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The Long Run
No one ever expected Catriona Menzies- Pike to run a marathon. She hated running, and was a hopeless athlete. When she was twenty her parents died suddenly - and for a decade she was stuck. She started running on a whim, and finally her grief started to move too. Until very recently, it was frowned upon for women to run long distances. Running was deemed unladylike - and probably dangerous. How did women's running go from being suspect to wildly popular? How does a high school klutz become a marathon runner? This fascinating book combines memoir and cultural history to explore the rich and contradictory topic of women and running.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
May 25, 2017
The Long Run sprints ahead of other books that I’ve read about running (which have been a lot). First of all – this is one of the only books that I’ve read about running that is female-centric – but not in the way that one might expect. Instead of being a shallow book of Pinterest self-help quotes, this book aims higher and hits the mark by delving into the psyche of women and for the reasons they run. It made me question why it was exactly that I began running a few years ago. It connects a lot of dots to running: the human psyche, feminism, culture, history and even literature. Reading this book made me realize that the author is a treasure trove of information on a myriad of topics and her ability to interrelate all of these ideas was skillfully done.
Additionally, the author looks at heroic women who have broken through social barriers in the running world and while it made me appreciate these women much more than I have previously, I also walked away with much respect and admiration for the author. She’s the everyday woman who overcame heartache and a sedentary lifestyle by transforming herself into a runner. She represents what we’re all capable of doing. Catriona Menzies-Pike is inspiring and fierce in her own right.
Many thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Additionally, the author looks at heroic women who have broken through social barriers in the running world and while it made me appreciate these women much more than I have previously, I also walked away with much respect and admiration for the author. She’s the everyday woman who overcame heartache and a sedentary lifestyle by transforming herself into a runner. She represents what we’re all capable of doing. Catriona Menzies-Pike is inspiring and fierce in her own right.
Many thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow wow wow... I don't think I even read the description when requesting this one from Netgalley. "LONG RUN" jumped out at me loud and clear. I knew it had to be about running, and as a runner (albeit with a four year break after the twins being born), I wanted to read it. ASAP. I do that with any books about running, swimming or cycling, preferably all three at once. So far so good. The writer has been through some horrible tragedies but through it all, she found something both therapeutic and enjoyable, running! There is a t-shirt out there that says "Running... It's cheaper than therapy!" After three full marathons (two involving interstate travel), eight half marathons, four triathlons, a handful of 5K and 10Ks, at least ten pair of Brooks Adrenalines size 7W (in case you are shopping for me), a Garmin watch, a used road bike from Craigslist, two drawers full of workout clothes, swim flippers/pull buoy/goggles, a treadmill, two iPod shuffles, and truckloads of Gatorade, I would have to argue. My co-pay is only $30 a pop lol...
The author has done her research on the history of the marathon and the participation of women in them. Each chapter discusses a various aspect of running and women with anecdotes of her personal life interspersed. I thought it was brilliant. There are a few sluggish spots, but overall the book was amazing.
At any rate, this book is a great read, maybe even if you're not a runner!
Wow wow wow... I don't think I even read the description when requesting this one from Netgalley. "LONG RUN" jumped out at me loud and clear. I knew it had to be about running, and as a runner (albeit with a four year break after the twins being born), I wanted to read it. ASAP. I do that with any books about running, swimming or cycling, preferably all three at once. So far so good. The writer has been through some horrible tragedies but through it all, she found something both therapeutic and enjoyable, running! There is a t-shirt out there that says "Running... It's cheaper than therapy!" After three full marathons (two involving interstate travel), eight half marathons, four triathlons, a handful of 5K and 10Ks, at least ten pair of Brooks Adrenalines size 7W (in case you are shopping for me), a Garmin watch, a used road bike from Craigslist, two drawers full of workout clothes, swim flippers/pull buoy/goggles, a treadmill, two iPod shuffles, and truckloads of Gatorade, I would have to argue. My co-pay is only $30 a pop lol...
The author has done her research on the history of the marathon and the participation of women in them. Each chapter discusses a various aspect of running and women with anecdotes of her personal life interspersed. I thought it was brilliant. There are a few sluggish spots, but overall the book was amazing.
