SOLO: What running across mountains taught me about life

by Jenny Tough

The incredible story of a six-continent journey of self-discovery

Jenny Tough is an endurance athlete who's best known for running and cycling in some of world's most challenging events - achieving accolades that are an inspiration to outdoor adventurers everywhere. But SOLO tells the story of a much more personal Jenny's quest to come to terms with feelings and emotions that were holding her back. Like runners at any level, she knew already that running made her feel better, and like so many of us, she knew that completing goals independently was empowering, too. So she set herself an audacious to run - solo, unsupported, on her own - across mountain ranges on six continents, starting with one of the most remote locations on Earth in Kyrgystan. 

SOLO chronicles Jenny's journey every step of the way across the Tien Shaw (Asia), the High Atlas (Africa), the Cordillera Oriental (South America), the Southern Alps (Oceania), the Canadian Rockies (North America) and the Transylvanian Alps (Europe), as she learns lessons in self-esteem, resilience, bravery and so much more. 

What Jenny's story tells us most of all is that setting out to do things solo - whether the ambitious or the everyday - can be invigorating, encouraging and joyful. And her call to action to find strength, confidence and self-belief in everything we do will inspire and motivate.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Audiobook, Travel, Memoir, Biography, Sports

384 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed going along on the adventures, I didn’t get the feeling that she actually overcame the personality issues she seems to deal with. So hard on herself; though there was a moment on one hike where she seemed to figure out that she didn’t always have to keep running, no one is tracking her time…I thought for a moment that she maybe learned to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the journey. But alas it always seemed to be about how hard she could be on herself, how much she could drive herself, how much she could guilt herself over a sleep-in or a second cup. That mind-set really wore on me after a while.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,582 km through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan,Morocco, Bolivia, New Zealand, Canada and Romania as part of a team would be an unbelievable achievement, to do it ‘Solo’ is little short of remarkable….and Jenny Tough ( great suited name ) did this, you can only admire her and her determination which is evident on every page of this memoir
A memoir with a difference, yes it’s full of her adventures, struggles, light moments and near death ones and brimming with flora and fauna descriptions and culture difference commentary but also there’s an underlying theme of self help encouragement and giving the reader a few well worded blitzes of self worth/belief in yourself talk, which was motivating and relevant as the author was talking to herself and drawing on her life experiences as well as writing for us ( the readers )
Fascinating is not a strong enough word to describe the book and it really gets you involved and picturing every stage of the journey ( ies )
One thing I did find a bit surprising was the authors annoyance throughout at local peoples genuine concern for her ie ‘are you sure you can do this?’, she was sure but as locals knowing the landscape and dangers they weren’t so sure!
A brilliant read, full of hair raising moments and moments of pure joy both for the author and the reader

10/10
5 Stars

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solo is the account of the author’s quest to run solo through mountain ranges over six continents; the Tien Shan, the High Atlas, the Bolivian Andes, the Southern Alps, the Canadian Rockies & the Transylvanian Alps. It took her a gruelling five years (broken up) to complete & it was a voyage of discovery & determination.

I’m a runner. Not an athlete but I love putting on my trainers, switching on my headphones & doing the miles. I find it’s the best therapy in the world. So this book appealed to me from the start. But I must stress, it’s not just a book for runners. It’s way, way more than that. It’s also a travel book, I absolutely LOVED hearing about the countries Jenny travelled through & the unique people she met. It’s a book of resilience & empowerment- I felt Jenny’s fear & frustration over the barriers she faced simply as a solo woman traveller. I loved her strengths but I loved her weaknesses. She tells it like it is & holds back no punches. As a runner I was absolutely in awe of her achievements, I can barely run holding a bottle of water (it starts to feel like I’m carrying a brick after 5 miles!) let alone a backpack with a temporary house in the back. As a woman I was in awe of her bravery. As a reader I was in awe of her writing. She relays her journey articulately & with passion, honesty & humour. Her skill at describing her situations made me feel like I was there myself, which was ideal as I’m probably not likely to ever visit the Tien Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan.

