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The Running-Shaped Hole: A Memoir
At 368 pounds a poet starts running to save his life — he ends up in jail and eventually, in the Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon.
At 38, Robert Earl Stewart weighs 368 pounds. His own pants, laying freshly laundered across the end of his bed, remind him of a flag draped over a coffin. To deal with the fear and shame, he is compelled to eat himself sick. But one day, following a terrifying doctor’s appointment, he goes for a walk — an act that sets The Running-Shaped Hole in motion. Within a year, he is running long distances, making good on a deathbed promise he failed to make his mother, reversing the disastrous course of his eating, losing 140 pounds, and after several mishaps and jailtime, eventually runs the Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon. At turns philosophical and slapstick, this memoir examines the life-altering effects running has on a man who, left to his own devices, struggles to be a husband, a father, a son, and a writer.
At 38, Robert Earl Stewart weighs 368 pounds. His own pants, laying freshly laundered across the end of his bed, remind him of a flag draped over a coffin. To deal with the fear and shame, he is compelled to eat himself sick. But one day, following a terrifying doctor’s appointment, he goes for a walk — an act that sets The Running-Shaped Hole in motion. Within a year, he is running long distances, making good on a deathbed promise he failed to make his mother, reversing the disastrous course of his eating, losing 140 pounds, and after several mishaps and jailtime, eventually runs the Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon. At turns philosophical and slapstick, this memoir examines the life-altering effects running has on a man who, left to his own devices, struggles to be a husband, a father, a son, and a writer.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
12 pages, MP3 CD
Published March 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 18, 2021
Absolutely loved this memoir. Feels honest, very well written. Greatly inspirational story, and not just about running, but also (sometimes too much) eating, alcohol abuse recovery, a rock & roll lifestyle and a sweet understanding family. Relatable and enjoyable, I couldn't put this down. One of the highlights of 2021 for me!
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC. Opinions given are my honest thoughts.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC. Opinions given are my honest thoughts.
November 12, 2021
Anyone who has struggled with weight will find a piece of themself in this book and in Robert Earl Stewart's candid commentary on why he struggled with addiction. It's so familiar to all of us. But what you won't have seen before is Stewart's description of why he runs and how he overcame his demons. The portions of the book where Stewart describes his connection to the space he finds while running are really quite profound and absorbing. The writing oozes with irony, humor, and the sense that there is a Running Mind for all of us, even if we can't run.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2021
As a once larger person who found inner peace running, I was excited to read Robert Earl Stewart's memoir THE RUNNING-SHAPED HOLE. Stewart chronicles his emotional, humorous, and moving journey from a man who let his addictions own him to man who finds running as one of the ways to funnel his addictive tendencies into a healthy habit that changes him in ways never knew possible.
Stewart explains how he has let his addictions win when he was younger and how a series of bad choices over many years make it all the harder to start making good choices. He is frank, often comically so, about his size, his ability to be a good husband and father, and his struggles as a writer. What becomes clear immediately in the book is that Stewart is a good person looking for his place in the world. As he is becoming a husband, father, writer, and runner, the identity of Robert Earl Stewart slowly comes together, as if each of those characteristics is a puzzle piece and the more the complete the puzzle is, the clearer the understanding of who Robert Earl Stewart is becomes apparent. The reader will cheer Stewart's successes and sympathize with his setbacks (particularly those nagging runner injuries that seem to drag out). Another standout aspect of the book is Stewart's detailed descriptions of where he runs in Windsor, Canada and Detroit. For the first time I am interested in visiting there because of how interesting and unique Stewart depicts those cities.
I was sad when the THE RUNNING-SHAPED HOLE ended and I kind of want to go to Windsor, Canada now for a run to see if I can "accidently' run into Robert Earl Stewart and get some more great stories of his running journey. A great read!
