Tuesday, July 12, 2016

REVIEW: Boston Bound by Elizabeth Clor

I don't know if you read it, but a couple weeks ago I wrote a blog post with my review of Becky Wade's book Run the World {if you missed my review, feel free to head over and give it a gander if you're interested}.

Anywho, shortly after the post went live I received an email from Elizabeth Clor. She mentioned that she had written a book, Boston Bound, and thought I might be interested in reading it. As soon as she mentioned what it was about, a "normal" runner's long road to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, I knew I was all in.

You see, although I only started running a little over 4 years ago, once I got the taste of marathoning (even though I was someone who said I would NEVER run one), I knew I would love to earn a spot at that coveted and prestigious race one day. My past attempts have come up short, but the dream is still there.

How awesome?! Elizabeth even signed my copy for me!

Just like with Run the World, I gobbled up Boston Bound in a day or two. I love that portions of the book are actual excerpts from Elizabeth's blog. Not only that, but she is a woman after my own heart and tells it like it is.

Cuddling up with a blanket, the pup and a great book is the PERFECT way to
spend an afternoon!

I don't want to give away all the deets, because I truly think you would enjoy giving it a read yourself, but one thing that stuck out to me was something that she wrestled with... Being a runner vs. being someone who runs. During Elizabeth's road to Boston, she struggled with race day anxiety and ended up working with a sports psychologist to help get her mind in check (I will be the first to admit that I believe the mental training for running and racing is often times harder and more taxing than the physical training). He asked her if she was a runner, to which she quickly responded with a resounding "yes" (and wouldn't we all?!). He corrected her and said that she was not a runner, but someone who runs.

Please tell me I am not the only one who feels this way...

Wait, what?! Being a runner is something that I claim to my core. It is an attribute near and dear to me, so much so that I would say I am a Christian, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a RUNNER (and in that order)!

The reasoning behind the sport psychologist's thought process is that if we are runners, then everything revolves around that (shoot, in my life {and maybe your's} that tends to be the case) and so when things aren't going great in our running realm we lose a sense of identity. For example, if you get injured and you aren't running, who are you?!

Now, honestly, this tidbit was merely mentioned and not a huge focus of the book, but since being a runner is an identity I claim strongly it sort of felt like a punch in the gut... And has got me thinking... I don't have it all worked out, but the gears are grinding and it's making me ponder thoughts I hadn't had before... And isn't that the sign of a good book?


Anywho, I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read (as you could have guessed from the speed in which I flew through it) and kept my attention the entire time. It was sort of like reading Elizabeth's personal journal during her Boston journey (hey, isn't that what a running blog is supposed to be anyway?!).

Some of my pool essentials call for hydration, sunnies, sun protection & entertainment!

I felt for her when she would come up short on her time goals and cheered for her as she made progress on the mental side of training. And eventually I beamed with excitement when she was finally able to run a BQ race (and it made me hopeful that maybe eventually my goal will turn into a reality... although I will be completely honest and selfish by saying that I hope it doesn't take me 7 years).

And if you'd like the opportunity to read the Boston Bound book, make sure to head over to my Instagram account and enter the giveaway for your autographed copy today (the giveaway runs thru Thursday, July 14th, so don't miss out).


What is your big, scary running goal?

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I've been so busy this summer! I'm bummed I missed the giveaway!!!😭😭😭 I'll check my library to see if they have it for sure!!