Chasing Trails: A Short Fun Book about a Long Miserable Run

by George Mahood

When George agreed to sign up for his first ultramarathon with his friend Mark, he knew it would be tough. But he was not expecting knee-deep mud, torrential rain, 60mph wind and hail, all while trying to tackle one of the toughest stretches of coastline in the UK - the South West Coast Path.

In the middle of the wettest winter since records began, George and Mark have to cope with treacherous cliffs, flooded trails, injuries, inverted waterfalls, too much food and too much mud.

This short, quick read picks up where Operation Ironman left off and is the prequel to the DNF Series.

The DNF Series is a series of books about George and his family’s adventures in running, cycling and
swimming. From ultramarathons to triathlons, 10k swims to European cycling adventures, George
promises fun and laughter every step, pedal, and paddle of the way.

Genres: Nonfiction

79 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

George Mahood is an award-winning writer. Specifically, he was placed third in the Little Brington Village Fete's limerick competition (Under 10s category) in 1988. It was the same year that Mrs Marriott's legendary fruit loaf was beaten in the WI cake contest for the first time in six years.

George studied Communication Studies and English Literature at Leeds University. After spending a year travelling in the USA (with clothes and money), he worked for several years in a variety of jobs including charity fund-raising and garlic bread making. He currently works as a photographer, specialising in weddings. George has been the lead singer and guitarist of a rubbish band and the chairman and midfielder of an awful Sunday-league football team.

George has plenty more madcap ideas that will form the basis of future books. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch, see more photos from FREE COUNTRY, and to hear about future projects.

www.facebook.com/georgemahood
www.twitter.com/georgemahood

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very short e-book was penned (typed? input?) by one of my favorite memoir writers. After his Ironman success, he decided to try an ultra-marathon of 36 miles. Would have been lovely if they weren't running along the coast with strong gales, pelting rain, and occasional hail; sliding down hillsides, avoiding getting blown off the cliffs, and having their shoes sucked into the mud. Yet, he had a really good time, bless his little heart.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one completed and I’m still enjoying every one of George Mahood’s books. This one was more like a short story, yet just as funny as his other ones. Warning, be careful, you might get motivated into a sport of some kind...!!!

[Cliff Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and funny in a similar vein of Operation Ironman - this time George taking on the ordeal and torment of an Ultra Marathon. Great little read !

[Noémie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t need a big book to be great. I enjoyed the writing style that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

[Pat Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short book, essentially a story of 2 friends who completed an ultramarathon together in really horrendous weather. It was a great reminder of the simplicity of running and the enjoyment you can get from it. I also really like memoirs (and running) so I will definitely be reading more from this author!

[Seelenstaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, but funny and delightful read. I've read most of the author's books and I've noticed the writing getting more and more polished, so hats off for constantly improving. Some people just sort of stagnate after they've written a few books, but not this guy. I hope he keeps writing, so I can read more of his uplifting and also pretty inspiring stories.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and definitely worth a read.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running

Well, that was quite a book. It was all about one day and one 36 mile race in England. Saying that, it was interesting and funny and having hiked 15 miles in a day in Europe in the snow and wind I can’t imagine doing a run twice as long in the wind, rain and hail and carrying a bag full of food and drink. It was nice that it was so amusing, not what I expected at all.

[Lisa Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise it was a mini-book but it was still an enjoyable read, and yet another inspiration to those of us who plod/jog/run for "fun" to keep on truckin' and don't worry about who's moving faster or further than you are.

[Aaron Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice prequel to the DNF books (even though I read it after them). Reading about his ultramarathon made me relive mine as well, even though George’s was more eventful. Well done George… now accept my Strava request😂

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short humorous tale of two friends taking a dare to run along a "beach trail" in the rain in England during a cool spell. It's fun and makes the reader wish I had not given up jogging before I had knee issues.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, very cute. A nice change of pace. But nowhere near as good as his longer books in the "Did Not Finish" series. I enjoyed it, for free, pretty much. But I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend as a "must read" even for fans of Mahood.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

George can manage to find humour and optimism in most situations. This brief story of running an ultramarathon in really horrendous weather is funny even though you can't for the life of you think why he is so crazy

[Vojta Borovian]

Great personal story with a funny framework all around.

[Katherine Laurain Ashburner · Rating 4 out of 5]

short, sweet and funny

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiration

This book will inspire you and make you smile! You immediately feel.close to.the writer I recommend reading this! Great read!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Made me laugh several times. Didn't convince me to start running as I would have been more like the friends who were miserable.

[Brandy ONeal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

I almost DNF the book but I kept at it. It was not for me. I did walk away with a better view of marathon and ultra marathon runners. Maybe some day.

[Sophie Bowns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it!

[Goran Boban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any runner

Fun reading and page turner. Everybody who attended at least one race over 5K would find something to relate to.

[Graham Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

😂

[Marc Vipham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick fun read

Short race review. Well written and entertaining. Hoping for lots of rain and a steep hill on my next hill race.

[John A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be quite interesting and funny. A good quick read.

[Yola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small, light, mostly about the weather more than anything else. Enjoyable read. 3.5

[Les Hopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short book that feels like the dialogue from a bloke in a pub telling you about a long run he went on, but is none the worse for it.

Almost enough to convince me that running could be fun.

[Kaitlyn Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy George’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. I laughed, and I cheered for him. Perfect for the runner’s spouse, great for everyone else.

[Rick Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story with plenty of humor, but ultimately, just a good race report. It doesn't take away the quality of the story and entertainment value of the book -- I've simply been privileged to read a bunch of good, well-written, humorous race reports over the years.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun times as always!

I have read and giggled through most of George Mahoods books. I got so interested in the coastline of the race route that I looked up the history and photos. Such a beautiful place! The Sherman tank memorializing the Exercise Tiger tragedy and the ruins of Hallsands beach were very interesting. Thanks for the giggles and the tour. Can't wait for the next in the DNF series.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a mystery.

I don't really understand how Mr. Mahood makes his books so entertaining, but they work well for me. I have no interest in doing what he's doing in the DNF series, and it sounds like the worst way possible to spend a day; and, yet, I read this straight through, and liked it. I've like all his books that I've read and can recommend them for a bit of cheerfulness.