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Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit In My Forties
At forty-one I was overweight and unfit. As I turned 50 I was thirty pounds lighter, having spent my fifth decade training for, and racing multiple Ironmans, marathons, and other crazy adventures. This account of that fitness journey through my forties includes broken bones, severe chafing, regular cursing, rubber and lycra, an element of masochism ... and cake.
From New York Times-bestselling writer Tim Lebbon comes his first non-fiction book, charting his fitness journey through his forties––funny, hopefully inspiring, brutally honest, this is a book for anyone trying to get and stay fit, at whatever age!
From New York Times-bestselling writer Tim Lebbon comes his first non-fiction book, charting his fitness journey through his forties––funny, hopefully inspiring, brutally honest, this is a book for anyone trying to get and stay fit, at whatever age!
- GenresNonfiction
196 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2021
15 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Tim Lebbon
294 books1,537 followersI love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 25, 2021
An inspirational read
I just finished reading Tim Lebbon’s Run Walk Crawl and found it a fun and inspiring read about his journey from an unfit writer to Ironman, finishing one on his 50th birthday. Told with humour and an obvious love of the topic, Run Walk Crawl will inspire you to get off the couch. Highly recommended. 👍
I just finished reading Tim Lebbon’s Run Walk Crawl and found it a fun and inspiring read about his journey from an unfit writer to Ironman, finishing one on his 50th birthday. Told with humour and an obvious love of the topic, Run Walk Crawl will inspire you to get off the couch. Highly recommended. 👍
March 11, 2021
If anyone needs a good kick up the arse for being a lazy sod it's me. And if I needed encouragement and motivation from anyone who just plain old understands I'd choose Tim Lebbon in a heart beat.
Wait, I'm not saying Tim's a lazy sod. He just gets it, you know?
He loves cake and beer. All that good stuff. Say no more.
Anyway, this book takes the honest and humble approach. It's motivational in way that you almost don't see it. Does that make sense?
What I mean is that it's not in your face.
I met Tim at the Fantasy Con in Glasgow in October 2019 and he was such a gentleman. Him and Rio Youers gave me a lot of their time. I'll be forever grateful for that. I think back to that now with very fond memories. Jim from GNOH also helped that day. If it wasnt for these guys it would have been a very long and lonely day let me tell you.
Anyway, forget about that, this book is one hell of an enjoyable read. It really is. It's funny, it's honest and not once does it feel showy or preachy. Nor does it feel like something that's out of our reach if we just simply put our minds to it. It's just commitment.
Not only has Tim achieved incredible things with his writing, but he continually pushes himself in whatever he does, and his only reason is because he simply loves doing it. Well, what other reason is there?
Tim says in this book that it's just about doing more in your life. The achievements are great, but it's just about doing more really. I like that.
Anyway, this little book shines. I loved every second of it.
It was good getting to know Tim a bit more.
Top man.
Top read.
Five stars.
Wait, I'm not saying Tim's a lazy sod. He just gets it, you know?
He loves cake and beer. All that good stuff. Say no more.
Anyway, this book takes the honest and humble approach. It's motivational in way that you almost don't see it. Does that make sense?
What I mean is that it's not in your face.
I met Tim at the Fantasy Con in Glasgow in October 2019 and he was such a gentleman. Him and Rio Youers gave me a lot of their time. I'll be forever grateful for that. I think back to that now with very fond memories. Jim from GNOH also helped that day. If it wasnt for these guys it would have been a very long and lonely day let me tell you.
Anyway, forget about that, this book is one hell of an enjoyable read. It really is. It's funny, it's honest and not once does it feel showy or preachy. Nor does it feel like something that's out of our reach if we just simply put our minds to it. It's just commitment.
Not only has Tim achieved incredible things with his writing, but he continually pushes himself in whatever he does, and his only reason is because he simply loves doing it. Well, what other reason is there?
Tim says in this book that it's just about doing more in your life. The achievements are great, but it's just about doing more really. I like that.
Anyway, this little book shines. I loved every second of it.
It was good getting to know Tim a bit more.
Top man.
Top read.
Five stars.
March 27, 2021
4.5 stars. Endurance training always seems to highlight the superhuman dynamo. Books on the subject usually make the average racer feel small in comparison. Lebbon's first nonfiction book humanizes the subject, makes it a normal activity. Swimming for miles, biking a century, running a marathon, sometimes all at once. Anyone can do it, and do it with fun and good cheer. Recommended for the "getting fit at any age" demographic.
February 26, 2021
“Slowly, I went from hoping I could to thinking I could,” – Tim Lebbon.
I hope you’ll bear with me for this review. It’s going to be a bit introspective.
Many of you know me from my reviews. Many from my writing. And many know me from my professional career as well as my athletic endeavors. It was interesting to read this, knowing Tim has very similar parallels. There will be a large percentage of you who know him as a writer of amazing dark fiction. But also a number will know him from his passion over the last decade. And even then, some of you will know of him through is Netflix movie ‘The Silence.’
I remember when Tim threw the concept of this book out to the world on Twitter. An almost ‘if I write this, will people read it’ tweet. I was emphatic there was an audience for this, because it ticks a number of boxes that people look for in non-fiction, sports/health books.