Thank you to Dundurn Press, Robert Earl Stewart, and Netgalley for copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Stewart explains how he has let his addictions win when he was younger and how a series of bad choices over many years make it all the harder to start making good choices. He is frank, often comically so, about his size, his ability to be a good husband and father, and his struggles as a writer. What becomes clear immediately in the book is that Stewart is a good person looking for his place in the world. As he is becoming a husband, father, writer, and runner, the identity of Robert Earl Stewart slowly comes together, as if each of those characteristics is a puzzle piece and the more the complete the puzzle is, the clearer the understanding of who Robert Earl Stewart is becomes apparent. The reader will cheer Stewart's successes and sympathize with his setbacks (particularly those nagging runner injuries that seem to drag out). Another standout aspect of the book is Stewart's detailed descriptions of where he runs in Windsor, Canada and Detroit. For the first time I am interested in visiting there because of how interesting and unique Stewart depicts those cities.
I was sad when the THE RUNNING-SHAPED HOLE ended and I kind of want to go to Windsor, Canada now for a run to see if I can "accidently' run into Robert Earl Stewart and get some more great stories of his running journey. A great read!
Thank you to Dundurn Press, Robert Earl Stewart, and Netgalley for copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 18, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Books about running usually catch my attention. But with this book, there's so much more to the author's story. From losing his mother, struggling with alcoholism and then becoming morbidly obese, meeting his wife and starting a family, and to finally finding his passion for running. It's interesting to read about all of this plus his adjusting to the different feelings about running.
Books about running usually catch my attention. But with this book, there's so much more to the author's story. From losing his mother, struggling with alcoholism and then becoming morbidly obese, meeting his wife and starting a family, and to finally finding his passion for running. It's interesting to read about all of this plus his adjusting to the different feelings about running.
Read
January 5, 2022I jumped at the opportunity to read The Running-Shaped Hole. Like most reader-runners I know, I love to read and I love to run and I really love to read about running. And sometimes my on again-off again runner status is inspired by it. That’s at the root of what I was going for here and, you know what? It worked. As soon as this snowy PNW thaws out, I’ll be lacing up the new shoes I got for Christmas and hitting the trails. (Even when I am on again, I am terrified of running in slippery conditions.)
This book title refers to running, but honestly, it is much richer than that. Stewart begins by sharing his story of alcohol addiction, his journey through recovery and how that journey neglected to consider his whole health. Yes, he gave up drinking, but he used an inappropriate relationship with food to cope. He takes us through the story of meeting his future wife, their courtship, growing their family. He also talks about his education, his career and how he discovered himself as a poet. His memoir leaves nothing out, finally landing us in the time and place when running makes its debut.
Reading Stewart’s experience with learning to run and navigating the complexities of learn to run groups, the etiquette involved when dealing with other runners and the transition from civilian to runner was so relatable. There were so many times when he articulated thoughts and feelings I have had and in which I was convinced I was alone.
Stewart lives in Windsor, Ontario and I became fascinated with The Detroit Free Press Marathon (the only marathon in the world to cross international borders!) throughout this book as Stewart makes a couple of attempts before (spoiler alert!) successfully running it. I really enjoyed learning about it and have contemplated the logistics of getting there and running in a number of times while still reading the book and since.
The title refers to Blaise Pascal’s notion of the god-shaped hole, an empty place in our hearts that only god can fill. When one embarks on learning to running or making running a part of their life, there is a revelatory and often revolutionary experience that comes along with it. Stewart does an excellent job of articulating that. He keeps his story very real and, for me, as a reader, there is no greater reward.I also particularly enjoyed his slightly catty, but very justified setting straight of the record as it relates to a certain neighbourhood altercation. (Shame on you, Sandra!)
This book title refers to running, but honestly, it is much richer than that. Stewart begins by sharing his story of alcohol addiction, his journey through recovery and how that journey neglected to consider his whole health. Yes, he gave up drinking, but he used an inappropriate relationship with food to cope. He takes us through the story of meeting his future wife, their courtship, growing their family. He also talks about his education, his career and how he discovered himself as a poet. His memoir leaves nothing out, finally landing us in the time and place when running makes its debut.
