Run to the Finish: The Everyday Runner's Guide to Avoiding Injury, Ignoring the Clock, and Loving the Run

I’m so happy I stumbled across this! It’s an incredible resource to my new hobby that I will be using as a resource for many miles to come!

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile! It had been some time since I'd read a running-focused book and I was looking for a change of pace from all the fiction I'd be reading. This book is great for new and longtime runners. The book offered a lot of great content and there was a great mix of new information, as well as information I knew but it was a great refresher and presented in a really easy to absorb way. Within the first chapter, I was already ordering a copy for a friend who I felt would really benefit from reading it too. They received it and are looking forward to diving into it while on vacation. This is a great book to have and reference for all runners and you'll be glad to add it to your sheld.

I'm 40. I decided to start running 4 months ago in hopes of running a half marathon. I'm very active but I've never run further than to my mailbox without side stitches before. "I'm not a runner" I'd tell myself. With the encouragement of several friends and a running partner that committed to running with me from 0 to all the way to the finish line, I picked up a "couch to 5K" plan to help me get started."This feels so easy," I told myself. So I upped my running within a few short weeks. 4 weeks later, on my 40th birthday, I ran a 10k. Yay! I can do this! I thought to myself.Until...Two weeks later, knee pain. IT band issues. Total let down. I read everything on the internet and all I heard and read "it's common" "it happens to even the most seasoned runners," and "scale back running but stay active."But what about a prevention plan? What about helping one overcome the "injury" mindset? -nothing.With luck, I was coached by a physical therapist that's a runner himself and he suggested an active recovery period (this is where you do other things that work the muscles around your knee but not running).I scaled back my running Time and distance. And, I incorporated the run/walk training method (something I never came across any of the 5k/10k/half/marathon training programs.You have to understand that with injury comes big disappointment and my running partner (a seasoned runner) kept blaming himself for pushing me too hard. This was mid-December of 2019.While sulking in my own thoughts at night, I'd scour running hashtags on Instagram, and luckily I found out about this book and pre-ordered it without thinking about it twice.THIS BOOK IS WHAT I WISH I HAD READ BEFORE I STARTED. Heck, even before week 3 and 4! It would have prevented an injury that now haunts me -yes, you always wonder if the excruciating pain will return.Everything the author shares in the book is exactly what you need to avoid injury. It's the book for most of us that are "middle of the pack" runners. We are in it for the endorphins, sweat, to feel good about ourselves, and live a healthier life.Thanks to this book I've been able to shift my mindset, ignore the clock and celebrate my achievements, and really -and I mean REALLY- enjoy the run.Oh yes. I finish my first half marathon with her run/walk and a second one just running. They both count. Thank YOU!!

Thank you Amanda is where I want to start on this review!I've followed Amanda Brooks for a while on Instagram and fell in love with her thoughts on running, her outlook, and personality. I just hate that I had a prior engagement when the Run to the Finish Book Tour came to Atlanta in February.Here are a few reason why I loved this book and give it 5+ stars!First and foremost, I love the fact that Amanda wrote all the words of this book. As an author myself, I appreciate the fact that she is a journalism major and didn't need a co-writer on this. There are several books by influencers or superstars that are great book but are co-written. This made me smile that this is all Amanda.This book is easy to read, fun, and full of truth on so many levels. Amanda focuses on the average or middle of the road runner.She gives solid and honest advice for the new runner.She takes the myths of "who" is a runner and lays out the truths.There is solid research to start running and being the best you can be in this bookThere are great exercises, running plans, and everything you need to start a journey running in this bookMost importantly, this book allowed me to see that "forward is a pace" and Bit's okay to forget pace or what others thing of you. (Something I've struggled with since the day people noticed I wasn't your "average" mama runner.) It allowed me to look at what I can do to bring my joy of running back and one is to run for a bigger cause. I already know what that will be.- The Foundation for Prader-Willi Syndrome. Now the question is which race- a Rock n Roll Series Half or Full or go big with the NYC? 2020 or 2021? Regardless, this charity is one that touches my heart thanks to this young man right here. He's one of my students and he makes me smile each and every day.

An excellent book on running . I listened to it first on Audible and I liked it so much I bought the paperback book.

I have been following the authors blog for awhile and decided to read her book. Even though my overall goal is to improve my speed and bq, she gives great advice on becoming a stronger and better runner with an added sense of humor. I have recommended this book to so many other runners.

Written like a school textbook, it starts at the bare basics and slowly progresses. Not a bad read but not the most informative book for a seasoned runner.

Saw this book recommended on Runners World. Bought it and ended up reading it the day I should have been running my first marathon 😥 I’m so glad I found this book... it has already helped me in so many ways. I fully intend on making “prehab” part of my life, and am already seeing benefits from properly warming up every time I run. Thank you Amanda!

Absolutely loved this book after hearing Amanda on a podcast. I bought the kindle edition but am now going to buy the paperback so I can highlight and bookmark all my fave tips!A great book for a runner of any ability and experience

I LOVE this book. I’ve been following Amanda on Instagram for ages and when I found out this book was for sale I had to have it! This book is full of humour but also fantastic tips/advice, you name it. For us normal runners it’s great to hear her words of wisdom. If you’re a runner, just starting out or have been in it for a while, this book is for you. Her outlook is so positive, I LOVE it. I’ve ordered copies for 2 of my running friends for gifts. Highly recommend.

I am a long time athlete, but new to running. This book was amazing for learning the basics, answering a bunch of questions about gear, training, warmup, cool-downs, etc. Listened to the audiobook first which I loved but some of the explanations of the exercises were weird to listen to, so I bought the book so that I could read (and see pictures/diagrams) for the warmup, prehab, and cool-down exercises. HIGHLY recommend to a new runner, or someone looking to improve but not wanting to commit to a formal plan or coach.

If you're looking for a running book that you can relate to, that encourages you, and empowers you, look no further! This book is written for the average runner and really serves to validate you as a runner whether you plan to run a marathon or not. (Spoiler alert: not every runner has to run a marathon!). That said, there is also something to take away for every runner. Amanda has managed to write a book that is fun and informative without being too serious. Highly recommend for all runners!