Customer Reviews

The Courage To Start: A Guide To Running for Your Life

5 star:		(49)
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Do you enjoy "The Penguin Chronicles", a monthly column in Runner's World? The column's author, John "The Penguin" Bingham, now has a book out to complement the column. The book is entitled "The Courage to Start : A Guide to Running for Your Life."

This book is a must read for runners of all ability levels, from beginning runners to those who have been running for decades. Bingham gives practical advice to beginning runners, as well as showing how running transcends from a physical activity to a self-discovery of yourself. His revelations are insightful and motivational. Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down.

Bingham began running in 1992 as a 43-year-old, 240-pound, couch potato. His first run consisted of sprinting down his driveway for about 30 seconds. That was all his legs, lungs and ego could take. But unlike many other times in his life when he had given up, he didn't quit this time. For some reason he stuck with running, and managed to run ¼ mile, then ½ mile, a mile, and increasingly more. As the months passed and he shed the excess weight, he found himself running 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and eventually, full marathons.

He first began to tell his story on the internet via the Dead Runners Society (DRS). He sent out an e-mail telling about a race where he nearly finished last, but was finding himself a happier and healthier person because of running. Much to his surprise, he received responses from readers that said he had told their stories. They said he had managed to put into words what they were feeling about themselves, and about the metamorphosis that running was causing in their lives.

From these initial e-mails, "The Penguin Chronicles" was born. First it was a monthly e-mail on the DRS, and then Bingham set up a web site to host his columns. Eventually, Runner's World became aware of his columns, and in May of 1996, the column became a regular part of the magazine. It appears near the back of the magazine each month, a comfortable place for the many back-of-the-packers that are touched the most by his writings. The column has generated a huge following as runners from around the world find Bingham's words to be entertaining, inspirational, down-to-earth, and humorous.

Hoping to share his joy of running with other runners around the county, Bingham set out on the Penguin Tour in the summer of 1997. He traveled by motorcycle for eight weeks and visited runners from coast to coast. Bingham did another Penguin Tour in the summer of 1998, this time traveling by car and logging more than 14,000 miles over three months. On each stop during his trips, he found others who share the joy of running, and who discovered themselves via running. He found people who had moved past the self-imposed limitations that society places on us. After running with both new and veteran runners, Bingham found how little difference there was between them. At the start of his 1997 trip, he thought his story was unique, but by the end, he realized he was just one of many who had found themselves via running. His solitude was replaced by a sense of belonging.

In "The Courage To Start," Bingham shares his experiences with us. He shares the metamorphosis that he has gone through because of running. He shares his joy, happiness, and humor. This book will make you think, smile, cheer, and perhaps will bring tears of joy and courage. Don't walk or drive to your favorite bookstore, but run and pick up a copy today. Get one for yourself, and another to give to a friend. Share the joy of running with others.

I have tried becoming a "runner" many times in the past..I was on the "brink" once again when I read this book and have now been running 4-5 days a week since reading the book about 2 months ago.

The author makes you realize how anyone can enjoy, and even become addicted to this elusive, seemingly insane activity. Unlike many other running books, he doesn't ever say "you just have to really want it", he just tells his story, in which, after many years of inactivity and weight gain, he took up running at age 43.

The focus of this book is on enjoying the process, not the end result (how many min. it takes you to run a mile) of running. If you are looking for nutrition or speed advice, this is not the book for you. If you want an inspiration easy read, this IS the book!

There have been other wonderful reviews written about this book already. All I can say is this book is so inspiring for those of us who always wanted to be athletic, but thought our chance had passed us by. I'm a 35 year old, stay at home, slightly plump mom. I've always admired runners, I always wanted to be one. But the truth is, I suck at running. This book gave me something wonderful. It gave me hope. It's a book that says so what if you suck, so what if you're slow, so what if the neighbors kid runs faster than you, and that kid runs with crutches. It's okay! If you are getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other, you're a runner!

I've been running for five months now. And I don't think I would have ever had the courage to step outside my door, take a deep breath and start jogging without this book

As a neophyte to the sport of running, I found this book incredibly inspiring. The author came from where a lot of new runners come from: years of inactivity and poor shape. The Penguin's transformation can motivate anyone with desire into a life of good physical health. Do not expect a lot of techniques from this book. There are some, but the focus on getting and staying motivated for a lifetime of excellent fitness and health through the sport of running.

The Courage to Start is a "must" read for all who are thinking about running or who have recently started, or who have been running for a long time! It gives both inspirational and practical information to motiving one to run. The book at times made me laugh, cry,and think. But most of all it made me run. To read this book is the first step to a life of running.

John Bingham writes an excellent and often funny book about how running can empower a person. He discusses his progression from overweight couch potato to slow but fit runner. His story is an inspiring one. As someone who lost 100 pounds through running and now frequently competes in road races, this book was like reliving my journey to fitness. It made me feel nostalgia.

Bingham discusses what is the essence of running - pushing through discomfort to become more content. He is funny, eloquent, and willing to be proud of his accomplishments. The Courage to Start is a book that I wish everyone would read just once. There is something in it for everyone - from the 15 minute 5Kers to those who seek a more active and healthy lifestyle. The book conveys a message that so few people in America don't hear enough - go for your dreams and don't be afraid to fail. I highly recommend this book.

I reviewed all the reviews, and was shocked to see I hadn't added mine. After all, I've only bought 10 copies and distributed them to many friends and coworkers, and YES, I have my own.
As a fairly new runner (3 years now) with a marathon, half-marathon (Disney, just this past weekend), and a few other races behind me, I can vouch that this book puts things into perspective. After hearing John speak in Orlando this past weekend, I am even more convinced that his attitude is much needed in new, and seasoned runners.
Granted I don't boast my PR, or downplay it either, but John writes from the point of view of a person who has gained wisdom through his journey of becoming a runner. The mental mind set is very important, and I believe John provides a less "gotta shave those 3 minutes off my PR" approach. I don't mean that those who want to shave those extra minutes are not right, but to the mere average mortal who is not gifted with the speed of a gazelle, or the powerful legs of a cheetah, those three extra minutes may not be the "end all - do all". To each his/her own, and John brings a lofty goal of a 10k, 21k, marathon to those who may not have thought it possible. Isn't that the joy of running? To also inspire those who may think it beyond their grasp...

and frankly, does anyone not find penguins cute and cuddly?
I can't wait to get his new book, and John, if you read this, I'll proudly keep on handing out your book!
Cheers, Sylvie (someone who has read just about every book on running/marathoning on the market!)

Wonderful insights, encouraging words and very humorous! An excellent book for someone wanting to get into the running world. I'm a seasoned runner and have read it for enjoyment. I've given it as a gift to 3 family members who want to start a running program but don't know how.

John's talent is, as one of the other reviews mentioned, getting "into the head" of the beginning runner. Having been there, and having dealt with many of the issues that a new runner deals with (both psychologically and physically), John certainly speaks from experience. While I am currently training for my third marathon and have been running a few years, I still make use of John's advice. I am definitely contemplating buying a copy of this book for friends of mine who want to start running but need the extra psychological boost. John really knows how to tell a story. I laughed. I cried. Mostly, I *identified.* Nice to know that we as penguins are not alone in the universe.

This book is really about living your life to fullest of YOUR potential; not worring about past and not worring about 'the Jones'.

The language is very simple and John connects to the reader since he takes us through his life cycle and thoughts, emotions and inhibitions.

One of best inspirational books I ever read.