Have Fun Out There Or Not: The Semi-Rad Running Essays

by Brendan Leonard

When Brendan Leonard decided to get serious about running in 2015, it only lasted a few weeks-the "getting serious" part, not the running part. Since running his first-ever ultramarathon race that year, he's logged thousands of miles on roads and on trails, completed dozens of marathons and ultramarathons, and spent a lot of time thinking about why we do what we do when we put on running shoes-whether we're qualifying for the Boston Marathon or finishing an ultra-distance trail race a minute before the final cutoff. And it's not always that serious.
The 25 essays, race reports, illustrated stories, and goofy lists in this book pull from a wide range of The high-decibel chaos of running the New York City Marathon with 53,000 other people, shuffling through the night on lonely trails in the mountains of Colorado and North Carolina, digging for the mental fortitude to finish a 100-mile race, and the admission that we all have procrastinated a 5-mile easy run on a weekday for longer than it takes to do the actual running-often while wearing our running clothes. Have Fun Out There Or Not will, according to a good friend who's probably biased to say nice things about Brendan's work anyway, leave you laughing and shaking your head saying, "Me too," or "Been there, done that," or "OK, that's kind of gross." Also, possibly, "Why would you think that was a good idea?" or "What did you expect, after you ate all that pizza?" or "The person who wrote this should really find another hobby, like, I don't know, golf or something."
There are no real training tips in this book, except maybe the one on page 69 about how to go No. 2 in the woods and keep your hands 100 percent clean while doing it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Sports

252 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2022

About the author

Brendan Leonard is the creator of Semi-Rad.com and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Outside, CNN.com, Adventure Journal, Alpinist, Climbing, High Country News, Adventure Cyclist, and dozens of other publications. He lives in Missoula, Montana.

Reviews

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read several of these essays when Leonard posted them on his site, semi-rad.com (which I highly recommend checking out) but it's cool to see them all collected together and in a book format so I can dogear pages and highlight passages that I really like. I find much of what he writes to be not only funny but also inspirational ("Yes, you're ridiculous. No, you're not alone.")

Living in and running in Denver, I particularly loved how he writes with such respect and reverence for Green Mountain not because it is an incredible place on its own but because, if we care and try, it can be a place of incredible meaning. That, to me, is what Leonard's writing does so well and why I will keep reading what he writes.

[Brian Swanick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I basically read it cover to cover yesterday. In truth, I read the first two stories after a struggling run a few days earlier. Reading those stories while being so sweaty and tight after such a short run inspired me to read the rest as soon as I could make time. It's a great collection of Brendan's writing, of which I am a fan. I've been a low level patron for a while and occasionally buy some swag so I know what I'm getting into.

If you aren't familiar with his work, check out his Instagram to see if it makes you laugh a little. If it hits the sweet spot of funny and true to your experience then congratulations! You've found a great new writer to bring in to your life.

Loved it.

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Brendan Leonard's writing. This is the 2nd book I have read from him so far, with more to come. His style is conversational, his running style non-judgmental, and he truly makes you remember that you can run just to run. Not for any race goals or pace (if that's not your thing), but really just because it feels good even when you hate it sometimes. Looking forward to reading his other books.

[Jennifer Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a “runner” who finds herself stopping and starting and stopping and being motivated and losing motivation and wondering what other crazy races I could pay $$ to sign up and do, this book was perfect.

I read it in one sitting on an airplane ride home, and I’m sure my seat mates were wondering what the heck was wrong when I’d spontaneously burst into laughter. Brendan hits the nail on the head with all the thoughts that go through a runner’s/athlete’s mins. Bravo.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five out of five based solely on enjoyment. Is it because I read it by a cozy wood stove fire in a tiny cabin in the woods? Is it because I laughed so hard I almost cried on page 180? Is it because I'm obsessed with ultra-marathons? Is it because I think Semi-Rad is actually VERY-Rad? All I know is I liked this book.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brendan Leonard is rather an idiosyncratic writer but his musings on various topics related to the outdoors are always interesting. In this volume, Leonard collects essays on running from his website, semi-rad.com, and gives brief introductions to each to place them in context.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about these essays is Leonard's rather blasé take on running. He sees the sport as a means of doing something with your life and your body, rather than a means towards a specific goal, like winning a marathon. And although he does complete marathons and ultramarathons, it's the journey and not the destination that is important.

