Running That Doesn't Suck: How to Love Running

by Lisa Jhung

Running doesn't have to suck. Ease yourself into a comfortable routine (promise!) with this hilarious and approachable guide to workouts and nutrition from an experienced athlete.

We've all side-eyed the chipper runners jogging by in their short-shorts and "Fun Run"-finisher tops and felt a little envious. How do they get out there and do it every day? How did they become Runners? Though it's theoretically one of the most natural sports for humans, the general response to running tends to be, "It's hard. It sucks. I wish I could do it."

If you want to enjoy running, this helpful and humorous guide will get you started, keep you going, and teach you to "embrace the suckiness" ( You don't have to run at 6 a.m. and you definitely don't have to wear short-shorts). You'll also find body maintenance tips, nutritional guidance, and running etiquette pointers. And, when you're feeling discouraged, Jhung's down-to-earth advice will help you stay motivated and confident.

With smartly organized chapters that you can read in any order, this book includes insights from professional runners, sports psychologists, coaches, physical therapists, and Jhung's own two-decade writing and running career. Whether you're looking for inspiration or setting specific goals, this book has everything you need to get hooked on the sport.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Fitness, Health

240 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2019

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’d like to revise the subtitle of this book. It should really be called: Running That Doesn’t Suck (If You’re Young, Always-Athletic, and Childless).

As a 41 year old always-overweight, full time working mom, I had trouble relating to ANY of this book. I did couch to 5K in my mid thirties and continue to run (slowly) for health. When I read the title and synopsis of this book I thought it sounded great. Then I read it.

She “always” hated running, until she came to love running, the summer after she GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. Oh and even though she thought running “sucked” she was already an accomplished soccer and volleyball player. Oh and she was on the TRACK team too.

As I read further I discover that to get a runners high you don’t have to run very far at all! In fact it can be reached in as little as 30 minutes of straight running. THIRTY minutes!? When I stared couch to 5K I CRIED after trying to run for ONE minute.

I also learned that to keep running clothes their best, I really need to hand wash and drip dry.....bahahahaha. Ok.

I don’t mean to come across as mean spirited in this review. I’m sure the author poured her soul into writing this as most authors do. And hopefully many people really will learn to love running through it. I guess I just wish that it came with a caveat for us regular people out there......

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming tomorrow :)

[That One Right There · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book. I'm trying to get back into running 5Ks and this was a big a great guide on how to properly prepare and train for that goal. Now to put this advice into practice!

[Emilia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this time around reading it I’m actually doing the running guide that’s inside and I can honestly say it’s really good. I’m partway through the guide now and it’s going very well. Plus you have all the other tips so it’s the kind of book you can constantly refer back to which for me is a huge win.

[Riley (runtobooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

a pretty basic guide for non-runners. nothing i didn’t already know from my own learning and talking with other runners.

[Hannah Moerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

would have loved this book a few years ago, when i was getting into running + had no clue what i was doing - but because i’ve rub off and on for the past few years, it was a little redundant. it’s a cute book, though, and motivating for me to get back out and run with my greatest fashion accessory: my asthma inhaler!!

[Addi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful read!!

[Jonathan H. MONTES · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just recently got back into running. A year ago, I sprained my ankle to a balloon that then slowly shrunk to leave purple bruising for months. That was a nightmare. Before that time, I was fit and going to the gym almost every day to run a short, good pace. It really was nothing, but it kept the weight off as I did it in the morning and this burned weight for many more hours, while I waited to eat later in the day. During my time home with the sprained ankle, the whole exercising thing just disappeared and food took its place. GAINED 45 POUNDS.

This has led me to read more on running after reading a memoir about a woman runner who broke many records while fighting drug addiction. This is the book I read after that one, but this is just too long winded with information that is not detailed in the spots that it should be. If you are going to talk about equipment and things like that, just cover the material that we should be investing on instead of detailing the style of shorts from length size to other irrelevant topics.

This book was annoying to read. It is aimed for the very beginner who has never done anything in their whole entire life. In which case, you probably won't run anyway. Just being honest. Running is hard and takes daily-push for one to get better.

One run a week will not lead to a good experience. If you want to enjoy it, you should hit the run as often as possible at a good, little pace that is comfortable. Don't ever kill yourself on a run! Exercise is to make the body stronger, not to lose weight. You push yourself to the limits, and you will eat more! DO NOT DO THIS.

Running is fun. Trust me, you will think of everything while running. Some ideas will come to you. And in other situations you will remember long lost snippets of your life. This works well without music and just listening to your breathing and surroundings. Music however can be used for motivation, but every now and then try no music and see what happens. I've literally ran for an hour straight thinking that I was a prehistoric man hunting a saber-toothed cat, which I injured with a spear and I'm just biting time until it falls dead, and so I keep running after it at a good pace.

