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Running For My Life: My 26.2 Mile Journey to Health and Happiness
Throughout her life, Rachel Cullen followed a simple yet effective route straight to mental health misery. Suffering from bipolar disorder, and hungry for approval at any price, she settled for flunked relationships, an ill-fitting career, and poor health to match. Whilst mindlessly seeking a utopian vision of 'normality' that she was mis-sold and so desperate to achieve, the solution seemed increasingly illusive.
Stuck in this endless cycle of disappointment with her life, and not knowing how to handle the strain of her mental illness, she put on a pair of old trainers. She'd never been able to think of herself as a 'runner', and the first time she forced herself out the door, she knew it would hurt. Everywhere. She just didn't realise how much it would heal her, too.
Interspersed with Rachel's real diary entries, from tortuous teen years to eventually running the London Marathon, Running for my Life will make you laugh, cry, and question whether you really can outrun your demons.
Stuck in this endless cycle of disappointment with her life, and not knowing how to handle the strain of her mental illness, she put on a pair of old trainers. She'd never been able to think of herself as a 'runner', and the first time she forced herself out the door, she knew it would hurt. Everywhere. She just didn't realise how much it would heal her, too.
Interspersed with Rachel's real diary entries, from tortuous teen years to eventually running the London Marathon, Running for my Life will make you laugh, cry, and question whether you really can outrun your demons.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2018
79 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 5, 2018
I am full of admiration for anyone who writes a book (1 star) and the achievement of getting it published (2stars), and I really don’t want to be a hater but I was so disappointed with this book. I really wanted to love it after it came highly recommend by Vassos on the radio 2 breakfast show, and the message of determination and one foot in front of the other is very encouraging, but you have to see past a lot of dross to come away with that message. I found Rachel Cullen’s writing repetitive and self indulgent, I didn’t like her turn of phrase and there was far too much swearing which I just found lazy rather than offensive. The author occasionally questions her own selfishness and at one point wonders whether she might be coming across as a “narcissistic egotistical dickhead” - yes I’m afraid you did, my opinion. And as for the selfishness, I appreciate that she had some unpleasant relationships when she was younger, but I found her treatment of her first husband and her daughter’s father extremely hurtful. That said I did identify with a lot of her feelings and had some almost identical experiences, but despite this I just didn’t admire her or like her in the way I wanted to. I regret to say that, to me Rachel Cullen comes across in this book as a teeny bit bitter, self promoting and entitled. Sorry 🙁
And the ultimate damnation, I’ve read this on holiday and am not going to waste the luggage space on taking it home again!
I really do feel bad about this, I’m sure plenty of people who really know the author have lovely things to say about her.
And the ultimate damnation, I’ve read this on holiday and am not going to waste the luggage space on taking it home again!
I really do feel bad about this, I’m sure plenty of people who really know the author have lovely things to say about her.
December 30, 2018
I usually love a book about running linked with mental health but this was incredibly dull. It was a memoir that took far too long to get into the ‘running’. I really don’t care what happened at age 5, then age 6 etc.
February 3, 2020
Honestly I wanted to like this book, as I have also discovered the benefits of exercise and running as an adult both for physical and mental health. However, the author just comes across as a massively self-indulgent and selfish person who ditches her family so she can spend weekends traveling all over the country for her very important AMATEUR races. It’s literally the opposite of inspiring.
The story line starts to fall flat half way through, as if the author got tired of writing the book and couldn’t wait to finish it.
The story line starts to fall flat half way through, as if the author got tired of writing the book and couldn’t wait to finish it.
June 5, 2020
I feel bad for saying it, as for many it may be inspirational, but I just found the book/author horribly self centred, whining and not that likeable. I couldn't even really see how running changed her life as it seemed to be part of her life pretty early on. I imagine this is like reading an overly written article in "marie-claire" or something.
January 18, 2020
If you are looking for a motivational book- this is not it.
November 30, 2020
I enjoyed.
About a woman suffering from impostor syndrome through most part of her life and her struggles( mental health , low confidence, eating disorder, abuse, etc...).
She is learning about her unresolved issues and her own believes learned from her childhood, her mother and her environment.
Learning that sometimes to gain something greater and more fulfilling, you must to let go of things, jobs and even some people that makes you unhappy, unfulfilled
She works through her fears, issues, sometimes finding herself repeating the same pattern and behaviours(life itself), but she never give up, keeps fighting to grow as a person and to reach that long lasting happiness and self love.
Some people might feel related reading this book.
About a woman suffering from impostor syndrome through most part of her life and her struggles( mental health , low confidence, eating disorder, abuse, etc...).
She is learning about her unresolved issues and her own believes learned from her childhood, her mother and her environment.
Learning that sometimes to gain something greater and more fulfilling, you must to let go of things, jobs and even some people that makes you unhappy, unfulfilled
She works through her fears, issues, sometimes finding herself repeating the same pattern and behaviours(life itself), but she never give up, keeps fighting to grow as a person and to reach that long lasting happiness and self love.
Some people might feel related reading this book.
January 9, 2018
What a heartfelt, moving, honest journey of self-discovery. I finished Running for My Life by Rachel Cullen in November and I am still feeling quite emotional right now thinking about it. I had to take a few moments to calm my heart before sitting down to write this. You see, there are a few ways I can write this review, but one thing is for sure, I cannot write this without being honest with myself, without looking back at my life journey so I can show you why this is a book you have to pick up in 2018.
This book follows Rachel’s life from childhood to present day. I love the way it is written with flashbacks intertwined with present days events. It follows her journey of being anxious, being self-conscious about her body, feeling self-loathing, feeling trapped, feeling not enough, feeling anything but normal, feeling depressed and not knowing what and how to be any more. But ultimately she found herself and her life again through running. Who would have thought it would be running that becomes Rachel’s joy and sanity? It is through running that she found her place in the world again.