Reading Stewart’s experience with learning to run and navigating the complexities of learn to run groups, the etiquette involved when dealing with other runners and the transition from civilian to runner was so relatable. There were so many times when he articulated thoughts and feelings I have had and in which I was convinced I was alone.
Stewart lives in Windsor, Ontario and I became fascinated with The Detroit Free Press Marathon (the only marathon in the world to cross international borders!) throughout this book as Stewart makes a couple of attempts before (spoiler alert!) successfully running it. I really enjoyed learning about it and have contemplated the logistics of getting there and running in a number of times while still reading the book and since.
The title refers to Blaise Pascal’s notion of the god-shaped hole, an empty place in our hearts that only god can fill. When one embarks on learning to running or making running a part of their life, there is a revelatory and often revolutionary experience that comes along with it. Stewart does an excellent job of articulating that. He keeps his story very real and, for me, as a reader, there is no greater reward.I also particularly enjoyed his slightly catty, but very justified setting straight of the record as it relates to a certain neighbourhood altercation. (Shame on you, Sandra!)
May 12, 2022
“The running shaped hole” is a memoir that consists of a prologue followed by nineteen chapters and is an inspirational story of a man who fulfills after refusing to commit to a deathbed promise to his mother to lose weight and get in shape, finally decides to change his life through changing his relationship with food and through running.
The memoir begins with a prologue where Robert is at his mother’s deathbed as she asks him to make a promise to her to lose weight and get in shape. Robert doesn’t make the promise to her because he didn’t want to actually have to follow through with getting healthy and exercising. Six years later, Robert is forced to face his declining health when he starts getting out of breath when speaking, has dizzy spells, and is becoming increasingly immobile. Although Robert has lied to himself and others that breathing problems are due to allergies, he knows the true cause of his medical issues is 368lbs on his body. After receiving a dire prognosis from his doctor, Robert realizes that he is eating himself into an early grave and after having a moment of clarity, he decides to take a walk at a nearby park instead of going to gorge himself on food at a restaurant.
Over the course of nineteen chapters, Robert shares with readers the circumstances that lead to him overeating as well as becoming an alcoholic starting at fourteen years old. Although he succeeds in school and eventually gets a masters degree in creative writing, he has a hard time keeping jobs because he feels unappreciated. As the years pass, Robert hides his overeating and drinking habits from wife and his wife is patient but annoyed by his unpredictable behavior.
After Robert takes the walk in the park, he eventually learns to have a better relationship with food and discovers running as a form of moving meditation. As the weight comes off, Robert finds the his relationship with others changes as well. Ironically Robert discovers that weight loss doesn’t protect him from injury and jerks and learns how to face his inner.
As I finished reading this memoir, I appreciated Robert's transparency with his struggle with overeating as a form of comfort and familiarity, not due to hunger. This memoir also shows the power of positive thinking and speaking things into existence as well as understanding that the solution to life is change and sometimes lifelong change can begin by taking one step.
The memoir begins with a prologue where Robert is at his mother’s deathbed as she asks him to make a promise to her to lose weight and get in shape. Robert doesn’t make the promise to her because he didn’t want to actually have to follow through with getting healthy and exercising. Six years later, Robert is forced to face his declining health when he starts getting out of breath when speaking, has dizzy spells, and is becoming increasingly immobile. Although Robert has lied to himself and others that breathing problems are due to allergies, he knows the true cause of his medical issues is 368lbs on his body. After receiving a dire prognosis from his doctor, Robert realizes that he is eating himself into an early grave and after having a moment of clarity, he decides to take a walk at a nearby park instead of going to gorge himself on food at a restaurant.
