When it comes to exercise, I depend pretty heavily on my children for my workouts. Chasing my energetic preschooler provides me with my cardiovascular training, and lifting my hefty ten-month-old does wonders for my muscle tone. It may not be the most consistent regime, but it helps to keep me relatively strong and in acceptable shape. I just don’t seem to have the motivation to stick to anything more regular.
When I received the chance to review Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners, however, I found myself yearning for a more disciplined workout. This book is absolutely full of amazing stories about runners and their pains and pleasures, their risks and rewards and their aches and accomplishments. I have never been terribly interested in running, but the stories in this book are designed to pull in even the most reluctant reader.
I loved the way that the stories in the book ranged from inspirational to humorous. Reading about a mother that almost lost her son in a tragic accident had tears streaming down my face, and when she explained that her son’s awakening so filled her with joy that she just had to run to properly express it, I couldn’t help but feel my heart running alongside her.
The tale of two out-of-shape mothers that gradually increased their running schedule to the point that they felt confident enough to run a marathon made me think that perhaps I could reach the same level one day. When I finished the story and learned that the women’s pride-filled pre-marathon stretches against the back of their car had been misunderstood by a passing motorist who offered vehicle assistance, I couldn’t help but roar with laughter.
Though the stories invoke an incredible range of emotions, their central theme meant that by the end of the book I felt like I was ready to pound the pavement myself. With stories about triathletes as well, cyclists and swimmers are also featured. Though Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners may be uniquely suited to the dedicated athletes that inspired the book, it is an enjoyable and inspiring read for anyone, and contains lessons that can be applied to all areas of life.
I enjoyed reading Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners, and I feel like I understand the motivations and tribulations of the runner so much more since I read this book. I may remain an inconsistent exerciser, but on the days when I crave a little more, this great book will provide the perfect motivation to challenge myself. If you want to add a little inspiration to your own exercise regime, check out Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners for yourself.
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