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136 reviews for:
My Year of Running Dangerously: A Dad, a Daughter, and a Ridiculous Plan
Tom Foreman
4.07 AVERAGE
136 reviews for:
My Year of Running Dangerously: A Dad, a Daughter, and a Ridiculous Plan
Tom Foreman
4.07 AVERAGE
The writing style was a little too flowery for me, but this was an interesting ultra account by a non-elite.
This was an okay read, but nothing particularly special. As someone who enjoys hearing about other people’s experiences with marathon training, I did find a few moments enjoyable. There’s always something interesting about seeing how others approach the challenges of long-distance running, and that kept me engaged to some degree.
However, the book felt like it was trying a little too hard to be funny, and for the most part, the humor didn’t land with me. While I appreciate a lighthearted tone, the jokes felt forced, which took away from the narrative for me. It’s not that I regret reading it, and I wouldn’t call it a waste of time, but it’s also not something I’d go out of my way to recommend.
I’ve been reading a lot of books about running recently, and this one just didn’t stand out. If you’re looking for a light and easy read about marathon training, it’s fine, but there are definitely other books out there that left a more lasting impression.
However, the book felt like it was trying a little too hard to be funny, and for the most part, the humor didn’t land with me. While I appreciate a lighthearted tone, the jokes felt forced, which took away from the narrative for me. It’s not that I regret reading it, and I wouldn’t call it a waste of time, but it’s also not something I’d go out of my way to recommend.
I’ve been reading a lot of books about running recently, and this one just didn’t stand out. If you’re looking for a light and easy read about marathon training, it’s fine, but there are definitely other books out there that left a more lasting impression.
Tom Foreman was a guest on the Another Mother Runner podcast talking about his book.
It is a light, easy read. The author tries a little to hard to be sarcastic and overly glib. But he does a great job of taking you along with him through the training for and racing of an ultramarathon.
It is a light, easy read. The author tries a little to hard to be sarcastic and overly glib. But he does a great job of taking you along with him through the training for and racing of an ultramarathon.
This book was inspiring. Made me think about both the hows and whys of running and trying to fit in all the other stuff in life.
If the phrase "training run" has ever been part of your vocabulary — whether in reference to you or someone near you — you're bound to get a laugh, cringe, and sigh out of [b:My Year of Running Dangerously: A Dad, a Daughter, and a Ridiculous Plan|24612100|My Year of Running Dangerously A Dad, a Daughter, and a Ridiculous Plan|Tom Foreman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1439571040s/24612100.jpg|44223170]. Combining two of my favorite topics, memoirs and running, acclaimed journalist [a:Tom Foreman|13056059|Tom Foreman|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] puts his storytelling skills to good use as he recounts his return to distance running after his daughter prods him out of a decades-long hiatus with an invitation to run a marathon together.
Foreman's witty narration of his own audiobook had me laughing out loud as I trotted and plodded through training runs of my own. I have a few half marathons under my hydration belt, so in the first section (marathon training) I found myself relating and commiserating with his doubtful-turned-maniacal attitude toward training for distance races. In the latter section (ultra-marathon training) I was simply in awe, as any story about running 30+ miles comes from a place of deep discipline and lunacy. Along the way he shares glimpses of his family reacting with a mix of support, shock, sarcasm, frustration, and pride.
You might glean a few lesson's from Foreman's tale — plenty of humorous "Do as I say, not as I do" advice, just like a typical runner — but the real takeaway actually has little to do with running at all. His marathon-and-beyond pursuit helped him take a step back from the quicksand of an all-consuming work life that left little room for personal endeavors and family. By carving out time for running and bringing his loved ones along for the journey, he reconnected with some of the people most important to him, and they created a support system for each other. It's a great reminder to keep in focus the goals and people most important in our lives.
Foreman's witty narration of his own audiobook had me laughing out loud as I trotted and plodded through training runs of my own. I have a few half marathons under my hydration belt, so in the first section (marathon training) I found myself relating and commiserating with his doubtful-turned-maniacal attitude toward training for distance races. In the latter section (ultra-marathon training) I was simply in awe, as any story about running 30+ miles comes from a place of deep discipline and lunacy. Along the way he shares glimpses of his family reacting with a mix of support, shock, sarcasm, frustration, and pride.
You might glean a few lesson's from Foreman's tale — plenty of humorous "Do as I say, not as I do" advice, just like a typical runner — but the real takeaway actually has little to do with running at all. His marathon-and-beyond pursuit helped him take a step back from the quicksand of an all-consuming work life that left little room for personal endeavors and family. By carving out time for running and bringing his loved ones along for the journey, he reconnected with some of the people most important to him, and they created a support system for each other. It's a great reminder to keep in focus the goals and people most important in our lives.
If you enjoy memoirs, stories from crazy dads with crazy ideas, if you appreciate trivia, tales about the pain and joy of athleticism, or if you just like really good writing ---this book would be a great fit for you. My Year of Running Dangerously: A Dad, A Daughter and a Ridiculous Plan is a story of a CNN correspondent, Tom Foreman whose 18 year old daughter challenges him to train and run a marathon with her. At the start of his memoir, Mr. Foreman hasn’t run in decades but, being the guy he is, accepts his daughter’s challenge without consideration. What follows is a year long of training, crazy eating schedules, minor injuries, and so on. But this memoir is so much more than just about running...it is about family, relationships, change, career, dreams, and trying to make it all fit. It has equal parts inspiration, humor, exhausting stories of a running.
Tom Foreman’s writing will inspire as well as make you laugh out loud. He truly has a very honest and unique mind that is a joy to read.
The audiobook was read by Foreman himself. I would highly recommend the audiobook. There are some sarcastic lines from Foreman’s youngest daughter that might be best heard than read.
If this book sounds good, then try "The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey" By: Rinker Buck ( a modern day guy decides to take the 2000 mile Oregon Trail old-school style-- in a covered wagon)
Tom Foreman’s writing will inspire as well as make you laugh out loud. He truly has a very honest and unique mind that is a joy to read.
The audiobook was read by Foreman himself. I would highly recommend the audiobook. There are some sarcastic lines from Foreman’s youngest daughter that might be best heard than read.
If this book sounds good, then try "The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey" By: Rinker Buck ( a modern day guy decides to take the 2000 mile Oregon Trail old-school style-- in a covered wagon)
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
this book was very enjoyable to listen to on my runs! there was definitely a lot of dad humor which made me roll my eyes, but it kept it entertaining. I definitely could not relate AT ALL to his ability to go out on long runs in random cities and parks at night while he was traveling for work. the fact that he didn’t even bring his phone on runs and would get lost is terrifying. I did really relate to his love of being outdoors though. there is a part where he explains to his wife how beautiful a small loop in woods is and she sees it and just goes “okaaayy…” haha . I feel like things become prettier when you get to run among them and other people may not see that!
Great book
I'm like him too! As the runner you always feel that you are the only one feeling the way you feel (fear, doubts, uncertainty) and when you read an account of another runner explains exactly how you feel, it's priceless especially since I live in the metropolitan DC and I have ran or volunteered in most of the races that he has mentioned here, it felt great to read his accounts and he is funny too. Great read.
I'm like him too! As the runner you always feel that you are the only one feeling the way you feel (fear, doubts, uncertainty) and when you read an account of another runner explains exactly how you feel, it's priceless especially since I live in the metropolitan DC and I have ran or volunteered in most of the races that he has mentioned here, it felt great to read his accounts and he is funny too. Great read.