Learning To Walk: From the Sofa to a Marathon in Nine Months (Paperback)

by Sheilagh Conklin (Author)
Key Phrases: Sparky Jones, Learning To Walk, Portland Marathon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Sheilagh admits to being a Ding-Dong-loving, forty-five-year-old mom, 50 pounds overweight, with no significant athletic experience. But she agreed to join the Children’s Tumor Foundation Marathon Team, vowing to complete the Portland Marathon on October 1, 2006, while raising funds to help end neurofibromatosis or NF, an often devastating genetic disorder.

Like pregnancy, she had nine months to prepare for the marathon. Nine months to transform from a middle-aged, chubby, sedentary woman to a participant in an activity usually reserved for the elite athlete. The first trimester: an unwitting conception followed by big plans, but no outward signs of progress. The second trimester: significant changes, crazy discoveries, and the realization that she had no business doing a marathon or ever wearing a thong. The third trimester: discomfort, victories, and coming to terms with the inevitable. Labor: a grueling day-long push to finish the Portland Marathon.

Quirky, humorous, and brutally honest, Learning To Walk takes unpredictable side trips, yet, at the same time, stays focused on a singular experience and goal—finishing the Portland Marathon. Everything that crossed Sheilagh’s path is explored and nothing is off limits.

About the Author

Learning To Walk is Sheilagh Conklin’s personal account of her journey to complete the Portland Marathon in 2006. Having been both a small business owner and employee of a large international corporation, although interesting, did little to help her prepare. Ms. Conklin lives in the Seattle area with her husband and children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (October 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595454364
• ISBN-13: 978-0595454365
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #762,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Motivating!, January 13, 2008

By	Jet (USA) - See all my reviews

Well-written and a fun book to read; and also because the author went to so much effort to live and experience it, I give it 5 stars!
It is a great motivator, about an out-of-shape and overweight mom who has never exercised and is in her late 40's. She takes control, loses 50 pounds and breaks the cycle of being sedentary, to participate in a grueling 26-mile marathon. And...in nine months a power walker is born! Many humorous moments. The marathon, as it turns out, may not be the healthiest thing, but changing her lifestyle is.
Fun, humorous, honest and entertaining (Did she really sit on the porta-potty seat?).
Now, we need a sequel to know if the author maintained her healthier way of life...or maybe a blog...does she eventually break the sugar habit fully and rid herself of M&M's and Skittles? Diet Coke?? Well, I have to know!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars very funny, September 9, 2008

By	kyd007 "kyd007" (az) - See all my reviews

this was a very funny book... I really felt as if this writer was a friend sharing here story! I am walking a half marathon! she gave me courage!

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, inspiring, real..., January 14, 2008

By	Shelly (Michigan) - See all my reviews

I rarely, if ever, write a book review but I literally just finished reading this and ran (well slowly strolled) to my computer to write this. I must say fate was clearly in play. I bought this book knowing nothing about it. I didn't even read the books description before adding it to my "cart". I am SO glad I did. This book was GREAT!! I actually laughed out loud several times while reading it. My husband must have thought I was crazy! It's so great to read about a real womans real struggles with diet & exercise. I have recently started yet another diet & exercise program myself and this is just what I needed in week #2 of my journey to keep me going. I would love for Sheilagh to write a sequel to this. BUY THE BOOK...you won't be disappointed!!