After I ❤️ Running (and you can too), I am coming back for another book by Brendan Leonard (@semi_rad). This one is called Have Fun Out There Or Not: The Semi-Rad Running Essays. As you can expect from Brendan Leonard, it has a mix of text and illustration so I highly recommend the paperback (I am not actually sure it is available in other formats!). Most importantly, the book has a lot of relatable stories, thoughtful notes, inspiration and humor, all blended together in a recipe that will bring you laughs and inspiration. You will likely blaze through through the book in a few days, only paused to share some quotes with a friend, and (maybe) to sign up for a race or going on a run!
Before reading the book, I had listened to Brendan’s interview on Mario Fraioli’s The Running Shakeout Podcast. I also recommend giving it a listen, as the book it’s both a fun and deep conversation. They discuss some of the stories from the book and I enjoyed reading them and remembering the conversation. I assume reading the book first and then listening to the podcast works in a similar way.
Some of the stories also have slight overlap with each other and that also provides an opportunity to read about the same topic under a slightly different light.
As for I ❤️ Running, he reflects on why we run. The chapter “We are running nowhere” is a funny take on it, but there are numerous inspirational quotes that will make you love our sport for its beauty, silliness and simplicity.
What we’re cheering for is something else: normal people who aren’t there to necessarily race anyone besides the lesser person they might be if they didn’t try to run a really long ways for no good reason.
I’ve always had more fun dreaming up things to do, making my own fun instead of waiting for something fun to be happening where I am.
And besides the laugh and inspiration, you may also get some really helpful tips, like how to safely go for #2 in the woods while eating a burrito and practicing Leave No Trace!
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