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The Funny Guide to Running

Excuses, Obsessions, and the Hilarious Truth about Runners

Ricky Woods

$28.95   $26.32

Paperback

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English
Bemberton
25 September 2025
A Satirical Survival Guide for Anyone Obsessed With Running
The Funny Guide to Running delivers a humorous and sharply observant look at the culture, quirks, and collective chaos of modern runners. Blending satire with affectionate insight, this book explores the strange rituals, over-the-top gear, and often extreme dedication that shape one of the world's most popular-and most exhausting-hobbies.

Rather than offering training advice or race strategies, this book shines a light on the mindset and behavior of runners themselves. From the moment someone laces up their first pair of shoes to the day they declare themselves ""between training plans,"" every phase of the runner journey is explored with wit and accuracy. Readers will recognize the familiar characters, habits, and phrases that dominate group chats, running clubs, and tracking apps everywhere.

Inside, readers will find:

- The stages of runner evolution, from optimistic beginner to seasoned veteran

- A full breakdown of the gear runners buy, justify, collect-and rarely need

- A humorous look at familiar runner personalities and the roles people slip into over time

- Common runner expressions and what they truly communicate

- A lighthearted analysis of tracking apps, GPS fixation, virtual kudos, and imaginary training zones

- A guide to the emotional roller coaster of race days, long runs, setbacks, and mid-run overthinking

Written for recreational joggers, marathon enthusiasts, and everyone who has ever claimed to be ""taking it easy today,"" this book celebrates the joy, absurdity, and community found within the running world. It offers runners the chance to laugh at themselves, relate to shared experiences, and reflect on the universal motivations that keep people heading out the door-often before sunrise.

Perfect for anyone who enjoys humor, sports culture, or the unique psychology of endurance hobbies, The Funny Guide to Running is a playful companion for the runner who loves the sport, questions the sport, and keeps showing up anyway.
By:  
Imprint:   Bemberton
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 229mm,  Width: 152mm,  Spine: 6mm
Weight:   221g
ISBN:   9781918027006
ISBN 10:   1918027005
Series:   Funny Sports Gag Gift Series
Pages:   110
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Ricky Woods is a lifelong sports addict with a realistic understanding of his own abilities: enthusiastic, committed, and absolutely not destined for greatness. Whether he's hacking his way around a golf course, tangling fishing lines, convincing himself cycling uphill builds ""character,"" or redefining what counts as ""running,"" Ricky brings the same energy: try hard, swear harder, and laugh hardest.Lover of sports, master of excuses, Ricky gives 100%... of what he's got left. When he's not out playing badly, he's watching the pros do it properly from the safety of his couch - loudly offering advice they definitely don't need. He calls it ""staying realistic.""Ricky has always believed in laughing at yourself first... mostly because everyone else will beat you to it.

Reviews for The Funny Guide to Running: Excuses, Obsessions, and the Hilarious Truth about Runners

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Jayson (USA) This IS the handbook to running This guide is anything but a guide to running. It's the ""handbook"" to the runners brain pattern and thinking. If you yourself are a runner or somehow married one this is a must read. I could not put it down and constantly wanted my spouse to read it, hoping she would further understand me and my behaviors. Sharing this book with other runners and you'll have great conversation on your next run. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Jilane P. (USA) Must have for any runner!! So funny! If you are a runner, or know a runner this book is a must have- so funny (and true) Grab one for yourself or as a perfect gift! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Linda Orr (USA) This absurd past-time called Running In the movie ""Without Limits"" Coach Bill Bowerman tells his athletes that ""Running, one might say, is basically an absurd past-time upon which to be exhausting ourselves."" He never explains why but Ricky Woods does in this highly entertaining book. From gear and gadgets, fueling, race day experiences, and more, he points out all the the craziness that novice runners to grizzled veterans of the road alike take for granted. As a runner, you will find yourself chuckling while believing that this isn't you but rest assured, sooner or later you will admit ""been there, done that, have the t-shirt (because what respecting road warrior doesn't have a closet full of race shirts)."" Even my denial persisted until we got to Streak Runners. I gave in - guilty as charged. If you enjoy this absurd running pass-time as much as I do, pick up this book. You'll be laughing before you know it.


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