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44th out of 86 books
—
217 voters
The Long Run
by
Mishka Shubaly (Goodreads Author)
After nearly twenty years of chasing oblivion, a fight in a bar reveals to a newly sober Mishka Shubaly that he is able to run long distances. Despite his best attempts to dodge enlightenment and personal growth, the irreverent young drunk and drug abuser learns to tame his self-destructive tendencies through ultra running. His outrageous sense of humor, however, rages una...more
Kindle Edition, 61 pages
Published
October 26th 2011
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I don't normally read drug memoir essays. I'm tired of long, arrogant ruminations by people who've wrecked their lives and believe that in the process they have learned some deep truth about how existence really is this pointless wasteland (does it ever occur to them that if you destroy anything, it tends to look pointless and wasted afterwards?) and those of us who haven't dared to live on the edge subsist in a fiction of our own making (really, if I want to see truth, I think not taking halluc...more
I have to say that this is an above par book. It is both not amazing, but well worth the read. I've read other reviews on this book and was frightened at first to read it, as others have dotted on the fact that the author writes more about his drug addled days than his actual running career, but I thought that even this made sense to me. It was a quick read, read only in a night, so it can be something light to read in between longer books, but that doesn't mean it didn't make me think. His refe...more
A quick, enjoyable novella. The majority of it details his lengthy and varied substance abuse, and the running only comes in a little at the end. The drug haze has - although more articulately characterized than usual - its strikingly typical appearance: "...I woke up, struggled through the day feeling lousy, started to use, felt somewhat better, used until I passed out, and started all over again." Or some variation on the theme.
Shubaly tripped over running: he'd stopped drinking long enough t...more
Shubaly tripped over running: he'd stopped drinking long enough t...more
The first thing that surprised me about this book after reading the first couple chapters was the lack of talk and mention of running. Looking back on it, this book is about 15% about running and 85% other stuff. The other stuff being made up mostly of Mishka's missteps, alcohol/drug hardships, and down right bad luck from his first 30 years. The running stuff doesn't come into play until the last part where Mishka finds and uses it as a constructive escape for his addictive personality. That be...more
This read was somewhat a relief to read as a break from most of my reading interests in the past decades. I found his writing to have an easy flow. At some point in my life I've had a similar fixation with endurance but not with substance abuse. This writ has renewed my love for auto-bios all over again. Even though, I am also gaining a new love for allegories. Lots of harsh spitting language.
Below are my Kindle highlights.
bunch of us were worried you were going to kill yourself last year,” sh...more
Below are my Kindle highlights.
bunch of us were worried you were going to kill yourself last year,” sh...more
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I'm in a running-related book phase. I saw this on the Amazon Kindle site and was curious about the whole Kindle singles format. At $2 I gave it a go. As a book about running, it's okay. As a book about recovery, it's also okay.
After reading about the Kindle Singles format, there's nothing inherent about it that would account for the quality of the work. Many of the singles are published works. The Long Run, however, appears to be self-published. As a result, the work feels like it could have be...more
After reading about the Kindle Singles format, there's nothing inherent about it that would account for the quality of the work. Many of the singles are published works. The Long Run, however, appears to be self-published. As a result, the work feels like it could have be...more
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Not a bad read, especially for the short length and low price as a Kindle single. Shubaly's story of being "saved" by running is a familiar one, and it's nice to see such a brief and visceral take on that familiar story.
It's quite an obnoxious book at times. Shubaly cuts an unsympathetic character, even admitting as much repeatedly. He calls himself nihilistic but really he's more solipsistic. Obviously he believes only he exists and his life is a manifestation of that selfish view as he acts ou...more
It's quite an obnoxious book at times. Shubaly cuts an unsympathetic character, even admitting as much repeatedly. He calls himself nihilistic but really he's more solipsistic. Obviously he believes only he exists and his life is a manifestation of that selfish view as he acts ou...more
"The long run" is a short read. Not only because it's only about 60 digital pages but because once you start the first word, the next one comes natural all the way till the end of the story. Shubaly's account of his journey into alcoholic hell and back as an extreme runner is full of the traditional "sex, drugs and rock'n'roll", but also filled with humiliation, regret and honesty in telling how recovery has come to him.
I found out about the book thanks to his telling of "Shipwrecked" at The Mot...more
I found out about the book thanks to his telling of "Shipwrecked" at The Mot...more
This novella was basically a stream of consciousness about the authors struggle with drug and alcohol abuse and how he found long distance running after he sobered up. It wasn't particularly well written but the story is powerful, but it could have been more powerful IMO. I did get a little choked up at the end when he was pacing a friend at the end of the Vermont 100-miler. He did make me laugh and seemed to not take himself too seriously. I'm sort of relieved that he didn't have an epic turnin...more
A few gems in this breaking open account of an addict turned ultra runner.
"What's the secret to my miraculous recover, you might ask? Well, there is no secret because there has been no miracle. I got better the way everyone gets better: by trial and error and error and error...."
"Better my knees end early from overuse than my life end early from underuse."
'The traditional waster narrative is “I once was lost/ but now I’m found.” I was lost, for sure, but now, well, I’m still lost, just in a mor...more
"What's the secret to my miraculous recover, you might ask? Well, there is no secret because there has been no miracle. I got better the way everyone gets better: by trial and error and error and error...."
"Better my knees end early from overuse than my life end early from underuse."
'The traditional waster narrative is “I once was lost/ but now I’m found.” I was lost, for sure, but now, well, I’m still lost, just in a mor...more
This was a very honest memoir from the point of view of Mishka Shubaly, a recovering alcoholic & drug addict who discovered his destiny as an ultra-marathon runner after being inadvertently involved in a bar brawl. A good portion of the book addresses the author's substance abuse...it's impact on his life and his ultimate road to recovery. Even though at times I was looking to read more about his ultra-marathon running experiences, I feel that the primary focus of this work is to delves into...more
I really enjoyed this Single, but I held off awarding it 5 stars because there seem to be some gaps in the context and also a few imagery/wording clichés that Shubaly didn't need to rely on because he is a good, strong storyteller otherwise. I would have loved to read more about Shubaly's runs and races and how each affected him/helped him cope with his alcohol and drugs issues. Also, it isn't clear to me where he is in his stage of so-called recovery and sobriety. He writes that he doesn't atte...more
I don't know if it was my download, but there was a huge jump from his drug use to running without any type of transition. At one point he is writing about drugs and the next page his aunt is buying him sneakers and he is running Ultra Marathons without a how or why.
A good, quick, and interesting read. Inspiring how this man went from super heavy drug use to super heavy running. I just wish it was fleshed out more.
I did worry when he wrote that he does miss drinking because it was fun- honest, y...more
A good, quick, and interesting read. Inspiring how this man went from super heavy drug use to super heavy running. I just wish it was fleshed out more.
I did worry when he wrote that he does miss drinking because it was fun- honest, y...more
The Long Run by Mishka Shubaly is a memoir about quitting alcohol. Mostly it drones on and on and on and on about the author's drug and alcohol experience. And then it briefly talks about how he saved himself through running. Basically he just woke up one day and decided to quit drinking and he did. The book doesn't offer much hope, just a sad story of an alcoholic. I was disappointed that he didn't talk more about his running experiences, after all the title is The Long Run. The most powerful p...more
Hay cretinos que tienen más suerte de la que se merecen, y luego está este patán que hasta hace unos tres años vivía alcoholizado, acostandose con cuanta tía quisiera y drogandose, de algún modo sobrevivía, un buen día deja de tomar, lo que me gusta de este single es que no lo glorifica, no hubo una Epifanía o una decisión, las cosas se arreglaron y su vida no se convirtió en un lecho de rosas, sus amigos alcohólicos no le soportan, encuentra a los abstemios aburridos y pues sólo corriendo ha en...more
Maybe I didn't read the description well enough and made assumptions, but this book was more about a fight with addiction than it was about running. I felt like I read through 3/4 of the book before running was even mentioned. And even then, there wasn't much running. If you are interested in a story about addiction and the need to pick up long distance running to get away from it, this book is fine. Just don't expect to read much about running. I am not particularly interested in addiction, so...more
As the title is about running and a shoes signifies jog shoes, more than 50% of this book talking about addiction, alcoholism and drug and lil bit about running. i'm not happy how Mishka told the story, i think i miss a lot of detail, it's so superficial. I've read about running from Haruki Murakami, what i talk about when i talk about running, is the best of the best. it's really influence me, the music he likes when he jogs, self discipline, and how running have the the deepest effect in becom...more
In this Kindle Single, Shubaly replaces an addiction to alcohol and pills with ultramarathoning.
I always enjoy a story about someone overcoming obstacles, learning to trace the patterns of their life, and developing an appreciation for the subtleties of self-nourishment. This Single doesn't really have any of those things. However, Shubaly is an engaging writer and this work isn't any worse for failing to follow the After School Special formula of addiction recovery memoirs.
