How to Run a Marathon in 13 Years is a captivating memoir detailing the author’s incredible odyssey towards running a marathon after battling a series of injuries, medical issues and a mental health crisis. The journey is long and full of obstacles, but JP Mac shows readers that perseverance and determination are all it takes to overcome the variety of challenges that life throws at us.

JP Mac was a middle-aged man who loved running marathons. While training for his biggest marathon he noticed an odd, sharp pain in his left knee, a condition he named SPITLK (pronounced spit-lick). The knee pain didn’t leave on its own like he thought it would, instead he was forced to go from doctor to doctor, from appointment to appointment, and his health was only getting worse. As time progressed he had knee surgery, and shoulder surgery, and with that gained a lot of weight. Add to it he was then diagnosed with cancer and it’s no wonder that all this took a toll on his mental health. However, after a lot of uphill battles, years later he managed to get back to his marathons and was better than he ever was.

This is an inspirational story with a style and tone that make the book feel like a diary. This gives this extraordinary story a personal feel, which helps connect readers to JP and ensures we feel all the heartache and triumphs along the way. We learn that the author is tough and tenacious. To have gone through what he’s gone through takes so much on its own, and he still had the willpower to continue with running. This inspiring read is perfect for readers who are going through a tough time as the author shares his personal experiences while keeping a great sense of humor.

At the beginning of every chapter the author provides the year and the best picture (movie), Super Bowl champ, top song, U.S. President and the top we browser, which I found to be interesting and added a cultural point-in-time feel to the story. This was also interesting for me because I could look back at my life and remember what I was doing at that time and compare it to what the author was going through. I found it humorous that the author compared running to that of an ex girlfriend and it shows just how enticing running is to the author.

How to Run a Marathon in 13 Years is an emotional, fun, and inspiring memoir that serves as a beacon of hope to anyone that thinks they can’t pull themselves out of the rut they find themselves in. Mac’s story touched me deeply and made me think about my own life. I recommend this uplifting memoir to anyone who needs to find the motivation, willpower, and strength to push forward regardless of the goal you are trying to reach, or to readers looking for a riveting memoir about an intriguing person that faced some tough obstacles.

Pages: 174 | ASIN: B0B6MP879R

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/29/how-to-run-a-marathon-in-13-years/