Run The World: My 3500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around The Globe – Book Review
I am not a runner – nor, have I ever been one. However, I have always admired the dedication of those who do run – particularly those who have elevated their love of the sport to competitive levels. And, I have always had an interest in travel, other cultures, and the Olympics.
So, although I do not run, it was with great interest that I approached Run The World: My 3500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around The Globe by Becky Wade – an elite marathon runner and Olympic hopeful.
Run The World is the fascinating story of Becky Wade, a young American runner who had never traveled outside of the United States, but after graduating college with multiple NCAA All-American honors and two Olympic Trials qualifying marks under her belt, became curious about how her fellow competitors from around the globe were approaching the sport that she had already dedicated over half of her life to learning about.
How were they being trained? Did they know things about running that she did not?
In 2012, her curiosity got the better of her, and with four pairs of running shoes as her traveling companion, she cleared her schedule for the year and set off on a journey to learn everything she could about running from a number of diverse running communities around the world.
What Becky learns over the next 12 months as she travels through 9 countries ranging from England to Japan to Ethiopia, encounters 72 host families and clocks over 3500 miles of training transforms her outlook and approach to the sport that she loves.
As a result of incorporating various elements of the training styles she learned on her journey, today, Becky ranks as the third fastest female marathon runner under the age of 25 in US history. She has also qualified for the 2016 Olympic trials and is a professional sponsor for Asics.
Whether you are a runner who is looking for ways to improve your approach to the sport – an athlete who enjoys learning more about other outstanding individuals in the field – or an armchair traveler who enjoys vacationing vicariously with others – Run The World is a fabulous read!
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
About Becky Wade
Becky Wade is a professional long-distance runner who competes for Asics. At Rice University she was a four-time All-American and the winner of the Joyce Pounds Hardy Award, Rice’s highest athletic honor, and the Conference USA honoree for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Rice with a triple major in history, psychology, and sociology, Becky traveled the world on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and visited 22 countries to explore long-distance running cultures.
In her 26.2-mile debut in December 2013, Becky won the California International Marathon, qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials. Currently, she is fulfilling her dream of running professionally and chasing Olympic aspirations, while coaching and working part-time at a shelter for homeless youth.
Resources
For More Information
- Visit Becky’s Website.
- Connect with Becky on Twitter and Instagram.
- Visit the Run The World Blog Tour Page.
- Run The World is available on Amazon.
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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through TLC Book Tours for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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What an amazing story! I’m interested to find out what she learned from so many different people!
Thank you for being on this tour!
My pleasure Trish – enjoy the book! 🙂
My goodness! I’m no athlete, but this sounds like an inspiring read!
Would never have heard of this but now I’d like to read it. Thank you! Sounds so fascinating!
Fascinating! I think my girls might enjoy reading this and then watching her compete next month! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
I am so delighted that you shared Becky Wade’s interesting and inspiring journey to learn everything she could about running from a number of diverse running communities around the world with us at the Plant-Based Potluck Party! I’m pinning and sharing!
Thanks for sharing Deborah – so glad you enjoyed the book!
This is one I’m not familiar with, but it sounds really good. I just put it on reserve at my local library. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.
Very cool Leslie – hope you enjoy the book! 🙂
This sounds like a great book! I’m always looking for something to read, so I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks! 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this one before – it sounds intriguing!
Thanks for the review – came to your post through Small Victories Sunday Linkup.
Sue
2016 Big Book Summer Challenge