Rachel’s words resonate with me so much that it is scary. She makes me look back at myself and find that silly old me who would, just like Rachel in her teens, do anything to feel normal at any price. You see, I am 5’5 now so never consider myself as “the tallest”. But growing up, I had always been the tallest among my female friends. In all the schools I went to, from 5 to 15, whenever we did any class activities, the teacher would line up the girls and boys separately by height. And I was the last one in the girl line. It was just my luck that the girls always had odd number and boys have even numbers. This meant I was always by myself without someone walking next to me when we went out, or without a partner when we did group activities. I felt so embarrassed, I felt so alone and not wanted. So, what did I do? I learnt to hunch my back, I learnt to bend my knees without being noticed, l learnt to fake sick, so I didn’t need to go out and walk by myself. Silly huh? That’s why I understand how Rachel felt, why she struggled, I have been there. It may be minor compared to what she has been through, but I understand.
This is what I love most about this book. It is so honest. There is no sugar coating. It is like Rachel has opened her heart and soul wide open for us to see. The ugliness, the despair. It is moving and intimate. How brave she must be to look back at all the heart breaks and write it down to let us experience her journey. Rachel is a nature writer. I love how she incorporates humour in her story telling. I was laughing out loud at times, feeling sad at others, but most of all I was rooting for her the whole way through. Keep going, you are enough, don’t give up!
I started the book feeling heavy-hearted but by the end, I came out feeling so uplifted that I had a huge smile on my face.
Running For My Life is out on 11 January and you can buy it from here. If you want to read an inspirational story, if you want to feel motivated to set a goal to change yourself this year, you should definitely read this.
This book follows Rachel’s life from childhood to present day. I love the way it is written with flashbacks intertwined with present days events. It follows her journey of being anxious, being self-conscious about her body, feeling self-loathing, feeling trapped, feeling not enough, feeling anything but normal, feeling depressed and not knowing what and how to be any more. But ultimately she found herself and her life again through running. Who would have thought it would be running that becomes Rachel’s joy and sanity? It is through running that she found her place in the world again.
Rachel’s words resonate with me so much that it is scary. She makes me look back at myself and find that silly old me who would, just like Rachel in her teens, do anything to feel normal at any price. You see, I am 5’5 now so never consider myself as “the tallest”. But growing up, I had always been the tallest among my female friends. In all the schools I went to, from 5 to 15, whenever we did any class activities, the teacher would line up the girls and boys separately by height. And I was the last one in the girl line. It was just my luck that the girls always had odd number and boys have even numbers. This meant I was always by myself without someone walking next to me when we went out, or without a partner when we did group activities. I felt so embarrassed, I felt so alone and not wanted. So, what did I do? I learnt to hunch my back, I learnt to bend my knees without being noticed, l learnt to fake sick, so I didn’t need to go out and walk by myself. Silly huh? That’s why I understand how Rachel felt, why she struggled, I have been there. It may be minor compared to what she has been through, but I understand.
This is what I love most about this book. It is so honest. There is no sugar coating. It is like Rachel has opened her heart and soul wide open for us to see. The ugliness, the despair. It is moving and intimate. How brave she must be to look back at all the heart breaks and write it down to let us experience her journey. Rachel is a nature writer. I love how she incorporates humour in her story telling. I was laughing out loud at times, feeling sad at others, but most of all I was rooting for her the whole way through. Keep going, you are enough, don’t give up!
I started the book feeling heavy-hearted but by the end, I came out feeling so uplifted that I had a huge smile on my face.
Running For My Life is out on 11 January and you can buy it from here. If you want to read an inspirational story, if you want to feel motivated to set a goal to change yourself this year, you should definitely read this.
January 8, 2018
With a history of depression and self-loathing Rachel Cullen knows all about how hard life can be, but she also knows how to get back on track.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, fearing it might be too introspective and personal an account for me to relate to, but I thought Running For My Life was excellent. Although it is non-fiction, Rachel Cullen has a literary turn of phrase so that at times this felt more like a narrative than an exposition. Rachel Cullen is not afraid to tell it like it is, with a healthy smattering of judiciously used expletives and just the right balance of diary extract, explanation and a wonderful first person account that draws the reader along with her journey and engrosses them in what she has to say. I liked the way in which the diary entries were not in chronological order as they show the way in which Rachel’s personality vacillated and fluctuated over time. Their out of synch inclusion reflected her life and attitudes over the years perfectly.
Although I have absolutely no interest in running a marathon, readers don’t need to have any of the same ambitions or problems as Rachel has endured to enjoy this book immensely. However, I did indeed find many echoes of my own life (I was that round child who was useless at sport) or of those I know (I have a bi-polar family member who suffers from social anxiety disorder). Even if other readers have none of the same experiences, I think we’ve all held some self-doubt at some point in our lives, and the raw honesty of this writing allows us to comprehend fully exactly what Rachel has gone through. I feel I have a far better understanding of Rachel, of myself and of humanity having read Running for My Life.
I thought Running for My Life was honest, interesting and encouraging without being glib or simplistic. I recommend it most highly to those with mental health issues themselves or in people they know and equally to those who simply want a fascinating, surprisingly entertaining and informative read. It’s a super book.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, fearing it might be too introspective and personal an account for me to relate to, but I thought Running For My Life was excellent. Although it is non-fiction, Rachel Cullen has a literary turn of phrase so that at times this felt more like a narrative than an exposition. Rachel Cullen is not afraid to tell it like it is, with a healthy smattering of judiciously used expletives and just the right balance of diary extract, explanation and a wonderful first person account that draws the reader along with her journey and engrosses them in what she has to say. I liked the way in which the diary entries were not in chronological order as they show the way in which Rachel’s personality vacillated and fluctuated over time. Their out of synch inclusion reflected her life and attitudes over the years perfectly.
