The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances

Love the Oatmeal and I love running! I was so excited to see this on Netgalley and read it immediately! I will definitely be buying this for the library.

An expansion of Matthew Inman’s wonderful comic in the Oatmeal about why he runs. Many books about running are about nutrition and training along with some motivation, but this book is amazingly different. Like the author, I am a runner and, like the author, I run not so much for my physical health as I do for the mental benefits of running. I am not fast, and it’s not about that. I am very familiar with the Blerch, as he calls it. I am familiar with the highs and lows of running and appreciate his frankness and clever way of describing them. Highly recommended, particularly for runners or those who want to understand them.

Bah. Running. Exercise. Ugh.

The last (and only!) book I read about long distance running was Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and it was ok – Murakami’s writing always has this strangely Zen/peaceful quality to it. But it basically repeated the same thing over and over: he likes running because it makes him feel good about writing, about his life, about everything.

Matthew Inman’s written a similar book, albeit in comic form, in The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances, which also informs you that he likes to run because it makes him feel better about his life, about his work, about everything. But it’s also about other things like Inman’s hatred of gyms and gym culture, his dislike of healthy food-only diets, and an anecdote about giant Japanese hornets (which are literally the size of sparrows!).

Thanks to a combination of natural storytelling ability and appealingly over-the-top imagery (his apathy is characterised as a morbidly obese fairy called The Blerch who urges him towards cake and Netflix), Inman is able to take this rather mundane-seeming material and turn it into a compelling and fun book.

Besides the autobiographical stuff, there’s actually a lot of good advice for anyone looking to start running themselves. Like how not to pressure yourself early on to change all aspects of your life if you decide to start running, or to set unrealistic targets (waking up at 5am every day? Fuck that!).

There’s a refreshing honesty to his approach – he’s not setting out to tell you how to lose weight, and he’s not telling you that running will solve all of your problems; he’s just telling you what works for him. You won’t get a ridiculously sculpted body if you run long distance – instead you’ll get giant legs! And if you want a six pack, you’ll have to starve for it to show, and Inman is steadfastly against dieting/starvation – by all means make healthy choices but don’t deny yourself junk food either (that said, the schlumpy guy he portrays himself as in the book isn’t who he is in real life – man looks like a catalogue model, damn him. But he says he was a fat kid growing up so I guess that mentality is for life).

But Inman’s message is clear: whatever you do, choose to run. The rewards far outweigh the costs, which are quite minimal and mostly consist of time which most people have, they just talk themselves out of using it to exercise (it’s just easier not to!). And he is quite a convincing proselytiser of running; the idea of reaching a void-like space in your mind when running is quite appealing.

I liked his anecdote about running in Nagoya, Japan (a beautiful city) which makes you feel his pain acutely as he ran out of water early on in the run on a hot day and began being chased by giant hornets. He eventually outruns them and gloriously discovers a vending machine in a bamboo grove, calling the moment when he drank a cold purple grape drink a near religious experience! The Japanese do put vending machines EVERYWHERE and I’ve had that purple grape drink before – Fanta Grape is godly whether you’re dehydrated or not.

My favourite part of the book is his critique of gym culture, showing all kinds of body types in the gym and revealing their thought bubbles – basically everyone has body issues whether you’re a massive blob or a skinny, tanned Adonis. Running won’t get rid of that – nothing will until you start liking who you are - but it will give you a high that’ll help put things into perspective and make you feel better too, mentally and physically.

The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances is a highly readable, fun comic about the joys of running with some amusing insights into our current overly-health obsessed society. It almost makes me want to become a runner too.

Almost.

Blerch!

Two reasons why this gets 5 stars:
1. Japanese Giant Hornets - my new favourite trivia subject.
2. Discovering that I'm not the only person who runs so that they can continue to eat Nutella straight out of the jar every day.