Over the course of nineteen chapters, Robert shares with readers the circumstances that lead to him overeating as well as becoming an alcoholic starting at fourteen years old. Although he succeeds in school and eventually gets a masters degree in creative writing, he has a hard time keeping jobs because he feels unappreciated. As the years pass, Robert hides his overeating and drinking habits from wife and his wife is patient but annoyed by his unpredictable behavior.
After Robert takes the walk in the park, he eventually learns to have a better relationship with food and discovers running as a form of moving meditation. As the weight comes off, Robert finds the his relationship with others changes as well. Ironically Robert discovers that weight loss doesn’t protect him from injury and jerks and learns how to face his inner.
As I finished reading this memoir, I appreciated Robert's transparency with his struggle with overeating as a form of comfort and familiarity, not due to hunger. This memoir also shows the power of positive thinking and speaking things into existence as well as understanding that the solution to life is change and sometimes lifelong change can begin by taking one step.
December 2, 2022
An introspective and inspiring memoir chronicling the author's trials with alcohol and food and his acceptance of himself and his flaws through running.
EVery bit of this book rang true for me. I remember when I was running that feeling where you could solve all your problems while you ran (you couldn't really but you could think them through from a zen-ish place instead of the stress one you usually did.)
I'm going to go check out his poetry next.
One disconcerting thing in the audio book - whenever the narrator read the possessive parents' or kids' or friends' he pronounced the 'es'. Parentses, kidses...
EVery bit of this book rang true for me. I remember when I was running that feeling where you could solve all your problems while you ran (you couldn't really but you could think them through from a zen-ish place instead of the stress one you usually did.)
I'm going to go check out his poetry next.
One disconcerting thing in the audio book - whenever the narrator read the possessive parents' or kids' or friends' he pronounced the 'es'. Parentses, kidses...
January 26, 2023
Brave and bold
Funny and sad
Real struggles - Real life
A good read indeed
Well done Bob
Funny and sad
Real struggles - Real life
A good read indeed
Well done Bob
March 20, 2022
The way in which Stewart's obsession with running was able to force humility upon him and fundamentally change him as a person is beautiful to experience. The Running-Shaped Hole is equal parts inspiring and devastating. Moments of huge growth are often undercut by a regression, which is true for the development of any skill. Progress is messy and hard, but the journey is less difficult and lonely when you know someone is out there struggling just like you.
February 27, 2022
Chad deserved what he got.
March 24, 2022
I really quite enjoyed this title. This is a brutally honest self-assessment of a man trying to find himself and figure out where he fits in the world. Faced with cold hard medical facts - sending him into his own personal existential crisis - he finds that running fills that empty place in his heart - the running shaped hole - and allows him to start to deal with his self-doubt, his anxiety, his panic attacks, his depression, his fear… and his grief.
I enjoyed the trip down memory lane - with his parents, high school, meeting his wife (very early in his life in relative terms) - and applaud him for finding - and maintaining - his sobriety. I know how hard that can be from personal experience with friends who’ve followed that same path. And his wife - and family - but especially his wife. Wow! She is something else. More than a rock. If only every spouse could be as perceptive, and open minded and open hearted as she is. (My husband is a gem, but she takes it to another level).
Stewart is open and honest about his demons - and let’s be clear, we all have them though not all necessarily as debilitating - and how they can make every day a struggle. His sharing the ways in which he struggles to basically keep his head on straight and function day-to-day is an excellent reminder to one and all that life happens in fits and spurts, and the trajectory is not always forward or in a straight line. Sometimes it’s one-step forwards, two-steps backwards.
There were times when I didn’t know whether I wanted to laugh or to cry - tears for myself or for him - when he spoke about various things, including: his self-loathing, his internalisation of the body shaming (can we just all stop that NOW!?), his pre-occupation with food tracking and weigh-ins, the call with the (dork from the) insurance company, and the various lessons he learned from sobriety and how he was able to see and apply them - transfer the learning - from his alcoholism to his dis-ordered eating.