Although I have absolutely no interest in running a marathon, readers don’t need to have any of the same ambitions or problems as Rachel has endured to enjoy this book immensely. However, I did indeed find many echoes of my own life (I was that round child who was useless at sport) or of those I know (I have a bi-polar family member who suffers from social anxiety disorder). Even if other readers have none of the same experiences, I think we’ve all held some self-doubt at some point in our lives, and the raw honesty of this writing allows us to comprehend fully exactly what Rachel has gone through. I feel I have a far better understanding of Rachel, of myself and of humanity having read Running for My Life.
I thought Running for My Life was honest, interesting and encouraging without being glib or simplistic. I recommend it most highly to those with mental health issues themselves or in people they know and equally to those who simply want a fascinating, surprisingly entertaining and informative read. It’s a super book.
May 17, 2020
Raamatu idee isenesest on väga hea ja sellistest teemadest peabki rääkima. Aga kindlasti on paremaid jooksuteemalisi raamatuid. Lootsin leida inspiratsiooni ja motivatsiooni jooksmisega jätkamiseks. Kahjuks sain ainult elamuse, kuidas halb raamat siiski lõpuni lugeda.
Minu jaoks liiga palju ebavajalikke detaile, hüplik kronoloogia, "nagu kokku traageldatud lapitekk" ja tagatipuks veel halb tõlge.
Minu jaoks liiga palju ebavajalikke detaile, hüplik kronoloogia, "nagu kokku traageldatud lapitekk" ja tagatipuks veel halb tõlge.
April 3, 2021
A fantastic running book, really motivating :D I loved how honest Rachel is about the ups and downs of getting into running.
December 13, 2022
Ühe jube iseka inimese elulugu, milles jooksmisel oli oma roll ühe inimese füüsiliste ja vaimsete murede lahendamisel. Loed seda lugu ja näed neid elusid, mida ta möödaminnes rikkunud on, ja kuidagi ebameeldiv on see - aga kõik, mis ta ütleb jooksmise kohta, on hea, on mõnus, virgutav ja innustav.
Mul on elus mitu vaimustust, oma koht on ka jooksmisel - minu elus seisab jooksmine kusagil kirjanduse, ulme ja laulmise järel, aga kristlust (või laiemalt teoloogiat, religioonifilosoofiat) siiski edestab. Sellest raamatust saan mingi aimuse elust, mis mul olla võinuks. Ses mõttes hea pilguheit alternatiivreaalsusesse. Loodan siiski, et ma jutustaks veidi teise häälega.
Jutustajahääl on teismelisromaanide stiili meenutavas ennasthaletsevas laadis. Selles on midagi haaravat, midagi edasilugemist sundiv - midagi sellist, mis sunnib otsima emotsionaalset lahendust. Ja seda ei tule, see jääb kuidagi edasi õrritama. On raske tabada piiri, mil määral paisata lugejat autori enesemadaldamisse ja säilitada kontakti, mitte muutuda lihtsalt ühe viriseja jutuks. Silvia Rannamaa saab sellega suurepäraselt hakkama "Kadris", üllatavalt tubli on ses asjas ka Stephanie Meyer oma "Videvikus" ja isegi "50 halli varjundeis" on enesemadaldamise potentsiaal kenasti ammutatud.
Siin on ikkagi veidi üle pakutud, see hakkab mõjuma võltsilt. Kaob soov hüüda sellele enesemadaldamisele: "Ei, kullake, Sa oled enamat väärt!" Soov kaob üsna täielikult.
Mingid asjad on siiski vahvalt sõnastatud. Ja päevikukatkenditest saadav iga võistluspäeva spontaansena mõjuv intensiivsus, see on ehe. Ja kõik, mis jooksmisse puutub, on kenasti tehtud.
Lihtsalt - veider lugeda kellegi elulugu ja tunda, et sa tegelikult ei ela talle kaasa. Ei soovi talle kõiki õnnestumisi ja hakkamasaamist kõigis tema tegemistes.
Mul on elus mitu vaimustust, oma koht on ka jooksmisel - minu elus seisab jooksmine kusagil kirjanduse, ulme ja laulmise järel, aga kristlust (või laiemalt teoloogiat, religioonifilosoofiat) siiski edestab. Sellest raamatust saan mingi aimuse elust, mis mul olla võinuks. Ses mõttes hea pilguheit alternatiivreaalsusesse. Loodan siiski, et ma jutustaks veidi teise häälega.
Jutustajahääl on teismelisromaanide stiili meenutavas ennasthaletsevas laadis. Selles on midagi haaravat, midagi edasilugemist sundiv - midagi sellist, mis sunnib otsima emotsionaalset lahendust. Ja seda ei tule, see jääb kuidagi edasi õrritama. On raske tabada piiri, mil määral paisata lugejat autori enesemadaldamisse ja säilitada kontakti, mitte muutuda lihtsalt ühe viriseja jutuks. Silvia Rannamaa saab sellega suurepäraselt hakkama "Kadris", üllatavalt tubli on ses asjas ka Stephanie Meyer oma "Videvikus" ja isegi "50 halli varjundeis" on enesemadaldamise potentsiaal kenasti ammutatud.
Siin on ikkagi veidi üle pakutud, see hakkab mõjuma võltsilt. Kaob soov hüüda sellele enesemadaldamisele: "Ei, kullake, Sa oled enamat väärt!" Soov kaob üsna täielikult.
Mingid asjad on siiski vahvalt sõnastatud. Ja päevikukatkenditest saadav iga võistluspäeva spontaansena mõjuv intensiivsus, see on ehe. Ja kõik, mis jooksmisse puutub, on kenasti tehtud.
