Women Who Run

by Shanti Sosienski

Women run for all kinds of reasons. We run for health, to ease tension, for strength, to challenge ourselves, to be social with friends, as professional athletes or the dream of being one, to turn our minds on, and to turn them off. Whether running a marathon, taking a quick jog around the neighborhood, or trying to reach the top of Pikes Peak, women of all ages and abilities have discovered running. In Women Who Run a wide range of women, including Olympians, marathoners, ultra runners, young track phenoms, and recreational runners, talk about why they run, what drives them, and what continues to spark their interest in the sport.

Women Who Run features Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon; Louise Cooper, breast cancer survivor and finisher of the grueling 135-mile Badwater Marathon; Kristin Armstrong, who found solace and camaraderie in running with other women post-divorce; Olympic runner and two-time LA Marathon winner and Kenyan Lornah Kiplagat, Wall Street Journal reporter and Muslim women's activist, Asra Nomani; Pam Reed who ran 300-miles in one run—and many more.

This book will inspire and motivate you to get off the couch and find your inner runner.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

177 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2006

Reviews

[Cheyenne Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an engrossing read, but was slightly irritated by all the amazing women featured. I would have liked some more "average" women. I mean, Kristin Armstrong (Lance's ex-wife) goes from being a non-runner to a sub 3:30 marathon in three months?! I think I hate her! And she gets a regular column on Runner's World as a result? I DEFINITELY hate her!

[Elizabeth]

I found the writing pretty poor and a lot of the stories annoying - women who had hours each day to devote to running and who also happened to be awesome at it. I did appreciate the real people stories- the overweight runner, the slow runner.

[Caitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it for motivation. It was nice and had interesting stories of the women featured in the book. One thing for me that I would have liked was more about "normal" women who run and how they make it happen. It was more about "SUPER" duper amazing women runners. Still inspiring and interesting.

[Tri-reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! So inspiring to read about these amazing women who fought to bring women's running into the olympics or to fight a personal struggle. I truely enjoyed reading each story. And the interesting one was of the man who had a sex change to a woman. Reading how estrogen slowed him down was fascinating.

[Raegan Rinchiuso · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to keep on hand when you need some inspiration. Yes - it's mostly about amazing women who accomplish a lot more than the average person. While some readers have complained about that, I find it interesting to step into a life that I'll probably never know first-hand. And it inspires me to do more.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A varied selection of profiles of women runners. I skimmed the ones I connected with less, and focused on those that struck a cord within me, and it reminded me of all the things I like about running, and why I can't wait for the snow & ice to melt enough for me to get back to it!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’ve had this book since I was in middle school but just read it. It was a nice read and empowering to hear how other women have used running to impact their lives and others positively. The writing was decent and the women portrayed were interesting. Although, I think it would have been nice to have women portrayed who did not compete at high levels or run hundreds of miles because that is not what the majority of people do.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely compilation of mini running biographies of many women. I definitely was hoping for less surface biographical and more in-depth look at women who run.

[Kathy Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational stories about highly motivated and driven runners... and they're all women. This book is a must read for all women who run, especially if you're looking for that extra push out the door with your running shoes on. Granted, it wont make you look like the woman on the cover, but it will make you feel like her... and it will make you want to go as fast as she does. Highly recommended.

[Hope Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I liked learning about the great success of women athletes. I would like to know how the author chose who to feature. There are SO many great female athletes —that I hoped to read about but never did. Maybe she mentioned it but if she did, I missed it. What great strengths and role models women are. May we all get out and stay out of “the girl box”!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

B The writing wasn't that engaging, but of course I love to read about running. The author herself has only been a runner for 2 years but she profiles different runners and different types of runners--ultramarathons, regular women, and profiles them, along with little write-ups.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read about some very inspiring women runners. Reading their stories is extremely motivating, yet not within the average woman's scope. I would have like to seen more stories about everyday woman as athletes. Nonetheless, this read got me to lace up when I really didn't want to.

[Robin Durkee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is one that women should read if they are beginning runners. This is an easy to read book because it mentions all the difficulties runners endure in an easy to access method, using charts and scenarios.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some very inspiring stories of female runners.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring even for 'non runners.'

[Jen helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book - so inspirational and amazing!

[Gina Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book while at a friend's house, as the title was interetsing to me. it's a nonfiction piece with about 15 stories of women runners. It was inspiring and a very fast read.

[Becky Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, but very inspiring.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not so much of a runner, and thought this would only be interesting for a few biographical stories, but the whole book was a quick, inspirational read.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at a booksale. Very inspirational, sisterly and feminist.

[Melanie Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish. I liked the stories. The women were amazing I just couldn't relate to them.