My First 100 Marathons: 2,620 Miles with an Obsessive Runner

by Jeff Horowitz

Jeffrey Horowitz didn’t expect to fall in love with marathoning, but that’s just what happened. He had never run a race, was not on his high school track team, and had never owned a pair of running shoes. Then, in 1985, he went out for a run and it changed his life. Eighteen years later he completed his one-hundredth marathon. This book is Jeff’s story, but it is also the story of everyone who loves to run. It includes his training, his injuries, his best times, his joys, his friends, his failures. In some ways, it’s an unusual story. How many other runners have finished 100 marathons? In other ways, it is the story of every runner who has found joy and satisfaction in a training routine, in reaching a goal, or in finishing a race.

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Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2008

Reviews

[Turi Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting it to be such a quick read, but this book flew by - I finished it in a night and a half. Very inspirational, basically a biography of a marathoner. Horowitz takes us from his first marathon experiences running through 100 marathons, a couple of ultras and beyond - in all 50 states and around the world. He has a very healthy and sane view of what running is and what it can mean to people, some of which comes from his own experiences but also from coaching others. As much fun to read for the running talk as for the travelogue. Experienced runners will find the tips at the end of each chapter to be pretty common-sense, but I wish I'd read some of them before I ran my first marathon...

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring read. A little bit repetitive, just like running. It's good to get inside a runner's brain as I find myself a reluctant runner these days. 100 marathons is an impressive accomplishment by nearly anyone's standards, but one that leaves the author feeling a little...unfulfilled.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a super fast read, full of fun anecdotes and practical running advice. Nothing earth shattering, but inspiring and entertaining.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was inspiring but realistic. Jeff walks the reader through his journey to 100 marathons but also discusses the tough parts of training, the importance of a running buddy, and how to make your goals. He interspersed the chapters with good pages on tips for nutrition and avoiding injury. I was inspired again.

[Kris Lodwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than 3 ⭐️, but not 4. I enjoyed the read, He started running marathons 25 years before me, kind of jealous of his early years w/ the ease of getting into a race, last minute sign up. Liked geeking out with him, he’s very relatable v an elite runner. Fun read.

[Helen Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've run multiple marathons, the odds are good that you will enjoy this. I loved it because he describes in detail many of the races I've done myself.

It's not high art, but Horowitz speaks runner. I saw in his words many conversations I've had with my own friends and read many things that could have been snatched right out of my own head. It's kind of funny how universal these feelings are within the running community.

In particular, I liked this section about the long run:

"But on an 18- to 20- mile run, I know that I’ll be on the road for hours, and when I’m finished, I’ll be in no mood to rush off to tackle other projects and run errands. The long run becomes the 500-pound gorilla sitting in the middle of the room, completely impossible to ignore. On those days, I give in to the gorilla, and settle into a comfortable pace, knowing that there is nothing else that I need to concern myself with other than putting one foot in front of the other. Any impatience that I might have had during shorter runs disappears. On the long days, there’s just me, the road, and endless time."

[Jack Ziegler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first running rest week inspiration book. I received it as a present (birthday, I think).

I liked the book. I enjoy hearing about other people's experiences with running. This book certainly gives a lot of that. The lessons in the middle were not valuable for a more seasoned runner as I am, but the stories of discovery were good to read.

[Anna George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not exactly a deep-read (I think reading it may have taken about as long as running a marathon... well, walking a marathon, in my case), but it was definitely motivational. Which I could use right now.

[JDK1962 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, read it through from start to finish in one sitting. I'm running my first marathon in a bit under three months, and this very inspirational. Especially since I'd eventually like to try "marathon tourism" as an excuse to get to places I've not yet seen.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

More inspirational reading for my upcoming marathon. Can I just say that Jeff Horowitz is amazing. What a wonderful life, traveling all over the country and the world running marathons. Loved it.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A- Fascinating story about a man's journey to obsession with running; I related to a lot of what he said.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to read about how he got into running and all the marathons he completed. It was a very easy and quick read and enjoyable, too.