Learning To Walk: From the Sofa to a Marathon in Nine Months

by Sheilagh Conklin

Sheilagh admits to being a Ding-Dong-loving, forty-five-year-old mom, 50 pounds overweight, with no significant athletic experience. But she agreed to join the Children's Tumor Foundation Marathon Team, vowing to complete the Portland Marathon on October 1, 2006, while raising funds to help end neurofibromatosis or NF, an often devastating genetic disorder.Like pregnancy, she had nine months to prepare for the marathon. Nine months to transform from a middle-aged, chubby, sedentary woman to a participant in an activity usually reserved for the elite athlete. The first an unwitting conception followed by big plans, but no outward signs of progress. The second significant changes, crazy discoveries, and the realization that she had no business doing a marathon or ever wearing a thong. The third discomfort, victories, and coming to terms with the inevitable. a grueling day-long push to finish the Portland Marathon.Quirky, humorous, and brutally honest, Learning To Walk takes unpredictable side trips, yet, at the same time, stays focused on a singular experience and goal-finishing the Portland Marathon. Everything that crossed Sheilagh's path is explored and nothing is off limits.

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2007

Reviews

[Christine Whittington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conklin's very entertaining and sometimes rambling book resembles a warts-and-all blog about her fairly idiosyncratic and often ill-advised strategy for making the journey from the sofa to the marathon in nine months. The self-described "trophy wife" hopes to also lose 50 pounds along the way in the hopes of eventually ditching her industrial-sized underpants. She has no trainer and no apparent overall plan, except for not eating junk food, not eating fried food, not eating after dinner, and walking more. Almost despite her efforts, she increases her mileage (but not really enough) and succeeds in losing weight and investing in better underwear. Clearly a joiner, an extrovert,and an empathic and altruistic person, Conklin involves a huge support group and cheerleading section of family and friends. She chatters with her fellow marathon walkers and on her cell phone--I am afraid that she would end up in the bushes if she attempted that near me! She is motivated by the charitable cause for which she is walking to earn donations, which may be the secret behind her success. Almost a textbook in which NOT to do to walk a marathon (e.g. train by swimming, complete a maximum 15-mile training, compete with brand NEW running shoes (really!)), Conklin succeeds--barely--despite her hilarious missteps and ends up seriously hurting for two weeks afterwards. Along the way, she does impart a few bits of good advice, the best being the importance of making sure that all of the "engineering" works--no rubbing seams, pinching toes, chafing bra straps, etc.--by wearing one's marathon outfit for an entire day before the event.

Many readers will enjoy and be inspired by Conklin's book--if she can do it, so can I! Some, however, may be discouraged by her extreme difficulties with finishing the marathon. Read Conklin's book for inspiration, then check out Dave McGovern's The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking for less entertaining, but more serious and practical advice. Complete Guide to Marathon Walking

[C is for **censored** · Rating 3 out of 5]

The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’.

1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing

I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.

Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.

Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.

It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. A few months ago I started walking on the treadmill at the gym. I am over weight and extremely out of shape. I have been progressing and slowing losing weight. My workout buddy and I have been starting to talk about 5Ks, 10Ks, 1/2 marathons....working our way up. This was a great place to start. I loved her approach. I laughed out loud many times and had to read parts of the book to anyone who would listen. Not a technical book but if you are out of shape, over weight and want to start changing that....read this book. I find it to be inspiring and realistic. Good luck!

[Judith · Rating 2 out of 5]

a very funny book, and somewhat inspiring. the author claims to be 60 pounds overweight, hates exercise, hates healthy food, and yet, miraculously decides to walk a marathon and achieves her goal in 8 months, by simply saying "no" to snacking, and "yes" to exercise. i couldn't figure out how she got motivated. seems like fiction parading as nonfiction.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous book, journal style, about a woman wanting to complete a marathon walking. She went from never exercising and eating junk, to eating better and exercising. It was OK. It got better as the book progressed. The best part was the actual marathon description.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5
For such a short book this did not go quick. The stories were funny and entertaining for the most part but I expected to hear more about the struggles. The end was the best, the detailed account of the prep and marathon itself were great but the rest was just okay.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a quick, hilarious read. I loved it!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book and inspiring to those of us who have more meat on our bones than we would like. If an overweight mom can learn to walk a marathon in less than a year, anyone can. Even you.

[SunflowerGrrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, glorified blog