Meh... not what I thought...

I bought this book because I'm about a good 2 months into my venture to start running, and I thought I could relate to a lot of what this author talks about. You know... curvy non-athletic girl deciding she wanted to start running, and the challenges she faces. Uh, nope. This book is more about how a novice runner trained for a marathon. Her first run, she ran for a mile. By chapter two, she states that she could run for an hour comfortably. SO not me. It's taken me two months to work up to 2 miles, which for me is a half-hour. A lot of that included leg cramps, bad experiences on trails, finding out that running on a treadmill is different, experiencing the runner's high for the first time, etc. etc. None of that. I'm sure the story is good, but by chapter 3 I decided it's just not what I was expecting or hoping for. Fat girl story about finding a love of running through grueling hours every week of trial and error? Nope. This chick left out all the details of what it takes to get to the point where you can actually run a decent amount. I'm not interested in a book about how she trained for her marathon. I got it on sale pretty cheaply, so maybe I'll save it for a year or so down the road when I've caught up to her.

123 people found this helpful

Wonderful!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! It is funny, serious, honest, and I could completely relate to her experiences. Very inspirational. She tells you that if she can do it, (and this is how she did it) anyone can too, and this is how. BUT In a wonderfully interesting way. I couldn't put it down, honestly.

What about Elizabeth Sastre’s performance did you like?

She was the PERFECT voice for the author. She was EXACTLY right. Her humor, inflection, and emotion was exactly right for the story. I was VERY impressed. It was a flawless performance.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had all kinds of reactions to this book. I did laugh! and I did shed a few tears, of understanding and compassion. I really felt connected to the Heroine/Author/Narrator and was moved by her experience. Tears with a smile, if you know what I mean... I was also inspired, GREATLY! Great book!

11 people found this helpful

Lies! All lies!

Okay not "all" lies, but the first run I had certainly wasn't the worst. I hate running with a passion and have avoided it for most of my life. My excuses sounded similar, I'm too curvy, my boobs are too big, and it's boring! But I signed up to do a triathlon thinking I'll just walk the running portion. Someone recommended this book to me after hearing my excuses and it's definitely made a bigger impact than expected, completely plan on listening to it a second time through as I get this journey started! Running HURTS! And I am fairly certain people can walk faster than I can jog. But slowly I'm feeling the satisfaction of finishing a little better than last time, feeling healthier a little more each day, and learning to change my mindset about the process, not the destination. The performance was perfect, as if she was the author herself.

10 people found this helpful

Good Listen

Enjoyed listening!! The book seemed to jump a little bit back and forth in the timeline, so at times I was a little bit lost at exactly where she was in the story. But overall I enjoyed the storyline as well as the author's narration.

9 people found this helpful

Love this book!

This book is a wonderful read, er um...listen? The narrator's style mixed with the written text makes the Author seem like a good friend. I have been encouraged and inspired by this book to keep trying to run and not give up on myself. I finished a 7k last week, and I felt like writing to Alexandra to say THANK YOU! Her book helped me finish that race because it gave me a completely new perspective on what running was about and what I was capable of. Read it and share it...you won't be sorry!

7 people found this helpful

LOVE THIS!!!!!

If you could sum up Running Like a Girl in three words, what would they be?

Made me laugh out loud, it was sooo funny. Also nice to hear about running from a normal woman. Great book a must read!!

7 people found this helpful

Hilarious and relatable

Absolutely love this book! I have the hard copy of Running Like a Girl, and was excited to try out the audiobook. There are some running books that are all about the facts. Those are nice, but this feels (and is!) so much more personable than that. You can envision what is going on in the book like you're right there. I found myself laughing with her hijinks, shaking my head as I remembered the first time I ever wore a garbage bag for a race, feeling her frustration in dealing with rude, snooty sales associates, and in general nodding along and smiling because it was like she just GOT me. As a runner I love the knowledge that I'm not alone in all that I've experienced, whether I'm a 3-hour or 6-hour marathoner. Even if I wasn't a runner, I'd imagine it would still be a rather enjoyable read - or listen, in this case. I was quite pleased with Elizabeth Sastre's performance - she seemed to enjoy it, rather than some narrators that sound as though they're hating life. Sastre was an excellent choice of narrator.

The only thing I could've done without was the hour of Q&A at the end of the book, but it wasn't painful or anything.

6 people found this helpful

Ms. Heminsley is a snob about running.

I enjoyed Ms. Heminsley's account of her initiation into running and her foibles and successes she experienced over the years. Mostly I liked how she described the support of friends and strangers to get her to the finish line of any of her marathons. Bravo. It is quite an accomplishment, for sure.

What I didn't really like about the book is that Ms. Heminsley takes a disparaging tone toward anyone who is not a runner or prefers to work out in a gym. Ms. Heminsley, running is not easy as you believe it is. Your derogatory remarks about those of us who enjoy going to the gym and maintaining a level of health without running only emphasize your lack of knowledge about overall health and fitness.

Generally, I enjoyed the book, but cringed at the times when she belittled others who are not like her.

4 people found this helpful

Just loved it.

Would you listen to Running Like a Girl again? Why?

It was like listening to a friend.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Running Like a Girl?

When she fell during her first marathon.

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Sastre – was your favorite?

the main character

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Actually there were several that made me cry.

4 people found this helpful

Fun book!

This is a fun and light book with sparks of humor and occasional inspiration for folks like me who are always working on running better. I enjoyed it. Good narration.

3 people found this helpful