Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

FINALLY – an engrossing true memoir by a fat woman (her phrase) who has succeeded at being an athlete in the world of long-distance running! But this memoir is much more than being an ultra-marathoner who has run up to a 62-mile race – it is about being “a beautiful work in progress.” We tune in to an inspiring life overcoming childhood challenges in Brooklyn, becoming a musician, Spanish teacher, coach. The author, Mirna Valerio, tells her story simply and truthfully. In her early 30s, in 2008, she topped 300 pounds, had recurring pains in her chest, and feared a heart attack. After many tests, the doctor told her she was “morbidly obese” and would die if she didn’t change her lifestyle. Mirna didn’t want to leave her young son motherless and her loving husband a widower. The next day she began running for her life! Soon she completed a mile run – in 17-plus minutes! Over the coming months she built up to 5K and then 10K. After two years of consistent training, she finally did a half marathon, and then her first marathon in 2011. Recently she completed a 100K (62-mile) run. Today, in her early 40s, she weighs 240 pounds but is athletic and healthy. Mirna is proud of her body, but she doesn’t have the kind shown in “before and after” photos. Still, she has fully accepted who she is and shares that pride through her races, interviews, blog and book. She encourages others to have pride in who they are, not strive to measure up to society’s perfect body image. Her story inspires me. I got a bit tired of too many details of her many marathons, but I’m sure runners will like those details. Also, some photos would’ve really helped us “see” her and be awed even more. (Like I did, you can easily do an internet search as she has been featured in magazines and TV shows.) This book shares Mirna's journey in a relaxed way, lessons she has learned, painful losses of friends and family members to obesity, victories of marathons finished – a few times in last place! This is her KEY LESSON which inspires me: “Lean into the discomfort. Embrace what is difficult.” AND THIS POEM -- “Fat girl running, swimming, moving, learning, pausing, progressing, jiggling, rubbing, chafing, shaking, sinking, rising, living, being.” Whether we’re athletes or not, this is a memoir to inspire and motivate us. I recommend it.