Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run

I've been running now for 4 years, but it wasn't until 7 months ago that I ran my 1st marathon. Afterwards, although I had/have other races booked, my love and motivation has dimmed. Running Like a Girl taught my feelings and experiences are not uncommon. It's honesty is the inspiration I've been needing.

Being someone who is on week 2 of the C25K program, I was browsing about for some inspiration and reminders that I will indeed survive this beginning of a running program. I enjoyed hearing of Alex's nervousness and doubt. She's a good writer and I could relate to many of the feelings she talks about in her book. I do wish she had spent a little more time talking about the beginning of her journey. It seemed like she went from "wanting to die" directly to "I just ran my first 9 miler!"I still felt inspired by this book and will be remembering some of the wonderful thoughts as I plod along, trying to remind myself that I CAN do this.Thanks for the inspiration, Alex!Oh! Part 2 of the book has some great information on types of injuries, female-specific questions, and a few other things that, as a beginning runner, I appreciated. (and now I know my legs are not going to literally fall off, they are merely tired and adapting to this new activity.) :)

This book has made me laugh until I could hardly breathe and cry just as hard. I have always been the least athletic person in my family. I was the one with the best grades and the nerd, so I found excuses not to even try physically in PE at school. I told myself it just wasn't my "thing," even though I secretly envied those who were athletic and fit. I started a 5k training program a couple weeks ago, and heard myself saying inwardly, "You can't do this. You aren't physically strong enough." Being a cancer survivor and having a rare lung disease would be easy excuses for me, but they taught me that I am stronger than I thought- and now I want to be a runner. Just for me. I want to prove to myself that I can use my body to move me forward, not just be a victim and suffer its illnesses and pains. This book has given me such courage through the first two weeks of training, and I know I will reread it over and over.

I really enjoyed this real-life account of someone who goes from being a non-runner to a marathon runner, with hilarious anecdotes about various experiences, and the heartwarming moments where she and her dad bonded over running marathons. My dad is a runner too, and I feel special when he asks if I'd like company on my runs. I absolutely loved this book.

This is the best book on running I've ever read - and I've read many. It was inspiring. It made my heart swell and it made me cry. It was like having a conversation with a friend - one who really got me.It was honest and open and raw and it was such an accurate reflection of my own journey into running that it made me smile.I've never been inspired enough to write a review but here I am and I can't stop telling all my women friends how important this book is to read.Now I'm going to start it all over again. Thank you Alexandra for sharing yourself so honestly and in doing so reminding me the day before I run my first marathon that what is most important is believing in myself and acknowledging what a profound challenge I WILL conquer.

Alexandra reads like a good friend who actually wants you to succeed at running. Endlessly encouraging and self deprecating to a relatable level, I wish she could run along side me. Here's the part that was skimmed over a bit, that caused me to knock off a star: time/pace. She writes about how a common mistake beginner runners make is starting off running too fast or too slow, but doesn't really detail appropriate beginners pace or stride. Maybe I missed it? Everything else was wonderful, and does make me want to run (even though I dread that first time.)

I love, love this book!! It’s very well written and she gives so much information to help those that are just getting into running!! I’d love for the author to write a follow up book.

My biggest take away was the connection factor- how we feel and what we're thinking in similar moments of becoming a runner. Pleasant read, helped me stay on my running journey

Although written primarily for wimmin this book is an excellent 'How to' for blokes too. I read this book as I was hauling my aged, and not inconsiderable guts, through the 9-week 'NHS Couch to 5K' podcasts - and I found that this book spurred me on enormously. She describes in great detail how inadequate/idiotic she felt when she first started running - as do/did I. She explained all about the pain cave she entered when she first started running - as do/did I. She provided a countless number of handy hints on diet, ways to lessen injury, clothing/footwear selection, etc. Most importantly, her book makes you want to run - it's about freedom, it's about feeling good in yourself, it's about facing and surmounting challenges. This is a smashing book. I feel richer for having read it. I recommend it to you - no matter whether you are a guy or a doll - she nails it.

I bought this as a very new runner. I'd run before, but as a single, 20-something in London, with little time, space or enthusiasm to run. Now, with a husband as my sort-of trainer, I gave it a more hearted go, but despite the new kit, watch, a couch to 5K plan and an enthusiastic other half, I was still missing something. That inspiration or understanding to make the exercise more desirable. To prevent those days where I chicken out of going for the planned run with a lame its raining / too much work to do / tired / too cold / too warm excuse. This book was what was missing. Hemmo is completely relatable. Her honesty and humour and rollercoaster emotions can inspire and engage a new runner like me, a wannabe marathoner or even someone who just power walks to get their endorphins going. When I finished the book, i passed it on to my Mum, a fellow 5K-er. But after a few weeks, I wanted it back to start again from the beginning. And I want my husband, now on the road to becoming a marathoner, to read it too.

I came across this book due to I think those perky algorithms after searching about running whilst completing couch to 5k,but I'm so glad I did.Having been a none runner for my 50+ years I can totally empathise with all the feelings at the beginning of the book, especially those of doubt. Following Alexandra's own journey to marathon runner has help with how I feel about my own.The information in the second half of the book about the women that made is possible for women to run marathons today is truly inspirational and should be talked about more. We take it for granted that it's nothing shocking to see a woman run a marathon or jogging in the street, and that is thanks in part to these women. I still find it amazing that the first women's Olympic marathon race was only in 1984.I will happily recommend this book to anyone starting out on their own running journey as it's full of valuable advice and information, and so supports the fact that anyone can run you just have to want to. So put on those trainers and run to the shop to buy this.

I've envied the joggers running past me as I walk for years, but I have never given running enough of a go to see if I ever will get past the I-can't-breathe-fast-enough feeling like I'm going to die phase. I've done week 1 of couch to 5k a lot, never got past week 2.Alexandra Heminsley was starting from a better point than me in a lot of ways, not as overweight and with a fit, runner father and brother, but her trials learning to run and training for her first marathon have been well written here. It's not a one-step process, it's taken her a while to become a runner for life rather than training for just that event, and there have been literal and metaphorical stumbles along the way.This book is inspiring with lots of useful information and tips. The perfect thing to read whether you've signed up for a marathon too, or you just want to get off the sofa and breathe!

Love the style of writing and whizzed through this book. I have tried to do couch to 5k three times and failed, but I want to be able to do it. My confidence about this was zero but after reading this book I’m thinking I need to stop being such a chicken and give it another go. If you fail you pick yourself up and try again, getting help if you need it. A brilliant and honest book.