At any rate, this book is a great read, maybe even if you're not a runner!
October 19, 2021
The Long Run: A Memoir of Loss and Life in Motion Catriona Menzies-Pike, Australian woman rights activist, discovers marathon running as a way to deal with the deaths of both parents years earlier. Floored with the fact, woman banned from running in marathons, who knew? well not me thought they always competed, anyway apparently all there giggly bits could melt or blow up or something. Then along comes Katherine Switzer first woman to run a marathon (Boston 1967) literally she just joined the race, there are photos of race officials actually trying to man-handle her over to the side of the road, like the old saying stay humble so much happened before you were born young man.
Running for a runner is just what you do, it's that easy, well not really but there you go. Confusion and darkness at the end of a very long tunnel lasting years, is Catriona, but she just went down that tunnel and lit the damn thing for herself and that pretty much sums up this story, it wasn't easy for her. Four steps forward, there were three steps backwards and at the same time occasionally.
Not overly detailed, must admit radar perked up when she mentions runners from around here Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell, who are world famous in New Zealand, Anyway enjoyable yarn about running dealing with family loss, battling on, and just getting on with it, and all that. So it's kind of a journal with things and stuff about woman running mostly. Why run? figured out, because it's a habit.
Running for a runner is just what you do, it's that easy, well not really but there you go. Confusion and darkness at the end of a very long tunnel lasting years, is Catriona, but she just went down that tunnel and lit the damn thing for herself and that pretty much sums up this story, it wasn't easy for her. Four steps forward, there were three steps backwards and at the same time occasionally.
Not overly detailed, must admit radar perked up when she mentions runners from around here Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell, who are world famous in New Zealand, Anyway enjoyable yarn about running dealing with family loss, battling on, and just getting on with it, and all that. So it's kind of a journal with things and stuff about woman running mostly. Why run? figured out, because it's a habit.
February 5, 2017
The author combines women’s history of running with he personal experience to create an interesting and informative look at the sport. The author includes her love of reading and literary references throughout the narrative. I am not a runner but enjoyed the book, especially the history.
July 18, 2017
I picked up this book expecting a little about running and a lot about Catriona's life and loss. What I got was so much more. Amongst the history of women in running and the origin of the modern marathon Catriona manages to weave stories about her life in a light that speaks to the people around her whether they are family, random bystanders, or even you as the reader. I found myself fascinated with her own fascination of how these women runners must have really felt, and catapulted into a conversation about what it means to run for pleasure that I never would have considered had I not read this.
Catriona doesn't aspire to write advice or self help and instead focuses on how her experiences with running have shaped her own world. She is speaking to the reader, but not with the intent to provide solid routine advice, or best stretches. I found that this approach gave me the space to relate and try to better understand my own experiences with running and what those experiences mean to me on a deeper level.
Catriona doesn't aspire to write advice or self help and instead focuses on how her experiences with running have shaped her own world. She is speaking to the reader, but not with the intent to provide solid routine advice, or best stretches. I found that this approach gave me the space to relate and try to better understand my own experiences with running and what those experiences mean to me on a deeper level.
May 3, 2016
Loved this book! Was able to relate to as I have taken part in most of the Sydney runs that Catriona has run and described. Not a book I would usually read, I found the intermingling of historical and feminist perspectives fascinating. Being a Sydney girl, I took great pleasure in reading about the author's runs around the harbour and surrounds. I laughed and cried with my favourite passages being those when Catriona puts into perfect words the way I feel when I run
July 18, 2017
Not long before reading this book, I read Jen A. Miller's memoir, Running: A Love Story: 10 Years, 5 Marathons, and 1 Life-Changing Sport, which is also about a young woman discovering how empowering and healing marathon running can be. Both books are welcome additions to the tiny pile of female-centric running books out there. If readers are hungry for more, check out Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the Globe!
This book deals with two main themes: running as a way to process grief (her parents died in a plane crash when she was 20) and the idea that men have denied women, in sport and in literature, the ability to run/move freely. I agreed with her feminist argument, but already knew most of the stories and books she used as supporting evidence.