I don’t think I can emphasise just how much I fell in love with this book. From the terrifying early days scaling a vertical valley in Tien Shan to her final moments running with the dogs of Romania, this was a journey to be admired, applauded & revered. Jenny Tough (real name!) is such a likeable & normal woman that I defy you to read this book & not be inspired.

I usually run 8 miles/13km max but after reading this I went out, thought of Jenny’s journey - & pushed myself to do 10 miles/17km. I was flipping shattered! No mountains but a few uphill climbs & a determination that if she could run up & over the Bolivian Andes, I could run an extra 2 miles through the streets of Newcastle.

A warm, honest & inspirational account of strength & perseverance. If you’re interested in travel, you’ll love this. If you’re interested in running, you’ll love this. And if you’re thinking about starting exercising to boost your mental health, you’ll love this.

Basically, everyone needs to read it! Then run! 🏃‍♀️

[Imaculate Mosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical running book. I like it centers on adventure and running as a vehicle.
I enjoyed Jenny's sense of humor adds lightness to otherwise life and death scenarios. Intrigued by her challenge, I'm inspired to keep adventuring (albeit at smaller scale).

[Irene Haaima · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really keen on reading this book but got quite disappointed early on. Her negativity regarding herself both mentally and physically, her constant push to be somewhere on time even if the quest was not timed, her guilty feelings for everything from stopping earlier than planned, to sleeping in. Rather than feeling admiration, I felt frustration. I thought about stopping half way through the book but decided to continue, hoping that the tone would become more positive and that some of those alleged life lessons were revealed during these expeditions. But instead it remained "work" to get through the book, much like she really worked incredibly hard through the quests she had designed for herself. Always pushing herself, through pain, through an important injury, through bad weather, dangerous situations.....I felt like every mountain run ended up being the same difficult experience for her (and the reader) with incredibly high risks and apart from some highlights, she really did not seem to have enjoyed the expeditions nor grown all that much as a person. That's how it comes across at least; especially when it's only in the afterword that she writes briefly down what the different mountain ranges taught her. It comes across as a mere afterthought to justify the title..... Maybe it's also the writing style. Her accomplishments are of course very impressive but the book really is not. 1.5 stars

[Laura Sargeant · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One woman. Six continents. An unforgetable journey of self discovery."

What's it About?

Jenny Tough tackles some of the most awe-inspiring and challenging mountain ranges in the world... by running them! This book is her account of running solo in vastly different environments and how she overcame each obstacle that was thrown at her, including self doubt.

I don't usually go for non-fiction reads but this had me absolutely hooked! I got to experience some major wanderlust for some of the amazing destinations Jenny explored with a few chuckles along the way and discovered a completely unique experience of each of the different cultures.

Let's face it, how often do we get to read about a woman *running* solo through epic mountain ranges? I loved the completely personal accounts of her journey including the cup getting stuck section where I cringed at my own first experiences 😂

Ending on the perfect last line, "you're tougher than you think" this book is packed full of inspiration and determination and I fell completely in love!

[Nicola Whitbread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solo has got to be my new favourite outdoorsy/adventure book. Jenny Tough has run over mountain ranges in six continents (solo and unsupported) and despite being completely badass, she’s humble and witty and has the same doubts and self consciousness that we all do.

I listened to Solo via audiobook whilst out walking the Cumbria Way (she narrates the audiobook too which is always a bonus) and her attitude was everything I needed to push me through the tough bits. Her mantra: don’t be shit.

“Fix your own problems… don’t wait for someone to come along and rescue you. Don’t ignore your problems and let them fester. No wishing or hoping; action. Your problems are yours, and taking action on them and ownership for them is more than just survival. It’s integrity.”

[Rachel Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Female solo adventurer story? Sign me up. Listened to while I was running. I am sure that she could have spent more time on each individual adventure but I liked that she grouped all her adventures into one big goal that she had, running across a mountain range on 6 different continents. I wish I had heard about her in real time and had watched her adventure from afar, but reading the book after the fact was great. This isn’t something I’m remotely interested in attempting but it did get me to ask myself what I would do if I were her and what would I do if I came across her on her adventure.