Lihtsalt - veider lugeda kellegi elulugu ja tunda, et sa tegelikult ei ela talle kaasa. Ei soovi talle kõiki õnnestumisi ja hakkamasaamist kõigis tema tegemistes.
July 18, 2020
السيرة الذاتية للعداءة و الكاتبة ريتشل كولين .
الحقيقة أنني قرأت هذا الكتاب بمحض الصدفة إذ أنني كنت أبحث عن كتاب آخر له نفس العنوان و كنت أبحث عنه ورقيا فوجدت هذا الكتاب و الذي لم أكن أعرف عنه أي شيء حين بدأته .
في جزء كبير من الكتاب كنت أشعر أنني و بشكل غير متعمد أتقمص دور الحكم ، أشعر بالأسى على ريتشل ، قسوتها على نفسها ، لومها للآخرين دائما على كل الأخطاء التي ارتكبتها تجاه ذاتها ، شعورها بأنها غير جديرة بالنجاح ، بالحب ، باتخاذ القرارات السليمة ، دوامة الوزن الزائد ، الإدمان على السكر ، الكحول ، الركض !!، التعثر الوظيفي ، العلاقات التي كانت ترى نفسها فيها دائما بدور الضحية .. ! الحقيقة أنني شعرت بالملل و أن هناك الكثير من الشكوى مما جعلني أقرء الكتاب ببطء شديد .
أكملت الكتاب على كل حال ، حاولت قدر المستطاع أن أصغي لصوت الإنسان في كتابات ريتشل ، لأجدها في الجزء الأخير من الكتاب تتغير ، تشعر ببعض الرضا ، تشارك بأول مارثون للركض ، تصل إلى خط النهاية ، و من هنا تخطو للأمام .
رغم تقييم الكتاب المنخفض فأنا أرى ريتشل شخصا شجاعا لم يتحدى فقط آلامه الشخصية لكنه أيضا تحدث بشفافية عن كل الصراعات و العثرات التي مر بها ، لأنها جزء من التجربة ككل ، التقييم كان لكيف كُتب الكتاب و ليس لشخصية ريتشل .
الحقيقة أنني قرأت هذا الكتاب بمحض الصدفة إذ أنني كنت أبحث عن كتاب آخر له نفس العنوان و كنت أبحث عنه ورقيا فوجدت هذا الكتاب و الذي لم أكن أعرف عنه أي شيء حين بدأته .
في جزء كبير من الكتاب كنت أشعر أنني و بشكل غير متعمد أتقمص دور الحكم ، أشعر بالأسى على ريتشل ، قسوتها على نفسها ، لومها للآخرين دائما على كل الأخطاء التي ارتكبتها تجاه ذاتها ، شعورها بأنها غير جديرة بالنجاح ، بالحب ، باتخاذ القرارات السليمة ، دوامة الوزن الزائد ، الإدمان على السكر ، الكحول ، الركض !!، التعثر الوظيفي ، العلاقات التي كانت ترى نفسها فيها دائما بدور الضحية .. ! الحقيقة أنني شعرت بالملل و أن هناك الكثير من الشكوى مما جعلني أقرء الكتاب ببطء شديد .
أكملت الكتاب على كل حال ، حاولت قدر المستطاع أن أصغي لصوت الإنسان في كتابات ريتشل ، لأجدها في الجزء الأخير من الكتاب تتغير ، تشعر ببعض الرضا ، تشارك بأول مارثون للركض ، تصل إلى خط النهاية ، و من هنا تخطو للأمام .
رغم تقييم الكتاب المنخفض فأنا أرى ريتشل شخصا شجاعا لم يتحدى فقط آلامه الشخصية لكنه أيضا تحدث بشفافية عن كل الصراعات و العثرات التي مر بها ، لأنها جزء من التجربة ككل ، التقييم كان لكيف كُتب الكتاب و ليس لشخصية ريتشل .
September 17, 2019
Põhjalik ja süviti minev raamat, kuidas jooksmine muutub päästerõngaks, mis aitab aktsepteerida iseennast, leppida oma minevikuga ning näha ka tulevikku. Raamatu ülesehitus, kus tulevik ja minevik pidevalt vahetusid, oli üllatavalt sidus. Tõsi, seal võib olla liialt kordusi ning võib olla küsitav, kas ikka on vaja teada autori eelkooliea kogemusi ja mälestusi. Minu meelest oli see vajalik lisa, mis selgitas Racheli mõttemaailma kujunemist.
Kuigi ma ei ole ise suur jooksufänn (kes teab, ehk kunagi proovin uuesti), siis ma saan aru, et Racheli teekonnast lugemine võib nii mõnelegi inspireerivalt mõjuda. Ainus, mida ma soovitaks teisiti teha, oleks leida ka midagi muud, mis aitab identiteeti luua ning tervet mõistust hoida. Racheli jutust jäi mulje, et kui ta ei jookse, on järgmiseks sammuks pehmete seintega tuba. Aga kui tuleb vigastus, mis lõpetab jooksmise ajutiselt või igaveseks? Mis siis saab?
Kuigi ma ei ole ise suur jooksufänn (kes teab, ehk kunagi proovin uuesti), siis ma saan aru, et Racheli teekonnast lugemine võib nii mõnelegi inspireerivalt mõjuda. Ainus, mida ma soovitaks teisiti teha, oleks leida ka midagi muud, mis aitab identiteeti luua ning tervet mõistust hoida. Racheli jutust jäi mulje, et kui ta ei jookse, on järgmiseks sammuks pehmete seintega tuba. Aga kui tuleb vigastus, mis lõpetab jooksmise ajutiselt või igaveseks? Mis siis saab?
