Beyond Impossible: From Reluctant Runner to Guinness World Record Breaker

by Mimi Anderson

When Mimi first started jogging on a treadmill as an unfit 36-year-old mother-of-three, she never imagined she would go on to become a World-Record-breaking ultrarunner. After coming to terms with the anorexia that had impacted her life from a young age, Mimi begins to reassess her relationship with food and finds a new resolve in running. With a renewed sense of purpose, she decides to take the sport that saved her life to the next level, training hard and throwing herself in at the deep end by entering the epic Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, despite still being a novice runner. One startling success leads to another, as she finds herself taking on ever-more-challenging races – from the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA, to the 6633 Arctic Ultra – all building up to her biggest challenge attempting to gain the Guinness World Record time for a female running 840 miles from John o’Groats to Land’s End. This incredible story of how an ordinary mum ran her way into the record books will inspire beginner runners and die-hard marathon devotees alike, proving that, no matter where life takes you, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams and do the impossible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Sports, Health, Biography

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2017

Reviews

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this book more. It was interesting to learn more about Mimi’s journey but the book itself is not that great. It felt like reading a long CV, it’s more a long list of accomplishments with bits of the story here and there. Most races were dully described, failures mostly omitted (although she mentioned there were many). How much more interesting would it be if all that was included?

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*
While Mimi's story is fascinating and her achievements are amazing, I just couldn't fully click with her. I liked how she overcame anorexia and how openly she talkes about it, but I could have done with a little bit less personal info, and a bit more about actual running. Some of her ultras get only a few paragraphs, and only the race across Scotland/England and one in the ice and snow get a lot of detail. The marathon des Sables a bit, the rest is more "I ran there, it was extreme, I won second place" (of course not actually that short, but it's a bit how it felt to me). I'd have liked more of those and less of who of her friends drove from where to visit her on her run for example. I'm also not one to care at all about looks, so the thought of missing make up and a hair dryer when running in the desert had me rolling my eyes a bit.

All in all it was interesting to read and I am in absolute awe of what the author managed to do already (and still is planning to do!)

[Lorna Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Managed to make running ultramarathons sound fairly ordinary thanks to a lack of effective description and at times a really odd brevity - some ultras get only a paragraph. Her achievements are fantastic but her book really isn’t.

[my.bookshelf.87 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woman starts running at 36 after battling anorexia in her younger years. Ends up doing multiple ultra marathons. Also a world record. The end.

It's the type of story I would have preferred reading as a magazine article, rather than a (poorly written) book. Also, the narrator on the audiobook was so monotonous that I struggled to stay awake!

[Phoebe Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read of an inspirational running journey from Mimi Anderson. It perfectly describes her falling in love with running and made so much more enjoyable by learning about her backstory and upbringing. Made me feel like I can run an ultramarathon!!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

So inspirational

[Sonali Ekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi Anderson has run several ultramarathons, including some of the toughest ones like the Badwater race & the Spartathlon. She has run races in some of the toughest race circuits across deserts, forests, mountains, circuits at the world’s highest & the lowest altitudes. She’s held several records, including multiple Guinness World Records. At 57 & a grandmother of 3, she continues being an endurance runner & aims to achieve the biggest challenge of her life including running across America in record time.

It’s difficult to capture the complete essence of her achievements in a single book. This one is her journey from being an anorexic for 15 years, to being pregnant with her first child, to competitive running.

This book covers some of her important races, the tough courses, terrain & climate, her preparation, the support of her husband, crew, friends & family. But the recurring theme in all is her relationship with her eating disorder, how her relationship with food came a full circle from anorexia to an endurance runner. It’s also inspiring how she & other mothers participated in these races together. She points out, how, unlike most sports which are segregated by gender, ultramarathons are a real equalizer because men & women are judged by the same criteria, and the performance gap between both genders is pretty narrow.

Highly recommended for runners & non - runners alike.

[Meg C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ultramarathon memoirs but I realized I always read ones by men. Mimi Anderson seemed like a badass so I decided to read her story for both the female perspective and a non-American perspective. This story was incredible and not only is she one of the most hardcore runners in the world, but she also battled abuse as a child, a severe eating disorder, and the stigma of being a full-time housewife. I have never been so inspired by another human being and the way she tells her story in this book is so human. She touches on how running saved her from anorexia and how running both strained and strengthened her marriage.

This book is perfect for runners, especially ones who started later in life, for people who want to try something new, but are scared to be a beginner, and for everyone who needs motivation to achieve things that seem impossible. Mimi Anderson's story will help you look beyond impossible.

[Somit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond impossible by @marvellousmimi is a story of stay home-mom with 3 kids, who fought Anorexia, faced child abuse. No, she is a fearless, crazy and yet strong willed Ultra runner who will fill you with the motivation you need to get through the day, life and most importantly your run.

It’s a delight for those who run to hear her stories about MDS, Bad Water, Arctic Ultra, Spartathlon and multiple Guinea’s book record attempts are EPIC!

But, there some important takeaways:

1) Choice defines what’s possible, situations don’t.

2) Feed your mind with breaking limits, your body will follow

3) Experiencing failure multiple times is a good thing. It helps you pause and relish when success does come.

[Mr Matthew Alan Swainston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of “inspirational” running books over the past year but this was one of the few that really lived up to the promise. An ordinary person doing great things against the odds. There’s some of Mimi’s background in there, about a troubled childhood and her fight with anorexia which was a great insight into an issue that most people won’t really understand. Mostly though it’s about how she went from a non-runner with an eating disorder to a very accomplished ultra runner. It might not make you want to run the length of Britain but should make you think the next time you’re grumbling about how tough it is to run 5km!!!
Definitely recommend this one.

[Clare Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mimi is an impressive (if slightly bonkers) runner who has achieved much, and is an inspiration to others.
At times this was an uncomfortable read, particularly the childhood sections and addressing her eating disorder. This made it particularly moving and a powerful story. I invested in Mimi and wanted her to achieve.
Some sections were very funny - for example finishing the MDS in a sparkly party dress.
It was apparent that this was an athlete writing their story rather than a writer interested in running, the prose lacked some of the colour and style of other running books.

[Ghost14 · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Beyond Impossible: From Reluctant Runner to Guinness World Record Breaker** by Mimi Anderson is an inspiring memoir detailing the author’s journey from a non-athlete to a renowned endurance runner. Anderson, who began running in her late 30s, shares her incredible adventures and the mental and physical challenges she faced along the way.

### Key Themes:
1. **Transformation and Growth**: Anderson's story highlights how determination and resilience can lead to extraordinary achievements, even when starting from scratch.
2. **Endurance and Ultra-Running**: Detailed accounts of her grueling races, including the Marathon des Sables and the Double Badwater, provide an inside look into the world of ultra-running.
3. **Personal Challenges**: The memoir also delves into Anderson's battle with anorexia and how running played a crucial role in her recovery and self-discovery.
4. **Guinness World Records**: Anderson's numerous record-breaking feats underscore her relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries.

### Strengths:
- **Inspiring and Motivational**: Anderson’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and serves as a motivation for readers to pursue their passions.
- **Honest and Relatable**: Her candid discussions about her struggles make her story relatable and human.
- **Engaging Narratives**: The vivid descriptions of her races and the emotions involved make for an engaging read.

### Potential Drawbacks:
- **Niche Interest**: While the book is inspirational, it may primarily appeal to those interested in running and endurance sports.
- **Pacing**: Some readers might find parts of the book slower, especially those less interested in detailed race descriptions.

Overall, "Beyond Impossible" is a compelling read for anyone interested in personal transformation, endurance sports, or stories of overcoming adversity. Anderson’s achievements and her candid storytelling make this memoir a powerful testament to what one can achieve with determination and passion.

