I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion

This is the perfect gift for the runner in your life or the people in your life who aren't runners who don't understand why you're a runner. Go buy this right now. Buy 6 copies, keep 2, and then give 4 out to the 4 people in your life you would pick up from the airport.

Hilarious, and true! Leonard uses humor to shed light on our myths, practices, and illogical ways.This is a book not to help you find your motivation, but to understand it, and to work with the imperfection of that.You read this and you think, “Guilty. That’s me.” And he has actual advice to help you help yourself.Best running book I’ve read, and I’ve read them all. Note: this is not meant to be a book for coaches or semi-elites. Just for regular runners, who run irregular distances.Just what I needed to break out of my—ahem—off-season.Might borrow the graphics for some workplace humor, too (cited, of course).

East read that helps motivate and "justify" the runner. By that I mean, he stresses the philosophy that just by lacing up the running shoes and actually getting out the door that you've won and that any progress, no matter how small is better than when you began and the beginner is progress from the non runner. And he shows that "runner" can include occasional "walker" and - as Jeff Galway espouses - that's sometimes more efficient and enjoyable depending upon your situation.

Exactly what I needed to read! Sat down and read it cover to cover in just a couple of hours and loved every second of it. I've been a casual marathon runner for the past decade, and now I'm signed up for my first Ultra (Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile) and this book captured everything about the love-hate running experience that most of us go through so well. I've been in a bit of a training rut, but now I'm excited to get back to it and get back out on my next run. I will definitely be re-reading it as needed over the next few months as I train for my ultra.Highly recommend!

Entertaining and relatable, with lots of his signature charts. I have hated running 4-6 days a week for the past 5 years or so (started in my late 40s); this book can maybe help me explain this irrational behavior to my family.

I love Semi-Rad so I was already pre-disposed to like this book. I am new to running (adopted as my pandemic exercise plan) and I have never been a "good" runner, but with the help of books like this I am learning that any effort in a forward motion is worthwhile. Brendan does a great job of helping me feel good about showing up where I'm at.

I’m a huge Brendan Leonard fan and this did not disappoint. The one big surprise to me was that this was a book about running, but it was really about doing hard things. This will be my go-to book before a race, after an injury, or whenever I’m questioning my sanity...which is and will be often.

I'm not a marathoner (I've done a few half marathons, but am by no means, a GREAT runner!). I struggle with being motivated. I struggle with the why's and how's and the oh-my-God-I'm-not-good-enough's. This book reminds you of the why's and how's and gets you around the not-good-enoughs. And it's funny. Laughing is awesome and I actually laughed out loud reading this. The charts are fantastic. I highly recommend this book, if for no other reason, it will make you happy.

Really disappointed. I was a bit surprised at the price and even more so when I saw how short the book is. The very amateurish perspective on running motivation and adherence was, in my humble opinion, basic, simplistic and of very little use. Other reviews said there were amusing anecdotes and comments; not that I could see. If you want to develop a running habit and have absolutely no idea where to start then there could be a couple of ideas for the total beginner. Otherwise a waste of money and my time.

It's not a very wordy book and has lots of diagrams and 'quotes'.This book doesn't take itself seriously, as the title suggests, but for anyone looking for inspiration when they lack motivation, it is worth a read.It has a serious message, but done in a way that isn't patronising.

I never leave reviews but I will for this book. It’s funny, gloriously accurate and is an absolute must for anyone who runs, wants to run, is the partner of a runner, is a crap runner, is an amazing runner or hates runners and running. Buy the book. Ironically I am running again because of it and I hate running. Thanks Brendan.

Been running for over 20 years so I did not buy this book to learn how to anything. I bought this book to enjoy the light hearted and thoughtful approach to running that rings of a running truths. Excellent and short read.

I follow semi-rad and love the diagrams and comics, so when I saw the book was coming I lte-ordered two. Finished it in one sitting and then made sure my favourite running buddy and my running wife had a copy and now they’re both making the rounds to others we know who think we actually like running but are starting to ‘get’ it. So many truths here, is hilarious. And makes us feel sorta normal for the fact that we aren’t actually all that different.Do it!