I’m not a runner, never have been, and I don’t intend to become one. In fact, I’m one of those people who believes marathon running, when pushed to extremes, can be hard on the body. Yes, exercise is important, but more is not always better. And yet, despite my ongoing advocacy for balanced, sustainable health, I genuinely enjoyed this book.
That said, experienced runners may notice discrepancies between their own knowledge and what’s presented here. This is not a book for seasoned athletes. It’s a book for beginners—for people who need inspiration to get off the couch, not those already logging miles.
From the title alone, I expected a story about depression and running, but I wasn’t sure whether this would be a typical self-help motivation book or something more personal. I gave the first chapter a chance and quickly found myself immersed in one woman’s world—watching her push herself to become a runner by starting incredibly small. Sixty seconds of running. A few minutes of walking. That’s it.
The author invites the reader inside her mind as she wrestles with despair, fear, low self-esteem, and deep insecurity about her body. But this isn’t a “feel sorry for me” narrative. It’s more honest and far more compelling than that. It’s a clear-eyed account of what her mind is doing, and how she actively fights back. And it’s not an easy fight. More than once, I genuinely wondered whether she would make it to the full 26.2 miles, especially given her fears of bridges, getting lost, injury, and her ever-present self-doubt.
Along the way, I learned quite a bit about running. Things I hadn’t known before, which added interest without becoming dull or overly technical. There were moments that dragged slightly, but that felt intentional. Marathon training isn’t thrilling every day. It’s repetitive. It’s long miles, early mornings, late nights, injuries, weather, hard decisions, conflicting expert advice, and constant self-motivation. And no, despite the cover image, this is not a book about a dog running alongside her.
Kudos to the author for discovering her own strength and recognizing that running profoundly improved her mental health, perhaps in ways medication alone never could. But even more credit for her brutal honesty about how difficult it was to get there. This book reinforces a simple but powerful truth: progress happens by putting one foot in front of the other, one step at a time.
That said, I found myself wanting to know more about her life outside of training. She mentions a wonderfully supportive husband who almost seems too perfect, and I was left wondering how she managed the sheer time commitment required for marathon training. Was she retired? Was her husband the primary financial support? Before running, it’s implied she spent many days in bed, and I think more context here would have added depth. Depression doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and for many people, financial stress is a major factor. Aside from decisions about running shoes and buying marathon photos, money is barely addressed, and that felt like a missed opportunity.
Overall, this is a good, inspiring read. No, I don’t plan on becoming a runner, certainly not a marathon runner, as I still believe extreme distances can take a toll on the body. But this book is a valuable reminder that we all struggle, each in our own way, and that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. What matters is finding something that helps you move forward.
One step at a time.
Even if you’re middle-aged.
Even if you’re overweight.
For health,
Tober
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