And then there were times like when he went for the run in the Black Oak - where I knew things were going to go sideways right from the start… and I wrote ‘IDIOT’ in my notes before he got to the ‘good’ part! And that woman - ‘Sandra’ - what a piece of work. I’m sad that there are people like that in the world, and while I don’t condone violence at all, I will admit that I let out a little ‘hooray’ at ‘that’ moment. But when, after this, in therapy, he had his - literal - watershed moment - the breakthrough about the ‘why’ of it all - I was crying along with him. (A reminder to all that there is no shame in therapy and sometimes that’s what we need.) Then there’s when he tells us to Google The Brady Kids ‘Good Time Music’ before reading any further (p278)... which I did, and this had me cringing (I grew up on The Brady Bunch… oh dear was it really that bad?) Upshot is that he manages to find a nice balance throughout… it is rather dark in places (!), but with enough humour and levity to keep from sinking into a morass.
I didn’t need - and admit to skimming over - the very ‘meta’ bits - where he discusses Foucault, Galileo, Pascal. And I will admit, that even by the end, I am still really struggling with wrapping my brain around how it is ‘willpower’ that keeps him sick. I’ve read and re-read those passages and still just not getting it… There were a few other bits - relating to faith and God - that I didn’t really relate to - and his assignment of credit seemed a bit far-fetched to me - but to each their own.
A read well worth spending time with.
I enjoyed the trip down memory lane - with his parents, high school, meeting his wife (very early in his life in relative terms) - and applaud him for finding - and maintaining - his sobriety. I know how hard that can be from personal experience with friends who’ve followed that same path. And his wife - and family - but especially his wife. Wow! She is something else. More than a rock. If only every spouse could be as perceptive, and open minded and open hearted as she is. (My husband is a gem, but she takes it to another level).
Stewart is open and honest about his demons - and let’s be clear, we all have them though not all necessarily as debilitating - and how they can make every day a struggle. His sharing the ways in which he struggles to basically keep his head on straight and function day-to-day is an excellent reminder to one and all that life happens in fits and spurts, and the trajectory is not always forward or in a straight line. Sometimes it’s one-step forwards, two-steps backwards.
There were times when I didn’t know whether I wanted to laugh or to cry - tears for myself or for him - when he spoke about various things, including: his self-loathing, his internalisation of the body shaming (can we just all stop that NOW!?), his pre-occupation with food tracking and weigh-ins, the call with the (dork from the) insurance company, and the various lessons he learned from sobriety and how he was able to see and apply them - transfer the learning - from his alcoholism to his dis-ordered eating.
And then there were times like when he went for the run in the Black Oak - where I knew things were going to go sideways right from the start… and I wrote ‘IDIOT’ in my notes before he got to the ‘good’ part! And that woman - ‘Sandra’ - what a piece of work. I’m sad that there are people like that in the world, and while I don’t condone violence at all, I will admit that I let out a little ‘hooray’ at ‘that’ moment. But when, after this, in therapy, he had his - literal - watershed moment - the breakthrough about the ‘why’ of it all - I was crying along with him. (A reminder to all that there is no shame in therapy and sometimes that’s what we need.) Then there’s when he tells us to Google The Brady Kids ‘Good Time Music’ before reading any further (p278)... which I did, and this had me cringing (I grew up on The Brady Bunch… oh dear was it really that bad?) Upshot is that he manages to find a nice balance throughout… it is rather dark in places (!), but with enough humour and levity to keep from sinking into a morass.
I didn’t need - and admit to skimming over - the very ‘meta’ bits - where he discusses Foucault, Galileo, Pascal. And I will admit, that even by the end, I am still really struggling with wrapping my brain around how it is ‘willpower’ that keeps him sick. I’ve read and re-read those passages and still just not getting it… There were a few other bits - relating to faith and God - that I didn’t really relate to - and his assignment of credit seemed a bit far-fetched to me - but to each their own.
A read well worth spending time with.
February 20, 2023
A very honest, frank memoir re the many changes in his life in an Ontario town --especially re his coping with his extreme overweight and starting to run, then becoming disillusioned with it for awhile. This especially happens when he realizes that he just can't eat a lot and retain his wgt loss, even with a lot of running.
He appreciates his wife, but IMO not enough as she must be the most patient and understanding partner ever! They have 3 kids, who have their own problems, some of which he feels come from him genetically or from when he was so obese.
(I think he has shared way too much personal info about his kids, which isn't at all fair to them. I hope their friends don't read this book and make fun of them, etc.)
He has a lot happening in these few years of his life --n he ruminates over absolutely everything! The parts about his legal problem and court case are really interesting and entertaining, but i wonder if he might be sued by the 2 people/ neighbors who reported them as he gave their actual full names and general area where they live. (Or maybe Canadians aren't that lawsuit-crazy!)
Many tho'ts on stages of running --and i'd like to share those parts with a family member who's also a runner, but not sure he'd be that interested in the first sections of the book re his overweight, etc.
I looked him up and he's also a published poet. He's a very good writer, so hope he continues writing more.
Playaway audiobook from library. I hadn't had one in years, so had to adjust to it and kept messing up.
Medium fast speed. I much prefer downloading overdrive onto my ipod.
He appreciates his wife, but IMO not enough as she must be the most patient and understanding partner ever! They have 3 kids, who have their own problems, some of which he feels come from him genetically or from when he was so obese.
(I think he has shared way too much personal info about his kids, which isn't at all fair to them. I hope their friends don't read this book and make fun of them, etc.)
He has a lot happening in these few years of his life --n he ruminates over absolutely everything! The parts about his legal problem and court case are really interesting and entertaining, but i wonder if he might be sued by the 2 people/ neighbors who reported them as he gave their actual full names and general area where they live. (Or maybe Canadians aren't that lawsuit-crazy!)
Many tho'ts on stages of running --and i'd like to share those parts with a family member who's also a runner, but not sure he'd be that interested in the first sections of the book re his overweight, etc.
I looked him up and he's also a published poet. He's a very good writer, so hope he continues writing more.
Playaway audiobook from library. I hadn't had one in years, so had to adjust to it and kept messing up.
Medium fast speed. I much prefer downloading overdrive onto my ipod.
February 20, 2022
The Running-Shaped Hole is a tale of one man's struggle with himself. The title is based upon the Christian concept of the God-shaped hole that supposedly exists in every heart, that only God can fill and complete. For Robert Earl Stewart the hole is filled by running.
Robert struggles with his inner demons - loneliness, low self-esteem and a penchant for self-destructive appetites for alcohol and food. He loses his mother before her time when she dies at only 58, an event which serves to propel him further into his self-destructive patterns of over-eating and heavy drinking. When a serious warning from his physician finally frightens him into facing his obesity, he turns to running and within a year has turned his lifestyle and his health around. But for Stewart, life doesn't turn around that easily, since his outer struggles are minor compared with the struggles inside his own head.
This memoir is raw and honest, alternately evoking feelings of frustration and satisfaction, annoyance and admiration. Stewart spares himself nothing - he shares his humiliation, sadness, joy and triumph. His unflinching honesty about his weaknesses and flaws allows us to commiserate with him and also to root for him. Whatever his flaws might be, lack of courage isn't one of them. I look forward to reading more from Robert Earl Stewart.
Robert struggles with his inner demons - loneliness, low self-esteem and a penchant for self-destructive appetites for alcohol and food. He loses his mother before her time when she dies at only 58, an event which serves to propel him further into his self-destructive patterns of over-eating and heavy drinking. When a serious warning from his physician finally frightens him into facing his obesity, he turns to running and within a year has turned his lifestyle and his health around. But for Stewart, life doesn't turn around that easily, since his outer struggles are minor compared with the struggles inside his own head.
