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Run Down: An Endurance Athlete's Race Against Chronic Fatigue
"Run Down is an incredible read whether you are an athlete, are someone struggling through tough times, or are just looking for meaning in life." (Kara Goucher, Olympian, Author of The Longest Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team)
Run Down is the powerful new memoir by Dr. Michael Gallagher that details his shocking decline from fit triathlete and chief of surgery to bedbound patient searching for answers to a mysterious illness born out of a harrowing bike trip through North Dakota’s Badlands.
Gallagher’s life is built on his ability to endure, but this is one race he cannot finish. He struggles to find the cause of his illness as well as the courage to survive.
Misdiagnosed and misunderstood by his colleagues, Gallagher is forced to weather the worst of his illness alone, his isolation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will, ironically, provide clues to his health.
Gallagher grapples to find meaning in a life that has been decimated by an invisible enemy.
Poignant and perceptive, Run Down explores the the power of positive thinking and the potency of love, family and perseverance to providing meaning and joy.
Run Down is the powerful new memoir by Dr. Michael Gallagher that details his shocking decline from fit triathlete and chief of surgery to bedbound patient searching for answers to a mysterious illness born out of a harrowing bike trip through North Dakota’s Badlands.
Gallagher’s life is built on his ability to endure, but this is one race he cannot finish. He struggles to find the cause of his illness as well as the courage to survive.
Misdiagnosed and misunderstood by his colleagues, Gallagher is forced to weather the worst of his illness alone, his isolation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will, ironically, provide clues to his health.
Gallagher grapples to find meaning in a life that has been decimated by an invisible enemy.
Poignant and perceptive, Run Down explores the the power of positive thinking and the potency of love, family and perseverance to providing meaning and joy.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2022
Amazing book for anyone who is struggling with or knows someone with long hauler syndrome (covid) or chronic fatigue syndrome. Great insight into the world of a dad, physician and ironman/endurance athlete, who journeys through this often discounted/misdiagnosed illness. Hard to put this book down I read it in 2 sittings.
August 6, 2022
Different than expected, still awesome
For some reason, even after reading the introduction, I was still expecting a book focused on athletics. Instead I learned about chronic fatigue syndrome (which goes by a different name I can never remember), becoming a doctor, and I gained an insight into Gallagher's life. I have twin boys so it was also interesting to read about a twins' experience growing up as a twin, but that just drew me into the book more. My stepdaughter has shown interest in being a surgeon, and this book gave a lot of info about going that career path, I'm definitely recommending it to her when she's a little older! But I really enjoyed the writing style, it felt like sitting down with an old friend and catching up. His story is very engaging, informative, and interesting!
For some reason, even after reading the introduction, I was still expecting a book focused on athletics. Instead I learned about chronic fatigue syndrome (which goes by a different name I can never remember), becoming a doctor, and I gained an insight into Gallagher's life. I have twin boys so it was also interesting to read about a twins' experience growing up as a twin, but that just drew me into the book more. My stepdaughter has shown interest in being a surgeon, and this book gave a lot of info about going that career path, I'm definitely recommending it to her when she's a little older! But I really enjoyed the writing style, it felt like sitting down with an old friend and catching up. His story is very engaging, informative, and interesting!
May 18, 2022
Long haulers need to read this too
I am a medical provider who works in the same system as Dr. Gallagher, and loves running as well. I also have a diagnosis of PASC (long Covid) and meet all the criteria for ME. After hearing an interview with Dr. Gallagher last winter with CPR right as I started a leave of absence from my job due to my symptoms, I have been eagerly awaiting his book. Having read it, I am so happy that Dr. Gallagher is sharing his story, validating both my struggles with losing things I love (like running) and searching for answers while trying to come to an acceptance of living with chronic illness from the perspective of a medical professional. Thank you.
I am a medical provider who works in the same system as Dr. Gallagher, and loves running as well. I also have a diagnosis of PASC (long Covid) and meet all the criteria for ME. After hearing an interview with Dr. Gallagher last winter with CPR right as I started a leave of absence from my job due to my symptoms, I have been eagerly awaiting his book. Having read it, I am so happy that Dr. Gallagher is sharing his story, validating both my struggles with losing things I love (like running) and searching for answers while trying to come to an acceptance of living with chronic illness from the perspective of a medical professional. Thank you.
May 24, 2022
As someone who may be recovering from moderate to severe ME/CFS (also erroneously called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) after 8 years, this book was of great interest to me. Dr. Gallagher's journey has been very similar to mine and I am familiar with people in the ME/CFS community that he mentions. He is fortunate that he does not suffer from "brain fog" like so many of us do (including me). It is difficult for me to write coherently although I was a technical writer in the environmental field for many years.
I also just enjoyed his style of writing, sense of humor and learning about him, his family and his friends. Life happens to everyone, not just those who have a chronic illness. His story also gave me hope, something I can always use more of.
I also just enjoyed his style of writing, sense of humor and learning about him, his family and his friends. Life happens to everyone, not just those who have a chronic illness. His story also gave me hope, something I can always use more of.
March 2, 2023
Really love this book. Weather or not you have chronic fatigue, the disease that the author has, this book is amazing. The first half of the book is about his life growing up in Colorado, mountain biking, skiing, going to college, and then later going to med school. The second half is about when he starts to show symptoms of chronic fatigue and eventually gets diagnosed after jumping through hoop after hoop, going to doctor after doctor, and no one knowing what is going on. Really helps to put things in perspective seeing someone go from running ultra marathons to not being able to get out of bed.
July 7, 2022
My brother Michael wrote an honest, funny, vulnerable and overall brilliant book about his life, his siblings who have battled addiction and, most importantly, his struggle with ME - chronic fatigue. He is not just an endurance athlete- he is the definition of endurance. He pressed through medical school while running. AND living with my and my crazy kids. He has never shied away from anything and never quits anything. I read about a book a week. This book I started one evening and read all night. It is so compelling I could not put it down.
May 6, 2022
I don’t typically read non fiction, but the storytelling in this memoir forced me to continually remind myself of its truth. I loved everything about this book. It made me laugh, cry, feel insanely grateful for the ability to move my body, and reminded me that advocating for your health is powerful. This is a captivating book with lessons tucked in every chapter.
November 6, 2023
As someone who used to love being active and now has ME, I found this book so relatable. I initially read it shortly after diagnosis, and just rereading it now over a year on. Each time I have taken something different from it, about how the disease affects the author and how he copes with it. A really insightful read as to how this illness can affect people
February 4, 2023
Not what I was expecting but very well done. A great read for anyone trying to understand more about what it’s like to have an invisible and chronic illness like ME.
July 2, 2022
Thoughtful and inspiring
Michael Gallagher’s book is a testament to the challenges he and others face dealing with ME. The memoir is filled with a wonderful mix of life before and after his diagnosis, and brings into focus the myriad difficulties someone living with ME have to endure. Dr Gallagher shows that it is possible to live and thrive while battling a chronic disease. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks.
Michael Gallagher’s book is a testament to the challenges he and others face dealing with ME. The memoir is filled with a wonderful mix of life before and after his diagnosis, and brings into focus the myriad difficulties someone living with ME have to endure. Dr Gallagher shows that it is possible to live and thrive while battling a chronic disease. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews