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The Incomplete Book of Running
- Narrated by: Peter Sagal
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
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Interview: Audio veteran Peter Sagal shares why his passion for running goes far beyond the physical.
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Publisher's Summary
Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and a popular columnist for Runner’s World, shares lessons, stories, advice, and warnings gleaned from running the equivalent of once around the Earth.
At the verge of turning 40, Peter Sagal - brainiac Harvard grad, short, bald Jew with a disposition toward heft, and a sedentary star of public radio - started running seriously. And much to his own surprise, he kept going, faster and further, running 14 marathons and logging tens of thousands of miles on roads, sidewalks, paths, and trails all over the US and the world, including the 2013 Boston Marathon, where he crossed the finish line moments before the bombings.
In this new audiobook, Sagal reflects on the trails, tracks, and routes he’s traveled, from the humorous absurdity of running charity races in his underwear - in St. Louis, in February - or attempting to “quiet his colon” on runs around his neighborhood - to the experience of running as a guide to visually impaired runners and the triumphant post-bombing running of the Boston Marathon in 2014. With humor and humanity, Sagal also writes about the emotional experience of running, body image, the similarities between endurance sports and sadomasochism, the legacy of running as passed down from parent to child, and the odd but extraordinary bonds created between strangers and friends. The result is a funny, wise, and powerful meditation about running and life that will appeal to listeners everywhere.
Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks for Running Inspiration
Running can be an arduous task, especially for those who are new to the sport. It can also be a life-giving force for those who are already more involved in the running community. Either way, it’s one of the best athletic ventures to couple with a great audiobook. Listening to the inspirational stories of other runners can be just what you need to push through a difficult jog or set a new personal record. These audiobooks are the perfect partners for your next workout.
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What listeners say about The Incomplete Book of Running
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ricky
- 02-22-19
Absolutely excellent.
I am not a runner, I am not athletic and I had honestly somehow never heard of Peter Sagal. How I stumbled across this book doesn't even really make sense. Fate perhaps.
This was the best audio book I have heard to date. Sagal takes us through his childhood, his relationships and his experience with the Boston marathon bombings; all through the lens of his time spent running.
It's a beautiful read that will make you laugh, then cry, and then laugh some more.
I can not recommend this enough.
8 people found this helpful
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- David A Serrano
- 02-12-19
Loved it.
This book taught me a thing or two about life and running, and it was funny. I didnt know what to expect before I started the book, but I really enjoyed it.
4 people found this helpful
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- Timothy Phelan
- 01-18-19
Fabulous
One of the best things you can listen to on Audible. If you are a runner, the book is doubly fabulous. Highly recommended!
4 people found this helpful
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- ben Mansur
- 10-31-18
First running book I actually enjoyed!
Great stories from a non elite athlete. Any runner will relate and non runners will be inspired. And it’s read by Peter Sagal.
4 people found this helpful
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- Brian30
- 11-09-18
Brian
Runner or not this is a great book and best as audio as Peter Sagal has a bit of experience behind the microphone. It puts running into perspective from the joys to stomach trouble. I was hooked within the first story of Boston and breezes through the remainder. I was saddened that it had to end, just like a runner might feel when the training is over and the race has ended. I wait for the next book Peter!
2 people found this helpful
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- The reading runner
- 07-02-20
Generally a good story with a few marathons
Book was a nice listen/read. You can tell Peter is a wonderful writer.
Near the middle, the book feels a little inconsiderate in its voice. For example, he a comment about being stupid if one believes in intelligent design, which seemed thrown in there as a general aside and unrelated to the general story.
Overall an interesting story and worth the listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- Wesley Thompson
- 06-08-22
Eh
Sure there’s some stuff about running in this book but it seems to be more of a book about the author, who happens to like to run. Ramblings of a runner, if you will. Perhaps, it’s my fault for not knowing who the author was before I bought the book, but beware of the political leanings and disdain for certain religious beliefs. Overall, it was a fine story, more of an insight into the authors psyche at a certain point in his life than a book about running.
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- Anonymous User
- 12-02-21
You have to listen to this book
Entertaining, it kept me going during hard lockdown running up and down my driveway. You will laugh out loud or stop, rewind and re listen to parts.
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- Rebecca De Leon
- 10-22-21
Good book
It's entertaining, informative, emotional. I struggled a little with the pacing sometimes (heh heh) but overall really enjoyed it. If you're interested in running and you love Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, you're gonna love this!
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- J. Bergman
- 09-15-21
Honest, deep, serious, and amusing
I thought I loved Peter Sagal from Wait, Wait, but I live him a lot more now. Running unites his stories and reflections on relationships in this book, and I’m inspired as a runner myself, but so much more is going on. So much kindness and thoughtfulness…