John Bingham (2) (1948–)

Any book that makes me feel good for my 11 minute mile pace is worthy of at least four stars right out of the gate.

John Bingham, who writes monthly columns for Runner's World, woke up one morning - in his late 30's or early 40's, I believe - to discover he was a mess. He was overweight, hooked on cigarettes, and booze, and couldn't even get up the stairs without huffing and puffing.

So, he started running. Months later, he was a testament to what healthy living can do. Known as "The Penguin", show more he encourages would-be joggers/runners simply to lace up and get out, not worried about beating a Kenyan to the finish line, but setting your own goals, and going as slow as you want - just so you're going.

He speaks to all the usual subjects - proper shoes, injuries, form, and programs to get you up to a steady mileage. He does so with humor and gentle inspiration. You never feel like he's bragging about how he turned his life around - just reminding you that if he could do it, anyone can.

A great book for anyone who wants to take to the road for a run, but isn't sure how to get started - or if they are truly 'right' for the running life. show less

I have much love for this book. I am fairly new to running (and I really need to get out there again it's been ages) and I found this book incredibly helpful and inspiring. It takes you through why you should run. How you should run. When you should run. In fun easy chapters. It gives several different training programs as well as advice on warm-ups and strength training. It also gives some of the best weight loss advice out there:Eat less. Move more. pg 157

This book is a great introduction show more for those who are considering taking up running as part of their fitness routine but I think it also has a lot to offer seasoned runners who might need some reminders. It is also a funny book. John and Jenny look at themselves and running with a great deal of self-deprecating humour. They make it very clear that they did not start out as world class olympians but as normal people who "couldn't run to the end of the block without crying". This type of self-insight is so very helpful to me as I move on in my journey of becoming a runner. I am now looking forward to reading their other book: Marathoning for Mortals. Not that I will be running a marathon any time soon but they are that inspiring.

I really cannot recommend this book more highly to anyone who is a runner or wants to become one! show less

I love this book. It doesn't come at you from a "training to be the ultimate athlete" stand point. It recognizes where most people are coming from: fat, lazy, and out of shape. A good part of the book is to help with setting the reader up mentally. It is about 75% of the battle from my own experience. I myself have completed a half-marathon once. It felt great, but I felt broken for a long period of time. With the right amount of training I want to feel better. It does stress that this is show more not a weight loss plan, which I also need. I feel like this is a great way to figure out what my body can handle and tailor it for my own needs. At any rate, this is a very easy read. You can relate to it at every corner. It is very motivating for people who have ever thought of running a distance greater then the standard 10k. show less

I'm waffling on whether to give this two or three stars. Two seems low, but the description "it was ok" matches it better than "I liked it."

The good: Bingham has a great storytelling voice and he offers a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm. He is a great counterweight to the idea that running must be an elite activity for only the very fit. He tells us that runners are people who run, no more, no less. There is a lot of encouragement, empathy, and folk wisdom inside these pages. As a fatass show more who in his late 30's is trying to leave years of sloth, smoking, and overeating behind, I am encouraged by Bingham's personal stories.

The not-so-good: this is more of a self-help book than a running book. That is not necessarily a problem, but Bingham knows how to tell a story and he knows how to work a crowd. As an end result, I don't trust his words as much as I might. Have you ever talked to a really excellent sales-person and then not be certain whether you want to buy the product because you don't trust your own enthusiasm for it? I get that feeling after reading Bingham. Does he make me feel better about running because running is a great thing or does he make me feel better about running because his words convey enthusiasm convincingly?

I like this book and I'd love to buy Bingham a beer, but I'm left feeling like I've just heard a particularly skilled evangelical preacher give his testimony and make an altar call. I'm buying what he's selling, but I don't fully trust the surge in enthusiasm I feel for it. show less