Within the pages of this fantastic book, Tim takes us on a journey from where he was on the precipice of turning 40 years old and a fateful Holiday season that transformed his life. Finding it difficult to walk up a hill with some friends and realizing he was not at the level of fitness he was happy with, he had a conversation with a long time friend who himself had worked on his own fitness. When he mentioned to Tim that they were going to attempt a grueling event where you scale three different peaks in 24 hours, Tim decided to pursue that and fell head over heels in love with what can be described as “duration challenges.”
It was interesting for me to read this book. Here I am at 39, roughly four years post-retirement from a goal I had set of trying to make the 2018 Winter Olympics. Where Tim states he was active growing up and even competed in canoeing for a few years, he’d never been a gym goer. Joining and stopping time and again as he found it just wasn’t for him. Myself, I was the opposite. Growing up, I played Golf and Soccer and when I turned 17, began to hit the weights, falling in love with Body Building and Power Lifting. That transformed into a love of the throwing sports and at 24, I returned to Track and began competing in Shot Put. A series of injuries slowed my progress and then an opportunity came up. Bobsled. Much like with Tim going from triathlon training to full on Ironman level events, I devoted myself. In my 29th year, I set a goal of transitioning into a sliding sport. I trained seven days a week, often twice a day. I completed adjusted my diet (which I will say was 100% the hard work of my wife) and over the course of a year, I went from a 375lb shot putter, into a 245lb slider. (Hey, I said you’d get some introspection here!)
So, I’m going to hop into my normal review format from here and return the focus onto Tim’s book (with still some nuggets of my journey!)
What I liked: ‘Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit in my Forties’ isn’t your normal ‘training’ non-fiction book. No, what Tim’s done here is to write an incredibly heart-felt, emotional book that is incredibly motivating. The book pops back and forth between what he loves about doing Tri’s/Ironman’s and Race Reports. Through this set up, we get to see one of the most talented writers out there go into great depth and detail about the hills around his house that he trains on, the delicious cakes that he partakes in and how the chase of the ‘runners high’ can motivate someone to reach for a goal and achieve it. Much like the sliding sports, Tri’s and Ironman’s are unique, in that these are individual sports done within a community setting. Where everybody wants to see you succeed and people come from all around to watch on race day and cheer you on.
The Race Reports are fantastic insights into Tim’s mindset and experiences from those days. Each one was originally written back at the time of the race and updated for the book. I loved that we get a great snap shot of different race courses and set ups, from open water swims to encounters with vehicles and animals, Tim doesn’t sugar coat anything and the book is elevated because of this.
I found time and time again, Tim peppers this book with golden moments of pure motivation.
“That’s part of the reason for writing this book – talking about what I’ve achieved because it’s fun to look back, and also in the hope that it might inspire other people to take on their own challenge, and perhaps even change their own lives.”
Tim doesn’t preach to the reader in here about health, he doesn’t try to make you believe in a specific fad diet or a weight training regimen and for that, this book sets itself from many others in the pack. This isn’t a self-help or guided training book. You’ll not find running programs, swimming splits or riding intervals. Instead, Tim pleads with the reader to find something they love and to dive in and do it with passion. Throughout my many, many years in athletics/sports, I can absolutely say that this philosophy or approach will work every time. I hate running. But, for a year I would go to the track and do 30m, 45m and 100m sprints as well as bleacher sprints. Why? Because I had a goal, I had a passion and honestly, I loved what I was attempting to do. In my case, I also absolutely loved going to the gym and clanging weights.
The last thing I’ll mention here that I loved, is that Tim fills this book to the brim with humor and does it absolutely create a truly amazing read. Many books similar to this want to jam it down your throat that only the elite will finish a race and that training is tough and the weak will fail, blah blah blah. I didn’t keep track, but I’m fairly confident in saying that at least once in each chapter, Tim mentions that no matter how tiring or difficult training or a race had become, he was doing it for fun. In that regards, Tim and I share that philosophy. It was actually something I took heat from a number of coaches over the years. Me keeping things light, cracking jokes and supporting other athletes. In fact, one of the few times I ever lost my cool was with a bobsled pilot from another country who told me to shut up and focus. A few of my sliding friends will remember that confrontation in the Ice House and chuckle over him turning tail and leaving when I got serious and raised my voice.
This book, as I said, will be an introspective journey and will be an incredible motivator no matter where you are in your own personal life and health, but one thing is for certain – no matter what you are doing – make sure you have fun and it makes you smile. Tim makes sure to tell the reader this frequently, but also sets the example with the humor within.
What I didn’t like: You know, sometimes I hate this section. I set this section up as a way to let readers know why they may not like this book and when I love a book and think it’s hit every target, I struggle. So, here’s what I think some readers may not enjoy – if they are specifically looking for training programs – there are none. If you’re looking for tough love and/or declarations of “only the strong survive!” – big miss.
Personally, and this may be different in the paperback than the digital book I had for review – I wish there were more photos. Especially from the Race Reports. Three big reasons may have prevented this – 1) formatting. That can be really tough. 2) photo credits and rights – the Race Reports are from sanctioned events, so it is very possible that the photos Tim has were taken from race day photogs and credits and rights may be tough or expensive to acquire 3) publication costs – I myself have released a book that has illustrations and paintings in it. I wanted to keep them in color. This greatly increased the cost of printing the books, so that may have been a factor.
