Monday, October 11, 2021

Book Review: Running is a Kind of Dreaming

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Running is a Kind of Dreaming from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Jason Thompson is an ultrarunner. He's a clinical psychologist. He's also a survivor of a traumatic childhood, mental illness, and substance abuse. In his memoir Running is a Kind of Dreaming, Thompson shares his life story, reflecting as he suffers through a 200 mile ultramarathon around Lake Tahoe. His story makes for compelling reading and I found myself rooting for him to finish the race as successfully as he conquered his demons in his life. It's a powerful and intense read.


"Running is powerful medicine for the mind. Put on your shoes and run down the trail or sidewalk and something shifts on the inside.. but run far enough and the mind soon shifts from euphoria into a kind of waking dream state..~ J.M. Thompson

And so begins this epic journey, a retelling of both Thompson's traumatic childhood and descent into 'madness' and his race recap. He starts off recapping the first 20 miles or so of the race and then his mind wanders back to his childhood. He grew up in the UK with his parents and his brother. His mother was struggling with her own demons. Family life was unpredictable and he felt isolated and anxious. Running became an outlet for him. As an adult, he worked as a freelance television documentary producer, traveling around the world, chasing risk and danger. 

An invitation to the Burning Man festival changes his life. Through his drug-filled haze, he meets and falls in love with Miriam, who eventually becomes his wife. At first, life is good. But he loses his job and eventually, loses his way, descending into severe depression. He ends up hospitalized twice and finds solace in running. Again. 

"Run, I thought. Run before it's too late and you're stuck down there. Right now. Run."

Much like the addict he was before sobriety, Thompson embraced running as he says 'with the repentant zeal of a sinner who fell down and got up again'. My goodness, this book is full of good quotes! He ran every day and when he wanted to stop, he ran more. Comparing himself to Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man, he worked on rebuilding himself. Pushing his limits, he ran ultramarathons and lost his craving for drugs and alcohol. He learned to forgive himself for the past, eventually enrolling in graduate school and becoming a psychologist.

Running is a Kind of Dreaming is a beautifully written book. While this is a book about a 200 mile ultramarathon, it is really about the journey it took Thompson to get to the starting line. Throughout his description of the race, he shares his life story. It all works amazingly well. I found it hard to put the book down. You don't have to be a runner to enjoy this book. But long-distance runners will especially relate to that dreamlike state, what I like to call 'the zone', where you become lost in thought. I always joke that I solve all my problems on my runs. Of course, after the run is over, real life kicks in again. He talks about that too and reminds us that while 'running is powerful medicine for the mind, it can't heal everything.' But he reminds us that it's a pretty nice thing to be a runner.

"When you run, you remember what it feels like to be free."~ J.M. Thompson

While running, have you found yourself in the 'zone', that dreamlike state where you lose yourself in deep thought? Do you agree with the author that running is powerful medicine for the mind? Has running ever helped you through a tough time in your life?

Running is a Kind of Dreaming is a beautifully written memoir that reminds us of the power of running.  /via @oldrunningmom @harperone @netgalley #running #runchat #depression


I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJenLaura, and Lisa,

 



33 comments :

  1. This sounds like a great read, Wendy! It reminds me a bit of "Stronger Than the Dark" by Cory Reese (thanks for that recommendation btw, it was fascinating!)

    Running is my therapy and has helped me to deal with stress, grief and anger. Sometimes, I'm so deep in thought that I have to slow down so I can focus more on my thoughts. Life is always better after a good run! :-)

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    1. It's why I started running back in my 20s! While the theme is similar to Cory Reese's, this is much more intense. Both were wonderful reads!

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  2. Running has definitely helped me through some tough times -- but nothing like the author (thank goodness). I know many will relate to his story, so many people beat addictions through running & that is definitely a great benefit.

    Thanks for sharing, Wendy!

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  3. Running helped me through lockdown and the friends I've made through it have sustained me. Volunteering at parkrun has shored up my self-esteem I lost when bullied during a different hobby. Also important is the fact that running side by side helps people talk through things. When I lost a friend in the summer, being able to talk about that with my running pals so helped me.

    I did not get into a flow state during my one ultra, though!! Too busy worrying about food, my friend and terrifying rutted downhills!

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    1. Running offers so many gifts for people. I'm so glad it brought you into my life!

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    2. Aww! That's lovely, and ditto, of course!

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  4. Just from those quotes alone, I'm intrigued! I agree that running can do wonderful things for our mind but once that run ends, we have to put in the work to solve some of those problems. I'll have to check this out and give it a read!

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  5. I agree "Running is powerful medicine for the life"! Running helped and helps me a lot to overcome difficult moments but, more important, is the support I have always received from my family.

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    1. Running has gotten me through some really difficult times in my life. Support from family is good, but running taught me self-reliance.

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  6. Running indeed is powerful medicine, but I also believe movement, in general (preferably outdoors), is too. Sounds like a fabulous read!

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  7. I love books with memorable quotes. It sounds this is such a book.

    Running has helped me many times.

    I also wished that I even though about being a runner w hen I was going though the most difficult times of my life. Then it was tennis. I think physical activity is essential for one's mental well-being.

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  8. Oh this sounds really interesting! I would definitely be into the psychology aspect of this story. Thanks for sharing your review

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    1. I'll be interested to see what other readers say about this book.

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  9. For me I would have to say that any type of movement is medicine. A few times this year I've had people ask me why I workout so much, and I always think it's an odd question. To me, exercise is just something that comes as naturally as working or eating. It's just so good for the soul!

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    1. Recovering from this injury, I agree with you that any kind of movement is medicine. Once I could start working out again, it felt amazing!

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  10. This sounds like a great book! Yes, I have definitely been in the "zone" and I agree that running can be a powerful medicine. It helps me work through things so even though it doesn't solve problems it helps me figure out ways to get through them!

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    1. Yes! And finishing a run helps empower me to tackle those problems as well.

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  11. Alright, you convinced me in the first paragraph! My copy will be arriving tomorrow from Amazon. I haven't suffered anywhere near the trauma that Jason has, but running is my medicine for sure. Whenever I'm injured I can (once again) appreciate the difference between just getting through life, and the amazingly optimistic feeling I get when I'm running. I can't wait to read this!

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  12. This looks good! Thanks for the review.

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  13. Added this to my list! Thanks for the recommendation. Running has helped me a lot this past year. I also get in that zone to solve problems or just think about my day.

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    1. Even though I haven't been running due to my injury, just being out in nature has been helpful for me. It's just great to get away from all the noise :)

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  14. Sounds like a great read! And, yes movement is medicine for me - especially running. It gives me the space to sort things out.

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  15. This sounds like a powerful story and a great read. Obviously I agree that running is medicine. And I know many runners who are in recovery. It seems to be a healthful way to fill that obsessive need.

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  16. Sounds like an interesting and powerful need! I find it interesting how people just running as part of recovery - like how running can affect brain chemistry in beneficial ways.

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