Customer Reviews

Our Life on the Run: A Story of Running 50 Marathons in 50 States--A Family Quest

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a devoted recreational runner and multiple marathoner, I presumed I would enjoy this book from the perspective of a likeminded athlete. The nicest surprise, however, was how much heart the author displayed while telling his interesting story of becoming a 50-state marathon finisher.

His devotion to his family, his patriotism and his drive are evidenced on every page and likely to inspire even non-runners to take on new challenges and set & achieve new goals. Keesler's writing style is simple and direct and his anecdotes are told with a forthright warmth and good nature that make a reader feel as if he's the nice fellow next door.

This is a little book that sneaks up on you in surprising ways and leaves you with a good feeling about fatherhood and fellowship. My only regret is that there is no resource guide for all the various racing events and tourist attractions mentioned throughout...perhaps that can be added in a future edition.

I certainly hope I can do this remarkable work justice with this review. This is not just the story of one man's quest. It is the story of a rather remarkable family and their quest. To run just one marathon is quite fete. To run a marathon in each of our great states is quite beyond comprehension for most non-runners, and indeed most runners. Marlin Keesler did just that. Make no mistake though, this is not simply another "jock story." It is the story of a rather typical American Family, and this work, if we read it carefully, teaches us many, many lessons. These are just ordinary Americans, not much different than your family or mine. They have their troubles, they have their trials. Unlike so many others though, this family has actually done something out of the ordinary through sheer will and sticking together. The Keesler family is apparently blessed with two wonderful kids who are afflicted with a rare form of a learning disorder, Asperger's syndrome, a high functioning form of Autism. (I work with kids like this and it is no walk in the park). Make no mistake though, these kids are not handicapped in any way. That would be almost impossible with parents such as Marlin and his wife Jeanne. This book is their family story. It is a story of love and togetherness. The quest of Marlin running a marathon in all of our fifty states is not just about Marlin the runner, it is the story of the entire family. The book documents their adventures in traveling across our wonderful nation via car and plane and train. It documents their ups and their downs. It documents each of the races Marlin participated in, physically and emotionally Keep in mind that this is not a privileged, money in hand, type family, they actually work for a living and work quite hard. What they had to do was follow their quest between work, money problems, family problems and everyday hassles. The entire Keesler family was with dad almost ever step of the way. Additionally, this book documents the love between family members and it documents just what a great country we live in. It is also a great lesson to all of us, i.e. get off our tails and do something with ourselves. The book is quite well written with a simple readable syntax and shoots straight from the shoulder. There are no flights of fancy, no excuses, just the facts, the way it was and is. I liked that. It was quite refreshing. There are a number of very nice photos, mostly dealing with the family and not just dad running across finishing lines which I though was a very nice touch. To call the book inspirational of course is obvious but I know of no other word to describe it. I do highly recommend this work. You will certainly be much richer after you read it. NOTE: I have been a runner for well over forty years now and pretty well know that it takes to run the type of races addressed here. The author is apparently blessed with extraordinary physical and mental abilities. The marathon takes both. His training methods, or lack of them, should probably not be followed by the average person. The marathon is not an easy race. I would not want someone to think that they can just decide they want to run one, jump up off the couch, and do so. It normally just does not work that way. My hat is off to Mr. Keesler. Anyway, I highly recommend this work. This is one of those books that will probably not get the publicity it deserves, which is a real shame as many who should read it and would enjoy it will possibly not get the chance.

Here's a great story of a guy that had his share of adversity while growing up and as a family man. But he does not give in into fatalism, like most of us would do in similar circumstances.
Read this book and you will find out why.
Meet marlin and his family you won't regret it.

Marlin Kessler's family memoir, "Our Life on the Run," is a fascinating and heartwarming story--a story told in such simple straightforward prose that it resonates with life. The book is at once intimate, real, and genuine. Reading it feels much like what you might imagine it would be to sit across the table from friendly stranger and hear him tell you about his life. As I turned the pages of this amazingly honest true-life tale, I swear, the book felt like it was breathing...

I did not plan to read this book. It is not even remotely similar to any type of book that I typically choose to read--it is not fine literature, nor is the author any type of noteworthy national or international expert on a contemporary social issue. Marlin Kessler is a just your everyday American middle class man doing everything he can to keep himself and his family afloat in a difficult world. What intrigued me, and drew me toward this book, was its usual description. It left me wondering: What would possess a young father to set the goal of running 50 marathons in 50 states and what effect would that have on his unique family--a family that included two children with Asperger's Syndrome? I couldn't turn my back on this book. I had to find out. So, I gave it a chance...and before I knew it, I couldn't put the book down.

This book may start as a sports memoir, but it quickly morphs into an intimate family portrait. The reader is drawn into the life of a struggling, heroic, American Everyman--a man who fixates on a goal and sticks with it. Along the way, he manages, immeasurably, to improve the lives of his two challenged children and creates the foundation for an extraordinary and everlasting family bond.

There were many parts of this story where I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at the obstacles that were overcome. This father led by example. Slowly, as the years unfold, and the children become comfortable with the routine of frequent family vacations to marathon event destinations, we witness these two challenged children blossom. Every trip involved a whole new set of stimulating experiences (something that is immensely challenging for an autistic child), but somehow, these children feel safe in the routine. As a result, the children were able to open up to the world and discover their inner strengths. It is an amazing transformation!

For those that enjoy running and marathons, this book will undoubtedly offer a special bonus. But this is far more than a sports memoir. It is a family story of courage, tenacity, and unconditional love. It demonstrates clearly, without any fanfare or fancy prose, all the subtle qualities it takes to build family. For those families struggling with raising an autistic child, this book will offer significant insight and hope.

I feel puzzled as to how to rate this book. It stands in a class by itself: the straightforward memoir of a good man and the astonishing family he manages to foster and support. It is a rich and rewarding story full of abundant everyday adversity and countless simple acts of kindness bestowed by friends, family, and complete strangers. How can I not give this book a solid five? My hat is off to the author. We can all learn from this honest simple tale and come away feeling uplifted and renewed.

You have to read this book. I have to admit, when "a little bird" recommended that I read it, I was not at all interested in the subject matter. Marathons? People actually write books about running? But I gave this book a try, and I have to say this....I was hooked from the first sentence. This book was about so much more then running, and I would find myself laughing out loud at times, and with tears streaming down my cheeks a few minutes later. This book, in one word, is about commitment. Commitment to meeting the goals you set, but even more importantly, commitment to your family. That is the aspect of the book that truly tugged at my heartstrings.

This book deals with so many issues we are faced with: being raised in a dysfunctional family, employment issues, the loss of loved ones, and the struggles of raising children. What touched me the most though, about this book, is how much the author truly loves his wife. Several times throughout the book he refers to her as "his best friend", and
that is what really spoke to me in volumes. Here is a man not afraid to say how he feels about his wife and family. Now, although there were times he would not admit he was wrong about something (thank goodness for AAA), you never doubted his commitment to his wife and children. This book is a quick read about the importance of family, and it will leave you with that "warm fuzzy feel good" kinda feeling. Definitely worth reading!

Marlin Keesler has written a compelling story of endurance and family togetherness. See, Keesler is The Running Man, running 50 marathons, one in each of the fifty states. Sustaining him is not only a great cardiovascular system and stamina but a devoted family. The accomplishment was a family affair.

Keesler's story reminds us that the journey is the reward. He will win no gold medals perhaps in the marathon, break no world records, but show that determination, will, grit and a family's support can raise us above our limitations.

An excellent read!!

I once ran 14 miles with this guy as a teenager, and he told me on the run he planned on completing a marathon someday. I never doubted him, but I also never knew he'd run one in every single state! Mix that physical challenge with his tale of love for his family and you have a great motivational story that would make a great gift.

If you have EVER run a marathon, read this book.
If you have NEVER run a marathon, read this book.
If you are HUMAN, READ THIS BOOK!

I am an avid runner, couldn't put this book down. It was both inspirational, as well as, entertaining to me. Though I could relate to his running stories, trust me when I tell you, you don't have to love running to appreciate the book, you just have to love your family and life its self. Marlin writes as if your running right beside him and are on the trips right along with his family. Great book!!

Having known Martin on a personal level as a friend and business partner for several years, you will not find a more genuine, likable human being. His story will captivate, inspire, and motivate you to find and pursue your purpose-driven life! Enjoy the read!