Why you should buy this: Tim Lebbon has excelled with what he’s delivered here. I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim for my professions publication a few years back, and even then the passion he expressed about training and doing these events was palpable. To read an entire book of the last decade and a bit of his life was phenomenal. This book will not be for everybody and that’s fair. But, like me, if you’re wanting some motivation to get into the best health of your life, Tim leads by example. I turn 40 in July. I have suffered so many significant injuries from my attempts to achieve my goal that I am limited with what I can do and I’ve struggled mentally to kick myself in the butt and start moving again. I personally wouldn’t change it for the world and after reading this – Tim’s already achieved what he set out to do – motivate a reader to rekindle their passion for exercise and get moving again.
A top-notch, non-fiction read that I really can’t recommend enough. I’ll be ordering this in paperback on release day!
I hope you’ll bear with me for this review. It’s going to be a bit introspective.
Many of you know me from my reviews. Many from my writing. And many know me from my professional career as well as my athletic endeavors. It was interesting to read this, knowing Tim has very similar parallels. There will be a large percentage of you who know him as a writer of amazing dark fiction. But also a number will know him from his passion over the last decade. And even then, some of you will know of him through is Netflix movie ‘The Silence.’
I remember when Tim threw the concept of this book out to the world on Twitter. An almost ‘if I write this, will people read it’ tweet. I was emphatic there was an audience for this, because it ticks a number of boxes that people look for in non-fiction, sports/health books.
Within the pages of this fantastic book, Tim takes us on a journey from where he was on the precipice of turning 40 years old and a fateful Holiday season that transformed his life. Finding it difficult to walk up a hill with some friends and realizing he was not at the level of fitness he was happy with, he had a conversation with a long time friend who himself had worked on his own fitness. When he mentioned to Tim that they were going to attempt a grueling event where you scale three different peaks in 24 hours, Tim decided to pursue that and fell head over heels in love with what can be described as “duration challenges.”
It was interesting for me to read this book. Here I am at 39, roughly four years post-retirement from a goal I had set of trying to make the 2018 Winter Olympics. Where Tim states he was active growing up and even competed in canoeing for a few years, he’d never been a gym goer. Joining and stopping time and again as he found it just wasn’t for him. Myself, I was the opposite. Growing up, I played Golf and Soccer and when I turned 17, began to hit the weights, falling in love with Body Building and Power Lifting. That transformed into a love of the throwing sports and at 24, I returned to Track and began competing in Shot Put. A series of injuries slowed my progress and then an opportunity came up. Bobsled. Much like with Tim going from triathlon training to full on Ironman level events, I devoted myself. In my 29th year, I set a goal of transitioning into a sliding sport. I trained seven days a week, often twice a day. I completed adjusted my diet (which I will say was 100% the hard work of my wife) and over the course of a year, I went from a 375lb shot putter, into a 245lb slider. (Hey, I said you’d get some introspection here!)
So, I’m going to hop into my normal review format from here and return the focus onto Tim’s book (with still some nuggets of my journey!)
What I liked: ‘Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit in my Forties’ isn’t your normal ‘training’ non-fiction book. No, what Tim’s done here is to write an incredibly heart-felt, emotional book that is incredibly motivating. The book pops back and forth between what he loves about doing Tri’s/Ironman’s and Race Reports. Through this set up, we get to see one of the most talented writers out there go into great depth and detail about the hills around his house that he trains on, the delicious cakes that he partakes in and how the chase of the ‘runners high’ can motivate someone to reach for a goal and achieve it. Much like the sliding sports, Tri’s and Ironman’s are unique, in that these are individual sports done within a community setting. Where everybody wants to see you succeed and people come from all around to watch on race day and cheer you on.
The Race Reports are fantastic insights into Tim’s mindset and experiences from those days. Each one was originally written back at the time of the race and updated for the book. I loved that we get a great snap shot of different race courses and set ups, from open water swims to encounters with vehicles and animals, Tim doesn’t sugar coat anything and the book is elevated because of this.
I found time and time again, Tim peppers this book with golden moments of pure motivation.
“That’s part of the reason for writing this book – talking about what I’ve achieved because it’s fun to look back, and also in the hope that it might inspire other people to take on their own challenge, and perhaps even change their own lives.”
Tim doesn’t preach to the reader in here about health, he doesn’t try to make you believe in a specific fad diet or a weight training regimen and for that, this book sets itself from many others in the pack. This isn’t a self-help or guided training book. You’ll not find running programs, swimming splits or riding intervals. Instead, Tim pleads with the reader to find something they love and to dive in and do it with passion. Throughout my many, many years in athletics/sports, I can absolutely say that this philosophy or approach will work every time. I hate running. But, for a year I would go to the track and do 30m, 45m and 100m sprints as well as bleacher sprints. Why? Because I had a goal, I had a passion and honestly, I loved what I was attempting to do. In my case, I also absolutely loved going to the gym and clanging weights.
The last thing I’ll mention here that I loved, is that Tim fills this book to the brim with humor and does it absolutely create a truly amazing read. Many books similar to this want to jam it down your throat that only the elite will finish a race and that training is tough and the weak will fail, blah blah blah. I didn’t keep track, but I’m fairly confident in saying that at least once in each chapter, Tim mentions that no matter how tiring or difficult training or a race had become, he was doing it for fun. In that regards, Tim and I share that philosophy. It was actually something I took heat from a number of coaches over the years. Me keeping things light, cracking jokes and supporting other athletes. In fact, one of the few times I ever lost my cool was with a bobsled pilot from another country who told me to shut up and focus. A few of my sliding friends will remember that confrontation in the Ice House and chuckle over him turning tail and leaving when I got serious and raised my voice.