It would have been neat if the two themes had converged more often. Are women encouraged by society to grieve in different ways? Many people run marathons in honour of dead parents or dear friends. Perhaps she could have charted the rise of that phenomenon and compared others' experiences with her own. Instead of reading another interlude about the history of women's distance running, I was occasionally yearning for more details about the author's parents or how she navigated the challenges of being an orphan. Unlike Miller, she barely mentions romantic relationships at all.
She reveals that she worked through grief and the process of becoming a marathoner in similar fashions — gradually, with some missteps and a little determination. "It should accommodate a million training runs, aches and doubts, stops and starts, setbacks, tiny advances, odd connections, and, ultimately, not triumph, but joy and renewal," she writes.
Some of the moments in this book really spoke to me, like her grieving mind being "suddenly flooded by unmanageable emotion," which she deals with by running "faster and faster until the clatter of [her] heart and the burn in [her] calves hauled [her] back to the present." The last two pages were so lovely and lyrically written.
This book was more literary than Miller's, but I appreciated the latter's focus and I thought Miller did a better job capturing New Jersey than Menzies-Pike did with Sydney.
Diehard runners, the annoying tribe to which I belong, might find her nonchalance about timing and speed strange. (In contrast, Miller cares about times, though it isn't the only reason she runs.) By the end, I thought I understood why the author runs, but not why she races. If it's the training she really relishes, why did so much of the book focus on her race experiences?
This book deals with two main themes: running as a way to process grief (her parents died in a plane crash when she was 20) and the idea that men have denied women, in sport and in literature, the ability to run/move freely. I agreed with her feminist argument, but already knew most of the stories and books she used as supporting evidence.
It would have been neat if the two themes had converged more often. Are women encouraged by society to grieve in different ways? Many people run marathons in honour of dead parents or dear friends. Perhaps she could have charted the rise of that phenomenon and compared others' experiences with her own. Instead of reading another interlude about the history of women's distance running, I was occasionally yearning for more details about the author's parents or how she navigated the challenges of being an orphan. Unlike Miller, she barely mentions romantic relationships at all.
She reveals that she worked through grief and the process of becoming a marathoner in similar fashions — gradually, with some missteps and a little determination. "It should accommodate a million training runs, aches and doubts, stops and starts, setbacks, tiny advances, odd connections, and, ultimately, not triumph, but joy and renewal," she writes.
Some of the moments in this book really spoke to me, like her grieving mind being "suddenly flooded by unmanageable emotion," which she deals with by running "faster and faster until the clatter of [her] heart and the burn in [her] calves hauled [her] back to the present." The last two pages were so lovely and lyrically written.
This book was more literary than Miller's, but I appreciated the latter's focus and I thought Miller did a better job capturing New Jersey than Menzies-Pike did with Sydney.
Diehard runners, the annoying tribe to which I belong, might find her nonchalance about timing and speed strange. (In contrast, Miller cares about times, though it isn't the only reason she runs.) By the end, I thought I understood why the author runs, but not why she races. If it's the training she really relishes, why did so much of the book focus on her race experiences?
October 16, 2017
As someone odd enough to undertake the hobby of marathon running I LOVED reading this book. I can relate to the fear that accompanies a lone female runner, the horrors of hitting the marathon "wall" **which often include blood, cramping, tense psychological negotiations**, and the relief + giddy sense of accomplishment + exhaustion that comes with crossing the finish line. All feminists, both runners and staunch anti-runners, can appreciate how long distance running is one of the ways women have fought against a patriarchal system that seeks to control and limit the female body.
November 29, 2017
This is a near-perfect memoir in my book.
I'm not just saying that because I'm a fellow runner and I love the subject, it was so polished, I kept stopping to admire the writing at several points.
Menzies-Pike blends historical research with her own heartbreaking and triumphant story with ease, engaging and educating the reader without a semblance of effort.
Her word choice is subtle and powerful and the book oozes with a sincerity and wit that make it a smooth and entertaining read.
I'm not just saying that because I'm a fellow runner and I love the subject, it was so polished, I kept stopping to admire the writing at several points.
Menzies-Pike blends historical research with her own heartbreaking and triumphant story with ease, engaging and educating the reader without a semblance of effort.
Her word choice is subtle and powerful and the book oozes with a sincerity and wit that make it a smooth and entertaining read.
May 25, 2017
The Long Run is most compelling when it focuses on the details of the author's personal training and running regime, and her own life story. Catriona Menzies-Pike juxtaposes interesting snippets of history of women running (or women being excluded from competitions) which are in themselves fascinating, but for me distract from the compelling details of her personal quest.
Readers wondering what it might be like to set a training challenge and then actually "go for it" will likely enjoy this book. It is definitely a memoir and not a "how-to train" book. Vivid descriptions of the author’s enthusiasms and terrors of race day, and her particular logistics of mental prep for a big run are very inspiring!
I love passages describing how the runner's experience narrows to the moment: portrayal of the marathoner’s journey, both interior (recovery from grief and entering a zone of metaphysical moments) and exterior (shade trees, geckos, wallabies, steep trails, other runners). My own running practice is supported by a landscape of shadows, light, redwoods, oak, banana slugs, quail, ferns, squirrels, bear, wildflowers, so I loved this literary visit to Ms. Menzies-Pike's Australian terrain.
That said, I think the history and political/feminist details about running beg for a book of their own. This author has the determination to pull it off.
This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley.
Readers wondering what it might be like to set a training challenge and then actually "go for it" will likely enjoy this book. It is definitely a memoir and not a "how-to train" book. Vivid descriptions of the author’s enthusiasms and terrors of race day, and her particular logistics of mental prep for a big run are very inspiring!
I love passages describing how the runner's experience narrows to the moment: portrayal of the marathoner’s journey, both interior (recovery from grief and entering a zone of metaphysical moments) and exterior (shade trees, geckos, wallabies, steep trails, other runners). My own running practice is supported by a landscape of shadows, light, redwoods, oak, banana slugs, quail, ferns, squirrels, bear, wildflowers, so I loved this literary visit to Ms. Menzies-Pike's Australian terrain.
That said, I think the history and political/feminist details about running beg for a book of their own. This author has the determination to pull it off.
This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley.
January 23, 2018
This book came into my life exactly when I needed it. Having recently lost my mother, I was looking for someone to make sense of grief and motivation to keep going during difficult times. Catroina Menzies-Pike's memoir gave me a new outlook on both running and loss and how they're intertwined. I've read a few books on running, but this is the first one I've discovered that is not only female centric but average runner centric, no speedy superstars or ultra runners here, just an average every day runner that was easy to relate too. This book is clearly well researched and very powerful, however I wish the author would have dug deeper into her emotions surrounding her parents death. The chapters describing the aftermath of her parents tragedy seemed rushed and closed off, and I wanted more description of her growth and development. Still a great read, and motivated me to sign up for a half marathon.
May 25, 2017
The Long Run is a memoir by a young woman in Sydney who hadn't identified as an athlete or a runner. The books and articles that she'd read about running seemed to focus on ambitious, Type A people or on self improvement or weight loss. Menzies-Pike shares her own story of how running opened up a "new geography" of her home city. She discusses books about running from the point of view of a reader (as compared to reading the books as a runner). With self-depreciating humor shines through whether she discusses what first women marathoners faced in 1896 or her family anecdotes or her own travel stories, Menzies-Pike delivers an engaging, well thought-out discussion. Her book is about running but it is also about determination, perseverance, and taking control while keeping a sense of humor.
August 2, 2017
* I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I liked this memoir, but the placement of certain portions felt scattered and disorganized. I enjoyed the focus on the history of women's running, and the lack of documentation of that history. It did make me excited for my evening run, so that is always a plus.
I liked this memoir, but the placement of certain portions felt scattered and disorganized. I enjoyed the focus on the history of women's running, and the lack of documentation of that history. It did make me excited for my evening run, so that is always a plus.
December 21, 2017
Thought this would motivate me in my running. Found out it was mostly a history of running with a little bit about the author's running life. Not much at all about how running helped her get through a tough time.
September 10, 2017
It was ok and fairly enjoyable and interesting.
June 16, 2017
I received an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While very well-written and thoroughly researched, it was not what I expected. I went into it thinking I was going to read a memoir but what I got was a thought-provoking thesis on women running in history, with the author's own experience as add-ins.
The historical aspect of women running in history was interesting. The common theme represented was that most descriptions associated with women running was do to fear and escape. There was even mention of a runner while training for a race (and not that long ago, I might add) getting stopped by the police because they assumed she only reason why she was running was because she was in trouble and/or being chased.
Cariona Menzies-Pike had an interesting story to tell. She was looking at running for a way to change her story, not for a reason to escape. Although she had plenty of reasons to want to escape. Even though she has completed marathons, she still has a hard time calling herself a runner. And mainly because she doesn't fit societies typical runner description or size, shape or speed. Although she breaks this stigma down throughout her memoir, the stigma still exists.
I could certainly relate to much of what she had to say about her own personal views on running. It's wonderful to see what women have accomplished in just a few short years in the world of running. There are a lot of female athletes out there to admire. And they don't have to just be fast in order to fall into this category. Thank you Catriona for shining a light on the averageness of the sport and the need to not fall into typical stereotypes. If you run, you a runner. Do it for you.
While very well-written and thoroughly researched, it was not what I expected. I went into it thinking I was going to read a memoir but what I got was a thought-provoking thesis on women running in history, with the author's own experience as add-ins.
The historical aspect of women running in history was interesting. The common theme represented was that most descriptions associated with women running was do to fear and escape. There was even mention of a runner while training for a race (and not that long ago, I might add) getting stopped by the police because they assumed she only reason why she was running was because she was in trouble and/or being chased.
Cariona Menzies-Pike had an interesting story to tell. She was looking at running for a way to change her story, not for a reason to escape. Although she had plenty of reasons to want to escape. Even though she has completed marathons, she still has a hard time calling herself a runner. And mainly because she doesn't fit societies typical runner description or size, shape or speed. Although she breaks this stigma down throughout her memoir, the stigma still exists.
I could certainly relate to much of what she had to say about her own personal views on running. It's wonderful to see what women have accomplished in just a few short years in the world of running. There are a lot of female athletes out there to admire. And they don't have to just be fast in order to fall into this category. Thank you Catriona for shining a light on the averageness of the sport and the need to not fall into typical stereotypes. If you run, you a runner. Do it for you.
February 21, 2021
Gonna buy a copy of this book. I got into running about three years ago--not as a byproduct of a traumatic event, but just to see if I could--and haven't looked back since. Having always preferred books to physical activity, I very much related to the "unlikely runner" theme running (haha) through this book, and also to the author's description of the mental clarity, connection with nature, and sense of place running brings her. Also loved learning about women's place in running history and the marathon effort (look I can't help it) it's taken to get their achievements recognised. I recommend this to anyone just getting into running, or to anyone who looks at runners and thinks "wtf why" (like I used to 😉).
October 23, 2017
Pretty long and boring, but she loves running the way I do, and I appreciated that she runs for peace of mind and exploration and finding beauty.
I also loved some of her thoughts on running and grief: "The logic seems to go something like this: 'If my body can endure a marathon, then my soul can blunder on too.... endurance can help turn elusive sorrows into something tangible like aching muscles and blisters."
Also, her side remark on divorcees who run so they can sleep ... reminded me that that's how my recent 2-year stretch of long distance running started! And it continued because I love running
I also loved some of her thoughts on running and grief: "The logic seems to go something like this: 'If my body can endure a marathon, then my soul can blunder on too.... endurance can help turn elusive sorrows into something tangible like aching muscles and blisters."
Also, her side remark on divorcees who run so they can sleep ... reminded me that that's how my recent 2-year stretch of long distance running started! And it continued because I love running
Read
January 14, 2018Interesting history and analysis of the place of women's involvement in running over millennia, across society, sport, art, literature and mythology. The personal component stemming from the author's loss i found quite profoundly upsetting. Made me reflect on how fortunate I was to have my parents during my vulnerable twenties, let alone how lucky I am to still have them both now. Also shows how powerful the pursuit of running can be as a channel for life's difficulties. Absurd that women were denied this natural right for so long. Another thing to be for which to be grateful.
May 30, 2017
An interesting female-centric view on the topic of running, both as a pastime and a competitive endeavor. The author, a self-proclaimed reluctant runner, delves into a little bit of everything - culture, literature, history, feminism - to navigate her own (mis) adventures with running. The material can be a bit dry at times, but with a wealth of fascinating tidbits (ex: women's running competitions have only been a part of the Olympics since 1984). At its best, the book is wonderfully thought-provoking.
March 9, 2018
4 stars for her running journey, 2 stars for the essays on everything from women running (both literally and literarily) to the birth of the marathon and the modern Olympics. The book veered from a memoir to a lecture repeatedly (sometimes in the middle of an anecdote). I was looking for the memoir piece and wish she had separated it from the lectures (death to the patriarchy!) and written separate books. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did the author no favors, making her vaguely unlikeable.
August 29, 2017
Points for woman-centric. But then nope, just nope. Dropped this mid-read because I had to get away from what I perceived as an angry, lonely voice. Maybe it had to do with working out her grief, her life. Maybe it's that our running experiences are truly personal, unique. I simply couldn't connect with hers.
October 30, 2017
I enjoyed the thinking about women's bodies and history and feminism and running, and I wanted a stronger narrative arc of how Catriona changed by running. Although I also know it is very difficult to write about running without sounding trite and it may not be the book she wanted to write. And I wanted a more connected experience of where she started to where she ended up.
June 21, 2025
Everyone has different reasons for running. I first became a regular runner for my physical health, but later realized that it was as much, or more, for my mental and emotional well-being. I run regularly for what it does for my peace of mind, and my sense of self. The calories I burn are a helpful and beneficial side effect.
Catriona Menzies-Pike, a college professor, journalist, and scholar, came to running in her 30's, having drifted through the previous decade without dealing with the grief of losing her parents in a plane accident. Describing herself as not particularly athletic, she chooses to start running partially on a dare, and partially to understand what other friends see in the pursuit of endurance sports. She declares that she will one day run a marathon, and when told by friends and family that that "doesn't sound like her," becomes more determined than ever to make it a reality. The Long Run describes that process, of Menzies-Pike moving from couch potato to experienced and dedicated distance runner.
But it's a whole lot more than that too.
For Menzies-Pike is also a scholar and a journalist and a feminist, thus much of the book is dedicated to her exploration of the history of women and running. She draws on news reports, private writings, and apocryphal tales of women who broke the rules and ran races at night, in disguise, or without recognition because marathons - or distance running of any sort - were not considered healthy or acceptable for women. She points out that as late as 1967, one of the organizers of the Boston Marathon attempted to physically pull a woman off of the course, telling her that she was ruining his race. Her research is both fascinating and horrifying, and as she moves forward into her own experiences with running, we can see how much has changed - and how much still needs to change.
The book also serves as a meditation on grief, of course, and on the various ways in which running can heal us. Menzies-Pike rejects the notion that everyone who runs is or should be obsessed with speed. She revels in being a slow runner, caring more about the process and the experience of running. For her, moving for long periods of time allows her to settle her mind and spirit, to reflect and meditate, to become at one with her surroundings, and much more. As an aging, slow runner myself, I resonated with her reflections, and found this one of the more beautiful aspects of the book. Her prose contains poetry and wry wit, spiced with some angry screes against the patriarchy and unreasonable societal expectations.
Ironically, The Long Run is brief, covering a lot of ground quickly. It combines a story of how one woman used running to settle her life down after a tragedy, coupled with history lessons on women and running. It doesn't offer much in the way of running advice, so if you're looking for inspiration or training tips, you won't be satisfied. But as a memoir that also instructs, offering both personal and political reflections, it hits the mark.
Catriona Menzies-Pike, a college professor, journalist, and scholar, came to running in her 30's, having drifted through the previous decade without dealing with the grief of losing her parents in a plane accident. Describing herself as not particularly athletic, she chooses to start running partially on a dare, and partially to understand what other friends see in the pursuit of endurance sports. She declares that she will one day run a marathon, and when told by friends and family that that "doesn't sound like her," becomes more determined than ever to make it a reality. The Long Run describes that process, of Menzies-Pike moving from couch potato to experienced and dedicated distance runner.
But it's a whole lot more than that too.
For Menzies-Pike is also a scholar and a journalist and a feminist, thus much of the book is dedicated to her exploration of the history of women and running. She draws on news reports, private writings, and apocryphal tales of women who broke the rules and ran races at night, in disguise, or without recognition because marathons - or distance running of any sort - were not considered healthy or acceptable for women. She points out that as late as 1967, one of the organizers of the Boston Marathon attempted to physically pull a woman off of the course, telling her that she was ruining his race. Her research is both fascinating and horrifying, and as she moves forward into her own experiences with running, we can see how much has changed - and how much still needs to change.
The book also serves as a meditation on grief, of course, and on the various ways in which running can heal us. Menzies-Pike rejects the notion that everyone who runs is or should be obsessed with speed. She revels in being a slow runner, caring more about the process and the experience of running. For her, moving for long periods of time allows her to settle her mind and spirit, to reflect and meditate, to become at one with her surroundings, and much more. As an aging, slow runner myself, I resonated with her reflections, and found this one of the more beautiful aspects of the book. Her prose contains poetry and wry wit, spiced with some angry screes against the patriarchy and unreasonable societal expectations.
Ironically, The Long Run is brief, covering a lot of ground quickly. It combines a story of how one woman used running to settle her life down after a tragedy, coupled with history lessons on women and running. It doesn't offer much in the way of running advice, so if you're looking for inspiration or training tips, you won't be satisfied. But as a memoir that also instructs, offering both personal and political reflections, it hits the mark.
August 19, 2019
This is like H is for Hawk (Helen Macdonald) but with less goshawk. And since I'm more of a runner than a falconer, I really liked this! Very relatable. Ch.12: "If there's any analogy to be drawn between marathon running and enduring grief, it shouldn't turn on one great exhausted clash of will against circumstance; it should accommodate a million training runs, aches and doubts, stops and starts, tiny advances, odd connections, and - ultimately - not triumph, but joy and renewal."
May 6, 2024
I read this in preparation for running my first half marathon. There was a lot of history of women’s running included that I wasn’t expecting, but I am glad that it was. Women weren’t allowed to run in marathons until the 70s, which was inspiring to me to run for those who couldn’t.
“I’d run against patriarchal history and, eternal virtues of strength and speed be damned, I’d run as slowly as I liked.”
“I’d run against patriarchal history and, eternal virtues of strength and speed be damned, I’d run as slowly as I liked.”
June 25, 2023
Oh I couldn’t put this down. Part memoir and part history of women and running, I was captivated by her story of loss, grief and outlet in running. Her honesty over so much in running (running slow, missing training days, opting out) was refreshing and relatable. Motivated me!
October 10, 2021
[Audiobook] Finally, a book about women running by a woman runner! My favourite “general running” book is Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, but from a running perspective I have about as much in common with the Tarahumara as I do with an actual cheetah. This book is part memoir, part history (the sports bra wasn’t patented until the 1970s?!!!) - and all relatable for women runners.
May 26, 2018
It’s a book about loss? About running? About marathons? About feminism? It’s about all of these things, and yet at the same time, about none of them. All of these themes are artfully drawn together into a coherent narrative. Enough story to make it personal; enough history to make it informative, and enough philosophy to make you think - I didn’t go into it with high expectations, but I loved this book!
June 4, 2018
First, I should probably tell you that I am not a runner. I know a few people who run, who run half-marathons, who want to run full marathons, but that's never, ever been me. So when I won an advanced reader copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would this be a blow by blow book on how to train to run a long race? Would it be a sad tale of the grief the author dealt with after her parents died unexpectedly? Would it be the story about how she pulled herself up by her bootstraps and faced the world while running, hoping it would provide distraction from her grief? Well, it's a little bit of all of these, and a whole lot more.
This book is remarkably well written and entertaining. The author doesn't take herself too seriously. The book does spend some time discussing the loss of her parents and how she felt that she'd lost herself following their untimely deaths when she was at university. She discusses how she plowed on with her education and traveled in an attempt to come to terms with the premature death of her mother and father. To a lesser degree, she touches on the connections she had with her sisters, aunts, grandparents, cousins, and friends. To be honest, I would have like to see a little more about how she interacted with her family following her loss. She never goes into much detail about where her sisters wound up, or why there was a problem with her parents' estate. There are just brief mentions about these things, but I don't think the real focus of this book is on the author's losses. It's more about how she eventually found a way out of that darkness and the part that running played in her move back into the light.) But all of that only forms the skeleton on which this book is built. On those bones, the author layers an interesting selection of information revolving around the culture and history of women runners. She discusses why women were discouraged from running for so long, on the commitment that running requires, on art in relation to running, on running clothing and how they've evolved over the years. As the author herself says, she only scratches the surface of this history and the women who paved the way for today's women's long distance runners.
Despite the fact that I received an uncorrected proof of this book, the writing is impeccable. I'm a fussy reader, and I didn't notice a single typographical, contextual, or spelling error. Not overly surprising when the author holds a PhD in literature, I guess. It's one of the best ARCs I've received from any source. One of my favorite lines form this book, and there are many:
Running has a way of dragging you into the present moment of exertion.
While I didn't know what I was going to get in this book, I wasn't at all disappointed at what I found when I started reading. It includes a lot of interesting and, to me, obscure history and cultural background concerning women runners. She offered just enough detail to hone my interest, but not enough to bore me. She's spurred me on to want to do more research on some of the people and things she brought up. It's also not an overly long book. My copy has 232 actual textual pages. I suppose if I had more interest in running, I'd have zipped through this book in an evening or two.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever exerted themselves in any physical way, as a child, as a teenager, as an adult. It doesn't require running to understand how the author used the physical movement of her runs to help overcome her grief. And while you read, it's likely that you'll learn something about how women were restricted, for no provable reason, from fully participating in the sport until the latter half of the twentieth century.
I'll be passing my copy of this book onto a young relative who enjoys running. I think it will be appreciated.
This book is remarkably well written and entertaining. The author doesn't take herself too seriously. The book does spend some time discussing the loss of her parents and how she felt that she'd lost herself following their untimely deaths when she was at university. She discusses how she plowed on with her education and traveled in an attempt to come to terms with the premature death of her mother and father. To a lesser degree, she touches on the connections she had with her sisters, aunts, grandparents, cousins, and friends. To be honest, I would have like to see a little more about how she interacted with her family following her loss. She never goes into much detail about where her sisters wound up, or why there was a problem with her parents' estate. There are just brief mentions about these things, but I don't think the real focus of this book is on the author's losses. It's more about how she eventually found a way out of that darkness and the part that running played in her move back into the light.) But all of that only forms the skeleton on which this book is built. On those bones, the author layers an interesting selection of information revolving around the culture and history of women runners. She discusses why women were discouraged from running for so long, on the commitment that running requires, on art in relation to running, on running clothing and how they've evolved over the years. As the author herself says, she only scratches the surface of this history and the women who paved the way for today's women's long distance runners.
Despite the fact that I received an uncorrected proof of this book, the writing is impeccable. I'm a fussy reader, and I didn't notice a single typographical, contextual, or spelling error. Not overly surprising when the author holds a PhD in literature, I guess. It's one of the best ARCs I've received from any source. One of my favorite lines form this book, and there are many:
Running has a way of dragging you into the present moment of exertion.
While I didn't know what I was going to get in this book, I wasn't at all disappointed at what I found when I started reading. It includes a lot of interesting and, to me, obscure history and cultural background concerning women runners. She offered just enough detail to hone my interest, but not enough to bore me. She's spurred me on to want to do more research on some of the people and things she brought up. It's also not an overly long book. My copy has 232 actual textual pages. I suppose if I had more interest in running, I'd have zipped through this book in an evening or two.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever exerted themselves in any physical way, as a child, as a teenager, as an adult. It doesn't require running to understand how the author used the physical movement of her runs to help overcome her grief. And while you read, it's likely that you'll learn something about how women were restricted, for no provable reason, from fully participating in the sport until the latter half of the twentieth century.
I'll be passing my copy of this book onto a young relative who enjoys running. I think it will be appreciated.
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