Sarah Bowen Shea

I’ve been running for over 15 years. What started out as an easy (and cheap) way to avoid the Freshman 15 has turned into a passion I expect to have for the rest of my life. Over the years, I’ve read a lot of running books, including books targeted specifically for women. Out of all those books, this one may be the best I’ve ever read. Run Like a Mother is like the best running buddy I’ve never had. In 26 chapters, co-authors Sarah Bown Shea and Dmity McDowell address all the ups and show more downs of running with brutal honesty and a welcome sense of humor. Sarah writes from the perspective of a competitive, obsessive runner while Dmity brings the more laid-back perspective. This dual perspective was refreshing and helpful.

Run Like a Mother contains all the helpful advice needed for beginning runners, like what shoes and clothes to wear and which gadgets are worthwhile. What sets this book apart from other running books, however, is the forthright coverage of embarrassing (e.g., post-partum incontinence) and shameful (e.g., body image, exercise addiction) topics. Run Like a Mother does not include specific training schedules, but it does have excellent information about incorporating speed work, hill training, strength training, and cross training into a running program. Above all, this book is motivating and made me want to get off the couch and start running. I plan to pick it up again anytime I feel my motivation slipping. Mothers will particularly enjoy the topics related to running while raising children, including how to care for children while undertaking a rigorous training schedule and how to get children interested in running. show less

Reading this book was like lunching with my girlfriends after one of our training runs. So much good information, shared experiences, and intimate talk about a sport we love (or in my case have a love/hate relationship). I didn't start running until after the birth of my daughter, so the chapters on running while pregnant and post-partum weren't really for me (although still funny) and I was disappointed to see I'd already read a couple of chapters that had made their way into Runners World, show more but nevertheless I loved this book and will highly recommend it to all my running girlfriends. show less

Very enjoyable book that seems like you are chatting with girlfriends. I'm not a Mom but I could still identify with the authors and their stories of becoming runners and fitting the training for longer events into their busy lives. Filled with some practical advice but mostly it's just a window into the minds of other "mother runners" and helping you to realize that we who run are all a lot alike.

I'm not a mother but I do enjoy the banter between these two "mother runners". I think between them they cover the range between the performance/clock driven runner and the more casual "run to be with my friends" kind of runner.

They touch on everything from busy schedules, to clothes, to workouts that you hate but have to do anyway.

It also includes two different training plans (each) for 5K, 10K, 1/2 and full marathon distances. Their workouts all include a "don't miss" day and a "blow off show more if you must" day which is a nice feature.

I'm anxious to try one of the plans for a training cycle but I'm not sure which one yet.

**Special Note** I originally purchased this on Kindle but returned it in favor of the paper book. Training plans were really hard to read on the kindle and couldn't be photocopied for doodles and notes as you progress through the plan. show less