This book, as I said, will be an introspective journey and will be an incredible motivator no matter where you are in your own personal life and health, but one thing is for certain – no matter what you are doing – make sure you have fun and it makes you smile. Tim makes sure to tell the reader this frequently, but also sets the example with the humor within.
What I didn’t like: You know, sometimes I hate this section. I set this section up as a way to let readers know why they may not like this book and when I love a book and think it’s hit every target, I struggle. So, here’s what I think some readers may not enjoy – if they are specifically looking for training programs – there are none. If you’re looking for tough love and/or declarations of “only the strong survive!” – big miss.
Personally, and this may be different in the paperback than the digital book I had for review – I wish there were more photos. Especially from the Race Reports. Three big reasons may have prevented this – 1) formatting. That can be really tough. 2) photo credits and rights – the Race Reports are from sanctioned events, so it is very possible that the photos Tim has were taken from race day photogs and credits and rights may be tough or expensive to acquire 3) publication costs – I myself have released a book that has illustrations and paintings in it. I wanted to keep them in color. This greatly increased the cost of printing the books, so that may have been a factor.
Why you should buy this: Tim Lebbon has excelled with what he’s delivered here. I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim for my professions publication a few years back, and even then the passion he expressed about training and doing these events was palpable. To read an entire book of the last decade and a bit of his life was phenomenal. This book will not be for everybody and that’s fair. But, like me, if you’re wanting some motivation to get into the best health of your life, Tim leads by example. I turn 40 in July. I have suffered so many significant injuries from my attempts to achieve my goal that I am limited with what I can do and I’ve struggled mentally to kick myself in the butt and start moving again. I personally wouldn’t change it for the world and after reading this – Tim’s already achieved what he set out to do – motivate a reader to rekindle their passion for exercise and get moving again.
A top-notch, non-fiction read that I really can’t recommend enough. I’ll be ordering this in paperback on release day!
June 17, 2021
Let me just start this review by saying I am far from being an athlete, or even remotely fit. I chose to read and review this book because I am in my forties and looking for a turn around in my own life.
I have the upmost admiration for Tim after reading this, it takes a strong person to take on a challenge and then change your life. His dedication to his new found passion positively flies off the page at you.
The book goes from his decision to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge to another kind of challenge in Canada. It is written with humour and complete modesty even though he can legitimately say he is Ironman!
He talks about his training and kit and how he progresses with each race, as he learns more from experience. His knowledge of the events and the training involved is evident as is his pain as he shares his struggles whilst swimming, riding and running a course.
He obviously advocates for a healthier way of life through exercise but he also knows that life is a balance and my favourite part is that he loves….cake! Cake should be a part of everyone’s life.
I thoroughly recommend this to everybody whether you are training for an event or not athletic in the slightest, it has something for anyone. And as someone who loves nature (as well as cake) it has spurred me to at least go for a long walk.
I have the upmost admiration for Tim after reading this, it takes a strong person to take on a challenge and then change your life. His dedication to his new found passion positively flies off the page at you.
The book goes from his decision to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge to another kind of challenge in Canada. It is written with humour and complete modesty even though he can legitimately say he is Ironman!
He talks about his training and kit and how he progresses with each race, as he learns more from experience. His knowledge of the events and the training involved is evident as is his pain as he shares his struggles whilst swimming, riding and running a course.
He obviously advocates for a healthier way of life through exercise but he also knows that life is a balance and my favourite part is that he loves….cake! Cake should be a part of everyone’s life.
I thoroughly recommend this to everybody whether you are training for an event or not athletic in the slightest, it has something for anyone. And as someone who loves nature (as well as cake) it has spurred me to at least go for a long walk.
June 11, 2021
I'll start by saying I know Tim through social media through his (rather good) fiction writing and so have known of his 'sportiness' for a while but not the reason behind it. As it turns out that reason is a simple one and one many people will connect with. It was as simple as looking at himself and saying 'this is not good, something has to change'
This revelation happened as Lebbon turned 40 and the book follows him through the next decade from overweight to super athlete through marathons, triathlons, ultra runs etc.
For me books like this can go either way but thankfully RWC makes for a good and inspiring read. What probably helps is that TL is an author already so the book is well paced. I'll admit there are places the book made me wince (that could well be understatement of the Month) as his background in writing includes horror fiction so some of the injuries he picked up are well described (chaffing - ouch) but that just adds to the realism of the journey from fat to fit.
And a journey is just what it is. Tim goes from doing this just to change his lifestyle to becoming a passionate ultra athlete and really is an inspiration.
A highly recommended read
4.3/5*
This revelation happened as Lebbon turned 40 and the book follows him through the next decade from overweight to super athlete through marathons, triathlons, ultra runs etc.
For me books like this can go either way but thankfully RWC makes for a good and inspiring read. What probably helps is that TL is an author already so the book is well paced. I'll admit there are places the book made me wince (that could well be understatement of the Month) as his background in writing includes horror fiction so some of the injuries he picked up are well described (chaffing - ouch) but that just adds to the realism of the journey from fat to fit.
And a journey is just what it is. Tim goes from doing this just to change his lifestyle to becoming a passionate ultra athlete and really is an inspiration.
