Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run [Hardcover]

Kristin Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 2011

In Mile Markers, Runner’s World contributing editor Kristin Armstrong captures the ineffable and timeless beauty of running, the importance of nurturing relationships with those we love, and the significance of reflecting on our experiences. This collection considers the most important reasons women run, celebrating the inspiring passion runners have for their sport and illustrating how running fosters a vitally powerful community. With unique wit, refreshing candor, and disarming vulnerability, Armstrong shares her conviction that running is the perfect parallel for marking the milestones of life. From describing running a hardfought race with her tightly-knit group of sweat sisters, to watching her children participate in the sport for the very first time, Armstrong infuses her experiences with a perspective of hope that every moment is a chance to become a stronger, wiser, more peaceful woman. Running threads these touching stories together, and through each of them we are shown the universal undercurrents of inspiration, growth, grace, family, empowerment, and endurance.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Kristin Armstrong has inspired an entire generation of women to get out and live life like you mean it. Mile Markers is her quintessential work; it left this man reenergized to reach for the stars!”

—Dean Karnazes, New York Times best-selling author and ultramarathoner

 

“Kristin teaches us how the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how long or how fast, can better connect us to ourselves and to those we love. She shows us how getting out the door for a run can solve our most difficult problems, temper a foul mood, and uplift our spirit.”

—Deena Kastor, American record holder in the marathon and half-marathon and Olympic medalist

 

“With Mile Markers, Kristin Armstrong switches the sun on a misty morning outing and beautifully illuminates the life lessons that make a run much more than just a workout.”

—Kathrine Switzer, first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon and author of Marathon Woman

 

“If you are in love with running, you will fall in love with this book. It is witty and profound, yet so down to earth that you’ll find yourself wondering if she isn’t part of your own running group . . . and truly she is. Her writing echoes our thoughts and experiences as mothers, daughters, friends, and sisters running together through the seasons of our lives.”

—Jamie Allison, Founder & CEO Moms in Motion, Inc.

About the Author

KRISTIN ARMSTRONG is a mother, a writer, and a runner. She has written five previous books, and her work has appeared in USA Today, Glamour, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parenting, and the Austin American-Statesman. She is a contributing editor for Runner’s World magazine and keeps a weekly blog, Mile Markers, on www.runnersworld.com. Kristin has run seven marathons and one ultramarathon. She lives in Austin, Texas, and Santa Barbara, California, with her three children, Luke, Grace, and Isabelle.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1 edition (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1609611063
• ISBN-13: 978-1609611064
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Women in Sports

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I Had Hoped for More April 6, 2011

By J. Osterman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

First, I have to say this book says right in the title it is meant for women, so I don't take off points for feeling like I'm on the outside looking in because I'm a guy. There is some great stuff here for any runner.

The main thing I'd tell anyone is that if you read Kristin Armstrong's "Mile Markers" blog on runnersworld.com you are not going to see anything that really jumps off the page. Indeed, some of the content looked familiar. After digging around the book I found some mouse print up front indicating some material had already appeared online.

If you have not followed Armstrong's blog this is a great read for women. She is a gifted writer in her ability to speak to her audience.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Ugh June 3, 2011

By J. Triplett

Format:Hardcover

Okay, I get it. Kristin loves her kids and loves being a mom and has overcome a painful divorce. At the beginning of the book she talks about how she converted her blog into the book, so this thing is a rather haphazard gaze through blogging titles.

I read up to chapter 7 and can't take any more of the "I live for my kids" and "I have the worlds greatest friends".

I was certainly hoping this book would be more in line with "Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running", but alas, it is more of Kristin blogging her way through a very boring read.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Blah blah blah August 12, 2012

By KD

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Save your money! This book is so sticky sweet you want to puke. Look at me, I'm Kristin Armstrong. I have millions of dollars from my ex-husband and I have soo many friends and super children and I run. Yeah me! There is nothing inspirational about this book. There is nothing to learn from this book. It's as shelf indulgent as your friend on Facebook who post 400 pictures of their kids and another 200 of them drinking wine with their friends. What a waste.