[Paťuša 🙈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zo zaciatku super cestopis, dozvedela som sa vela o Kyrgysgtane. Bola som zvedava ci niekto iny zazije podobne emocie z Maroka. Úplne to súhlasilo, nie som divna. Maroko je odpad sveta. O Andách som sa dozvedela malicko a posledne tri krajiny boli skorej sportovy vykon a nic o krajine. To mi bolo troska luto. Ale chapem, ani moja knizocka sa nebude pacit vsetkym.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze mevrouw is mijn nieuwe heldin

[Katie Giordano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this

[Zioman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite informative, very inspirational account of running through 6 different mountain ranges, each on a different continent and with their own unique challenges.

[Jacob Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was a great book and it was exciting to follow along Jenny’s journeys. I felt that her last two runs (last two chapters) were rushed and she described more about the challenges she faced on every run rather then the run itself (lacking context). But with that said, it rattled my adventure bone

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book. The adventures are incredible and the book was well laid out, but the negative mindset, that doesn't improve throughout the book, really made it an endurance feat to finish.

[Catie Markesich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this as an audio book. Jenny narrates it herself. I really wanted to enjoy her narration of this amazing story, but alas, I did not enjoy it nearly as much as actually reading the book. There is so much emotion and humor and drama in the book, and her voice doesn’t take on the dramatic effect of it all. I was thinking that I just didn’t enjoy the book as much as I expected, until I started reading it. YES. YES!!!!!! Wow. I’m about to embark on a multi day big adventure myself, and Jenny, thank you, thank you, so much for this book!! It’s given me so much inspiration and additional belief in myself that I can push through incredibly hard things.

I’m going to go back and read the first several chapters to more fully enjoy them. I can’t wait. This will be a book I will come back to again and again.

“Adventure does not need to be measured. It just needs to be experienced.”

“Self-belief is everything that my first successful expedition boils down to. It’s no one‘s job – no one‘s job but yours – to be your cheerleader. It’s your job to show up for yourself every day and believe you can do it. That is how you make your dreams come true – by getting up there and doing it yourself. Don’t wait for permission – some of us are never going to get that. Only you decide what you can and can’t do.”

“Recovering your mind needs attention too. To this day, I mostly hear athletes and adventures discuss ‘recovery’ only in the physical sense, but I always prioritize the mental side. Recovering my legs is easy – just stay off them for a bit. Recovering the mind, however, is less obvious.”

“I just needed to be brave enough to let things get ugly.”

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solo takes readers on a grand adventure—or rather, six big adventures—as Jenny embarks on a journey across six different mountain ranges around the world. In the earlier chapters, especially in the Atlas Mountains and the Andes, I really felt immersed in the culture and landscapes of the regions she was running through. However, by the time we reach the Rockies and the Transylvanian Alps, the narrative shifts. It starts to feel more like a task to be completed rather than an experience to savor, which took away some of the sense of wonder. Still, Jenny’s resilience and determination shine through, even if the later challenges felt more like a job than an adventure.

Some highlighted passages:

“Running anywhere in the world, as a woman, I will always hear advice and even criticism about safety. From a very young age, I learned that the world is not seen as a place for women. There are only certain hours and certain neighbourhoods we're allowed to exist in. But exploration, movement and self-expression should be available to everyone. It is never lost on me how fortunate I am - on many levels - to be able to run like I do. But my expedition across Morocco allowed me to almost walk that proverbial mile in the shoes of women in North Africa, who experience life in a far more disadvantaged way than I ever will.”

“Maybe girls aren't raised to be brave - it's definitely a trait that was applied more often to boys in my generation.”

“Bravery is about being yourself and pursuing your own path. Tap into your bravery, and let it lead your life.”

“After the first five expeditions had armed me with the skills and lessons I needed, all that was left was to become brave enough to use my strengths.”