A highly recommended read
4.3/5*
August 29, 2021
Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit In My Forties is written by horror author Tim Lebbon. Interestingly, Run Walk Crawl isn't the first running memoir I've read by an author in the horror community. Back in 2014 I read (and enjoyed) Chasing the Dragon: Running to Get High by Mark Matthews. I love reading running books - especially memoir style - so I was excited to curl up and read about Tim Lebbon's fitness journey.
Run Walk Crawl is about more than just running. Since Tim Lebbon is an Ironman - the focus is on swimming, running, and biking. I loved that. I'm not very familiar with triathlon swimming, and I'm certain now I want to keep it that way! The washing machine of kicks and punches sounds pretty terrible to me.
This isn't a training book or a diet book so it's not one to pick up if you are looking for guidance or training plans on how to get fit in your forties (although you may get inspired). It's much more of a memoir style book with Lebbon walking the reader through his journey to get fit through his forties. If you love reading this style of book from athletes (like I do!), this is a great one to pick up. Lebbon is down to earth and perfectly touches on the best way to get fit - finding the thing you love that makes you move.
Run Walk Crawl is about more than just running. Since Tim Lebbon is an Ironman - the focus is on swimming, running, and biking. I loved that. I'm not very familiar with triathlon swimming, and I'm certain now I want to keep it that way! The washing machine of kicks and punches sounds pretty terrible to me.
This isn't a training book or a diet book so it's not one to pick up if you are looking for guidance or training plans on how to get fit in your forties (although you may get inspired). It's much more of a memoir style book with Lebbon walking the reader through his journey to get fit through his forties. If you love reading this style of book from athletes (like I do!), this is a great one to pick up. Lebbon is down to earth and perfectly touches on the best way to get fit - finding the thing you love that makes you move.
June 3, 2021
Review by Martin Cater
I will preface this short review of Run Walk Crawl by saying I am closer to his age now than when he decided to change his life for the better, and my body is starting to make me well aware of this fact. Through my 30s and at least the first half of my 40s, I considered myself reasonably active – nothing impressive, but I worked out regularly and played a little squash.
The last five or so years, this has trailed off to essentially nothing. It started slowly, reducing the times I went to the gym, I started a new job, so squash wasn’t as easy to arrange and dwindled away. I will admit to living in denial, thinking I could easily regain some motivation, and full of ‘it will be easy to drop back into it’ - how wrong was I? Towards the end of 2019, I finally started going back to the gym, and was horrified at how much had been lost in 3-4 yrs. I could no longer lift weights I used to ‘warm-up’ with, a 20 min brisk walk on a treadmill left me a sweaty out of breath mess and there is nothing more depressing or counter motivational. I figured 2020 would be the year I really made some effort & then Covid arrived and I have gone back to probably even less exercise.
All this self-pitying is essentially what attracted me to pick up this book, in the hope of finding some encouraging words of motivation from someone who had found themselves in a similar situation – cue the Rocky music!
Run Walk Crawl however, is not some training manual for the ‘older’ gent, and in fairness never proports to being. It’s more an account of what the author has managed to achieve through setting his mind to improving his fitness. From a drunken challenge accepted on a cold New Year’s Eve, it goes on to chronicle a series of impressive ‘goals’ that can be attained if you are just willing and strong minded enough to push yourself. From the initial three peaks challenge, through numerous marathons, triathlons, and five Iron Mans’ to mention a few, it is undeniable what Tim has achieved over the last decade is seriously applaudable – even the amount of cake consumed! As a subject matter, it may not sound all that interesting to some, but It is written in such a way, with elements of humour throughout, that I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and it’s punchy enough to keep you turning the pages.
Inspirational definitely - Motivational maybe a little. I would have been nice to have heard a little more on the initial training from someone at a low level of fitness, and how they built this up over what seems a relatively short period of time. So do I come away from this inspired to change my life and dedicate every waking hour to exercise, competing in a whole manner of horrific sounding events – well no, but it has given me some incentive to at least do considerably more than I am presently.
I will preface this short review of Run Walk Crawl by saying I am closer to his age now than when he decided to change his life for the better, and my body is starting to make me well aware of this fact. Through my 30s and at least the first half of my 40s, I considered myself reasonably active – nothing impressive, but I worked out regularly and played a little squash.
The last five or so years, this has trailed off to essentially nothing. It started slowly, reducing the times I went to the gym, I started a new job, so squash wasn’t as easy to arrange and dwindled away. I will admit to living in denial, thinking I could easily regain some motivation, and full of ‘it will be easy to drop back into it’ - how wrong was I? Towards the end of 2019, I finally started going back to the gym, and was horrified at how much had been lost in 3-4 yrs. I could no longer lift weights I used to ‘warm-up’ with, a 20 min brisk walk on a treadmill left me a sweaty out of breath mess and there is nothing more depressing or counter motivational. I figured 2020 would be the year I really made some effort & then Covid arrived and I have gone back to probably even less exercise.
All this self-pitying is essentially what attracted me to pick up this book, in the hope of finding some encouraging words of motivation from someone who had found themselves in a similar situation – cue the Rocky music!
