Rating: 
Summary: This is a "must buy" book for everyone-not just runners.
Review: A friend of mine gave this book to me as a gift. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. What an awesome book. It is a prescription for life. I loved it. It spoke to me. It told my story. It gave me inspiration to do more. I learned from it. What a gift.
Rating: 
Summary: this book offers very little practical advice
Review: After reading such fabulous reviews of this book, I was eagerly anticipating reading it. I was very disappointed. Many of us have tried and failed and tried and failed and tried and failed at running. In my case, this was because I really didn't know how to train. I would try to do too much, and wind up doing too little, and quitting before I ever improved.This book told me many times, it's OK to be a slow runner, but keep trying. It didn't tell me HOW to increase my stamina so that I could actually achieve anything. The only practical information I got was about buying running shoes. If you're looking for a lot of wordy inspiration, you might like this book. But if you want to know what you need to DO to progress from a non runner to a runner, Bob Glover's "A Runner's Handbook" is a much better bet.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and motivational.
Review: As a neophyte to the sport of running, I found this book incredibly inspiring. The author came from where a lot of new runners come from: years of inactivity and poor shape. The Penguin's transformation can motivate anyone with desire into a life of good physical health. Do not expect a lot of techniques from this book. There are some, but the focus on getting and staying motivated for a lifetime of excellent fitness and health through the sport of running.
Rating:
Summary: You'll want to read this book over and over again.
Review: Do you enjoy "The Penguin Chronicles", a monthly column in Runner's World? The column's author, John "The Penguin" Bingham, now has a book out to complement the column. The book is entitled "The Courage to Start : A Guide to Running for Your Life." This book is a must read for runners of all ability levels, from beginning runners to those who have been running for decades. Bingham gives practical advice to beginning runners, as well as showing how running transcends from a physical activity to a self-discovery of yourself. His revelations are insightful and motivational. Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down. Bingham began running in 1992 as a 43-year-old, 240-pound, couch potato. His first run consisted of sprinting down his driveway for about 30 seconds. That was all his legs, lungs and ego could take. But unlike many other times in his life when he had given up, he didn't quit this time. For some reason he stuck with running, and managed to run ¼ mile, then ½ mile, a mile, and increasingly more. As the months passed and he shed the excess weight, he found himself running 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and eventually, full marathons. He first began to tell his story on the internet via the Dead Runners Society (DRS). He sent out an e-mail telling about a race where he nearly finished last, but was finding himself a happier and healthier person because of running. Much to his surprise, he received responses from readers that said he had told their stories. They said he had managed to put into words what they were feeling about themselves, and about the metamorphosis that running was causing in their lives. From these initial e-mails, "The Penguin Chronicles" was born. First it was a monthly e-mail on the DRS, and then Bingham set up a web site to host his columns. Eventually, Runner's World became aware of his columns, and in May of 1996, the column became a regular part of the magazine. It appears near the back of the magazine each month, a comfortable place for the many back-of-the-packers that are touched the most by his writings. The column has generated a huge following as runners from around the world find Bingham's words to be entertaining, inspirational, down-to-earth, and humorous. Hoping to share his joy of running with other runners around the county, Bingham set out on the Penguin Tour in the summer of 1997. He traveled by motorcycle for eight weeks and visited runners from coast to coast. Bingham did another Penguin Tour in the summer of 1998, this time traveling by car and logging more than 14,000 miles over three months. On each stop during his trips, he found others who share the joy of running, and who discovered themselves via running. He found people who had moved past the self-imposed limitations that society places on us. After running with both new and veteran runners, Bingham found how little difference there was between them. At the start of his 1997 trip, he thought his story was unique, but by the end, he realized he was just one of many who had found themselves via running. His solitude was replaced by a sense of belonging. In "The Courage To Start," Bingham shares his experiences with us. He shares the metamorphosis that he has gone through because of running. He shares his joy, happiness, and humor. This book will make you think, smile, cheer, and perhaps will bring tears of joy and courage. Don't walk or drive to your favorite bookstore, but run and pick up a copy today. Get one for yourself, and another to give to a friend. Share the joy of running with others.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but overhyped
Review: Good though this book is, I think people are overy-hyping it. Just reading it won't instantly make you a runner - we have to do that ourselves, and it's hard. And although it is insightful, it certainly won't turn you into a zen master!
Rating:
Summary: Insightful and encouraging.
Review: I enjoyed this book. It was easy reading, entertaining and informative. As a beginning middle-aged runner, I can relate. It's nice to be able to take advantage of anothers' struggles and learn from their mistakes. An encouraging text.
Rating:
Summary: My Inspiration!!
Review: I found myself in this book. When things get rough for me I pick it up again. I found my mantra in the introduction and repeat it while running. "Yes I am round! Yes I am slow! Yes I run as though my knees were tied together! But I am running! And that is all that matters!" Truly inspirational!!
Rating:
Summary: My Inspiration!!
Review: I found myself in this book. When things get rough for me I pick it up again. I found my mantra in the introduction and repeat it while running. "Yes I am round! Yes I am slow! Yes I run as though my knees were tied together! But I am running! And that is all that matters!" Truly inspirational!!
Rating:
Summary: He was just like you and me. Read it.
Review: I had just finished Oprah's exercise book and started jogging. But felt stupid when lo and behold, came upon this book at Borders (sorry amazon). If you're fat or slow or afraid to run in public or look foolish, but still desire to get out there and try it. this is the book for you. See also waddleon.com where you can join a whole group of folks who have read John's book and Get Motivated. Good Luck
Rating:
Summary: garunteed to get you going
Review: I have tried becoming a "runner" many times in the past..I was on the "brink" once again when I read this book and have now been running 4-5 days a week since reading the book about 2 months ago. The author makes you realize how anyone can enjoy, and even become addicted to this elusive, seemingly insane activity. Unlike many other running books, he doesn't ever say "you just have to really want it", he just tells his story, in which, after many years of inactivity and weight gain, he took up running at age 43. The focus of this book is on enjoying the process, not the end result (how many min. it takes you to run a mile) of running. If you are looking for nutrition or speed advice, this is not the book for you. If you want an inspiration easy read, this IS the book!
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