Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Feet in the Clouds Reviews
Isn't it strange to get such a variety of views?
In particular, some people thought the conflict between amateur and professional bodies was fascinating, when it sent me to sleep.
In particular, some people thought the conflict between amateur and professional bodies was fascinating, when it sent me to sleep.
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
I was disappointed that there wasn't a lot of focus on the author's own fell-running story. I asked for the book last Christmas after reading a great excerpt from it in Runner's World - but it seems that the part RW chose to print was the only interesting part of the whole book.
Still ploughing through it - determined to finish. Bit like a fell race really!
Mind you, not the first book I'd started and not finished!
And I absolutely agree - I'm glad I read the book (well, some of it ;-) ) because I was going to give fell-running a go at some stage, not now though!
The people described in the book are real and many are still alive. If these people had taken part in any other sport and achieved the equivalent in that sport they would be absolute heroes and we would all know there names.
Well worth reading if you love running.
Just re-read Bill Adcock's book. Now there's an interesting and inspiring book!
Think it was the writing style more than the content for me, and the author came across as a bit of a complainer/whiner.
I thought it was a damn good read - fair enough, Askwith's a bit of a soft southern shandy drinkin' puff himself (which he freely confesses), but the people he's writing about (Billy Bland, Kenny Stuart, Joss Naylor etc.) aren't. Their stories kept me turning the pages, and I read all 340 at one sitting.
Take that, naysayers!
But its about a particular branch of the sport which I wouldn't necessarily expect others to enthuse about. However it enthuses me.
Had a similar experience when reading the respective accounts of their captivity in the lebanon by Brian Keenan and Terry Waite. Keenan's account was engaging humorous and colourful, whilst I never finished Waites's, as I found it self indulgent and lugubrious
By the same token found Paula Radcliffe's book extremely tedious, especially the parts about her relationship with Gary Lough.
But you've said it first - so I can get away with it now......
Lance's first was a top read, I'd heard his second wasn't as good (how could it be?) so I haven't bothered.
I've done more than enough academic reading in my time, so much so that now when I pick up a book, I expect to be entertained, and I refuse to have to work at a book all the way through. If I have to work at it, then I'm obviously not interested. Although, you do get ones where you're interested but you can get bogged down in it, but you still persevere.
Reading a book on Jack Dempsey and the Roaring 'Twenties at the mo, and the pages are turning like nobody's business.
But
I'm genuinely dissapointed if it has put anyone off fell running. Folks should give it a go if they ever get the chance. being a flatlander isn't an excuse - I was born and brought up in Cambridgeshire....
My excuse is that I wouldn't bloomin' well like it. I suffer from vertigo and going down a near-vertical scree-covered slope does not appeal.
Different strokes and all that. You can't force people to like things, I guess.
Maybe if fell-running appealed to you as you were reading it, you'd enjoy the book, but if it didn't, then the faults in it became more apparent?
Also meant that I get a bit less confused when talking to the hardcore fell-types in club. (Living in York with no transport, I don't get much chance at hills so i just dabble - but is probably the most enjoyable stuff i do - but then again, i get bored after two laps of the track). Having been brung up in Cambridgeshire too, and being something of a wimp when it comes to heights, I'm not exactly classic fell-running material (downhills are usually accomplished to sounds of 'Oh Shi-Owwch-arrgh-SPLAT') - but the sort of uphills that make your legs wobble leave me grinning ear-to-ear, and getting awarded a special box of chocolates for 'Muddiest Runner' meant I could still manage an excited squeak even after 9m of one slippery scramble after another.
Anyway, gave it to my best friend who found it dull as ditchwater.
The other half, on the other hand, hardly ever reads but has read 'Lord of the Rings' in its entirety and loved it.
I did get halfway through Catch 22 then put it down, got distracted, then never got the motivation to pick it up again.
The Looniness of the Long Distance Runner I found a bit boring and self indulgent in places and the kind of humour all too familiar in books like this these days. Championed by Bill Bryson ?
It's disappointing to hear so many people complaining about Askwith writing about northerners and northern communities. That's where the book and its characters exist. The author doesn't pretend to be anything other than a southern softie (like me), and manages to squeeze a fair bit of self-deprecating humour out of the culture clash. Like when a southern journo asks one of the northern champions about his diet when training. "Oh, I'll eat owt", says the runner, leaving the journo thinking that the guy eats only in restaurants.
I found it touching. The book guarantees that some of these fascinating characters and their incredible feats won't be forgotten. I'm particularly glad that it was put together while it was still possible to meet and interview these legendary runners in person.
I've never run on a fell or in a fell race, but it's made me curious to try. So I guess the book did its job for me at least.
Definitely recommended by me!
One particular person read it three times over - very weird.
I think that says something about fell-runners.