Run Walk Crawl however, is not some training manual for the ‘older’ gent, and in fairness never proports to being. It’s more an account of what the author has managed to achieve through setting his mind to improving his fitness. From a drunken challenge accepted on a cold New Year’s Eve, it goes on to chronicle a series of impressive ‘goals’ that can be attained if you are just willing and strong minded enough to push yourself. From the initial three peaks challenge, through numerous marathons, triathlons, and five Iron Mans’ to mention a few, it is undeniable what Tim has achieved over the last decade is seriously applaudable – even the amount of cake consumed! As a subject matter, it may not sound all that interesting to some, but It is written in such a way, with elements of humour throughout, that I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and it’s punchy enough to keep you turning the pages.
Inspirational definitely - Motivational maybe a little. I would have been nice to have heard a little more on the initial training from someone at a low level of fitness, and how they built this up over what seems a relatively short period of time. So do I come away from this inspired to change my life and dedicate every waking hour to exercise, competing in a whole manner of horrific sounding events – well no, but it has given me some incentive to at least do considerably more than I am presently.
June 28, 2021
'Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit in my Forties' by Tim Lebbon is a non-fiction book that charts his journey to getting fit in his forties.
A memoir that is a perfect blend of inspiration and humour. His brutally honest writing of a journey that began after a drunken New Year's Eve challenge is able to inspire the most stubborn couch potato into doing a little bit more.
I did think that maybe 'Run Walk Crawl' may have been a book I was going to read and be bored out of my skull with the author listing his health regime and spouting "get fit". I was really wrong. Ok we have a small part in the beginning where he decides he has had enough of the overweight and generally unfit him.
We see him at the age of 41 setting out to get fitter. It doesn't take overly long for him to begin to run marathons and take part in swimming triathlons and eventually participate in several Ironman challenges. Tim Lebbon says it as it is in this book. He doesn't gloss over the brutal challenges he faces. He trains hard and is quite rightly very proud of his victories. He tells us of his difficulties physically and also mentally and how we managed to get over them.
I thought it was fabulous how his family came out at his events to support him. His children getting so much into it they joined with the IronKids to cheer him on. The friends made on his fitness journey also being there as one for him too. I felt the togetherness was a very important part for Tim and he even advises you to maybe join a club for the motivation that becomes such an essential part of the whole time.
His love for cake is clear and he even says that although he needs to be at the peak of fitness he does still indulge in a drink and even pizza. I very much understand thag as quite a few years ago now I began a challenge of my own. To lose weight; I managed to lose 50lbs but I have slowly put it back on. I need motivation as Tim says and at the I have none. Niw I have the earworm of Tim's book maybe I shall try again...maybe.
His trips on his Ironman challenges are described brilliantly and he gives us the information of what is expected too. Anyone out there fancy an Ironman challenge but not confident enough? Get this book...iy will help.
I surprisingly enjoyed my time with Tom Lebbon on his challenging, funny, honest account and hope that someone somewhere reads this ans it provides them with motivation to so something similar.
Thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and Dreaming In Fire for my copy of this brutally honest memoir.
A memoir that is a perfect blend of inspiration and humour. His brutally honest writing of a journey that began after a drunken New Year's Eve challenge is able to inspire the most stubborn couch potato into doing a little bit more.
I did think that maybe 'Run Walk Crawl' may have been a book I was going to read and be bored out of my skull with the author listing his health regime and spouting "get fit". I was really wrong. Ok we have a small part in the beginning where he decides he has had enough of the overweight and generally unfit him.
We see him at the age of 41 setting out to get fitter. It doesn't take overly long for him to begin to run marathons and take part in swimming triathlons and eventually participate in several Ironman challenges. Tim Lebbon says it as it is in this book. He doesn't gloss over the brutal challenges he faces. He trains hard and is quite rightly very proud of his victories. He tells us of his difficulties physically and also mentally and how we managed to get over them.
I thought it was fabulous how his family came out at his events to support him. His children getting so much into it they joined with the IronKids to cheer him on. The friends made on his fitness journey also being there as one for him too. I felt the togetherness was a very important part for Tim and he even advises you to maybe join a club for the motivation that becomes such an essential part of the whole time.
His love for cake is clear and he even says that although he needs to be at the peak of fitness he does still indulge in a drink and even pizza. I very much understand thag as quite a few years ago now I began a challenge of my own. To lose weight; I managed to lose 50lbs but I have slowly put it back on. I need motivation as Tim says and at the I have none. Niw I have the earworm of Tim's book maybe I shall try again...maybe.
His trips on his Ironman challenges are described brilliantly and he gives us the information of what is expected too. Anyone out there fancy an Ironman challenge but not confident enough? Get this book...iy will help.
I surprisingly enjoyed my time with Tom Lebbon on his challenging, funny, honest account and hope that someone somewhere reads this ans it provides them with motivation to so something similar.
Thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and Dreaming In Fire for my copy of this brutally honest memoir.
June 5, 2021
“If you believe you can do something, or believe you can’t, you’re probably right ”
Tim Lebbon hits 2011 with a bang and takes the impulsive decision to do the Three Peaks Challenge. For those of you who don’t know, that’s climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden all in 24 hours. That’s 23 miles walking, total ascent of 3,064 metres and 462 miles driving. Don’t know about you but to me, that’s total madness especially the way Lebbon describes himself at the start.
But this challenge including the preparation time Lebbon puts in is a turning point in his life. He finds the fitness bug. He shows that once you find the regime/exercise for you, it can be enjoyable and addictive. But Lebbon is brutally honest about the struggles and the mistakes he encounters along the way. But then he goes for the next physical challenge.
