Running: A Love Story: How an Overweight Radio DJ Got Hooked on Running Marathons

by Dom Harvey

Dom Harvey is a hugely popular radio DJ on top-rating station The Edge. He's known for his funny gags, and has been described as a shock-jock. So it might come as a surprise to find out that Dom is also seriously into running-marathon running. In fact, he loves it. This book is a love story about running, and about marathons especially. What got Dom into marathons? How did running save his life? And why, despite being an old fart, is he now trying to run even faster than ever before?Dom is just a regular guy who drank too much alcohol and ate too much shitty food, then fell in love with running and turned his life around (and became a bit of a running nerd along the way).

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jo Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an entertaining and inspirational read. I know Dom Harvey as a radio host and wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but was quite impressed!

Not only has Dom motivated me to get back into running, but I found his book to be quite funny and incredibly honest. Sometimes Dom was too honest, to the point of over sharing but I certainly appreciated the lengths he took with his training and running. I did find some descriptions a bit long for my liking but overall a great read!

[iansomething · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed through a lot of this book, mainly reading up about the running parts and avoiding the frequent ''humour'' fillers. This felt more like a memoir at times and I didn't particularly enjoy Harvey's style of writing, however, credit to Dom who achieved finishing the 6 Marathon majors and accomplished a marathon sub 3 hours. He lists some good points about the sport with insight into his experience (after all, it is his book). There's a list of example training programs at the back of the book (10k, half and full) which provides a brief breakdown of a daily schedule.

[Naomi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The timeline jumped around a bit too much and there was some repetition, but overall I enjoyed this book. Dom did a great job explaining the preparation he put into achieving his sub 3hr marathon goal and I liked reading all the details of race day. I found it quite motivating.. but also very realistic about how much effort and perseverance it takes to achieve a goal you have set yourself.

[Ian Macklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone from the UK, the blunt, humorous NZ style was good. Shows how hard it is to turn from a good casual runner, to someone trying to go sub 3 hr in the marathon. An honest and entertains account of his running experiences.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny easy read! It gets your motivation for running back!

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. It was lighthearted, motivating abs easy reading.

[Stephanie Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this about Dom's running journey. Really inspired me and my marathon goals.

[Lucy Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, so honest and inspiring. A real laugh out loud book

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the ups and downs of running and training for marathons and how it is very much a mental as well as physical challenge. Bit repetitive at times but good view point!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Catherine James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should start with the disclaimer that I am the furtherest thing from a runner in existence. I don't even like walking if I don't have to. I am not the target demographic for this book by any stretch of the imagination. Thankfully, that didn't matter.

I had to read a book involving sport a part of a year long reading challenge I'm doing, and having read Dom's other books, I was hoping this would be a nice easy read with humour that anyone could get through, sporty or not. This book delivered exactly that. Although I'm sure it appeals to the hard core runners of the world, it was written with enough humour, nostalgia, and NZ references that someone like me could immensely enjoy it, even if it didn't inspire me to go out for a run...

I thought the lead up throughout the book to the goal of under 3 hours at Berlin was done really well, and I found myself actually invested in whether he achieved it or not, which is surprising as it's something I would normally shrug off.

There *are* a few running-specific techy bits that might get a bit tedious if that's not your jam, but I didn't find them overbearing at all, and I actually learnt a wee bit. Don't ask me about that oxygen stuff though, it went way over my head.

Overall, a great, easy to get through book that will leave you laughing, and maybe inspire you to try running, it was never going to happen for me though...

[Katrina Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, the most inspiring, and impressive part was the run as a 9 year old!! Funny and a great, honest take on running. Was very keen to get my hands on this, and didn't disappoint. Great study procrastinator :)

[Enzo Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dom Harvey is a hugely popular radio DJ on the Edge. So it may come as a surprise to find out he is hugely passionate about marathons this book follows his passion and his goals and how he achieves them.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading “Running - A Love Story”. I took allot more from this book than I had originally thought. A running journey. For me, a book as much about setting big goals and then being the best you can possibly be.

[Shona · Rating 2 out of 5]

255 pages.
Quite enjoying this book