Scan barcode
mclellan's review
5.0
I loved this book but I didn't love the way the book jumped around back and forth over time. However, it was enjoyable and very inspirational.
pnwtinap's review
3.0
A look at ultramarathon racing from a different perspective the fat woman who uses it to push herself not to lose weight.
tinadots's review
5.0
It made me tie on my running shoes and get back out there! She is funny and challenging to herself, which makes it easier to challenge myself.
sassafras_kate's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. Mirna's life and accomplishments are pretty incredible. But the structure of the book was a real challenge for me. Chapters jumped all over the place. As I thought about it, I suspect that a lot of these may have been expanded from blog posts, which may account for some of the patchwork of ideas, but she really could have benefited from another editor. I suspect the book could have been half as long and been twice as good: the chronology of races and jobs and places she lived was hard to follow (but seemed important somehow since she gave so many details about a lot of it), and it often felt like a collection of essays not ordered well instead of a cohesive book.
That said, there are some delights here. As an endurance athlete, parts of her mentality (especially in the final 50 pages) resonated with me, and she does a fairly good job of conveying how unglamorous this form of athleticism is.
I also suspect that this hasn't aged as well. Fat activism has come a long way since 2017 and though she does talk a lot about accepting and revelling in her body (especially near the end), the chapter where she describes very actively focusing on losing weight through diet and aggressive exercise felt like something that could be triggering for folks with disordered eating or other body issues in their past.
The book feels like it can't quite decide what it's trying to do. Some sections feel like they're trying to get to commentary on racial and class self-sacrifice that results in health issues; others felt much more about training as an athlete. While those are all valid and authentic things for her to write about, they didn't quite hold together as a whole for me.
That said, there are some delights here. As an endurance athlete, parts of her mentality (especially in the final 50 pages) resonated with me, and she does a fairly good job of conveying how unglamorous this form of athleticism is.
I also suspect that this hasn't aged as well. Fat activism has come a long way since 2017 and though she does talk a lot about accepting and revelling in her body (especially near the end), the chapter where she describes very actively focusing on losing weight through diet and aggressive exercise felt like something that could be triggering for folks with disordered eating or other body issues in their past.
The book feels like it can't quite decide what it's trying to do. Some sections feel like they're trying to get to commentary on racial and class self-sacrifice that results in health issues; others felt much more about training as an athlete. While those are all valid and authentic things for her to write about, they didn't quite hold together as a whole for me.
selinayoung's review
4.0
Great book! Loved the audio version with Mirna telling her stories and what a story teller she is! So honest, funny, genuine and inspiring. Her messages of body love and moving in the body you have are spot on!! All bodies matter.
skyesthelimitnj's review
4.0
A Beautiful Work to Read
For anyone who is trying something new, trying to get to the next level, or trying to be their personal best, Mirna Valerio will inspire and encourage you!
For anyone who is trying something new, trying to get to the next level, or trying to be their personal best, Mirna Valerio will inspire and encourage you!