Ironman contests may look “glamorous” when they’re broadcast on TV in glorious sunshine but Lebbon shows the harsh reality of a competitive race “one of the biggest challenges.. is trying to get into the water without tripping over an impressively large goose turd.” The whole concept fills me with dread but Lebbon is spurred on with each challenge, learning from the last and soaking up the knowledge of those around him.
The anecdotes are amusing but real. The chaffing, the aches, the pains, the post race celebrations and the hunt for the next challenge! And oh my! A whole chapter of cake!! Well not exactly. Lebbon talked about his thoughts on dieting and exercise. He’s more for one of eat less, eat better and exercise more which I’m totally on board with! So long as there is cake there!
I’ve not read any of Lebbon’s fictional offerings but I’m going to stick my neck out and say this is a totally different book. I found Run Crawl Walk a highly entertaining read, giving me an honest, down to earth insight to the world of amateur competitive fitness.
Tim Lebbon hits 2011 with a bang and takes the impulsive decision to do the Three Peaks Challenge. For those of you who don’t know, that’s climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden all in 24 hours. That’s 23 miles walking, total ascent of 3,064 metres and 462 miles driving. Don’t know about you but to me, that’s total madness especially the way Lebbon describes himself at the start.
But this challenge including the preparation time Lebbon puts in is a turning point in his life. He finds the fitness bug. He shows that once you find the regime/exercise for you, it can be enjoyable and addictive. But Lebbon is brutally honest about the struggles and the mistakes he encounters along the way. But then he goes for the next physical challenge.
Ironman contests may look “glamorous” when they’re broadcast on TV in glorious sunshine but Lebbon shows the harsh reality of a competitive race “one of the biggest challenges.. is trying to get into the water without tripping over an impressively large goose turd.” The whole concept fills me with dread but Lebbon is spurred on with each challenge, learning from the last and soaking up the knowledge of those around him.
The anecdotes are amusing but real. The chaffing, the aches, the pains, the post race celebrations and the hunt for the next challenge! And oh my! A whole chapter of cake!! Well not exactly. Lebbon talked about his thoughts on dieting and exercise. He’s more for one of eat less, eat better and exercise more which I’m totally on board with! So long as there is cake there!
I’ve not read any of Lebbon’s fictional offerings but I’m going to stick my neck out and say this is a totally different book. I found Run Crawl Walk a highly entertaining read, giving me an honest, down to earth insight to the world of amateur competitive fitness.
March 10, 2021
As someone who has struggled with my weight since childhood I felt I was reading about a kindred spirit.
A fun laugh out loud book about one man wanting to get fit.
Finally last year I gathered the courage to join a gym on Jan 3rd 2020 then lockdown happened and my gym never reopened. I joined a muscle gym instead and then another lockdown happened but this gym reopened and then another lockdown. Currently no gym again so this book landed and it has encouraged me to start walking (I'm not at the running stage).
Reading Tim Lebbon's funny memoir on his weight loss and fitness journey has given me the inspiration to restart my journey to being healthy. Some days I have to crawl up the stairs but that's nothing compared to Tim's three peak challenge climbing actual mountains.
I met Tim a few years ago at a book convention and he is a walking advertisement for being healthy and fit.
Full of witty and laugh out loud moments this was a great read. One example is forgetting anti chaffing cream, realising after a marathon and yelping.
I wanna hear more about the Blaenafon triathlon (that is a local race that Tim could literally run to it. Well Tim all that says to me is it's within marathon distrance) and the suicidal sheep.
Now I've finished the book I think it's time I got off the sofa and go for a walk.
A fun laugh out loud book about one man wanting to get fit.
Finally last year I gathered the courage to join a gym on Jan 3rd 2020 then lockdown happened and my gym never reopened. I joined a muscle gym instead and then another lockdown happened but this gym reopened and then another lockdown. Currently no gym again so this book landed and it has encouraged me to start walking (I'm not at the running stage).
Reading Tim Lebbon's funny memoir on his weight loss and fitness journey has given me the inspiration to restart my journey to being healthy. Some days I have to crawl up the stairs but that's nothing compared to Tim's three peak challenge climbing actual mountains.
I met Tim a few years ago at a book convention and he is a walking advertisement for being healthy and fit.
Full of witty and laugh out loud moments this was a great read. One example is forgetting anti chaffing cream, realising after a marathon and yelping.
I wanna hear more about the Blaenafon triathlon (that is a local race that Tim could literally run to it. Well Tim all that says to me is it's within marathon distrance) and the suicidal sheep.
Now I've finished the book I think it's time I got off the sofa and go for a walk.
February 25, 2021
Tim Lebbon’s first foray into non-fiction with “Run, Walk, Crawl; Getting Fit In My Forties” is not for the podium contenders and the elite, it’s for the rest of us. You know, the average Joes who dream of something better. Tim shows us that life isn’t over at fat and forty, it is just beginning and if you believe you can do it, you can. Tim’s journey involved a lot of lycra, inappropriate chaffing, momentous starts seeped in bear poo, and one broken rib. But it is also ripe with humour, success, great memories, and plenty of cake. A fantastic, fun read that if you're not too careful, may leave you feeling lycra inspired.
