Run Like Duck: A Guide for the Unathletic

by Mark Atkinson

The 2019 Running Best BookA guide to running for the unathletic, told by a man who fell into the sport almost by accident. Progressing cautiously on a reluctant and unexpected journey to 100 Marathons (and beyond), he learned the hard way from years of getting it wrong. Unlikely to break any records or become a national figure for the standards he sets, he nonetheless has enhanced his life and fitness, taking his long-suffering family along with him. In this witty account, he writes about his unsteady progress while knocking the stuffing out of running pomposity.

Genres: Nonfiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Peter Grant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, at first, I read a bit and skimmed a bit of how this ordinary bloke started running finally managing a 5k park run. I then read a bit more, and skimmed a bit more as he went on to get up to 10k and even a half marathon. Then it was a lot of skimming as he described his first marathon. After that, it was a real feat of endurance as he reeled off how he ran marathon after marathon after marathon after marathon as he ultimately racked up 100 marathons which included some ultra marathons. This from someone who described himself as a fat bloke runner; a fat bloke runner who ran 200 miles a week and was disappointed if his marathons took longer than three and a half hours. Seriously? Whilst he may have attempted to set out to write about how any ordinary guy (like him!) could become a runner, what he ended up with was a narcissistic account a what a great runner he is with a few tips such as wearing bin bags at the start of a race.
I've struggled with running for years (motivation, injuries etc) and yet there was virtually zero encouragement in this book - apart from, look at me me me and what I can do. Actually, he did, at one point say that if you have doubts or negative thoughts, you should "tell them to do one". So that's alright then. Unlike his marathons, I should have trusted my instinct and DNFed this one.

[Jemma Garraghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the honestly and often funny tales of running, as a runner myself I could relate to parts (although nowhere near as mental as Mark Atkinson). I did find some of the detail on the races a bit excessive and repetitive but if you're planning on running any of the mentioned events then I could see the book being not only entertaining but also helpful. I did struggle to keep up with the 'journey' in the book as not all of the races are in chronological order. I'm not sure the tag line "a guide to the unathetic" does the book justice as it's less of a guide and more of an autobiography, but the early opening chapters could get people interested in the sport - the risk is that the later chapters would only serve to demotivate those with lesser sporting skills!

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://travellingcari.com/2019/01/08/...

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about running, even though I’ve never quite caught the running bug myself, and I particularly like books about normal people achieving impressive things through sheer perseverance and determination, so this book ticked plenty of boxes for me. As I teeter on the verge of trying to start enjoying running again, I found it full of useful tips and inspiring stories. I wish he had written about his races in chronological order, although I can see why he didn’t, as I sometimes lost track of where on his running journey he was, but otherwise it was a fun, easy read.

[Russ Brookes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny account of what it's like to go from 0 to 100 Marathon. Very grounded and with some laugh out loud moments. Also refreshingly honest about how tough running can be; training for my first Marathon I found this an inspiring and useful read. He can go into a lot of detail of some Marathons which I enjoyed but if you are not a runner you may find a bit dry. It was a good insightful and funny book overall.

[Scott Kummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great memoir about the author’s life and running in the UK. He went from a everyday guy to a 100 marathon finisher. It’s a really good description of marathoning in the UK.

[Morven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, down to earth, book for beginner runners or people looking for their next running challenge. Funny, realistic, informative and avoids being patronising.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best running book I've read yet! Really inspiring story.

[Trio25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable running read. But not sure someone who has won a marathon and gone sub 3'30" is really unathletic.

[Sean Kachmarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Great read! Inspired me!

[Elyse Gymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun first running book, if you wanted to dip you toe in with some decent comedy and stories and make yourself feel better about your own progress. Very motivating!

[Chandru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and funny. Mark’s journey is inspiring and authentic