“please believe in yourself, be brave and go have an adventure on your own terms. Solo.
You're tougher than you think.“

[RunHikeBikeExplore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny is an inspirational role model for women in sport/ adventure. She highlights the issues that I'm sure many women have come across, mainly vulnerability & safety as a woman in the outdoors.

I do feel that Jenny is very/ too hard on herself, on her abilities, and on her accomplishments, but they are Jennys' own demons she deals with.

Jennys' attitude to problems she faces is relatable. They are hers to solve/ resolve. I remember having a panic attack on a (much smaller) mountain and giving myself "you put yourself here, get yourself out" talk.

I enjoyed the start chapters of the book more than the end chapters, but it will remain on my bookshelf, part of my collection of women in adventure.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be more stars for me given the places she ran and what she accomplished, but I had such a mixed experience reading. It was hard to finish at times. I would get so sad at how she handled the hard moments... By being a big bully to herself. Always focused on mileage, and reliably accosting herself whenever she didn't hit her ambitious targets. I kept waiting for a moment of self realization of this and a call to love herself, but it never came in this book. My hope for Tough is that she finds self compassion and can talk to herself more like a friend than an unforgiving drill sergeant. Life is already hard enough...

I also hope that anyone reading, especially younger readers, don't think they have to follow this path of self hatred in order to accomplish wild objectives like she did.

[Heather Bode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. As someone who has competed in ultra events and outdoor challenges, I was able to relate to so much of this book.

Jenny Tough wastes no time jumping right into the first of her 6 running treks across mountain ranges across the world. She writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re running beside her, experiencing the joy, the pain, the exhaustion, and everything else.

I read some of the less positive reviews, and found it interesting that most of them touched on the fact that there was too much “negativity” from start to finish.

Though I’ve never taken on such a massive challenge myself (yet), I really appreciated the honesty of that aspect. It’s a defining characteristic of challenges like these that Tough sums up well in the afterword: “it never gets easier, you just get better.”

I devoured this book, living vicariously through Tough as she drank in mountain vistas, navigated the backcountry, met colorful strangers and ran with a pack of wild dogs.

It’s a well-paced adventure story that teaches you lessons without even realizing it until Tough summarizes her own in the end.

It made me emotional by the end, and I found it incredibly inspiring.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I devoured this book. JT's transparent tales of the physical and mental hardships of her solo adventures are inspiring: even strong athletes go through ups and downs.

The Atlas (non physical) struggles she went through, made my quiver, being almost certain now I will never consider a solo adventure in Marocco.

I would have most likely given the book a 4 star but I can't let myself agree with some too harsh reactions to people's kindness that didn't reach her level of satisfaction. e.g. when criticising hospitality and when responding arrogantly to some light-hearted chats from people wondering about her solo travels as a woman. Don't fight fire with fire!

[iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first 4 sections (especially Tien Shan) but the last two felt a bit rushed and sort of went against what she had learnt in New Zealand about slowing down and enjoying the journey. But loved all the descriptions of the scenery and the variety of people she met along the way

[Zoe Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle: just made a 4 as did plough through this running adventure at speed!
I’d have preferred moser on the distances covered and elevations gained at the end of each chapter to appreciate the challenges covered across the globe but part of the book is really about being solo and the challenge.
So to be fair this was a successful write given much of the book is sore feet, mile apon mile through wilderness that holds the readers attention!

[Alice Cunniffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

audiobook about running whilst running made this even better

[Grace Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

saving my thoughts for book club but i very must enjoyed this, felt the joy and frustration with her and shed a few tears

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in awe of what Jenny Tough accomplished, although to me it often sounded like torture. It makes great listening though!

[Fiona Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book. Devoured it. Feeling inspired!

[Karen Dennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and inspiring!

[Maria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard for me to rate memoirs anything less than 5 stars. Enjoyed the audio book and lived vicariously through Jenny’s adventures!

[Stephanie Newey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book. So very well written. I enjoyed it greatly. Easily making it into my top 10 books I’ve ever read

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a crazy run!!
I enjoyed the read, but did find it a little repetitive at times