Running Like a Girl

Notes on Learning to Run

By: Alexandra Heminsley

Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Until five years ago, Alexandra Heminsley was decidedly not a runner. Nor was she athletic in any sense of the word. She was an ordinary, curvy woman who was convinced that sports of any kind, especially running, were beyond her. But she's made running part of her life, and gets to reap the rewards: not just the obvious things, like a touch of weight loss, health and glowing skin, but self-belief, and immeasurable daily pleasure.

She's discovered a new closeness to her father, a marathon-runner of many years standing , and her brother, with whom she ran her first marathon, as well as a new side to herself, and has become intrigued by the little-known but rich feminist history to running. Along the way, Alex has had to handle the logistics of learning to run: the intimidating questions of a 22 year-old sales assistant while buying running shoes, where to get decent bra for the larger bust, and how to apply Vaseline to make the wearing of both comfortable.

She's worked out how not to freeze, how not to get sunstroke, and what (and when) to eat before a run. She' s worked out what's important (pockets) and what isn't (appearance) about what you wear. She's conquered the logistics of how to run a race, and how to use a heart rate monitor. She's run the gamut of uncontrollable emotion that a long-distance race can bring, and she's experienced the zen moment of distance covered, problems solved, that is the grail of every regular runner. Part memoir, part how-to, Running Like a Girl is a funny, warm and practical exhortation to ordinary women to lace up their sneakers, and see what they are capable of.

©2013 Onion Publications Limited (P)2013 Recorded Books

Loved it. Inspirational.

Would you consider the audio edition of Running Like a Girl to be better than the print version?

I think hearing this book in the accent of the reader adds to the experience.

Any additional comments?

Very fun and inspirational book. My wife and I listened together and we both enjoyed it. For anyone thinking about running a longer race (man or woman), this book is informative, useful, and very fun. Inspiring and educational. Well worth the read, and easy to recommend.

Great read!

Loved it! I appreciate Alexandra's candidness. I've recently started training for a half marathon and her book has helped me to take it easy and enjoy the journey!

Liked it a lot!

Perfect read for me as I started back into running. Elizabeth Sastra's reading style is never ful, very entertaining and so not annoying.

Relatable and genuine

As a fluffy 30 something lady who just began get running journey six months ago, I truly enjoyed this book. She gives advice and tells the story of her running adventures in a joyful way. The biggest take away I get from this is to appreciate the strangers I run with.

Fun, inspiring, easy listening.

Where does Running Like a Girl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easy listening and relatively short, this was a very pleasant listen - especially while out running.

What did you like best about this story?

It was fun to get a glimpse into the thoughts of a new runner as they struggle with some of the early issues.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Sastre’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard this narrator before, but she did a beautiful job.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Running Like a Girl?

I actually already changed a couple of things about my running and my gear. I think the biggest take away for me was about getting the right gear and quit dealing with inferior stuff that I have on hand.

Fun!

The book was a fun listen with a good story.
Some practical tidbits thrown in, but more for inspiration and enjoyment than instruction, so if you are looking for more concrete training detail, it is not in this book (or i missed it because of occasional focus shifts that sometimes occur in audio book listening...)
but i am keeping it in my device library, which means that i found it enjoyable enough to let it keep residence in my limited storage space so i could listen again on a whim!

Great book!

I enjoyed every minute of this book. It was hilarious, encouraging, authentic and very helpful in my running journey.

Hilarious... And so true!!

Alexandra could not have explained being a beginning runner any better. You'll laugh and cry. Beautiful, perfect read for everyone.

Great for ALL New Runners (Not Just for Women)

"Fast is relative.... It's not always about the times, it's about the experience. How you feel when you're out there."

This is just one example of the depth of wisdom wrapped in amusing anecdotes that defines this book. From her first run and shopping nightmares to the need for motivation and the reality of hill training, Running Like a Girl is an essential guide to novice runners disguised as a memoir. In many ways, this is the book I wish I'd have read as soon as I decided to take up running. Don't be fooled, it's (almost) as valuable for men as it is for women, and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone.

I would give this book 10 Stars if I could

I am a guy who worked out all my life. I have been a bicyclist for five years. recently I started running at 61 years old. there is a transition from cycling to running and I found this book very helpful.

she puts everything out there even women's intimate needs. the stories are very heart warming and the book is full of practical tips the mechanics and pitfalls to be aware of. I would give this book 10 Stars if I could.