Last weekend saw the 45th London Marathon take place. This inspirational event saw over 56,000 runners cross the finish line in the Mall. I love watching this amazing event and a few years back was lucky enough to stand on London Bridge as we watched Mo Farah run his race, quailing a bit at the pace he was running. The stories are fascinating from elite athletes, such as Alex Yee who decided to do a marathon as a challenge and change from his Triathlon training to Eilish McColgan, looking to beat her mother's Scottish marathon record. (She did! and also got engaged on the Wednesday after - a lovely busy week!).

Read my post about Running Books

But it also the other stories, the moving reasons for strapping on a pair of trainers and running 26.2 miles, often wearing a fabulous costume in the heat.

Nobody could fail to be moved by the parents of the Stockport little girls cruelly murdered after attending a Taylor Swift dance class, choosing to honour their memory with love, grace, and a challenge their girls would have been proud of.

There have been lovely videos posted of people crossing that famous line, walking down stairs post-marathon crab style or being cheered at the London Tube whilst descending an escalator. Congratulations to all you amazing people and to the organisers for putting on such a wonderful event.

And so, I am offering today's review for you dear reader of a rather extraordinary woman who laced up her own trainers at the age of 35, and became an ultra-running legend.

The Plot (from the inside cover)

Susie Chan is an icon of endurance running. Since taking up running at the age of 35, she has completed the legendary Marathon des Sables more times than any other British woman, set the 12-hour treadmill World Record and was one of the first women to finish all the World Marathon majors.

Susie's story is an inspirational fight against the odds. From leaving a dysfunctional marriage, managing as a single mum and tackling cancer treatment, Susie has had her fair share of adversity. Throughout it all running has kept her going. She always finds a reason to lace up her trainers and hit the road - or the track, trail or tread. Her mantra: You'll never regret a run.

My Thoughts

I first stumbled across this book on Between the Covers where it was recommended by Susie Chan's good friend, Sophie Raworth, who also features in this book. Sophie became friends with Susie when she first tackled the gruelling Marathon des Sables. The book is a look-back at an astonishing career told with brutal honesty and openness.

Straight away, Susie opens up about why she runs, the story behind her first 10k race, run just a couple of days after the breakdown of marriage. She talks about how she was never an athlete, living in London and spending her evenings partying with friends before going to work the next day with a hangover. Indeed the initial 10k was only run to support her brother, but through running she found peace from the hectic life she had.

The chapters about the Marathon des Sables are fascinating, and provide a glimpse of the hard work needed, not only just to run it, but to live through it. The details about the camp moves, the need for a light pack but ensuring everything you need is in that pack to keep you running. The mountain that Susie had to climb both literally and metaphorically to get to the next stage. The noise of AC/DC's Highway to hell blasting at the start of the race. Susie gives us the full 360.

But then come other challenges. How exactly does one set up a World Record challenge to run for 12 hours on a treadmill. How do you prepare for an ultra marathon through the Peruvian jungle? Who actually thought up Badwater?

Throughout it all, Susie portrays the camaraderie, support and friendship she encounters on the way. People who will swop their dry clothes with you, so you can keep on running, or offer a bite of their precious food in the middle of the Moroccan desert.

This has been an inspirational read, and is a testimony to the human spirit and it's ability to challenge itself.

I will be back over the weekend with a crime novel, as it does feel a while since I have read a bit of crime.