Description
'An amazing story of one woman's journey through mental illness... So inspiring and proving once again that exercise changes lives' Mel Sykes
Suffering from depression but desperate for 'normality', Rachel Cullen found herself in failing relationships, the wrong career and a reliance on alcohol and chocolate to get her through each day. Stuck in an endless cycle of mental misery, she put on a pair of old trainers.
She'd never been able to think of herself as a 'runner' before, and the first time she forced herself out the door, she knew it would hurt. Everywhere. She just didn't realise how much it would heal her, too.
Interspersed with Rachel's real diary entries, from teenage non-runner to London Marathon finisher (just months after giving birth), she questions if she really can outrun her demons.
For readers who enjoyed Alexandra Heminsley's Running like a Girl and Bryony Gordon's Mad Girl, Running For My Life is a funny, heartfelt and inspirational story of one woman's marathon journey through mental illness.
About the Author
Rachel Cullen is a writer, blogger, author and runner. She is also a reformed ex-commercial litigation solicitor. Amongst other things, she has abseiled off Table Mountain, jumped out of a plane at 11,000ft, climbed Mount Fuji, worked on a game reserve in South Africa, qualified as a scuba diver and ridden an ostrich. This is her first book, detailing her very personal journey from bipolar non-runner to medal-winning marathon runner - and how she discovered happiness along the way.
Follow Rachel on Twitter @writtenbyrach and read her blog at rachelcullenwrites.co.uk - she would love to hear from you.
Reviews
Brave and inspiring, Running For My Life moved me to tears. It also moved me into my trainers and out for a run! -- Ruth Field
A searingly honest account of Rachel's amazing journey from sedentary teenager, lacking in confidence and self-esteem, through to accomplished and inspirational member of the running community. She kept me engaged from start to finish, with plenty of laughs along the way, and I'd thoroughly recommend this book to runners everywhere. -- Tom Williams, Global COO of parkrun and co-host of the Marathon Talk podcast
It's so inspirational to read how Rachel's discovery of a passion for running helped her to overcome her mental health struggles. For Rachel, running became so much more than purely keeping fit. It became something which enabled her to fully conquer the battles of severe anxiety and self-doubt. It's heartwarming to learn how Rachel has been able to -- Jo Pavey, medal-winning long-distance runner
I love this book for showing how with sheer determination and dogged tenacity you can overcome great difficulties,
and that sport, from whatever point or age that you start, can change your life. She might even persuade me that one day I too could love running.
Written wittily, honestly and with a "take no crap" attitude, I could feel the warmth of [Rachel] as a person in her writing. Anyone who is hungry for change, looking for "the light" or even running their first marathon and needing a little insight; this book is FOR YOU! I loved every chapter of this book. -- Lipstick & Trainers blog
What a heartfelt, moving, honest journey of self-discovery... this is a book you have to pick up in 2018. Rachel is a natural writer... I was laughing out loud at times, feeling sad at others, but most of all I was rooting for her the whole way through. -- Sissi Reads blog
A rich, colourful and brutally honest account of one woman's fight to beat her mental health demons. Written with candid details and dark humour this book is a journey about a quest to live life in the happiest and healthiest way possible - chronicling all the ups and downs, the good, the bad and the downright ugly along the way! -- The Very Pink Notebook blog
Full of heart and beautifully told... inspirational, melancholy and often very funny, it's kind of a road map of the inner soul - I loved it. -- Liz Loves Books blog
I thought Running For My Life was excellent... honest, interesting and encouraging. I recommend it... to those who simply want a fascinating, surprisingly entertaining and informative read. It's a super book. -- Linda's Book Bag blog
Book Information
ISBN 9781911274841
Author Rachel Ann Cullen
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint BLINK Publishing
Publisher Bonnier Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 321g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 25mm