See where your mind takes you in a run. See how you feel after a run. Some days you will feel like crap. This means that you needed to rest that day, not run. If something hurts while doing your stretching or prewalk, don't run that day! From me, it's highly recommended that you walk until your legs are loose and also stretch before hitting your preferred ground.

I went on a rant there from my experience and hopefully it will motivate you. However, back to the book, it is covered with filler information that I absolutely hate reading. I can't stand the thought of wasting my time on a book that tries to show details on something without giving a reason of science as to why that thing might be important. Seriously, this book covers hats of all sorts but doesn't cover runner's hats that are light weight in fabrication and moisture-wicking.

I wasn't worth the money at all. I will say this though, if you are a beginner this might work for you. I can't speak for beginners and what you will like, but the book is clearly aimed at you guys. However, if I was a clear beginner, I don't think this book would fill the motivational aspect of my need to start running.

2 Stars is good enough.

[Elwin Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about running!

If you are looking for some inspiration/motivational content to inspire you to start putting some miles in, this book is perfect.

I felt like the author did a great job too not making this book too narrow, target audience wise. She does a good job to encourage people who just walk/run to folks who do marathons.

A few things I would have liked to have been covered:

1 - A little bit of history and how our ancestors survived and hunted, and how much they depended on their ability to run.

2 - The science/biology of running would have been nice. Nothing too crazy, like I am not saying graduate level physiology ... but just a little sometime would have been nice.

3 - Injuries. I feel like a missed opportunity here to talk about this subject just a little bit more. She drops a one liner about knees and that's about it. I would have at least liked feet, spine, ankle, shin, etc., to be covered. Much more than just the extremely short knee coverage as well.

4 - Workouts. Again I felt like another missed opportunity. One chapter on really simple run routines based off of common goals (getting started, sprinting, 5k, 10k, half/Full marathons) would have been nice.

Despite these gaps, this is a really enjoyable book about running and the author did a great job trying to make running 'not suck' from a mindset perspective.

Would definitely recommend. 3.5 due to gaps in coverage, but absolutely worth the round up due to fun factor.

I am writing this review from my phone, so please disregard/understand any possible errors or auto-corrects.

[Nicole Feli · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOOOOO FINISHED IT!! Just realized it was close to a year ago that I first picked this up hahahahaha but to be fair, I had to give it back to library for a lot of months in between that and I actually ran the half marathon so I graduated from being a running newbie like this book caters to. So yay!! I actually did the thing and check that off my yearly resolutions and bucket list!

This book was fun. The infographics were great and the humor worked for me. This isn’t groundbreaking secrets but that wasn’t the point! This really covers all the small things it takes to be a consistent runner and I really appreciated the inclusive language! We’re all runners!! If you run once you’re a runner. It can feel like an exclusive group with their own language when you’re new, so this feels approachable and doable. Plus I just appreciate all the little considerations and big picture ideas laid out for me, so this book was the perfect launch pad. The variety of quizzes and checklists also kept things very interesting. I’d say a fun 4.25 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating is more to do with the personal use it has for myself than a rating on the book itself and the author.

The first 1/2 or maybe 2/3 of the book was very inspiring and useful. The voice was very practical and had lots of wonderful advice on how to get yourself up and (literally) running. However, the latter end was less practical for me as it delved into some hardcore running (bodily function etiquette, going potty in the woods, etc) which seemed quite a bit advanced and out of place in a book that's meant for a runner just starting.

Not complaining, though. It's great advice that most books likely just avoid, but I respect that she gets in there and covers what you should and shouldn't be doing within sensitive issues so that you don't look like a bad person simply by being unaware.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The purpose of this book is a little shaky to me. The first half has few insights that wouldn't be brutally obvious to anyone, even someone with zero running experience. Hand this book to a lifelong exclusive walker and they'd be like "ya duh" for the first half. Like obviously, if you're bored on runs try music. Or when you pick a running partner, pick one that runs roughly your pace. Duh. Didn't need a book for that. The second half gets more practical listing gear to buy, training schedules to follow, and the different kinds of races you could enter. It's still nothing groundbreaking, but I can see a brand new runner getting use out of it. If you're running experience is such that you have at some point laced up running shoes and gotten into a treadmill or sidewalk and moved faster than a walking pace, then idk probably skip it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good for me - full of useful information. It did seem to be geared toward a very new beginner. I didn't find the advice on how to 'love' running particularly inspiring (I've heard 'just do it' many times before) but she goes through a variety of types and methods of running that could inspire the want. I also liked ... if you run, you're a runner. Doesn't matter how far, or if you walk/run, or if you're slow, you're running.

She also goes through a lot of good information on gear you need and gear you don't, the different types, and how preferences can affect the choice you make. The etiquette when around other runners was also good to know.

