Run Forever

Almost Perfect, but Potentially Dangerous for Some

I really enjoyed this ode to the love of running. There were parts that were really funny. I like the idea of running for time instead of for distance for most training runs. This actually takes a lot of the pressure off and releases you to just enjoy your runs. I look forward to making that shift once it’s safe to run outdoors again. The advice in this book about speed training jives with 80/20 Running. I liked the scientific discussion of form. I like that he said runners come in all shapes and sizes. I like that he started by saying the only thing you need to be a runner is your brain, for resilience. This author won the Boston Marathon he was younger and was actually running it in 2013. His story of that day was wonderful, but his story of returning in 2014 was almost better. It was so touching.

Even though he said runners come in all shapes and sizes, he focused on weight loss for no real reason. His nutrition advice is rubbish. I could feel the migraine coming on just thinking about following his advice. It may work for some, but it won’t work for anywhere near everyone. Nutrition and fuelling is so specific to the individual, it’s best to leave that alone when that isn’t your expertise or field. He also made a ridiculous comment that more women are running thanks to the rise in popularity of the half marathon. This makes no sense as just as many women are running ultras as men and women illegally entered marathons long before the half marathon was popular, when women weren’t allowed to compete. Major pass on those parts of the book as they added nothing to his thesis and actually detracted from it. Either anyone can be a runner or not. Either runners come in all shapes and sizes or they don’t. The book could have done without these sections and actually would have been so much stronger and more inclusive for it. These sections actually created a mixed message problem.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book. If you’re recovering from an eating disorder, especially if running was part of your disorder, there are chunks of this book best skipped. I think the running community prefers to ignore the prevalence of eating disorders and disordered behaviours among its athletes (like most sports, in all honesty) or likes to reframe them as “quirks of runners.” Can we stop acting like these are okay behaviours? Please? It doesn’t help runners, and it doesn’t help society at large. I would love an edition of this book devoid of those sections so I could just enjoy the book as opposed to having to dodge and try to figure out when it’s safe to start listening again. If you love running, if running is your sanity, if running is your outlet, or your life, your job or your favourite recreational activity, there is absolutely something in this book for you.