I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational

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A quick rundown of this product’s key features:

BRENDAN LEONARD HATES RUNNING. He hates it so much that he once logged fifty-two marathon-length runs in fifty-two weeks. Now he’s sharing everything he’s learned about the sport so that you can hate it too.

Packed with wisdom, humor, attitude, tips, and quotes—and more than sixty illuminating charts—I Hate Running and You Can Too delivers a powerful message of motivation from a truly relatable mentor.

Leonard nails the love-hate relationship most runners have with the sport. He knows the difficulty of getting off the couch, teaches us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, embraces the mix of running with walking. And he shares all that he’s learned—celebrating the mantra of “Easy, light, smooth, and fast,” observing that any body that runs is a runner’s body.

Plus Leonard knows all the practical stuff, from training methods to advice for when you hit a setback or get injured. Even the answer to that big question a lot of runners occasionally ask: Why? Easy: Running helps us understand commitment, develop patience, discover self-discipline, find mental toughness, and prove to ourselves that we can do something demanding. And, of course, burn off that extra serving of nachos.

Our Top Reviews

Reviewer: James
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best running book that I’ve read in a long time
Review: I’ve been trying to get my running legs and motivation back for a while. I was an avid runner for years averaging 30+ miles per week. This book puts running into perspective. We all struggle through the first mile or so and then somehow find ourselves enjoying it. The author says it like it is and I couldn’t help but laugh as I read through the quick-read chapters. The graphics are great and informative. This is a must read for anyone who is/was/or wants to be a runner.

Reviewer: Eric Walker
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Very entertaining and motivating
Review: If you are looking for a great motivational book to keep you going in whatever you are trying to do look no further. If you are looking for a book about how to run then this might not be what you are looking for but you should pick this one up as well to give you some laughs along your running journey.The great part about this book is that it is all about the Running journey and exploring why people run and the motivation behind it. By using Brendan’s and others’ relatable running stories it frames up challenges all of us face to just get motivated to do things in life. There are always obstacles in the way, better things to do, or thinking we are too busy to do something. As a “runner” myself, I can personally relate to the specific stories of running as no matter how much I love running, being outdoors, It is much better to have the run done and behind me as I too am someone that struggles most of the time to just get out the door. Specific to running, everyone has their own story and reasons why they run and Brendan also explores that as part of the book.Overall, I couldn’t recommend this book more but honestly don’t just take my word for it and pick up a copy. The best thing is it is a smaller-sized book so you can carry it with you on all of your adventures (well maybe not while running) so you can refer to the helpful motivational kick in the butt that is needed from time to time while doing anything. Honestly, I wish I had this book a couple of years back when I was content with just running a 5k a day as some days were harder to get motivated than others. As I am now running longer miles with slightly less frequency, I feel like this book helps keep me motivated to get out there.

Reviewer: Ramon Manzano Sullivan
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book for runners.
Review: I really enjoyed this book, and this coming from a guy that is forcing himself to read, is big. Easy to read, fun and the drawings are hilarious. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: holzer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good, fun read weather or not you are an ultra runner!
Review: I’ve been following Brendan for a few years now over at Semi-Rad, where I heard about the book. Being a sometimes runner who wants to be a routine runner, I thought I’d check it out and it did not disappoint. Full of his usual fun illustrations, it was a great casual morning read! I’ve now passed it on to several friends to help spread the h<3te for running! Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Must read
Review: A must read for anyone who wants to hate running. This book helped me so much during a slump in my running progression. I’m sure I’ll revisit this book many times( as long as my legs keep me moving forward).

Reviewer: Beth
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Just what I needed…
Review: I had a short stint with running competitively my freshman year in high school, was great at it, but I hated it. Walked away for years. I tried running to like it without competition, that never stuck because I always thought you had to either run or walk. I’m 56 now, 40 pounds over weight, and decided I needed to prioritize my health. Bought this book because I could totally relate to the title and Jack Galloway’s Walk Run book. These books especially in combination are a gift to my soul. I’m finishing up my third week of run walking and loving it! I begin each day reading Brendan’s book and then follow Jack’s plan. I’m actually further along than recommended and looking forward to the next time I’m out there rain or shine. Thank you Brendan for giving me permission to define progress and success by simply being out there. Great way to start each day. Loving the sounds of nature. Yay to walk running!!! I’ll see you on the trail!

Reviewer: Shelby Scott
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I Love This Book And You Can Too!
Review: I bought this book right before I ran a marathon, read it, then bought two copies for my friends who were running their first races at that distance. As I read through it, I felt like everything from the book was mirrored in my graduate school experience and even gave a talk in my professional society connecting the interdisciplinary graduate experience to running, using these charts. This book beautifully (and hilariously) discusses the realities of learning to run really, really long distances. Going into my recent 50 miler, I read it one more time, just to give me the boost I needed. Thanks so much to Brendan for giving all of us this breath of fresh air book!

Reviewer: B. Carpenter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: For regular runners who run irregular distances
Review: Hilarious, and true! Leonard uses humor to shed light on our myths, practices, and illogical ways.This is a book not to help you find your motivation, but to understand it, and to work with the imperfection of that.You read this and you think, “Guilty. That’s me.” And he has actual advice to help you help yourself.Best running book I’ve read, and I’ve read them all. Note: this is not meant to be a book for coaches or semi-elites. Just for regular runners, who run irregular distances.Just what I needed to break out of my—ahem—off-season.Might borrow the graphics for some workplace humor, too (cited, of course).

Reviewer: Anna M S
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A great read with very apt illustrations! Could not put the book down as it sums up my relationship with running.

Reviewer: Salvador Fandino
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: No le he encontrado mucha utilidad a este libro, todo cosas muy básicas y superficiales. Tampoco es demasiado gracioso aunque lo intente.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Look, this book is full of simple-minded cliches. And that’s exactly what’s so great about it. Because running (or any other activity) doesn’t really have a magic formula. You kinda sorta get out and do it, and start liking bits of it. Thanks for the reminder!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I’ve been following “Semi-Rad” on social media for a while and get his weekly emails too so knew roughly what to expect. This guy is really funny but also provides great advice for all runners, whether you’re just starting your first 5k programme or taking on an ultra. Had me in stitches at times but also some great ways to look at running, our love/hate relationship to it and how to keep going when you’re struggling for motivation. I loved this book!

Reviewer: Paulo Henrique
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It’s good to beginners but experienced runners can also have some nice information and have fun reading it. I recommend.

Price effective as of Jun 22, 2025 04:59:43 UTC

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