The new year is coming, perfect time!

[Karley Sharkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book mentioned in the N2R newsletter so I thought I'd check it out, especially with a 5k coming up (today, in fact). Having been a runner for a few years now, I didn't learn much, but I'm rating 3 stars because the tone was a little condescending at times. Jhung stressed that all you need to do to be a runner is run, which is true, but it felt like she was pitting new runners against "running nerds," or whatever the actual term was. It bothers me a lot when I tell people that I run and 99% of the time I get, "ew, who runs for fun?" I think Jhung wanted this book to be for those Ew people by appealing to that negative stigma about running, which is wild given her experience. But it was a quick read so I powered through

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very funny motivational book that gave me a new perspective towards this sport. Sure, I was intimidated by the fact that the author suggested a 30-minute run to be able to feel a runner's high, but she also gave ample tips and fun plans so you can work your way up. My favourite chapters are 'No place to go' and 'It's boring'. I had fun reading 'choose your own adventure' and although so far I only ever ventured to 2 places, I will continue to explore and find a place that inspires me. A laugh-out-loud book with well thought-out text displays that makes it simple and attractive to read.

[Zelaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a very fun book to read. I truly do not believe that my body is made to run and this book along with another book has helped change that perspective and I'm actually training for a 4 mile run. I will say that some of the myths that she tackles sometimes doesn't always alleviate the the fears or concerns. I know a runner that is a complete jerk. I'm choosing not to be that way, but there are some runners out there that do not have proper etiquette and that's just something that people need to work on.

[Ryan Vasko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look at the nerd, turning to a book to help him get back into running after a two-decade hiatus! A bad knee combined with just hating running kept me away, but coming out of my shoulder surgery and entering my 40s wanting to double down on my fitness goals, I found this book and it’s been a great kick start. It helped me build a plan to slowly ramp back up, narrow down how and when I like to run, and make some good changes to my early morning routine. Great for athletes looking to grow what they do to stay in shape.

[Autrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not new to running. And I actually like running! But I was struggling to find the motivation to start again. I found this book very helpful, it had a lot of information condensed into one book! I also appreciated the tone and bits of humor. I found most helpful was the "quiz" it gave you to find what kind of running will keep you going (outside, track, treadmill, or trail running?!). It also is great in helping you figure out clothes that will keep you comfortable, etiquette when running, and identifying any pain or discomfort you might be experiencing. A very helpful and handy read!

[Vanessa Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book when I was in a running slump to try to get through it. Started it when it arrived, and then let it sit for ages half-read and just picked it back up recently. The last half is more useful than the first half. But, this isn't really suitable for people who already run and need some inspiration / motivation when they've lost their running mojo.

[Cindy Kuzma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm someone who happens to love running—but I still found tons of new information and inspiration in these pages! It's basically everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask (or never even knew you needed to consider). I've recommended it to many already-sold and soon-to-be runners at many points along their journeys.

[Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at beginning runners, this is a fun read that answers all of the common complaints about hitting the road. Jhung uses a casual tone and provides ample examples. I'm unsure if long time runners would get a ton out of this book that they don't already know, but for those of us just starting our journey, a welcome read.

[Valerie Hazelwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this books was easy to read and amazing for people who want to get into running! Much of it was a good reminder for myself, who I would say is at an intermediate level of running. But for those who have no idea where to start this is honestly an amazing book to help you get into the basics, what to wear, how to run, proper food, and all of the above! Highly recommend for beginners.

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few useful bits but most of it feels very obvious? "Not a morning person? Don't run in the morning!" Etc. Humour grated a bit too but that may have been exacerbated by the audiobook's tone - I have a feeling this is much more helpful as a physical book as that seems to come with training plan and a lot of info graphics that perhaps didn't translate well!

[Suku · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about the book is it a very easy read. Just enough information to get started on you running journey or even if you are curious why people are so passionate about running. I was able to finish the book in a day. For people who are new to running, the book helps get some knowledge and confidence to start out.

[Shannon Enloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t learn anything new, I don’t know if that’s because I’ve previously learned the things mentioned in this book but it was basically all reiterations of things that are common sense or that if you have any background in running you’ll already know 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better in print than audio. It is mostly filled with recommendations about how to improve your running experience, which is especially useful for those who hate running on its face. Best to absorb in smaller chunks if you want to implement the suggestions or all at once for a general feel.

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide very well suited to beginning runners and/or people considering running...There's all kinds of tips related to running apparel, etiquette and recommendations regarding how to take care of your body in the event of soreness and/or injury.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Lisa's approach of problem and solution to answer the many challenges new runners face.

[Rebecca Waitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring at the beginning but had lots of extra info not everyone is going to throughout the rest of the chapters. Good for first time runners to pick up and get started with.

[Chi]

Provided basic running info for beginners.