The Marathon Of Life

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.

"The first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy-before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up"--

The Marathon of Life is the spiritual journey that we all take on our own as individuals-a race that we all run each day with God toward destiny. Some of us are aware of that journey early on. Others awaken to it later. But each of us has opportunities throughout our lifetime to be transformed from what we thought we were into all that we know we are and will become again. It's also the single biggest project that you will ever have the privilege of participating in! So why not treat it as such? Why not define its scope and build on the foundation that's already inside you? Why not invest in it enough to rediscover all that you already know about yourself? Because isn't that why you're here? To live your purpose and consciously create the life that you know you were born to manifest? Will it require a lot of hard work along the way? A lot of training, endurance, and discipline? Absolutely! All of that and more, for sure. But LifeChampions(c) know what it takes to fulfill their spiritual destiny. They know how to run their own race, and they do whatever's necessary to claim the prize that awaits them. So I ask you today: Do you have what it takes to run the race marked out for you? Are you willing to commit to those first steps of faith toward all that you love, even if you don't quite know where they'll take you? If so, then you're ready. And that's really all that matters right now. Everything else will come in time.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A world-class runner and four-time Olympian shares the life lessons he’s learned from each of the twenty-six marathons he’s run in his storied career. “An athlete whose wisdom and lessons aren’t just for runners.”—The Washington Post When Meb Keflezighi—the first person in history to win both the Boston and New York City marathons as well as an Olympic marathon medal—ran his final marathon in New York City on November 5, 2017, it marked the end of an extraordinary distance-running career. Meb's last marathon was also his twenty-sixth, and each of those marathons has come with its own unique challenges, rewards, and outcomes. In 26 Marathons, Meb takes readers on those legendary races, along every hill, bend, and unexpected turn of events that made each marathon an exceptional learning experience, and a fascinating story. 26 Marathons offers the wisdom Meb has gleaned about life, family, identity, and faith in addition to tips about running, training, and nutrition. He shows runners of all levels how to apply the lessons he's learned to their own running and lives. Equal parts inspiration and practical advice, 26 Marathons provides an inside look at the life and success of one of the greatest runners living today. Praise for 26 Marathons “26 Marathons is a swift read, guaranteed to be popular with student athletes plus hard-core and recreational runners, who will undoubtedly agree that Meb is an American treasure and running ambassador who never fails to inspire.”—Booklist (starred review) “26 Marathons gives great insight about the ups and downs in marathon running and how to cope with them. As Meb shows, dealing with these marathon experiences help us become better in our lives.”—Eliud Kipchoge, Marathon World Record Holder and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist “Meb’s 26 Marathons is like opening a treasure chest full of inspiring stories that give behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mental and physical joys and obstacles that elite-level racing can bring. His advice on training, overcoming injuries, and adversity is for everyone. It’s pure gold!”—Shalane Flanagan, 2017 TCS NYC Marathon Champion

Every runner needs three things: encouragement, sound training advice, and a way to incorporate running into the rest of her life. 26.2 Life Lessons: Helping You Keep Pace with the Marathon of Life is full of all three.

DO YOU NEED A LIFE COACH? U.S. President Thomas Jefferson did--he called Jesus' teaching: The most sublime Code of Morals ever offered to Man.Ó This dynamic book echoes Jefferson's sentiment, and coaches its readers by examining fifty core sayings of Jesus, authenticated by the scholars of the Jesus Seminar. This selection reveals the forceful theme of his original teaching. Each saying is carefully considered and then arranged in a unique order to clarify his positive challenge. In every age, followers have followed Jesus' coaching, working for the Good Society which, he asserted, is created by God's loving will. His grassroots approach to personal and social reform is compared with the failed social and political philosophies of our day. The author, Peter Watson Jenkins, has thoughtfully picked the fruits of modern scholarship, making them available for all to ponder, enjoy, and adopt, as Jesus' authentic coaching. He explains how his life as a student changed when, after reading Jesus' authentic message for himself, he chose Jesus as the coachÓ for his lifelong marathon. Training for the Marathon of Life is not just a Bible study; it's a call to action--an invitation for us all to play our part in creating the Good Society. This engaging book is designed both for people who have never committed themselves to the church view of Jesus, and also for those who have gladly done so. It will encourage debate by young and old, and inspire great, action-packed sermons, too!

This is the extraordinary true story of how a former British soldier turned extreme adventurer set out to run marathons in the world's most dangerous countries. In 2018, Jordan Wylie trained and ran in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan to raise awareness of the plight of children suffering in war zones as well as the funds to help provide education. Risking his life in some of the most hostile places in the world, Wylie defies suicide bombers, official advice, dehydration and exhaustion, as well as his own mental and physical health issues in an incredible tale of endurance and tenacity against the odds. His first race, in Somalia, is moved to Somaliland after a suicide bomber kills 600 people. Running the Baghdad half-marathon brings back painful memories of friends and colleagues he lost when he served there. Finally, at the Afghanistan marathon, he provides a high-profile target for the Taliban, who murder seventeen people the day before he arrives. What makes these three runs even more challenging is the fact that Jordan is affected not just by mental health issues from his own experiences, but also with epilepsy. Alongside the more extreme obstacles, Jordan has to overcome self-doubt – and the doubt of others – to show what can be achieved with belief and fortitude.