January 14, 2025
If you can get through the first 100-150 pages, it gets better. Despite even this, it wasn't really what I expected. For example, I read a lot about it being about bipolar disorder, and she refers to her mother at one point having bipolar, yet...any actual mention of it for either of them is lacking, to a point where I question if there was a mix up somewhere. The book is, overall, okay. Just...get past the first third or half of it first.
February 27, 2022
This looked good from the blurb but I didn't enjoy it or feel inspired by it, which is a shame. I found it quite repetitive and just skimmed through it towards the end. I can appreciate that the author has gone through some difficult times, and it's great that running has helped her.
October 8, 2021
Very inspiring, made me believe I can run a marathon eventually.
February 2, 2024
An insight into one runner's journey from no sport to multiple marathons and all her life experiences along the way. I enjoyed it, but did find it repetitive/samey in places.
September 3, 2021
Glad the author has found running helps her with her mental health, but concerned that running is her new addiction / prop. Not sure running a marathon only 7 months after giving birth is ideal, either physically, or in terms of the time involved in training - it is a big ask for any mum, let alone a new one, and she says herself it was one of the causes of the break up with the father of her child. I didn't enjoy reading the blame directed at her parents either. And taking the piss at her sister running a half marathon in 2hrs 30 was just nasty and smacked of revenge. Plenty of club runners would be happy with this time, and it's still a huge achievement. The writing was repetitive, and the supposedly genuine diary entries were twee and clearly not genuine. Read Bryony Gordon's Eat, Drink, Run instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2019
I wanted to really like this book. And I wanted to be inspired in my running which I have recently discovered as an incredible mood boosting and balancing activity.
I really believe running can save a life.
But although Rachel has lots of important lessons which could resonate with so many people she seems to focus too much on herself and how bad it is to be her. You can tell she was depressed for a very long time because he stories and descriptions are depressions.
I found myself wanting to like her. I was routing for her. But she seemed to let me down time and time again by focusing on all the wrong things and being so self absorbed.
I just didn’t find it inspiring. Despite the fact the story definitely could have been. I don’t know if it is a continued lack of confidence. But the story doesn’t reach its potential. And left me feeling flat
I really believe running can save a life.
But although Rachel has lots of important lessons which could resonate with so many people she seems to focus too much on herself and how bad it is to be her. You can tell she was depressed for a very long time because he stories and descriptions are depressions.
I found myself wanting to like her. I was routing for her. But she seemed to let me down time and time again by focusing on all the wrong things and being so self absorbed.
I just didn’t find it inspiring. Despite the fact the story definitely could have been. I don’t know if it is a continued lack of confidence. But the story doesn’t reach its potential. And left me feeling flat
December 17, 2018
Running is an integral part of my life, so I thought this would be an interesting read. Although her story is sort of inspirational, I found parts quite repetitive. A cleaner edit would have made it a more interesting read.
January 31, 2019
Listened to this book on Audible for my first part of marathon training, really enjoyable and couldn’t wait to go out for a run again so that I could get into this book. Some of the stories really relatable. Great read!
May 21, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I don't know how I found out about it but I felt the need to read it. I'm currently struggling with depression due to a health issue and at the moment I can't run. I've been told I can do light jogging but the thought of that scares me so I've just upped my pace and distance while walking.
What I loved about this book was that it was interweaved with diary entries and then she reflects on what happened and how she came to that point in her life. Rachel writes about drive and determination throughout the book. Like me she was different to her sister, one thing I always struggled with but I love my sister to pieces. Rachel talks about her journey from a young age with issues with her mental health, how she followed other people's dreams, battled with weight and depression and how she continues to manage it.
What I found when I talk about running is people think it's too much effort yet running is more about the journey then the actual doing of it, most times it's all in the wording not realising people walk some of the times to give their body a break and like Rachel says some days you just don't want to do it and they can be the better runs. Rachel's inspiration came from someone who had run the London Marathon and mine came from a friend who decided to do the coach to 5k and invited me along and then I found parkrun. For many now there is parkrun and a variety of running clubs, so much opportunity for people to get fit regardless of their age and abilities.
Rachel proved that if you set goals and work at them they can be achievable. In a recent memory on my Facebook in 2016 I had put about hoping to do the Great North Run the following year. I did it even though I walk/ran it and if you read this book you will see everyone does it, but most importantly the message is no matter how you did it you did. And that's a a massive achievement.
I recommend you buy this book and set yourself some goals. It has a lot of lessons in there which I loved, One quote which stood out not regarding running but still stood out was 'This is what other people are doing! This is what real life consists of. Phew! Maybe I can be normal after all.' and what is normal? Why do we feel we need to fit in? which like Rachel says earlier we don't have to understand each others need for things that don't suit us, like running or playing computer games, we just need to do what works for us.She found her self-esteem through running, challenging herself and achieving all types of things no matter how big or small. Something I'll definitely be taking from this book.
As for goals for myself, I'm already thinking about races next year if I get the all clear, but I'll be starting from scratch and looking for a running club with a coach to 5k programme and see how far I get.
And I finish with the message Rachel took from Clive Gott who was a marathon runner, that I think we can all relate to about how we achieve our goals -
'It's about mental limits we impose on ourselves -and to win - break through the mental limits you've imposed on yourself '
I definitely recommend everyone read this even if you never run or race it's such an inspirational read.
What I loved about this book was that it was interweaved with diary entries and then she reflects on what happened and how she came to that point in her life. Rachel writes about drive and determination throughout the book. Like me she was different to her sister, one thing I always struggled with but I love my sister to pieces. Rachel talks about her journey from a young age with issues with her mental health, how she followed other people's dreams, battled with weight and depression and how she continues to manage it.