This memoir is raw and honest, alternately evoking feelings of frustration and satisfaction, annoyance and admiration. Stewart spares himself nothing - he shares his humiliation, sadness, joy and triumph. His unflinching honesty about his weaknesses and flaws allows us to commiserate with him and also to root for him. Whatever his flaws might be, lack of courage isn't one of them. I look forward to reading more from Robert Earl Stewart.
March 15, 2022
When I was done this book I wished I could go back again and read it for the first time. I related to this story on many levels--I am also a runner, live with loss, and understand the language of alcoholism. Robert's story is so well told and so incredibly touching that it will capture your heart regardless of your interests or inclinations. You will laugh and cry.
I would have read it in two sittings but forced myself to save the last two chapters one extra day to give myself something to look forward to. Highly recommend.
I would have read it in two sittings but forced myself to save the last two chapters one extra day to give myself something to look forward to. Highly recommend.
March 6, 2022
A lovely book about so much more than running - a man’s story of how he saved himself from addictions. It’s a story that will inspire anyone who reads it and even if you’ve never had an addiction or been overweight or jogged a block - you will relate and find great value and insight and even joy in this wonderful read. Heartfelt thanks to Dundurn for the advanced copy. Wha a treat. Great for a book club / so much to discuss and will bring any discussion group closer.
October 25, 2022
For anyone self-conscious and intimidated by exercise, "The Running Shaped Hole" is great news.
Robert Earl Stewart's painstaking and droll recounting of shedding pounds accompanied with some nasty self-loathing transforming into a "half-marathoner" set in Industrial Windsor, Ontario offers surprising insight. Physical Education teachers may find this especially interesting. Cerebrals contending with challenges athletic types often oblivious too.
Robert Earl Stewart's painstaking and droll recounting of shedding pounds accompanied with some nasty self-loathing transforming into a "half-marathoner" set in Industrial Windsor, Ontario offers surprising insight. Physical Education teachers may find this especially interesting. Cerebrals contending with challenges athletic types often oblivious too.
June 10, 2022
I loved this book. It made me nostalgic for Windsor, where I grew up, but also I loved the journey Robert Earl Stewart brought us on - at times I felt like I was running along with him. I also loved how much of the story was rooted in family and feel his wife Jennifer emerged as a true hero in the story. RES has a unique voice and this book was beautifully written.
Read
December 23, 2022This book felt like a whiny, disjointed history of one mans life. The constant self reflection, emphasis on the minutia of exercise, and revelations of serial failure in life wears on your nerves. I forced myself to finish this book as I hate leaving books unread once I start them, but man, this one was a real trial!
February 21, 2022
I loved this book! The author shares a very relatable story, and takes us through the ups and downs of his relationship with running, and himself.
Anyone who has struggled, with their weight, image, drinking, will find things that resonate with them in this very well written story.
Anyone who has struggled, with their weight, image, drinking, will find things that resonate with them in this very well written story.
March 31, 2022
This memoir by Robert Earl Stewart is at once brave, humorous, and also inspiring. While it chronicles the author's struggles with addiction and beyond, and his journey with running, it offers many lessons (sometimes painful, often funny) on how to approach anything with which we may struggle.
May 25, 2022
This was an amazingly personal and emotional memoir. The author must have great strength to not only overcome alcoholism and over eating but to write about it so honestly. I found it to be extremely thought provoking and relatable. I had borrowed a copy from the library but think I will have to buy my own copy because there were several times I reached for my highlighter and then remembered.
January 27, 2022
This book did something very few books have ever accomplished. It made me sob, and then a few pages later, it made me laugh out loud. It is a magnificent book.
August 15, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
I enjoyed Robert Earl Stewart's memoir of how he began his running program.
4 stars
I enjoyed Robert Earl Stewart's memoir of how he began his running program.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews