Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Global Running Day Book Review: Running for Good

Disclaimers: I received a pre-release copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Running for Good. This post contains affiliate links. 

It's Global Running Day! I just love this annual celebration of running, an endeavor that has given so much to me personally. Runners around the world have been pledging their miles. There are Global Running Day events all over the US. My local running club is hosting a 3 mile fun run. While I have to work that day, I'll be participating in the New York Road Runners' free virtual run.

I'm also excited to share a special book review just in time for Global Running Day! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Running for Good by Amy Newmark and Dean Karnazes, is being released today. I'm pretty sure most of us are familiar with the Chicken Soup series of books. The original Chicken Soup for the   Soul was released 25 years ago. Currently, there are over 250 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, covering a wide variety of topics. The feel-good books are full of inspirational stories and anecdotes submitted by readers.

Running for Good follows the same Chicken Soup format that has been so successful over the years. There are 101 stories submitted by real-life runners. Each story begins with a motivational quote. Dean Karnazes shares a story of running the Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan and having to seek shelter with a family when the weather conditions became unbearable. In spite of being miserable, in spite of not speaking Kyrgyz, Dean left this encounter feeling good. Good about running and about the kindness of strangers.



The purpose of Running for Good was to showcase not only the good running brings to physical and mental health, but also because through running, we can do good for others. The stories in Running for Good are full of inspiration. You'll recognize some of the names here: Dimity McDowell, Dana Ayers, Jen Miller, and Sandra Laflamme. But most of the stories are written by everyday people--recreational runners like you and me.

There is something to motivate everyone here. One dad shares the story of having his sons earn screen time by running. He's turned them into runners. There are a few stories of "older runners" still getting out there and getting it done. One of my favorite stories is of a group of mother runners who started running when their kids were little. They've been running together for over 10 years. Sure beats playing bunco! I'm going to keep Running for Good on my nightstand so that when I'm feeling discouraged or need a little inspiration, I can pick it up and read a few chapters.

While reading the book and preparing this post, I was fortunate to be able to talk with Dean Karnazes--it's my second time! swoon!-- about the book and about Global Running Day. Dean shared with me that he'd be spending Global Running Day running with a group, celebrating the release of the book. After this, he has a race almost every weekend for the rest of the year. Some of the races are due to sponsor obligations, but he's also got a few ultramarathons on his schedule: the 153 mile Sparathlon in Greece and the Blackall 100 in Australia. For those of you who will be running MCM this fall, Dean will be the keynote speaker at the pre-race dinner. He's such an engaging personality and overall nice guy that I wouldn't want to miss that! Wish I could be there.

He's such a busy guy and I asked him when he sleeps. His response: "sleep? What's that?" He's truly an icon and such an inspiration. I was thrilled that he took the time to talk with me. He's known for taking time out from his ridiculous schedule to stop and chat with school kids about the importance of health and exercise. A true role model, it was just perfect that he was the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Running for Good.

I asked Dean to share a favorite mantra and he did, from his first book Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner:
"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up." ~Dean Karnazes

Run, don't walk and pick up a copy of Running for Good! /via @oldrunningmom @ChickenSoupSoul @amynewmark @deankarnazes  #runchat #running #motivation

What are you doing for Global Running Day? Will you be joining me for the NYRR virtual run?

I've moved the next book to July. We're reading Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed by Matthew Futterman. Stay tuned for the review on July 19!



Giveaway ends 6/9/2019. US residents only.

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32 comments :

  1. I do love that Dean quote & wish I could be there to hear him speak too! I really love going to talks by runners. I suspect that I'll be running today, not tomorrow, although I haven't completely made up my mind yet.

    Although I have to admit that I just want to shake someone every time they say something like "I'll sleep when I'm dead". It sets such a bad example. :(

    Love the Chicken Soup series -- they're always so inspirational!

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  2. LOL I say that all the time. It just means that I prefer to be doing things and helping people rather than sitting around or watching TV. I think he means the same.

    I plan to run tomorrow. I hope it doesn't rain.

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    1. Oh, not me! I love to sleep and it seems as if I can't get enough! LOL

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  3. I remember well the first time I ran for Running Day, then National Running Day. This year I will be with you all in spirit.
    My dear, long distanct, running pal, Melissa Edmonson has a story in this book, as well as in several other Chicken Soup volumes. This one is definitely on my list!
    Happy Global Running Day.

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  4. I'm planning on doing some speed work later today. I can't wait to read this book, it sounds like a good one. I really like the quote!

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  5. Sounds like another good book recommendation. Thanks!

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  6. This looks like a great book!

    I don't know if I will run tomorrow for Global Running Day since I have a boot camp class that night but I will try to squeeze in one mile.

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  7. I've been published in three other Chicken Soup for the Soul books and wanted to submit to this one, but missed the deadline. Would love to see what ended up in the final copy!

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    1. I love that you're part of the Chicken Soup tribe! This was a good one.

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  8. I love those books! Can't believe it's been 25 years since the first one was released. I love the quote you mentioned and also remember it when I am struggling with a run. However, there has been a few times that nothing works and I do give up. Oh well.

    I do want to run this morning but it looks like rain and thunder out there?

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  9. I did 4 miles of hill repeats with 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down.

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  10. this sounds like a really fun summer read! Perfect for global running day

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  11. Happy Global Running Day! ����‍♀️ I am running 6 miles with a friend later today to celebrate :) I really want to read this book!

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  12. Planning to see how far around I can make it! 🌍🌎🌏 Actually, a mile a day until July 4 and then??

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  13. I love that you do a monthly read. I need to join in with this! Happy Global Running Day!!!

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  14. It's so cool that you got to talk to Dean. I really admire him. I had to work early today, but I managed to get 5k in beforehand.

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    1. I hate when work gets in the way of life...or running! I had to work too and missed my running club's event. I did run this morning tho.

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  15. I love DeanK's books and used to enjoy the Chicken Soup series. I think I'd enjoy this.
    I ran the NYRR 5K. Nice to have it done before work as it has been a crazy week. Hope you get to do a non virtual NYC one soon
    Ooh think I saw Running to the Edge on NetGalley. Must investigate

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    1. How fun that you got to run the "real" NYRR GRD run. I did the virtual one. My running club had an event with the Chicago Area Runners' club, but I had to work, so boo to that...

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