What I found when I talk about running is people think it's too much effort yet running is more about the journey then the actual doing of it, most times it's all in the wording not realising people walk some of the times to give their body a break and like Rachel says some days you just don't want to do it and they can be the better runs. Rachel's inspiration came from someone who had run the London Marathon and mine came from a friend who decided to do the coach to 5k and invited me along and then I found parkrun. For many now there is parkrun and a variety of running clubs, so much opportunity for people to get fit regardless of their age and abilities.
Rachel proved that if you set goals and work at them they can be achievable. In a recent memory on my Facebook in 2016 I had put about hoping to do the Great North Run the following year. I did it even though I walk/ran it and if you read this book you will see everyone does it, but most importantly the message is no matter how you did it you did. And that's a a massive achievement.
I recommend you buy this book and set yourself some goals. It has a lot of lessons in there which I loved, One quote which stood out not regarding running but still stood out was 'This is what other people are doing! This is what real life consists of. Phew! Maybe I can be normal after all.' and what is normal? Why do we feel we need to fit in? which like Rachel says earlier we don't have to understand each others need for things that don't suit us, like running or playing computer games, we just need to do what works for us.She found her self-esteem through running, challenging herself and achieving all types of things no matter how big or small. Something I'll definitely be taking from this book.
As for goals for myself, I'm already thinking about races next year if I get the all clear, but I'll be starting from scratch and looking for a running club with a coach to 5k programme and see how far I get.
And I finish with the message Rachel took from Clive Gott who was a marathon runner, that I think we can all relate to about how we achieve our goals -
'It's about mental limits we impose on ourselves -and to win - break through the mental limits you've imposed on yourself '
I definitely recommend everyone read this even if you never run or race it's such an inspirational read.
January 24, 2022
Olen oma elus vaid lühikestel perioodidel suutnud jooksmist nautida. Ma tean, et see oleks võimalik kui ma end kätte võtaksin ning samas endalt kohe liiga palju ei nõuaks, aga ikkagi on pikk jalutuskäik looduses mulle enamasti jooksmisest meeldivam variant olnud... Kuid see raamat siin ei räägi sugugi mitte ainult jooksmisest. Autor alustab oma lapsepõlvest, et mõista, kust on pärit see koorem, mida ta on oma elu jooksul pidanud kandma ning kuidas ta on saanud hakkama selle koorma vähendamisega.
Rachel on väikeste sammude haaval hakanud oma elu muutma ning lohutuseks neile, kes ülekaalulisuse ning vähese treenituse pärast pead vaevavad, olgu teadmine, et raamatu peategelane võitleb pidevalt samade asjadega. Tema elu paistab kulgevat ringidena, kus ta aeg-ajalt jõuab ikka ja jälle samasse punkti, või vähemasti võib nii tunduda. Tegelikkuses on ta siiski alati mingil määral edasi liikunud kuid tihtipeale paistavadki meie endi edasiminekud meile nii väikestena, et neid on raske tajuda.
Rachel on väga vapper - jooksmisega alustab ta tõsiselt ülekaalulisena, samuti teeb ta julgeid tööalaseid otsuseid, et leida oma elus uus suund. Ta suudab loobuda ametist, mis oleks talle kindlustanud hea sissetuleku ning samuti ei jää ta kinni hoidma suhtest, mille puhul on mõista, et see on läbi saanud. Rachel valib endale uueks tööks midagi, mis - hoolimata tema enda ebakindlusest - aitaks ka teisi, kes on pidanud sarnaseid olukordi kogema. Juristi kutse asemel personaaltreeneriks õppimine on tõsine väljakutse ning loobumine suurest sissetulekust.
Ka lapsesaamine osutub olukorraks, kus Rachelil tuleb ületada palju hirme, lisaks muule peab ta raseduse ning imetamise ajaks loobuma Prozac'ist, mille kasutamisega ta on aja jooksul ära harjunud. Kuid otsides oma ellu muudatusi ja väljakutseid, jõuab ta aina uuesti jooksmise juurde tagasi ning lõpuks registreerib end Londoni maratonile ning enne seda toimuvatele mitmetele lühematele ja pikematele distantsidele. Jooksmisega tõsiselt alustamine jääb aega, mil tema ning uue partneri Chris'i pisitütar Tilly on just sündinud ja nii teeb olukorra veelgi keerukamaks logistiline planeerimine ning arusaamine, et elukaaslane ei suuda mõista Racheli jooksuhuvi. Kuid naine saab aru, et jooksmisharjumuse ning väiksemate ning suuremate võitude kogemine on teda viinud kõvasti edasi - lausa punkti, kus ta avastab, et Prozac'it ta enam ei vajagi, sest jooksmine on andnud talle palju enamat - rahu ja enesekindlust, usku enesesse ja palju muud.
Ma kahtlustan, et kõigest hoolimata ma vist pärast selle teose lugemist ei torma ummisjalu jooksma kuid see on siiski julgustav raamat kõikidele, kes end soovivad kätte võtta. Alustada tuleb väikestest sammudest ning olla rahul nii võitude kui kaotustega, eelkõige aga iseenda edusammudega - kuitahes suured või väiksed need siis ongi...
Rachel on väikeste sammude haaval hakanud oma elu muutma ning lohutuseks neile, kes ülekaalulisuse ning vähese treenituse pärast pead vaevavad, olgu teadmine, et raamatu peategelane võitleb pidevalt samade asjadega. Tema elu paistab kulgevat ringidena, kus ta aeg-ajalt jõuab ikka ja jälle samasse punkti, või vähemasti võib nii tunduda. Tegelikkuses on ta siiski alati mingil määral edasi liikunud kuid tihtipeale paistavadki meie endi edasiminekud meile nii väikestena, et neid on raske tajuda.
