Life Is a Marathon cover art

Life Is a Marathon

A Memoir of Love and Endurance

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Life Is a Marathon

By: Matt Fitzgerald
Narrated by: Jamie Renell
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About this listen

 An endurance athlete and coach reveals how the marathon transforms the lives of everyone who attempts it--and how it has helped his own family cope with serious adversity

Step after step for 26.2 miles, hundreds of thousands of people run marathons. But why--what compels people past pain, lost toenails, 5.30 am start times, The Wall? Sports writer Matt Fitzgerald set out to run eight marathons in eight weeks across the country to answer that question. At each race, he meets an array of runners, from first timers, to dad-daughter teams and spouses, to people who'd been running for decades, and asks them what keeps them running. But there is another deeply personal part to Matt's journey: his own relationship to the sport--and how it helped him overcome his own struggles and cope with his wife Nataki's severe bipolar disorder.

A combination of Matt's own How Bad Do You Want It? and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Life Is a Marathon captures the magic of those 26.2 miles. At the end of the day--and at the end of the race--the pursuit of a marathon finish line is not unlike the pursuit of happiness. You will pick up the book for a powerful personal story about what running does for the people for whom it does the most. You will put it down with a greater understanding of what it means to be alive in this world.
 Personal Development Running & Jogging Memoir Mental Health Health

Critic Reviews

"Life is a Marathon is a powerful inspiration for the body, mind, and heart: after reading the book, I want to run longer, better understand myself as an athlete, and most importantly, love with more patience and generosity."
—Mark Lukach, author of the international bestseller My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward
"Matt Fitzgerald reveals how perseverance and authentic love (whether it be for a partner, a sport, or anything that's close to one's heart) can transform a life into one that's worth living. Life is a Marathon is nothing short of remarkable."
—Dyane Harwood, author of Birth of a New Brain: Healing from Postpartum Bipolar Disorder
"Life is a Marathon is a running book, of course, but it's also about love, family, passion, and what it means to find your true self. It's a must-read for anyone who has run a marathon -- or wants to."
—Jen Miller, author of Running: A Love Story
"I've long admired Matt as a writer. Life is a Marathon allowed me to get to know him as a person. Thoughtful runners will appreciate this honest and insightful book."
—Scott Douglas, author of Running is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and several other running books
All stars
Most relevant
Well written. Honest and funny. Thanks for your honesty matt
Loved hearing the life atory

Great

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loved listening to this audio book whilst on my long runs, definitely helped push me to keep going on the tougher runs.

Awesome audio book

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Personal, touching and all round awesome read. Anyone who has ever heard of or understands some of the complex topics of within the subject of mental health and how helpless it can make you feel at times should also read this. Fitzgerald bears all in this thrilling account of his difficult time with his beautiful wife and his own endurance activities and challenges at the time. Fitzgerald, a world renowned author and coach gets you to understand through this book that, life really is a marathon. Be careful though, on occasion the heart strings are tugged!!

Wow!

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Thanks Matt.

This is a great insight into Matt’s life as a runner, author, trainer and husband. Matt hasn’t steered away from the difficult parts of his life. Instead, he jumps into the ugliness of life head first and reminds us in his unique and funny way that life, much like a marathon, needs to be endured so that it can be cherished.

Much to learn

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Just a wonderful story masterfully written. I’ve been consuming a lot of running books of late, this is my new favourite. Some sections a bit slow, but overall amazing.

Beautiful and compelling story

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Just stick to running things, not interested people married life, we all have problems

Miss learning title,

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