More lows than highs

A good book about running should leave you feeling inspired and itching to get out.

This, unfortunately, doesn't really do either.

It's not particularly well written, considering that the author is a writer by profession, the style seems to be to throw in the occasional long word, just to show how clever he is.  Bits of it are good but it falls into the trap of rewriting each marathon in the same way by describing how he felt at each section, usually either great because it was going well or terrible because it wasn't.

He also comes across as quite sanctimonious at times, seeming to revel in the idea that he doesn't run for a club and only runs marathons because other distances just aren't worth bothering with.  Tell that to the hundreds or thousands of people who might not be able to run a marathon, the people who still get out on a Saturday morning to struggle around a 5k parkrun course.  I understand the challenge of a marathon, I've done enough myself now, but I'd never see myself as better than anyone else for doing it.  For some people it's a challenge walking to the end of the road.

The most interesting part of the book that I found is in comparing notes on the marathons that we've had in common.
Shame really, it could have been a lot more enlightening and inspiring.