Rachel on väga vapper - jooksmisega alustab ta tõsiselt ülekaalulisena, samuti teeb ta julgeid tööalaseid otsuseid, et leida oma elus uus suund. Ta suudab loobuda ametist, mis oleks talle kindlustanud hea sissetuleku ning samuti ei jää ta kinni hoidma suhtest, mille puhul on mõista, et see on läbi saanud. Rachel valib endale uueks tööks midagi, mis - hoolimata tema enda ebakindlusest - aitaks ka teisi, kes on pidanud sarnaseid olukordi kogema. Juristi kutse asemel personaaltreeneriks õppimine on tõsine väljakutse ning loobumine suurest sissetulekust.
Ka lapsesaamine osutub olukorraks, kus Rachelil tuleb ületada palju hirme, lisaks muule peab ta raseduse ning imetamise ajaks loobuma Prozac'ist, mille kasutamisega ta on aja jooksul ära harjunud. Kuid otsides oma ellu muudatusi ja väljakutseid, jõuab ta aina uuesti jooksmise juurde tagasi ning lõpuks registreerib end Londoni maratonile ning enne seda toimuvatele mitmetele lühematele ja pikematele distantsidele. Jooksmisega tõsiselt alustamine jääb aega, mil tema ning uue partneri Chris'i pisitütar Tilly on just sündinud ja nii teeb olukorra veelgi keerukamaks logistiline planeerimine ning arusaamine, et elukaaslane ei suuda mõista Racheli jooksuhuvi. Kuid naine saab aru, et jooksmisharjumuse ning väiksemate ning suuremate võitude kogemine on teda viinud kõvasti edasi - lausa punkti, kus ta avastab, et Prozac'it ta enam ei vajagi, sest jooksmine on andnud talle palju enamat - rahu ja enesekindlust, usku enesesse ja palju muud.
Ma kahtlustan, et kõigest hoolimata ma vist pärast selle teose lugemist ei torma ummisjalu jooksma kuid see on siiski julgustav raamat kõikidele, kes end soovivad kätte võtta. Alustada tuleb väikestest sammudest ning olla rahul nii võitude kui kaotustega, eelkõige aga iseenda edusammudega - kuitahes suured või väiksed need siis ongi...
February 13, 2020
The prologue had me laughing out loud as I walked down the street reading it after my run. It was very funny! I couldn't wait to get home and read it but when I did, I became increasingly concerned for her health.
Rachel is definitely on a journey throughout the book and although it looks like progress, when she recognises she has certain mental health conditions, the running doesn't fix them and they continue to be problematic for her throughout her story. Her accomplishments are quickly forgotten as she races on to the next opportunity to prove herself at whatever the cost to her health and her family. It's quite painful to read and makes me wish she was able to appreciate what she has.
It's a brave story and she writes fairly well. It's clearly good enough for her publisher because she now has a cycling book out too! At the back of the book, there are details for her blog and contact details for social media asking readers to get in touch but, when I went to them, they were all marked as private which makes me wonder what has changed. I get the impression that she has had treatment for the MH issues she refers to and feels she is in a better place now. I hope her second book has more of a progressive MH journey but I don't think I can face reading about her sadness again. By comparison, I have read books by other runners with MH issues like Bryony Gordon and Bella Mackie and would happily recommend them and re-read them but I think this one is going to the charity shop.
Rachel is definitely on a journey throughout the book and although it looks like progress, when she recognises she has certain mental health conditions, the running doesn't fix them and they continue to be problematic for her throughout her story. Her accomplishments are quickly forgotten as she races on to the next opportunity to prove herself at whatever the cost to her health and her family. It's quite painful to read and makes me wish she was able to appreciate what she has.
It's a brave story and she writes fairly well. It's clearly good enough for her publisher because she now has a cycling book out too! At the back of the book, there are details for her blog and contact details for social media asking readers to get in touch but, when I went to them, they were all marked as private which makes me wonder what has changed. I get the impression that she has had treatment for the MH issues she refers to and feels she is in a better place now. I hope her second book has more of a progressive MH journey but I don't think I can face reading about her sadness again. By comparison, I have read books by other runners with MH issues like Bryony Gordon and Bella Mackie and would happily recommend them and re-read them but I think this one is going to the charity shop.
May 1, 2025
I’m glad I didn’t let the negative reviews influence my decision to purchase Running for My Life. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it to be a comforting and empowering read. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique, and I don’t think it’s fair to criticize the author for how she navigated her relationships, her battle with mental health, or her approach to weight loss. She found a path that worked for her, and that belief in herself was crucial in her healing process.
Growing up overweight can severely impact self-esteem, and the book does an excellent job of depicting the emotional and psychological challenges that come with it. As someone who’s been there myself—owning both the XL and XS T-shirts to show it—I could relate deeply to the themes in the book. It’s beautifully written and provides a raw, honest look into the struggles of those facing weight loss, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
I really applaud the author for bravely sharing her story, and for showing how running and self-belief became her form of personal redemption. Her journey is one of resilience, and I think anyone who has faced similar challenges can find comfort and inspiration in her words.
Growing up overweight can severely impact self-esteem, and the book does an excellent job of depicting the emotional and psychological challenges that come with it. As someone who’s been there myself—owning both the XL and XS T-shirts to show it—I could relate deeply to the themes in the book. It’s beautifully written and provides a raw, honest look into the struggles of those facing weight loss, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
I really applaud the author for bravely sharing her story, and for showing how running and self-belief became her form of personal redemption. Her journey is one of resilience, and I think anyone who has faced similar challenges can find comfort and inspiration in her words.
November 16, 2019
Autor räägib oma teekonnast jooksumaailma. Lugu algab juba lapsepõlvest, kui ta erakordselt tundliku lapsena märkas, et tema emaga ei ole vaimselt kõik korras. Lisaks, kuna ta oli lahterdatud targaks, ent füüsiliselt võimetuks lapseks, siis mängis söömine tema elus olulist rolli. Nii saigi temast enesekindluseta paksuke.
