We know judging a book by its cover is bad.. but the title is OK, right? When Liz blogged about Run Like Duck, I was immediately intrigued. It just sounded like a fun book.
Linking up with Kim and Zenaida to share whether the book was as good as it’s title was funny.
Spoiler: it is. I’ve read a number of books about running, but this is definitely top five. I was also happy to find the author is a pretty funny read on twitter.
Running and reading, a perfect pair. My review of @montythemole's Run Like Duck Click To TweetAtkinson is a fat British man who was encouraged by a friend to go for a run, and ultimately ended up running ultras and a Quadzilla (four marathons in four days) en route to joining the 100 Marathon Club. That’s not to say this is a book just for those who want to go extremes, I’d say it’s more applicable to the everyday runner than Dean Karnazes’ books. He started where many runners do, running after dark in his neighborhood and gradually increasing his distance. He also balanced his running journey with his family life: his wife crewed for him in his 100M run and occasionally he had to check the finances before signing up. I feel like the latter is something that doesn’t often come up in running books. It’s as if there’s a race fee fairy that pays them.
Atkinson shares race and training recaps, as well as specific tips applicable to the race he ran. I like how he established traditions such as the Milton Keynes Marathon which he made the effort to return to each year as a measure of tracking his own growth. I also like that he makes no claim that he’s perfect – he still enjoys McDonalds and bacon & egg sandwiches as breakfast. A word of advice, don’t read the chapters on ultrarunning if you’re hungry, the aid stations will make you hungrier. I felt for his chafing on one of his ultras. He still occasionally forgets his race bib in the hotel room and struggles with pacing-there’s no magic in this story. He also acknowledges that not every race is perfectly organized. Running isn’t perfect and he doesn’t paint it out to be.
Although parkrun hasn’t yet expanded to NYC, I love his tips and information about it as well as other races I will probably never run. The advice is applicable to many other runs. I think I finally understand the role of tail running, though I had to chuckle at the image when he runs to a parkrun, is late and comes up from behind said tail runner probably catching him or her by surprise. One thing to note, I was slightly confused at the timing on some, so make sure to pay attention to the dates/marathon numbers in the chapter heads.
I think there is a lot in this book for both beginners and experienced runners, and many runners will see a bit of themselves in the author. Excited to share this book I enjoyed with you, enter to win a signed copy. I’ll pick a winner on Sunday, January 13.
- Any favorite running reads?
- Any books you’re looking forward to reading in 2019?
- If you need running ideas, The Runners’ Bookshelf on Facebook is one of my favorite sources along with Wendy’s book club.
22 comments to this article
Liz Dexter
on January 8, 2019 at 12:02 -
Ooh, you’ve had a redesign, I think. No Like Button? This was an excellent book and had loads of things that other books don’t consider – like his advice to try out hairstyles in advance of a race if you have long hair. Thanks for linking to my review!
cari
on January 8, 2019 at 12:40 -
My old template didn’t work with the new WordPress so I went back to my prior one for functionality.
Yes, this won on practical.
kookyrunner
on January 8, 2019 at 12:18 -
If you say this is in your top 5 of running books, then I definitely need to pick it up. I did see it mentioned on Liz’a blog as well so now I’m totally intrigued! I just entered your giveaway too.
Thanks for linking up with us this week!
cari
on January 8, 2019 at 13:15 -
If you don’t and you do e-books, it is or was only $5. Well worth it
My top running books change, but probably: Lisa Jackson’s Your Pace or Mine, John Bingham’s No Need for Speed, Phil Hewitt Keep on Running, and Becky Wade’s Running the World
Darlene
on January 8, 2019 at 12:20 -
Hope I win!! Sounds like an interesting book.
cari
on January 9, 2019 at 12:18 -
It really is. I think you’ll enjoy it
Renée (Pinky) (@runlaugheatpie)
on January 8, 2019 at 13:22 -
this does sound like something I would like. I never finish reading anything though so the two running books I’ve started (Recovery Run by Nicky Lopez and Ultramarathon Mom by Holly Zimmerman) are the only ones I’m thinking about finishing sometime this decade.
I don’t think I could win your book as I’m not in the US so I didn’t enter the giveaway. So I hope Darlene wins 🙂
cari
on January 8, 2019 at 13:40 -
I asked him about shipping to the US, but could see if he’s willing to ship elsewhere. He’s in the UK so once it’s international, it’s probably not an issue. Even if he can’t, it’s a good read and worth it if you feel like it’s one you’re in the mood for
Alison
on January 8, 2019 at 15:18 -
This book sounds great, nice review! xx
cari
on January 10, 2019 at 11:44 -
It’s a fun one. Worth keeping an eye out if you see it there
Zenaida Arroyo
on January 8, 2019 at 18:27 -
The title made ma laugh! 🙂 Looks like a great book to read. I wil enter your giveaway and hopefully I win.
cari
on January 10, 2019 at 09:40 -
Me too. 39 going on 5, clearly 😀
Deborah Brooks
on January 8, 2019 at 21:40 -
That does sound like a fun and interesting book! I am hoping to read more this year too
cari
on January 10, 2019 at 09:35 -
Imagine you’re going to be reading a lot for your course too
Chocolaterunsjudy
on January 9, 2019 at 09:23 -
It sounds like a fun read! I’ve read a lot of running books, from BOTPers to elites. I find something in them all!
cari
on January 10, 2019 at 09:33 -
Me too. Even the ones who do things that I never will / have no interest in (like Spartans) I find enjoyable
Chocolaterunsjudy
on January 11, 2019 at 07:24 -
I’m obsessed with Mt Everest. I definitely have no desire to climb it, although I’d love to get to base camp — but from what I hear, even that is super hard (I have a nephew who lives in India who went).
cari
on January 13, 2019 at 14:26 -
Me too! Nepal and Tibet have been on my wish list for some time. I’d love to see Kathmandu.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
on January 10, 2019 at 08:26 -
Very interesting book! I have been doing a lot more reading but I haven’t found too many running books that have caught my eye. I will have to check out that Facebook page/group for ideas!
I recently joined Goodreads and my list keeps getting longer – so many amazing books to choose!
cari
on January 10, 2019 at 09:32 -
Goodreads is an amazing monster. This is me if you want to be GR friends https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/49925814-carianne-carleo-evangelist
The Facebook group is wonderful. Liz introduced me to it when I started to run and I love finding authors who aren’t as prominent in the US
Debbie @ Deb Runs
on January 11, 2019 at 21:55 -
This book sounds really interesting. I love reading running books by the elites, but I think this sounds great.
cari
on January 12, 2019 at 23:47 -
It was a fun, light read.
I’ve read books by the elites as well as those every day runners, both kinds interesting. In some ways ones like this a little more accessible, although I’m not sure I want to run one marathon let alone a hundred!