There is so much to relate to here and so much that you won't find in any other running book. It made me laugh out loud and feel reassured about my habits, both healthy and unhealthy. Yes, it's a quick, easy read but the vignettes of wisdom are worth thinking about - you can dip into the book on a daily basis and get a relevant and entertaining 'thought for the day'. Recommended for all runners, would-be runners and even people who think they'll never be runners.

cover51506-mediumMatthew Inman of The Oatmeal is well known for his bizarre artwork and colorful way of looking at the world. Until now, he was not known for his long distance running. The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances, is a look into the world of marathon running for people who have no interest in running whatsoever. Inman uses his signature art work to illustrate winged fat creatures who encourage people to eat junk food instead of running and running for the sake of being a "mobile dumpster."

Inman pulls no punches and tells it like it is, detailing the pain of running and how it never ends. He doesn't claim that running is fun, but he does show it as a form of meditation. There is even a whole segment on Japanese hornets!

I read the entire book in one sitting, truth be told. Then I felt guilty and jogged around the house. You may pick this book up because you're an Inman fan. You may pick this book up because you're a runner. You might even pick up the book because, did I mention Japanese Hornets?! Regardless, pick up the book. You won't regret it.

The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances is available September 30, 2014.

A humorous look at the motivations, triumphs, and struggles of a runner, in comic form. If you are a fan of The Oatmeal and/or a runner you will likely this to be a welcome addition to your collection. Around half of the content is new material that has yet to be published to the website.

I’ve been a fan of The Oatmeal for a few years so I was really excited to have the chance to read his new book The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances. I’ve been a runner on and off for the past 15 years and I’ve never considered myself to be the typical runner. I don’t like to run more than 5 miles and people who run more than that creep me out a little with their talk of dedication, loneliness, despair, and achieving inner peace. Although Matthew Inman also feels this way, he also admits to using running as a way to justify eating Nutella.

Some of the sections featured have appeared on theoatmeal.com in the past but the rest are new material for the book. Inman's unique brand of humor shines through as he discusses his motivations to run—an anthropomorphic blob he calls the "Blerch", slaying the kraken, Japanese hornets, etc... He even injects humor into the things runners don’t tell non-runners—it’s hard to bring in new recruits when you tell stories about bleeding nipples and toenail loss. Inman doesn’t glamorize distance running, in fact he makes the reader think twice about trying it. But he always returns to his center--his reason for running.

I really enjoyed this book and I think everyone will enjoy it. The runners will nod in agreement, the non-runners think “I can do this.” and those of us in the middle can do both. And even if you decide that running is not for you, the chapter on Japanese Hornets is a must read. Trust me.

I'm not a runner and never have been, so I'm not quite sure why I chose to read this book, but I'm glad I did. It's hilarious! Matthew Inman has a way of writing and illustrating that makes virtually anything entertaining. I'm definitely going to be picking up more of his books in the future.

Beware the Blerch! Matthew Inman shares an entertaining, informative, reflective affirmation with the most seasoned running vets while offering solid advice to the most running-averse. I'm a fan of Inman's The Oatmeal. I'm also an avid runner. This book was a beautiful combination of two of my favorite things. The book has several sections, each seemingly complete as a stand alone, but complementary to the others. There's something for everyone.
Just like The Inner Game of Tennis, this book goes far beyond the sport in its title. Good advice in all walks (or runs) of life.

Cool, fast paced, honest and funny read from the creator of "The Oatmeal" online comic series about running (which touches base on why the author likes, needs to run and enjoys the thrill of running) without a bunch of what can be preachy sports oriented mumbo jumbo for everyone from the average coach potato to the elite athlete.

This is a great book for fans of The Oatmeal. And if any runners are not familiar with the quirky brilliance that is The Oatmeal, this is the perfect introduction. I'm thinking this will be a great Christmas gift for my marathon-obsessed, 20-something nephews

I started running a couple of years ago off and on, partially as a way to bond with a boy I liked and partially because I did need the exercise. I'm still really terrible at it but I keep trying and this book reminds me why.

I'm finding it difficult to express how this book made me feel, but this really is more than just a book about running. It's about finding yourself.

As a non-runner, I feel that I really understand the world of avid runners, while at the same time laughing my head off! Inman delivers another fantastic collection of his work and it's sure to be a hit in my library.

If you read one inspirational book this year [or whats left of this year] it has to be this one. The book is written in a journal/confessional style, where the author tells us about how he is a masochist and got into the horrible, torture filled activity that is running.

The book is full of satire and observational jokes that reemphasize that running is demonic sport meant to torture people.

The author goes into his personal struggles with his weight and his unhealthy life style. One of the key messages of this book is that exercising should not be about losing weight and dieting, it should be about you making changes for yourself because you want to feel good.

I absolutely love the Blerch, the little fat cherub that encourages all our bad choices. That was really funny; the Blerch is the cool friend that brings you a burger and some large fries, just because.

This book is really good and super hilarious and definitely worth the about $20 you would spend on it, that's like two large McDonald meals.

Rating 5 out of 5 Read@Book

As ever, excellent short strips from Matthew Inman! His reign continues!

ARC provided by NetGalley

Matthew Inman, AKA The Oatmeal, has become synonymous with becoming a voice for a generation. Creating images that capture why cats are taking over the world, rescuing Tesla’s laboratory and bringing him back to light, and standing up for creators that have had images stolen and making shady lawyers look crazy. Now he brings his focus to running. To exercise. To suffering to get where you want to be.

I have to admit when I saw the description of the book, I honestly thought it was....well a bit of a money grab. I mean the original comic inspiration behind the book is great, don’t get me wrong, but how the heck could he write an entire book about it? And...now Inman is making me eat my words. Because the book is again one that we can all relate to. Not of being the super in shape person that makes the rest of the world miserable. But about being that everyday person that struggles with wanting to not be a couch potato, but at the same time not having to get up at 5 in the morning and run and never eating sweet things again. It’s about the struggle to maintain, the struggle to keep going, no matter what it looks like outside or how we feel. Its less about running, but more about the struggle to keep going to meet our own dreams headon. And to inspire us to achieve them.

To Mr. Inman I raise a glass of tea, in thanks for making me eat my words, and for the encouragement, and challenge, of meeting my goals headon. I give the book 4 out of 5 stars.

Matthew Inman, a.k.a The Oatmeal, has captured, for me, the essence and the joy of running in The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances. He's not an elite ultrarunner, but he's out there, running and loving it more than most. His stories and drawings are goofy, hilarious, thoughtful, and, in fact, inspiring. That, to me, is the measure of a good running book. When I'm done reading, or, better, while I'm reading, do I feel like going for a run? TTAWRWIRLD passes that test with flying colors.

Inman's trademark contribution to running lore is "the Blerch," "a fat little cherub . . . a wretched lazy beast" who tells Inman to "slow down, to walk, to quit." When Inman is "sedentary at a time when [he has] zero excuse for being sedentary," he is "blerching." The good news is, the Blerch "can be outrun. He CAN be silenced." I can relate to Inman. I have done more than my share of blerching. But, as Inman comically yet profoundly illustrates, running can be a time that transcends the noise of the world.

Among the wackiness, Inman does actually have some practical advice. His "DOs and and DO NOTs of running your first marathon" includes helpful tips like:

DO let those pre-race jitters fly! Start out at a completely impractical pace. This will demoralize other runners into quitting early, and you will be crowned marathon champion at mile two.
DO NOT stop running when getting a drink at an aid station. By enduring the "sprint-choke," you could shave three, possibly four seconds off your 5+ hour finish time!
DO delude yourself into thinking there is anything enjoyable about eating energy gels. ("This tastes like boob milk from a cyborg.")

Runners will be laughing in recognition and looking for another race to sign up for. The running tribe can be a bit odd, and Inman one of us. Pick up TTAWRWIRLD, silence the Blerch, and then go for a run!

You can read a substantial excerpt at The Oatmeal. But, trust me, you'll want to read the rest of it, too.

(I should add a content advisory: Inman uses some, uh, colorful language. It may be a cartoon book, but it's not for the little ones. . . .)