Teekond iseenda leidmisele läbi jooksmise ei kulgenud üldse kergelt. Tagasilööke oli küllaga, aga lõpuks said kõik need ületatud. Raamatu kirjutamise ajal oli autor juba mõnda aega jooksmise lummuses ja enesega rahulolev ning leidnud enda kõrvale ka sobilike partneri. Autor oli selleks ajaks läbinud juba mitu Londoni maratoni ja harrastusjooksja kohta ka päris kiiresti. Kui tavaliselt ma elan raamatu lugemise ajal mingitele tegelastele kaasa, siis seekord hakkasin autorile pöialt hoidma teose lõpetamisel. Ma tõesti olen mingil põhjusel autori pärast veidi mures. Neid tagasilööke oli tal niivõrd palju, et tagasilöökide tekkimine tulevikus on lihtsalt liiga tõenäoline.
Motivatsiooniandjana töötas see raamat minu jaoks küll.
Teekond iseenda leidmisele läbi jooksmise ei kulgenud üldse kergelt. Tagasilööke oli küllaga, aga lõpuks said kõik need ületatud. Raamatu kirjutamise ajal oli autor juba mõnda aega jooksmise lummuses ja enesega rahulolev ning leidnud enda kõrvale ka sobilike partneri. Autor oli selleks ajaks läbinud juba mitu Londoni maratoni ja harrastusjooksja kohta ka päris kiiresti. Kui tavaliselt ma elan raamatu lugemise ajal mingitele tegelastele kaasa, siis seekord hakkasin autorile pöialt hoidma teose lõpetamisel. Ma tõesti olen mingil põhjusel autori pärast veidi mures. Neid tagasilööke oli tal niivõrd palju, et tagasilöökide tekkimine tulevikus on lihtsalt liiga tõenäoline.
Motivatsiooniandjana töötas see raamat minu jaoks küll.
November 19, 2020
See raamat oli nii nii hea! Alustades algusest, autori lapsepõlvest, milliseid fundamentaalseid kasvatusvigu tema vanemad tegid, kuidas mõjutas see tema lapsepõlve ja teismeiga ning kuidas ta sellest järk-järgult välja ronis. Samas on autor väga aus, ta tunnistab oma tagasilööke, kindlasti ei ole see lugu lineaarselt paremuse poole minev, vaid harjumuspäratult aus oma langustega. Mind motiveeris see teos täna hommikul nädala 4. trenni minema, mis sest, et jalalihased end tunda andsid. Suurendas ka julgust võtta ette suuremaid eesmärke ja nende poole püüdlema! Lisapunktid veel "normaalse elu" poole pürgimise kirjeldamise eest ning eriti meeldis mulle see koht, kus selgus, et see "normaalne elu" (ehk siis teiste/ühiskonna) väärtustele vastavalt "hea elu" ei olegi nii hea ja ei sobigi kõigile, inspireeris otsima oma teed ning olema selles enesekindlam.
Vaatasin, et mitmed teised arvustajad on teosesse hoopis kriitilisemalt suhtunud, aga mulle läks vägagi korda, kui miski suudab inspireerida, siis on see juba väga-väga hea.
Vaatasin, et mitmed teised arvustajad on teosesse hoopis kriitilisemalt suhtunud, aga mulle läks vägagi korda, kui miski suudab inspireerida, siis on see juba väga-väga hea.
July 23, 2018
I don't really know what to write about this book. It's engaging and poignant and vastly relatable. It helps that the author is similar in age to me and that I could draw some parallels between our early (and less-early) experiences. I had a lot of empathy for the younger Rachel and feel like I could be friends with the adult Rachel.
It's an inspirational read about what running can do and it starts with some very small and tentative steps. None of that "I was always athletic but gave up running and rediscovered it later although I still had a thrice weekly gym habit anyway" which doesn't speak to me in the same way.
Very much looking forward to hearing about her next steps.
It's an inspirational read about what running can do and it starts with some very small and tentative steps. None of that "I was always athletic but gave up running and rediscovered it later although I still had a thrice weekly gym habit anyway" which doesn't speak to me in the same way.
Very much looking forward to hearing about her next steps.
August 18, 2019
Raamatu keskne idee - jooksmisega depressiooni vastu - on haarav, kuid kahjuks see halba teostust ei peida. Mul ei olnud vaja teada autori detailset elulugu ega iga viimsegi suhte kehvasid üksikasju, mõistmaks tema madalat enesehinnangut ja suhet jooksmisega. Naise kriitika oma elukaaslaste ja perekonna osas jättis temast endast aina halvema mulje. Lugemiselamusele ei aidanud just kaasa eestikeelne tõlge, mis oli niivõrd konarlik ja toores, et meenutas kohati lausa masintõlget. Tervikuna oli antud teos nii halb, et varjutas võimsa loo vaimse tervise eest võitlemisest.
April 9, 2020
Dit was bijna dnf, maar ik heb even doorgezet. Het boek was langdradig en saai, maar het ergste was het zwelgen in zelfmedelijden van de schrijfster. Voor iemand die (naar eigen zeggen) zo'n laag zelfbeeld heeft vindt ze zichzelf wel heel belangrijk en stelt haar eigen wensen boven dat van haar partners en later haar gezin.
Ze vindt dat er nooit iets aan haar ligt, maar dat de schuld altijd bij een ander ligt.
Het las een beetje als een autobiografie van iemand die zichzelf ziet als een celebrity maar het echt niet is.
Ze vindt dat er nooit iets aan haar ligt, maar dat de schuld altijd bij een ander ligt.
Het las een beetje als een autobiografie van iemand die zichzelf ziet als een celebrity maar het echt niet is.
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