Some gems are his runs through New York City to the best pizza joints in town, his account of various ultramarathons, and his year of 52 marathons in 52 weeks. One article is about seeing a teenager out in a skate park one night, practicing on his skateboard various flips and jumps. This causes Leonard to remember how as a kid he constantly practiced shooting hoops and the disappointing high school basketball career that followed. This essay is done in his illustration style, and I loved it. Great take on the value of persistence, the lessons learned when persistence disappoints you, and how nevertheless having something in your life that means something is so important, especially as a child growing up.

All of Leonard's books are worth the read, IMO, and so is subscribing to his weekly-ish musings email from his website.

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading - entertaining, and inspiring!

[Jen Compan (Doucette) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever run far or wanted to run far, these essays will make you smile… and maybe tear up.

[Michelle S. Berryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, very enjoyable read. As a runner, it rang true on many levels. As a slower, back of the pack runner, it was especially poignant.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of Leonard's essays on running. I've read his I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion, but enjoyed these longer form pieces. They're assembled from other writings so there is some redundancy, but overall a good collection. Especially loved that he ran NYC the same year I did. HIs 100 milers are (wonderfully) insane though.

[Ned Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There were times that I teared up along with the author because I have had similar experiences OR these were completely foreign experiences but they were beautifully told with humor and grace. If you have a runner in your life, or someone who was a runner, get this for them. If you have someone who believes that we can be a little better than we are, get this for them. If you have someone who likes making their own fun, get this for them.

Oh, and get a copy for yourself too.

[Mike Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the semi-rad column and Brandon's art, but it turns out that as much as I enjoy running, I don't really enjoy reading about running as a whole book. Fun stories and a reminder of the ridiculous of the sport I call home.

[Jay Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to put into exact words how much this book, and Brendan Leonard remind me that I actually love running. In a completely different way, I think it’s just as inspirationally vital to everyday runners as ‘Born to Run’ was.

[Gabriel Weathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Motivating Read

I love to read and run and do both slowly. This book is funny, endearing, and full of hope. I’ll be reading all of his other books because I enjoyed this one so much. Definitely pick it up.

[Trey Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for runners

Wonderful essays on running. Looking for some motivation for trying an ultra? Look no further. Pain? Rain? Slick mud? Sign me up.

[Ryan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome collection of essays. I had previously read most of them as I've been a reader of Brendan for awhile, but the prefaces and chronological order of everything was an added bonus.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything Brandon Leonard writes. Even if I am reading them a second time, like many of the stories here. They will always make me laugh.

[Aude Hofleitner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of the Month for Donner Party Mountain Runners newsletter
https://donnerpartymountainrunners.co...

[Ján · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like his thinking about running - go out, have fun, watch out for injuries, don't sweat too much about the pace, speed etc. A fun collection, although a bit repetitive due to its nature of collection of writing from different sources.

[Argia A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

a love letter to running, in 25 short essays Brendan Leonard spilled it all: the messy, the silly, and the joy of the sport, could not pick a better book to recommend for in-jokes between keen joggers lol

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every runner should read this! I laughed out loud many times. Lucky for me I was gifted the book & will be rereading when I’m ready to get back into running!

[Juliana Nicolini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could keep reading this book forever.

[Josiah Lent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun running anecdotes 😃

[Jonathan McPartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running is not serious! Whimsical and gets the gears turning for whatever running endeavor you’re ready to take on

[Brandon Evers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how many references to races in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado there were. Is this guy me? Some repitition between chapters but it was a collection of essays so I get it.

[Maria Utnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t always love running, but I sure do enjoy reading about running, and Brendan Leonard is one of the best writers on the subject. Highly enjoyable and extremely relatable, even for those of us who don’t run 52 marathons in a year just for the hell of it.