The Born Again Runner

I was accepted to review The Born Again Runner at just the right time. It was seriously the day when I was 'woe-is-me-I'm-no-longer-motivated'. I used to run 6 miles a day in my late twenties to lose weight and now 10 years later I've stopped running (but got into lifting instead). I miss running and because of an injury, I stopped.

After reading Pete's story, I realize I have no excuse. I need to get back to where I was happiest (running) and just adding in my lifting routine, I should be back on track. I seriously lacked the motivation (doesn't help that my gym buddy is pregnant) but reading The Born Again Runner helped me gain the motivation I was lacking.

Hopefully, I'll keep (and meet!) the goals that I've put forward with this book's help.

I think this is a very informative book for a beginner runner. As a runner myself who is looking to get into coaching this book gives a good indication of how people should start off, getting the right mindset and goals. I think the training plans and photo injury section will be very beneficial for those that are starting out.

Pete Magill explains the title of this, his second book: "This book is called the Born Again Runner because I truly believe that a successful running program can change your life." The author was indeed warned by an E.R. doctor that he would not be living long. With his lifestyle, the doctor explained, "You won't live to see your son graduate from high school." That stern warning did the trick. Pete Magill changed his life: "I conjured a practicing runner from the mess I'd made of my life."

In THE BORN AGAIN RUNNER, Pete Magill wants to encourage you to similarly--and drastically change your life for the better. Of course, the author is a well-known, award-winning runner, as well as author of my favorite running book of all time, Build Your Running Body: A Total-Body Fitness Plan for All Distance Runners, from Milers to Ultramarathoners_Run Farther, Faster, and Injury-Free. I have used the author's prior book extensively. THE BORN AGAIN RUNNER is quite different from the author's first book. This book is more of a motivational book, to help readers who are thinking of finally taking up the challenge to begin running.

I applaud the author for taking such care to ease the reader into running. Another great section is called "Injury Prevention 101." It discusses the common running injuries, and how best to avoid and treat them. The author is well aware of injuries suffered by runners. He acknowledges the statistics showing that the majority (50-80%) of runners get injured each year. This is great preventable, he claims. Thus, he insists novices begin very slowly. In his plan, "First Workout," he has simple, gradual exercises just for the couch potatoes.

The author explains some of the oft-heard reasons to avoid running. For example, "running ruins your knees." (Myself, I had avoided running my whole life because of that myth.) Pete explains that runners are so fit that they need knee replacements at 7-fold less frequent than non-runners. One of the best graphics depicting the benefits of running is shown on page 56. The graph is entitled, "Heart Attacks per Year." There, Pete shows how runner have drastically better chances of avoiding heart attacks.

One feature I really like about this book is found at the end of each chapter. At the end, is a section called "Chapter Takeaway," which provides a nice summary of the chapter. For example, in an early chapter, Pete again cautions sedentary folks to start gradually: "It's counterproductive to start a running program by mapping out a challenging training schedule. Your body isn't ready for that. Your muscles, bones, and tendons are too weak."

The book is filled with numerous testimonials from runners, called "Becoming a Runner" explaining how they got started and how it helped them. Most of these accounts are stories of transitioning from terrible health problems to a life of regular running and subsequent weight loss and health improvement. Many of the runners are seniors, or those who had to overcome severe obstacles, such as substance abuse.

My favorite part of this book is Chapter 9: "Create your Personal Action Plan." Here's where things get really practical. Pete encourages the reader to set up (and write down) goals related to exercise, diet, and lifestyle. For example, he suggests the use of the familiar "running log" to help the beginner be disciplined in their new exercise. (I got that idea from Pete's first book--and I do it!) The author also includes detailed plans for preparing for a race, as well as suggested exercises when faced with an injury.

All in all, I found THE BORN AGAIN RUNNER to be an encouraging--even an inspiring read. I enjoyed reading about other ordinary people, often seniors, who took up running and made huge changes in their lives. Realistically speaking, can this book really be as good as Pete's early, fantastic work? Well, probably not. Few books could reach the level of the author's first book. However, I found THE BORN AGAIN RUNNER to be a good, practical book for beginning runners, and useful for anyone reluctant to start running for fear of injury.

Advance Review Copy courtesy of NetGalley

The Born Again Runner by Pete Magill is about motivating people to get out there and run. The book is simple, has a clear structure. It has three sections which are before, during, and after the process of becoming a runner, each with four chapters. Each chapter begins with an introduction and ends with a summary to reinforce the lesson. My favorite part of each chapter is the "becoming a runner" profile, which is a story of a man or woman who one day decided to start running. Some are now record holders, some are ordinary people who like to run. They are all inspirational.

I like the persistent focus on starting easy and slow, which is something a lot of beginners do not realize or simply forget. The biggest mistake for any runner is in the actual training itself. In the book Magill talks about how in the beginning programs people should spend the first three weeks walking. I think this makes sense for those who are "couch potatoes" and are just getting out and being active. This; however, will be extremely frustrating to active people who want to start running. The training schedules focuses on time rather than mileage. This makes sense for those who are beginning. I like that he recommends strides and hill sprints for speed workouts.

The sections on "mythbusting" and on running and racing etiquette are nothing an experienced runner does not know, but useful for the real beginner. The section on "mistakes" is something even experienced runners could use a reminder on, and the injury prevention exercises would be useful to all runners.

I received this book from The Experiment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.