[Nodir Khalilov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent, covering Mimi's adventure running the length of Great Britain while also delving into her backstory. Mimi's honesty in sharing her struggles with food and body image, as well as the challenges of being an ultra runner, makes for a truly inspiring read. If you're looking for motivation and proof that anything is possible regardless of age or background, this could be a great read!

[Rachel C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspiring, and partial, story of Mimi Anderson, and Ultra Runner who set a lot of firsts in female ultra running before it was as popular as it is today. Inspiring and down to earth, but at the same time, another woman who found running at 8 minute miles at the start of her journey relatively easy and uses her book to encourage us to think that maybe we can all do what she does with a bit of determination... which I refute! Very enjoyable nonetheless.

[Prashanthi Kadambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook while on long walks this week, and it inspired me to keep going. Mimi is an amazing person, and she talks about her battle with anorexia, body dysmorphia and how she came to running ultra marathons in this book. Even though the book could be better written, and it feels like the author is not much of a writer, I loved this because it is an amazing story of resilience, endurance, and pushing the limits.

[Eilidh Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a legendary runner! A great read & really interesting to see the sacrifice & commitment it takes to achieve such incredible feats, it really takes a village. Some pretty emotional parts to this book, speaking about difficulties in her childhood & life with an eating disorder, which was hard to read, but an important addition. Love love love reading about these kinda adventures, particularly when it’s a woman completing them 😋

[Anne Macnamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second reading as inspired by Mimi’s hilarious and inspiring lockdown Instagram adventures. Really enjoy this book and would give it 5 stars if there was more - my only wish is to read more about Mimi’s racing and training! Her achievements are somewhat underplayed and we should all have heard more about them. Does make me want to get my running shoes on again...

[Purva Abhyankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi has definitely reached places and I cheer for her life whole heartedly. I could relate the running parts of this book word by word and that gave me a sense of inspiration through Anderson. This woman is definitely the one to root for. She has conquered it all. From the anorexia to overcoming hers fears. She is a truly strong woman and a mother. Go Marvellous Mimi!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspirational story. Personally, some of her feats and records seem pointless to me (running on a treadmill for 7 days), nevertheless I understand her drive and motivation to push herself and break records. The writing style is not great, also I did not like the narration on the audiobook version.

[Rachel Flint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Mimi at the start of an ultra marathon last year, and she signed this book for me.
To my shame I'd never heard of her incredible achievements before
I kept this book for when I needed to be inspired...and it didn't let me down.
Her journey is certainly inspiring and encouraging, but also honest about the challenges she overcame.

[Phil Branigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All ultra runners should read this book so that next time you are having a hard slog in a race and thinking of quitting you can think 'What would Mimi do?' The answer is she would not stop so neither should you.

[Phil Aldis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible account of a woman's struggle with eating disorders who found her salvation through running. From not being able to run a mile one treadmill to being an ultra marathon runner and multiple world record holder.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an inspiring book. Mimi kept me hooked all the way through, her ability to train and complete so many ultra’s all whilst recovering from anorexia and being a full time mum of 3 is incredible. A very inspiring read. Makes me want to push on with my own running abilities.

[Martin Mcshane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searingly honest.

The frankness with which Mimi details her childhood trauma was almost impossible to read. Her journey beyond that is simply wonderful to read and truly inspirational

[Ash Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for those who love ultra's! I'm unsure about others to be honest because... I love ultra content... haha!

This lady is an absolute machine. Book about her attempt to break the world record, and all the other badass races she did. Easy listening and motivating.

[Heather Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir about not only running across the UK but about discovering running and Anderson discovering herself as a runner.

The prose is a bit simple, and lacks some detail I as a runner myself would be interested, but it was a great, inspiring read.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story but the writing is plodding and dull.

[Josette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely deserves 5 stars. Not because it’s written by a literary genius but because Mimi has managed to do what most of us cannot even dream of doing!

[michel hardie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

A genuine personal account, Mimi has achieved many great moments. This is a very modest account of of her tremendous exposits.