I always enjoy a story about someone overcoming obstacles, learning to trace the patterns of their life, and developing an appreciation for the subtleties of self-nourishment. This Single doesn't really have any of those things. However, Shubaly is an engaging writer and this work isn't any worse for failing to follow the After School Special formula of addiction recovery memoirs.
1 part funny, 2 parts bleakly honest (reason to like it best), and 1 part inspirational. Frankly stated autobiography with no surprises. You know how people are described as having a 'quiet strength', well, that's who this book would be if it were a person. It's like the author held open a door so you could see the contrast between exterior and interior, no pretenses. So, yeah, it was good.
Started and finished this today. It was a good book, if sometimes a little to obvious, or sarcastic. I found myself relating to the book and becoming inspired by the book the deeper I got into it. There were parts where the writing was simply brilliant, and others where I was rolling my eyes. Overall a good story and some quotes that will stay with me for a long time.
A sad but an inspiring read nonetheless - "After nearly twenty years of chasing oblivion, a fight in a bar reveals to a newly sober Mishka Shubaly that he is able to run long distances. Despite his best attempts to dodge enlightenment and personal growth, the irreverent young drunk and drug abuser learns to tame his self-destructive tendencies through ultrarunning".
I bought this solely to check out the Kindle app. But it was a good, quick read, more like a magazine piece than a book. Ultras aren't my thing - I don't quite get the appeal - but it's obvious to see how an addict wouldn't be content with half-marathons. The short format helps the piece not be all that triggering, I'd think.
I was hoping for a fun book about ultra marathoning, having just read born to run not too long ago, but it was more about his addictions and subsequent sobriety. Tat said, I'm glad he got he got his own story out of his system though because what a great writer! I look forward to reading something else from this author someday.
This was my first "Kindle Single" and also my first Kindle Owner's Lending Library read. I plan to make my Prime membership pay for itself this year!
A very good read. Well written and a refreshing change of pace from other books about alcohol and/or drug addiction. It felt real, like somebody you might actually know.
A very good read. Well written and a refreshing change of pace from other books about alcohol and/or drug addiction. It felt real, like somebody you might actually know.
This was a quick, fun read on my Kindle Fire. I expected it to be more about running though rather than the author's escapades with drugs, alcohol, and figuring out how to turn his life around. I envy Mishka's ability to run ultra marathons and I wish he would have gone into further detail about his training and running experiences!
I was protesting the Kindle as this book sat on the virtual shelf. I finally caved and read it 'cover' to 'cover.' I loved it. I've never dealt with addiction, but for the author to open himself to the world like that, I gave him props. Its a favorite book for sure. I just wish I had a hard copy...
He's me, sort of. I have 10x the clean time and 1/10 the distance, but his "drunkalogue" took me right back to my last years in what he terms "the oubliette". I've read few descriptions of late addiction and early recovery this accurate. I'd love to read an addendum in another five or ten years.
Dec 29, 2011
Michelle Gamboa
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Michelle by:
Runnder's World
I didn't get much out of this book. It seemed like some jotted details about the ups and downs of Mishka's life with no depth. Seems like he wrote it while still feeling numb. It left me wanting more details, but not so much that I'd want to read it again if he re-released it with more depth and emotion.
With the Kindle Fire comes opportunity to borrow books from the Kindle Bookstore. The Long Run was recommended and because it was a novella, I thought what the hell. Having no clue about it, I began reading about a depressing drunk. Just wasn't sure if this made for good Holiday reading.
A very quick read about a man determined to destroy himself. When drugs, alcohol and promiscuity don't do it, he stumbles into running which ultimately saves him.
I'm a runner and love to read stories of other people's journeys. I was frustrated with the writer at times and inspired at others.
I'm a runner and love to read stories of other people's journeys. I was frustrated with the writer at times and inspired at others.
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After receiving an expensive MFA from Columbia University, Mishka Shubaly promptly quit writing to play music. He lived out of a Toyota minivan for a year, touring nonstop, and has shared the stage with artists like The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Decemberists.
His Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers. He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception a...more
More about Mishka Shubaly...
His Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers. He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception a...more
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“Never make the mistake of thinking that alcoholics are weak, because it took an incredible amount of internal strength and conviction in order for me to keep drinking despite the growing mountain of evidence against it.”
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10 people liked it
“If you talk to little kids about drugs, they tell you that drugs make you feel weird and act crazy and hang around with strange people. Getting sober and running long distances has been deeply bizarre, weirder than any drug or combination of drugs I’ve tried. I do things now that my friends find crazier than doing drugs I’ve found on the floor or sleeping in the street.”
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5 people liked it
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