. As a mum of two young children myself, who attempts to run, it was inspiring to read about the way she balances her love for her family and her love for her sport, and incredible to learn how she achieved her greatest sporting successes after having two babies. It all felt very “neat” though. She is at pains to point out that her training regime only fits around her children because she is happy to be very relaxed about when and where she runs, but I wish she hadn’t made it sound quite as easy as she did. I know from experience how hard it is to fit the rest of life and work in when your priority is the needs and wants of two demanding small people, and I’m quite sure she won’t have been any different. I might have identified with her a bit more if she had admitted how hard it must have been, and how guilty she must have felt at times.
November 24, 2019
I have bags of admiration for Jo Pavey as a runner who has followed her passion and succeeded brilliantly when others could justifiably have quit. As a writer, I think she needed more support. Her story is amazing but there is little sense of jeopardy or suspense and most lacking for me was a sense of humour. Jo talks about how they joked about certain things but it doesn’t come across and I felt the book was a little dry because of this.
April 8, 2021
I have a lot of admiration for Jo Pavey and met her at a running event whereby she gave a motivational talk on training and racing. The book felt a bit flat and repetitive in parts, which is why I have it 3 stars.
It was interesting reading about her challenges of motherhood and made me laugh from my own experience of having two small kids. I am in awe of her achievements as she's a great role model.
It was interesting reading about her challenges of motherhood and made me laugh from my own experience of having two small kids. I am in awe of her achievements as she's a great role model.
January 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Didn’t know much about Jo Pavey so it was interesting to hear how she got into running and how she manages to juggle her training with having a family.
The book doesn’t ever get below a certain level though. Don’t expect to hear much about the realities of her relationships etc, it’s very focused on her running career, rather than her life.
Overall I felt inspired to hear from a woman who has success in her forties, after having children. Go Jo!
The book doesn’t ever get below a certain level though. Don’t expect to hear much about the realities of her relationships etc, it’s very focused on her running career, rather than her life.
Overall I felt inspired to hear from a woman who has success in her forties, after having children. Go Jo!
August 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this. Quite simplistic and down to earth in its style, Jo Pavey comes across as a really nice, normal girl, who has a talent of running VERY fast!
As a runner I loved hearing about her races and was in utter awe that she ran the Great North Run in 1 hour and 5 mins - after I had thought I was incredible for running it in 1 hour and 54!!
As a runner I loved hearing about her races and was in utter awe that she ran the Great North Run in 1 hour and 5 mins - after I had thought I was incredible for running it in 1 hour and 54!!
October 18, 2024
This book made me excited about running all over again. Jo Pavey gives a very honest account of her running account and is so matter of facts about the highs and the lows. It gives you a real insight into the mind space of an Olympic athlete and how focused and driven they need to be! I’ll definitely be reading it again and again!
August 20, 2017
I'm a huge fan of Jo Pavey, and this book didn't disappoint. Her contributions to Runners World are fantastic, and her book is just the same. This book will appeal both to runners and to anyone who enjoys a good personal story.
Brilliant story of overcoming challenges. Brilliantly written.
Brilliant story of overcoming challenges. Brilliantly written.
April 25, 2018
I chose this book as a light read after a major operation. It was fascinating to hear about Jo's early success, injury years, and slightly left-field fightback. She is certainly a role model for athletes seeking a long career, and describes her achievements in a modest and appealing way.
June 8, 2018
Interesting, heartfelt & inspiring
An enjoyable insight into Jo’s life and how the simple joy of running as a child has continued throughout her life. Very interesting to hear how she runs or cross trains when injured. An inspiration.
An enjoyable insight into Jo’s life and how the simple joy of running as a child has continued throughout her life. Very interesting to hear how she runs or cross trains when injured. An inspiration.
September 13, 2018
Wonderful, positive book
Feel good book about the joys of running - as a older runner, I take great inspiration from her later achievements! First gold medal after 2 kids and turning 40!
Feel good book about the joys of running - as a older runner, I take great inspiration from her later achievements! First gold medal after 2 kids and turning 40!
August 22, 2019
Great read
Loved reading this book. Fitting in what you love doing in life is possible. Would have liked a bit more insight into funding and pressures that are undoubtedly faces by athletes and coaches in elite sport.
Loved reading this book. Fitting in what you love doing in life is possible. Would have liked a bit more insight into funding and pressures that are undoubtedly faces by athletes and coaches in elite sport.
March 17, 2025
Really interesting book about Jo's career as a professional athlete and how she maintained her elite level into her 40s! She includes insight into her personal life and how she has been lucky enough to weave this into her training. Very accessible even to those with no running knowledge.
January 14, 2018
Very enjoyable. A nice, conversational, easy writing style that makes you fly through the book, and with minimal jumping back and forth in time as some histories do. Definitely recommend.
April 17, 2018
Interesting read
A great insight into Jo's whole life & career as an athlete
Love that family always comes first
Definitely convinced me age is just a number
A great insight into Jo's whole life & career as an athlete
Love that family always comes first
Definitely convinced me age is just a number
July 26, 2018
Inspiring stuff. Jo Pavey comes across as down-to-earth. I liked the details of motherhood which I could relate to.
3 stars.
3 stars.
December 14, 2018
Superb for all budding athletes at any level who have a lot of juggling in their lives!
February 27, 2019
Very inspirational lady indeed
June 4, 2019
Just what I needed to read after almost 2 weeks of no running due to a cold - Jo Pavey has had so many serious setbacks and injuries and has managed to get through them all with a relaxed but determined attitude.
Particularly loved the sentence ‘Runners of all levels have bio-mechanical issues of a sort...but I think it’s best to get on with making the best of what you are.’
Also made me a bit emotional in the end few chapters! 👍😍 🏃♀️
Particularly loved the sentence ‘Runners of all levels have bio-mechanical issues of a sort...but I think it’s best to get on with making the best of what you are.’
Also made me a bit emotional in the end few chapters! 👍😍 🏃♀️
March 19, 2020
An interesting autobiography by a really inspirational athlete and down to earth mother of 2. It was easy to follow ,concise and interesting throughout.
March 10, 2021
Inspiring
Loved this book, very inspiring and interesting. As a still relatively new runner it was good to hear all that Jo went through, injuries and all.
Loved this book, very inspiring and interesting. As a still relatively new runner it was good to hear all that Jo went through, injuries and all.
July 13, 2021
Inspiring insights into the life of an amazing runner and her career journey and family life.
October 23, 2021
Fairly run of the mill autobiography. Not difficult, or very deep, but a quick enough read.
October 18, 2016
Most people like me had never heard of Jo Pavey till she ran and won bronze in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014. I started running in my late forties and this lady is an inspiration. Finished this on the day I found out I wasn't running the London Marathon next year - but I will keep on running.
March 22, 2017
Exceptional and very inspirational lady. I Learnt about all the Olympic events. Love an autobiography!
December 15, 2016
I've always been a fan of Jo Pavey, and I'd always wondered why she appeared so late in her career, now we know why.
Well done Jo, you're fabulous
Well done Jo, you're fabulous
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews