Runner: The incredible true story of grit and resilience

by John Ayers

John Ayers was fifty years old when he was suddenly stricken by a mysterious crippling disease. After he lost the ability to walk it might have seemed that life as he had known it was over. Unwilling to accept that fate, fueled by reckless optimism, and tirelessly supported by his wife and three children, he made a bold and sometimes risky quest to not only walk again, but to run. The incredible and inspirational true story is told with suspense, humor, and flair, using flashbacks to his earlier life to explain an unwavering resolve in the face of unimaginable anguish, devastating setbacks, and complete uncertainty.

601 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2018

Reviews

[Pdamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable story of perseverance, determination, and optimism in the face of health issues that would overwhelm the majority of us.

An inspiration, the author keeps his sense of humor and drive to be whole again throughout his ordeal.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot of detail in this book, and some of it isn't pleasant as it follows the author through life-shattering disease and the frustrations of not having a name for the illness or any idea what to expect. But stick with it, because it's worth it. This book redefines grit, endurance, and motivation in a way that will had me rethinking the challenges in my own life and realizing that they could probably be solved with only 5% of the grit that John Ayers has. This book shows the power of perseverance, of not giving up, of trying over and over again and little by little fighting for something and making progress. It shows how much it matters when our partner or children or an incredible aunt are there for us. It reminds us as readers to cherish the people in our lives who would run for miles next to us at our own recovering pace, or sit by our side for hours in a hospital, taking shifts so we weren't alone. Above all, it reminds me not to wait until something catastrophic happens in our lives to make a change or to find our own inner strength. But to be like John was all along, long before his illness. He was always someone who knew that 10 push-ups could become 100, a few miles of running could become a half marathon. His illness showed who he already was, and who the people who loved him were. If we can find our own inner John Ayers and tackle our much smaller problems with even an ounce of his determination and faith, how much could we improve our own lives? Amid the fun flashbacks of gorgeous Maine, childhood shenanigans juggling on unicycles, and beautiful family moments there are lessons and inspiration to be found. Be there for your family, be the one they'd write about in a book about their struggles. Be strong and fight the good fight regardless of what you're up against. Don't let setbacks demoralize you. Start over. And over. And over. And when you feel like you can't start over, pick up Runner and let Ayers show you why you should never quit.

[Matt Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not usually one to review books but this was a special book. Before reading this book I knew Professor Ayers as a humble and quite skilled circuits professor that I had the pleasure of having for two of his classes.

As the story progressed I was continually shocked at the number of hardships that came his way over the years that he was undergoing treatment. Just when it seemed like everything was getting better, there was always another bump in the road to recovery.

One of the things I found most shocking was his dedication to continue teaching even during the worst of it all. For the two consecutive semesters that I had Professor Ayers in Fall 2016 and Spring 2017, he was apparently undergoing a terrible flare up.

I don't think anyone in either of those classes had an inkling of a clue what was going on or at least I didn't. He kept teaching like nothing was wrong and I look back on those two classes as some of the best classes I took during my time at UConn.

I am sure that most of us will never understand the magnitude of the pain and suffering that accompanied some of these events but nonetheless, it is amazing how he handled it all and kept fighting for the ability to run again. I found it truly inspiring how he always made it a habit to train even while fighting a multitude of injuries and was excited to read that he has worked his way up to a half marathon again!

While a bit long, this was a great read and I definitely would recommend it.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story about John Ayers--family man, college professor, passionate runner and overall athlete--who was suddenly stricken with an aggressive and severely debilitating mystery illness, and the struggles to find a diagnosis and treatment to save his life. Among John's greatest fortunes are the extraordinary love and support of his family and friends, a multitude of relentless doctors, an incredible physical therapist, and John's own unyielding positive attitude and awe-inspiring determination to endure and recover. What role models, John and all of those who were there to support him, including all of the medical professionals who took a deep interest in his case. Such an inspirational story on many levels.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest and blunt representation of the struggle through diagnosis, misdiagnosis, ever evolving treatment plans, and adjusting to the constantly changing "new normal." This book breaks down the physical, mental and emotional impact autoimmune disease has on the psyche in a raw, yet empowering way.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

An inspiring story of a man and his ability, through personal grit and support of his family, to not only survived a life threatening illness (and one that no doctor had ever seen before) but to thrive and come out the other side stronger and resilient.