June 8, 2021
This is very different to what I would normally read but wanted to give it a try. I really enjoyed reading about Tim's journey through it all. I found it very inspiring and the story is an incredible one how he goes from couch potato to running Ironmans. I have seen Ironmans on the tv and they look tough so I want to say well done to Tim for doing something awe inspiring and hopefully from writing this book he can help and inspire more people to get out there and do something worthwhile. There is a mixture of funny parts and also parts that really made me wince. But I am really glad I read this book, it is a short read too. But it has inspired me.
March 18, 2021
Inspirational. I don't know what it is about this book but I certainly feel like I am on the same wavelength and I have had a bit of a lightbulb moment. I know myself I can't get fit by trying to get fit I need a challenge. I can't see myself doing an iron-man (I'm going to finish the outlying lakeland fells and tackle the national trails) but for the first time in my life I left the house with the intention of running a bit instead of just having a brisk walk. PS Tim, if you read this I remember the day you mentioned on Facebook about your best UK wildlife spotting day.
March 19, 2021
Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit In My Forties by Tim Lebbon is a non-fiction tale about climbing mountains, racing in Ironman triathlons and other events, never having enough bikes, and eating lots, and lots of cake!
This is a perfect read for people that are looking to get a bit more in shape without feeling any shame and still eating cake! Go pick this one up today!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
This is a perfect read for people that are looking to get a bit more in shape without feeling any shame and still eating cake! Go pick this one up today!
More here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
March 18, 2021
Inspirational, Entertaining and Funny
Tim does an excellent job telling us of his journey to being an Ironman. Honest, heartfelt and easily relatable I enjoyed every page. Oh. And there are many mentions of cake :)
Tim does an excellent job telling us of his journey to being an Ironman. Honest, heartfelt and easily relatable I enjoyed every page. Oh. And there are many mentions of cake :)
June 5, 2021
Interesting account of getting into iron man racing
Interesting stories. I do wish there were more stories of what he experienced and less preaching about fitness, but still interesting. I enjoyed it overall.
Interesting stories. I do wish there were more stories of what he experienced and less preaching about fitness, but still interesting. I enjoyed it overall.
September 26, 2021
fantastic funny, entertaining and full of tips
As someone of a certain age who is just about to run her first marathon this book was all I needed. Full of facts but funny and lighthearted. Thanks Tim keep running
As someone of a certain age who is just about to run her first marathon this book was all I needed. Full of facts but funny and lighthearted. Thanks Tim keep running
December 27, 2021
An entertaining and humerous read. Has the author convinced me to take up marathons and Ironman races? Ha, hell no! Weight training and walking are more my speed. Looking forward to the next book in ten years time to see if any of those races actually happened in 2021.
November 22, 2022
good read, inspiring
An inspiring read - to hear about a guy going from being unfit to being able to complete Ironman events. I took up endurance sport when I was 35 and was also unfit, but I’ve never dared take on the Ironman challenge.
An inspiring read - to hear about a guy going from being unfit to being able to complete Ironman events. I took up endurance sport when I was 35 and was also unfit, but I’ve never dared take on the Ironman challenge.
January 21, 2024
I think I covered most of my thoughts on Happy Goat, but want to reiterate that I LOVED this book. I'm a huge fan of Lebbon's horror fiction and it was nice to see a different side to his writing, and also his fitness journey and general funny manner lol
May 11, 2024
Quite a funny little book, full of anecdotes about the Iron Man triathlon. I recognised some of this, particularly the journey from being an out of shape older man to attempting a marathon as I did it too.
I enjoyed this one.
I enjoyed this one.
June 11, 2021
Brutally honest, funny and inspiring. A fascinating insight to the man behind the fiction. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2021
Inspiring, hilarious in parts, and thoroughly entertaining. Highly recommended. Gave me the motivation to sign up for some new challenges this year and next.
July 9, 2024
Full review on Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/03/1...
What a lovely breath of fresh air this book is (no pun intended). Lebbon is sincere and very funny as he takes us through his fitness journey from the age of 40 to now (he's in his early 50s but sincerely, until I read this book, I pegged him at early 40s - which just goes to show that his outdoor pursuits work!). It's a lovely look at running, cycling, and swimming from someone who very clearly LOVES all of this stuff, and is a light but inspirational read for anyone that might be embarking/struggling with their own fitness journey.
Inspired me to get back on the treadmill after 10 weeks off (because of an injury), and I hit my own personal best of 5K after two years of only being able to struggle to 3K. I'm not claiming that this book magically gave me the power of 2 extra KM, but it did remind me that I love running, so when I got back to it, my mind-frame was more "yay, this is fun!" instead of "oh god, this is really hard".
Highly recommend to people who enjoy pleasant, funny non-fiction.
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/03/1...
What a lovely breath of fresh air this book is (no pun intended). Lebbon is sincere and very funny as he takes us through his fitness journey from the age of 40 to now (he's in his early 50s but sincerely, until I read this book, I pegged him at early 40s - which just goes to show that his outdoor pursuits work!). It's a lovely look at running, cycling, and swimming from someone who very clearly LOVES all of this stuff, and is a light but inspirational read for anyone that might be embarking/struggling with their own fitness journey.
Inspired me to get back on the treadmill after 10 weeks off (because of an injury), and I hit my own personal best of 5K after two years of only being able to struggle to 3K. I'm not claiming that this book magically gave me the power of 2 extra KM, but it did remind me that I love running, so when I got back to it, my mind-frame was more "yay, this is fun!" instead of "oh god, this is really hard".
Highly recommend to people who enjoy pleasant, funny non-fiction.
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